Best Anime Summer 2026: 15 New Series Reviewed

The summer anime season 2026 is rolling, and it’s amazing!

However, this list is a selection of the best of the best this season has to offer.

Over 40 new anime series have been released this summer, but only 15 have made it to this list.

The selection process has been challenging because some excellent series were left out, but otherwise it would have been impossible to review them all.

As usual, this selection only covers new releases, so don’t expect new seasons from ongoing series.

Interestingly, two isekai series make it onto this list, but as we will see later, they are unique cases.

Let’s dive into the amazing new anime series for this summer season!

How to watch these series

Most of these series are available internationally through streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video; some of them are on platforms like HIDIVE, which is only available in a few countries.

If the series you want to watch isn’t available in your region, you’ll need a VPN like ExpressVPN to gain access.

For a more detailed guide about how to access the different streaming platforms with a VPN, please check our dedicated guides on our website.

1. The Ghost in the Shell

Genre: Action, Mystery, Science Fiction, Cyberpunk
Episodes: 10 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 7th July 2026
Available on: Prime Video (worldwide)

Let’s start with what I consider the strongest and most anticipated release of this season. But before starting to delve deep into this series, I’d like to make a disclaimer: I’ve been a Ghost in the Shell fan since 1996, so my opinion may be a little bit biased.

The Ghost in the Shell is the fourth adaptation of the manga by Masamune Shirow published in 1989. The story gained international fame thanks to the 1995 anime film directed by Mamoru Oshii. This film marked a before-and-after in the animation field and for the science fiction genre in general; it was also the vehicle for the 90s anime wave in Western countries.

Although what has been done with this franchise has been excellent in terms of animation quality and writing, The Ghost in the Shell is the first adaptation to be faithful to the source in all aspects. Previous adaptations were overly serious, emphasising the psychological and philosophical aspects of the story. Still, the truth is Shirow’s manga has plenty of humour and fanservice. This is not necessarily a flaw, but a different overall approach and tone.

This current adaptation is done by Science Saru, a young Japanese animation studio founded in 2013, famous for their animation style which mixes hand-drawn animation with Flash. Science Saru is doing an incredible job of bringing “The Ghost in the Shell” to the screen. Their character designs closely resemble those of Shirow, and they have also used a colour palette that is almost identical to the coloured pages of the manga.

The story is set in 2029 and follows Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg leading an elite combat unit who ends up agreeing to create the Public Security Section 9 along with Daisuke Aramaki from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The mission of Section 9 is to work as a counter terrorism tactical unit in charge of investigating cybercrimes. Science Saru has delivered an action-packed series with vibrant colours and amazing animation.

Something worth mentioning is the writing of the series in the hands of Toh EnJoe, a Japanese author mostly known for his works of speculative fiction. Maaya Sakamoto reprises the role of Motoko Kusanagi in the Japanese dub, a role she started performing on the Ghost in the Shell: Arise OVA series. A new episode is released each Tuesday on Prime Video.

My verdict: As I said before, my opinion is very subjective regarding this series. Even when the previous adaptations of Ghost in the Shell are amazing, I missed the flavour of Shirow’s humour mixed with deep philosophical questions about technology and identity.

It seems that Science Saru is granting my wish of having a faithful adaptation of Ghost in the Shell. For the people who haven’t read the manga yet, do it!

Jokes aside, probably for the audience used to the previous anime films and series, this frenetic action combined with humour and a dose of fanservice could be shocking at the beginning. Believe me, it is worth the investment.

Masamune Shirow is a one-of-a-kind genius as a storyteller, and he has delivered one of the greatest stories of the cyberpunk genre that never gets old. Science Saru is one of the greatest anime studios right now in Japan, and their work on this series is amazing.

Definitely, The Ghost in the Shell is a keeper for this season.

2. Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 10th July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You is one of the series of this season with tobacco as the main topic. This is the cute one; we’ll see the nasty one later. I don’t smoke, and I can’t stand the smell of cigarettes, so when I first heard about this series, I was going to pass it.

But a friend of mine recommended it to me by telling me, “Don’t think about smoking; replace that with any other activity that feels pleasant for you, and you get the idea”. So I followed her advice, and I was greatly surprised.

The series is based on the webcomic published on Twitter in 2022 by Junishi. The story follows a 45-year-old man, Sasaki, who works for an abusive company and whose only relief is going to the supermarket because of the kind cashier, Yamada. Sasaki is always smoking, another relief in his very stressful life.

One night, when he goes to the supermarket, but Yamada is not at the checkout, he battles his disappointment by smoking. Behind the supermarket, a 24-year-old young woman, Tayama, is smoking and invites him to join her. From then on, they begin to share this little moment now and then, and a friendship flourishes between them.

