Winter 2026 Anime Rankings Unveiled: Jujutsu Kaisen Takes Top Spot

Winter 2026 Anime Initial Rankings Released: Jujutsu Kaisen Takes the Lead

In an exciting announcement from Dwango Corporation, the initial performance rankings for the Winter 2026 anime have been revealed on the video streaming service, Niconico. This ranking highlights the top ten anime series based on their early response metrics, including view counts, comment frequency, and access statistics, all collected up to January 20, 2026. Let's dive into the details of this season's most talked-about shows.

Top Ranked Anime

1. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: Shibuya Incident Part 1
Ranking first is _Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: Shibuya Incident Part 1_, based on the wildly popular manga by Gege Akutami, which has seen over 150 million copies sold to date. This season features an unprecedented scale of curse battles with the narrative focusing on the 'Shibuya Incident.' In episode 50 (the third episode of Season 3), fans were treated to a cameo by the comedian Kendo Kobayashi, who voiced a character strikingly similar to himself. The reaction from fans was electric, with comments like, “Is that really him?” and “Kendo playing Kendo?!” circulating in response to the surprising casting choice.

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2. Fate/strange Fake
Coming in second is _Fate/strange Fake_, a spin-off of the Fate series by Ryohgo Narita, who is widely known for his work on _Durarara!!_. Originally conceived as an April Fool’s joke, the storyline unfolds in America years after the conclusion of the Fifth Holy Grail War. In a twist, the end credits of episode 2 featured a light-hearted sequence contrasting with the serious tone of the series, showcasing the characters happily holding hands. Fans were bemused, crafting comments such as, “What is this?!” and “Everyone looks so friendly!” as they suggested that more viewers tuned in just to see the ending.

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3. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2
Securing the third place is _Frieren: Beyond Journey's End_ Season 2. Despite only airing its first episode, the anticipation was palpable, representing a narrative of the former heroes living out their lives post-adventure. Fans particularly responded to a scene of the heroine, Frieren, asleep, with comments lit up by remarks like “So cute!” and “She looks just like my plushie!” reflecting the series’ enduring appeal.

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4. Oshi no Ko Season 3
In fourth is _Oshi no Ko Season 3_, which picks up six months following the events of Season 2. The debut episode featured a catchy insert song by B Komachi, attracting remarks from viewers about its addictive nature, with comments like “I love this song!” and “I keep rewinding it!” demonstrating fans' engagement with the musical aspect.

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5. Punished Hero: Record of the Punitive Hero Squad 9004
Finally, in fifth place we have _Punished Hero: Record of the Punitive Hero Squad 9004_. Based on a novel from Rocket Company, this dark fantasy explores the lives of heroes condemned to punishment for simply being heroes. The series debuted with an hour-long special showcasing high-quality action scenes akin to film standards, eliciting astonished comments like, “This is intense for the first episode!” and “I can't wait to see how it ends!” Fans were also intrigued by a goddess character who shockingly tells the protagonist to please her by defeating enemies, sparking responses like, “She’s adorable!” and “I hope she’s alright!”

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Official Page

Unique Viewing Experience on Niconico

On Niconico, viewers engage in a unique viewing experience where they can comment in real-time on the screen, share various reactions, and banter regarding the characters' actions. The phenomenon of 'Danmaku' (bullet comments) further enhances the communal aspect of watching anime, allowing users to collectively celebrate, laugh, and share emotional responses. This distinctive viewing experience exemplifies Niconico's dedication to fostering a joyful and shared anime-watching culture, making it a must-visit for anime fans worldwide.