Jujutsu Kaisen finally debuted its astonishing season 3 return this week, and it’s certainly proven to be worth the wait. The stylized visuals are at their highest points yet, with anime-original shots of new villains like Naoya Zenin absolutely stealing every scene. However, Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t the only great returning, with Frieren: Journey’s End season 2 coming next week.
Frieren and Jujutsu Kaisen are thematically, visually, and experientially different. However, in terms of anticipation and overall impact on the fandom, Frieren seems poised to claim the status of the era’s greatest anime, while Jujutsu Kaisen, in a kairotic sense, is a strong contender of hottest anime of the here-and-now; now, the two share a season, putting forth different legacies.
Frieren Season 2 Is 2026’s Most Anticipated Anime Return
It’s not controversial to say Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End season 2 is the biggest return for anime in 2026. While there are certainly some absolute show-stoppers coming, such as Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War’s conclusion and Black Clover’s long-awaited season 2, the impact of Frieren is strongly backed by data across multiple platforms.
While individual assessments certainly place Frieren among 2026’s biggest anime, user-driven surveys such as at Anime Trending and MyAnimeList indicate strong, consistent support for the series. It’s hard to see why not; after all, the anime has a deliberate, intimate pace to the innately relatable topic of life’s ephemeral nature, self-discovery, interpersonal connections, and embracing even mundane, fleeting experiences.
“Frieren, you should treasure the encounters you have. Death isn’t the only goodbye in this life.”
-Wirbel in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 1, Episode #28
But one quality arguably more important for this animated medium than narrative depth, is the combination of visuals and animation quality. Produced by Madhouse, the series is among the era’s most cinematic, cleanly-produced and stylized shows, with its filmic application of grain feeling utterly nostalgic.
Beyond narrative depth, strong characterization, and beautiful visuals, the last, most approachable reason Frieren season 2 is 2026’s biggest anime is seeing where the story goes next. Fern is now a first-class mage, as she travels with Frieren and Stark to Aureole, through the Northern Plateau, Rufen Region, and potentially early glimpses of the Golden Land, the manga’s best arc.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Is Off to a Phenomenal Start
While Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is likely not going to see a challenge to its throne atop MyAnimeList’s all-timers, Jujutsu Kaisen is certainly dominating the moment. Following the wide release of season 3, episodes #1 and #2, fans were understandably mesmerized by the killer combination of introspective music and pulse-pounding beats for its action, and MAPPA’s usual, immaculate visual flair.
One instantly memorable example includes lingering on symbolism like that of Yuji desperately washing the blood from his hands, signifying his all-consuming guilt following the Shibuya Incident. Even the same episode features Naoya Zenin’s gloriously self-absorbed fighter persona, fixing his hair effortlessly while fending off Yuji and Choso. It’s an excellent return well worth discussing in online circles.
In terms of legacy, Jujutsu Kaisen doesn’t need to strive to achieve what Frieren has. Its manga smokes most of its contemporary competition at 150 million copies sold, with a strong franchise in place, even if its video games are currently lacking. It’s ruling the anime world living in the moment, while Frieren will impact viewers far beyond the end.
Release Date
September 29, 2023
Network
Nippon TV, YTV, FBS, Chukyo TV, RNB, FCT, STV, KNB, HTV, YBS, RAB, TVI, YBC, UMK TV Miyazaki, TSB, MMT, TeNY, RNC, NIB, KKT, KTK, NKT, ABS, JRT, Daiichi-TV, FBC, RKC, KYT, KRY
Directors
Kento Matsui, Kota Mori, Takahiro Natori, Morio Asaka, Lim Ka-hee, Taku Kimura, Ken Ando, Hirotaka Mori, Ayaka Tsuji
Atsumi Tanezaki
Frieren (voice)
Kana Ichinose
Fern (voice)