Although it’s hinted at as a possible romance, everything is relegated to the platonic level. And yes, if you replace smoking with any other pleasant activity and you meet someone with the same interest, you instantly start bonding. And this is about this series.

Of course, with an adult cast of characters, it’s more appealing for an adult audience who can see themselves reflected in the characters. A new episode drops every Wednesday on Crunchyroll.

My verdict: I find this series cute and comforting, addressing some universal topics like overworking in this modern life that allows so little time to develop our interests and friendships.

I think that at that level it is a great social analysis and criticism not only of Japanese society but also of a wide range of countries. I’m intrigued enough to know how the bond between these two characters will evolve in the next episodes, so I’ll keep it for sure.

3. Kaiju Girl Caramelise

Genre: Comedy, Romance, Science Fiction
Episodes: 12 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 2nd July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)

I’ve watched the first episode of Kaiju Girl Caramelise without knowing anything about the plot or the characters. So, my surprise was huge to see the school romance genre mixed with the kaiju one. Kaiju is the term in Japanese to refer to giant monsters like Godzilla. In Japanese media, this is a whole genre of films, comics, and TV shows.

This series is based on the seinen manga of the same name by Spica Aoki and follows a schoolgirl, Kuroe Akaishi, who suffers from a strange condition: every time her emotions are out of control, she begins to transform into a Kaiju. She has suffered from this since she was a little girl, but once she hit adolescence, things got worse. However, she managed to keep it under control.

But when the popular boy from her class, Arata Minami, starts to get closer to her and she begins to feel an infatuation with him, her feelings become uncontrollable, and she transforms into a full Godzilla-like kaiju terrorising Tokyo.

What’s great about this series is the weird mixing of genres works perfectly with the characters and the story. And the whole kaiju situation works as a metaphor to represent the emotional changes that can generate anxiety in a person, with the romance as the frame and the trigger for the plot. A new episode is released on Crunchyroll every Thursday.

My verdict: When I first heard about the premise of this series, I was sceptical about it. This kind of mixing is not usually my cup of tea, but it all depends on the execution, and in this case it is great.

Of course, I’m judging this by the first episode, which is interesting and hooking enough to keep watching. Do I recommend watching it weekly? Yes, at least I’m interested enough to do it.

4. Goodbye, Lara

Genre: Drama, Romance, Fantasy
Episodes: 12 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 5th July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)

Goodbye, Lara is an original anime series produced by Kinema Citrus to celebrate their 15th anniversary. The series is a recreation of Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale The Little Mermaid, with a twist.

The first episode summarises the original tale, incorporating elements from Andersen’s tale and Disney’s animated film, The Little Mermaid. Towards the end of the episode, Lara, the little mermaid, transforms into sea foam due to the Sea Witch’s curse, and she is reborn by the Witch in the present time.

Lara finds out that her family and her kingdom haven’t been destroyed, but they’re lost, and now it’s her mission to find them and gather them again. To accomplish this, the Witch Sea Grace sends her as a human to present-day Japan. From then on, Goodbye, Lara becomes an original story with The Little Mermaid as a trigger and excuse.

The character design and animation style evoke those from the 90s, emulating the shoujo stories from that time, but at the plot and character development level, the series follows current devices. Even when it has grim elements that are already present in Andersen’s tale, Goodbye, Lara is a great option to watch with kids +7.

Since, for now, there is only a version with subs, it’s advisable for children who can read. The dub versions are coming once the series is finished. However, this is a great chance for kids to get used to subs and get exposed to another language. You can watch a new episode every Sunday on Crunchyroll.

My verdict: As a fan of Andersen’s tale and Disney’s movie, I find this reimagination delightful. When I first heard about this, I immediately added it to my watch list, and I was sure that my daughters were going to enjoy it as well.

Even when they’re watching in Japanese with subs, and they’re learning to read, they love this series.

Something I noticed is that the series not only grabs inspiration from The Little Mermaid tale, but also from other narrative devices by Andersen present in his tales. This is proof that Kinema Citrus took this work seriously by paying a complete homage to Andersen and the legacy of his work.

5. I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day

Genre: Drama, War, Magic, Yuri
Episodes: 13 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 7th July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)
Content warning: war and character death themes. Some content may not be suitable for sensitive viewers.

Here comes another strange mix that surprisingly works great. What happens if you put together elements such as a magic school like in Harry Potter, the yuri school romance like in Strawberry Panic, set in a gloom world devastated by a mysterious war.

I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day is based on the yuri manga (girl x girl romance) by Aono Nachi. The story takes place in an orphanage where children between 14 and 17 years old are trained in magic as weapons to fight in a war.

