| Vibe | Watch the Anime | Read the Manga | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Demon Slayer | One Piece | | Need to Think | Death Note (first half) | Monster | | Need to Cry | Your Lie in April | Goodnight Punpun | | Need to Escape | Mushoku Tensei | Frieren | | Need Art | Jujutsu Kaisen (S2) | Berserk or Vagabond |

Unlike the "power of friendship" tropes in most sports series, Blue Lock is about egoism. It’s a high-stakes battle royale where 300 strikers compete to become the best in Japan. How to Choose Your Next Series

Set in a world where negative human emotions manifest as "Curses," Yuji Itadori joins a secret organization of Sorcerers to eliminate a powerful Curse named Ryomen Sukuna. The animation by MAPPA is industry-leading.

For manga readers, MyAnimeList remains the essential community hub for discovering new series, tracking what you‘ve read, and seeing what fans worldwide are recommending. Their annual “You Should Read This Manga” project is an excellent starting point for finding your next favorite series.

While anime often grabs the headlines, the source material remains the purest way to experience the stories authors intend. 2026 has already seen several manga series dominate sales charts and award ceremonies.

(Anime): A kind, orphaned high school girl discovers that the mysterious Sohma family is cursed to turn into animals of the Chinese Zodiac when hugged by the opposite sex. Recommendation: Watch the 2019 anime reboot for a complete, beautifully animated, and deeply emotional adaptation. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

For those who prefer a grittier tone and complex moral dilemmas.

While big sequels dominate conversations, some of the year’s best anime are getting only a fraction of the attention they deserve:

If you have never seen an anime before, start here. These are Western-friendly, high-energy, and require zero knowledge of Japanese culture.

Koyoharu Gotouge’s original manga features crisp pacing and a conclusive, deeply emotional ending. Jujutsu Kaisen