Frieren Tops Fan Poll for Winter 2026 Anime; JJK and Oshi no Ko Follow

Fan anticipation for the Winter 2026 anime season is running high, with sequels dominating the top spots in Anime Corner's latest fan-voted rankings. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2 secured the number one position, pulling in 8.62% of the total vote, confirming the massive hype for the returning fantasy hit.

The sequel hype continued as Jujutsu Kaisen's The Culling Game Part 1 landed in second place with 5.95%. Oshi no Ko Season 3 followed closely behind, taking third place at 5.84%.

Production studio Madhouse is handling Frieren Season 2, which will continue the acclaimed elf mage's journey while bringing Fern into a more central narrative role. Fans can mark their calendars for January 8, when Jujutsu Kaisen is set to kick off its chaotic Culling Game arc, streaming via Crunchyroll. Oshi no Ko Season 3 is also shifting its streaming platform, moving to Crunchyroll after its previous run on HIDIVE.

Beyond the top three, the Winter 2026 lineup features a solid mix of established franchises and intriguing new entries. Other outlets have highlighted their own picks for the season. ANN's internal predictions placed My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Season 2 at number ten, the fantasy title The Holy Grail of Eris at eight, and the shoujo revival Hana-Kimi at six.

High expectations are also circulating for the adaptation of JoJo’s Steel Ball Run, alongside sequels like Hell's Paradise Season 2 and Fire Force Season 3 Part 2. The rare josei title Journal with Witch is also gaining buzz following strong trailer reception.

ComicBook.com suggested that Black Clover Season 2 could be a major player in 2026, noting that it will adapt later manga arcs five years after the first season concluded. The lineup is further bolstered by new additions, including the Korean webtoon adaptation Terramman, promising fresh suspense for the winter slate.