All Eyes on These Returning Anime Legends in 2026

They changed the anime world when they first aired. Now they’re back to do it again.

2026 isn’t just another anime year — it’s a reunion. A year when legendary titles return with new seasons, long-awaited endings, and comebacks we weren’t sure we’d ever see.

These are the series that built fanbases, sparked obsession, and left us rewatching for years. In 2026, they return not as memories, but as events. And they’re ready to shake the anime world all over again.

Here are the most iconic anime legends making their return in 2026 — and why all eyes are on them.

*1. Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Final Fight Begins

The last chapter of Bleach’s final arc drops in 2026. Ichigo, Uryu, and the Soul Society face their biggest test yet. The animation is cinematic, the battles are brutal, and the emotional payoffs are everything fans have waited for. It’s not just a finale — it’s Bleach’s greatest moment.

*2. One Punch Man Season 3 – Heroes vs. Monsters at Full Power

After years of hype, Season 3 is finally here — and it’s massive. The war with the Monster Association kicks off in full, and Garou steps into the spotlight. With jaw-dropping fights and character moments that hit hard, this season proves One Punch Man is more than just laughs.

*3. Re:Zero Season 3 – A New Layer of Pain

No one suffers like Subaru. And this season? It gets worse. Season 3 dives into the twisted “Covenant of the Sanctuary” arc, where every choice hurts and every timeline is cruel. But the emotion, the growth, and the heartbreak? As powerful as ever.

*4. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 – Culling Game Chaos

Get ready for non-stop mayhem. Season 3 picks up after the tragic Shibuya Incident and drops us into the brutal Culling Game. Yuji, Megumi, and new cursed users face impossible odds. With the stakes raised and trust shattered, this arc is darker and more dangerous than anything before.

*5. Noragami Season 3 – The God With No Shrine Returns

After years of silence, Yato is back. Season 3 uncovers his past, reveals deeper lore, and tests his bonds with Yukine and Hiyori. The gods are watching, enemies are closing in, and Yato must finally face who he really is. This comeback means everything to longtime fans.

*6. Yona of the Dawn Season 2 – Princess No More

Yona’s evolution continues. Season 2 takes her deeper into war, politics, and leadership. With her dragons by her side and a kingdom on the brink, Yona must rise not just as a symbol — but as a ruler. Long overdue, and absolutely worth the wait.

*7. Mob Psycho 100 – Final Goodbye Special

Mob’s journey ended, but the fans still needed a final moment. A special episode in 2026 gives us one last look at Mob, Reigen, and their beautifully chaotic world. No explosions this time — just heart. It’s quiet, it’s powerful, and it’s a perfect sendoff.

*8. The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4 – Back Into the Fire

Naofumi faces new threats and deeper betrayals. Season 4 focuses on the political side of the world, with trust tested at every step. The fights are harder. The enemies are smarter. And the lines between right and wrong blur even more.

*9. Classroom of the Elite Season 3 – Everyone’s a Pawn

Ayanokoji is back, and he’s more dangerous than ever. With every class gunning for the top and secrets unraveling, Season 3 takes the mind games to a new level. No one is safe. Nothing is fair. And the smartest player wins.

*10. No Game No Life Season 2 – Return to the Board

Sora and Shiro finally return to Disboard, ready to take on new gods and even harder games. Fans have waited nearly a decade for this — and the sequel doesn’t disappoint. Strategy meets chaos in the most colorful, clever way possible.

*11. Solo Leveling Season 2 – The Monarch War Begins

Jinwoo is done hiding. Season 2 starts the Monarch Wars, with the fate of the world on the line. More enemies. More shadows. More reasons to believe Solo Leveling is here to rule the new generation of anime legends.

*12. Deadman Wonderland Season 2 – Finally Finished

It took over a decade, but Deadman Wonderland finally returns. This season adapts the rest of the manga, finishing Ganta’s brutal, heartbreaking journey through a nightmare prison. It’s violent. It’s raw. And it’s long overdue.