The summer anime season is moving toward its final weeks, and attention is already shifting to what comes next. Fall 2026 is shaping up to be one of the more interesting anime seasons of the year, with several major returning series and highly anticipated new installments arriving from late September through October.

For fans who are already making their watchlists, there are plenty of familiar names to keep an eye on. Some of these shows are returning after long breaks, while others are continuing stories that already have a strong following.

Here are five anime worth keeping on your radar as the Fall 2026 season approaches.

1. The Apothecary Diaries Season 3

The Apothecary Diaries is returning with its third season on October 2, 2026.

The new season will be released in two parts, with the first cour beginning in October and the second scheduled for April 2027. Crunchyroll has also confirmed that it will stream the series as it airs.

The return of Maomao and Jinshi is especially interesting because the series has built its popularity around palace mysteries, clever investigations and character-driven storytelling rather than relying only on action.

If you enjoyed the first two seasons, this is one of the easiest additions to your Fall watchlist.

2. Black Clover Season 2

After more than five years away from regular TV episodes, Black Clover is finally returning in October 2026.

The new season will once again be produced by Studio Pierrot, with Ayataka Tanemura directing. Crunchyroll has confirmed that it will stream the series when it returns.

The long break makes this one of the biggest comeback stories of the upcoming season. Fans who followed Asta and the Black Bulls before the original anime ended in 2021 now have a reason to revisit the series before the new episodes arrive.

For anyone who enjoys long-running shonen anime, this could become one of the major weekly shows of the season.

3. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

Netflix is bringing viewers back to Night City with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2, scheduled to premiere on October 20, 2026.

Unlike a traditional continuation focused on the original cast, the new 10-episode story follows a new group of characters while remaining in the same Cyberpunk world. Netflix describes it as a standalone story built around revenge and redemption.

That makes it particularly interesting for viewers who enjoyed the first series but are also curious about a completely different story in the same setting.

4. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run — 2nd STAGE

JoJo fans also have another reason to keep September on their radar.

The second stage of STEEL BALL RUN JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is confirmed for Fall 2026, with Netflix planning a weekly release. The story continues Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli’s dangerous cross-country race through a much larger and more unpredictable world.

Current anime release listings place the next stage in late September, making it one of the earliest major titles arriving around the transition into the fall season.

5. Black Clover and The Apothecary Diaries Aren’t the Only Big Returns

The wider Fall 2026 lineup is much bigger than these four titles. Current seasonal listings include dozens of upcoming series, while major anime databases are already tracking new premieres across September and October.

That is exactly why this season could become particularly busy for anime viewers. Instead of having only one or two major shows to follow, fans will have several established franchises competing for weekly watch time.

For viewers who like trying something new, this is also a good opportunity to look beyond the biggest names and discover some of the season’s newer original or lesser-known series.

What Should You Watch First?

If you prefer mystery and palace drama, start with The Apothecary Diaries Season 3.

For classic shonen action, Black Clover Season 2 is the obvious choice.

If you want dark science fiction, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 should be near the top of your list, while JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run is a strong pick for fans looking for something more unusual.

With September already underway, now is a good time to finish any older seasons you have missed before the Fall 2026 lineup starts getting busy.