The focus is on Sheena Totsuki, a 14-year-old girl whose talent for magic is bad, making her a not-eligible candidate to fight, to her luck. However, while she’s left behind because of her lack of abilities and clumsy character, she sees how her classmates are sent to war and don’t come back.

The story begins when she’s mourning the death of her roommate, who died in battle the night before. That same evening, she’s assigned a new roommate, a mysterious girl named Mimi, who is said to be an immortal legendary weapon.

What’s interesting about this story is it breaks some molds from the average yuri school romance story by having boys sharing the classes and the orphanage. The overall dark mood is in contrast with the bucolic landscape where the orphanage is placed. This striking difference between landscape and mood reminds me of The Promised Neverland manga and anime.

These comparisons don’t mean a flaw regarding I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day, they are just a way to explain a series that at first sight could be difficult to define. The first episode is intriguing enough to get you hooked.

However, you must keep in mind two things: the story heavily relies on the romantic relationships between girls and death is the main topic as the title explicitly says it. A new episode drops every Tuesday on Crunchyroll.

My verdict: I didn’t know anything about this series when I watched the first episode. I tend to be distrustful of series with long titles, but this one surprised me in a good sense.

Yuri are among my favourite romance stories and the whole magic school is another trope I enjoy a lot.

The story begins as a media res, so you must accept the rules of the game as they come. I think the world building will come later or maybe it’s not necessary and the focus will be the relationship between Sheena and Mimi.

Whatever the outcome, the series looks promising for the story and the gorgeous animation.

6. The World is Dancing

Genre: Drama, History, Performing Arts
Episodes: 13 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 24 min/episode
Release date: 29th June 2026
Available on: HIDIVE (the US, Canada, the UK)

This series surprised me because I had no idea about the story. First, this anime is based on historical facts and tells the life of Zeami, the first Noh theatre performer. Set during the Japanese civil wars in the 14th century, a time of poverty, misery, hunger, and superstition, the story emphasises the importance of art in enduring hard times.

Before becoming a Noh performer, Zeami was a child known as Oniyasha, born into a family devoted to the Sarugaku theatre. His father was the company leader and the main dancer. His main goal was to train Oniyasha in the same art, but the boy was oblivious because he didn’t like to dance or act at all.

His views change dramatically after he gets lost in the forest and enters a house seeking directions, where he discovers a person performing a captivating dance. Oniyasha finally understands the true meaning of art and how a dancing performance could touch people’s hearts.

From that point forward, he aims to be the best Sarugaku performer, eventually becoming a pioneer of Noh theatre. The World is Dancing conjures a beautiful animation with some experimental segments. The opening and ending are rock songs, creating a high contrast with the historical story the series portrays.

This release may not attract as much attention this season because of its subject matter. However, much like Akane-banashi from the previous season, this series provides not only great entertainment but also serves as a valuable resource for learning more about Japanese history and culture.

My verdict: My only “complaint” about The World is Dancing is that it’s only available on HIDIVE, limiting its audience a lot. Even when you can use a VPN to access HIDIVE from any country, it implies paying for another streaming platform for three months.

For this reason, I’ve decided to binge The World is Dancing once it has finished.

7. Sparks of Tomorrow

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction, Alternative History, Steampunk
Episodes: 13 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 5th July 2026
Available on: Netflix (worldwide)

I’m going to say two words: Kyoto Animation. For people who have been watching anime for a long time like me, know that Kyoto Animation is one of the best animation studios in Japan, and the quality is assured.

Kyoto Animation not only delivers excellent anime series, but it’s regarded as one of the best animation studios to work with because the animators are salaried instead of freelancers, they have an equal ratio of men and women working in the studio, and finally, they organise a literature contest, with the winners getting their work adapted into a series. Violet Evergarden was born this way. Sparks of Tomorrow as well.

This novel was published by Kyoto Animation’s KA Esuma Bunko imprint in 2018. Sparks of Tomorrow was written by Hiro Yūki and illustrated by Kazumi Ikeda and Momoka Nagatani.

The story is set in an alternate reality where electricity was never invented because the inventors we know died too young to achieve it. So the world basically works on steam. Yes, Sparks of Tomorrow is a beautiful steampunk story.

Set during the Meiji Era in Japan at the beginning of the 20th century, Sparks of Tomorrow follows Kihachi Sakamoto, a young boy inventor who dreams of making electricity a reality by using the 20th Century Electrical Catalogue owned by his missing older brother. Yosuke Mizoe, a mysterious young man, is also seeking the Electrical Catalogue by any means necessary.

Sparks of Tomorrow celebrates the pioneering inventors and their race to bring electricity to the world. The stunning animation, coupled with backgrounds resembling watercolour paintings, is a feast for the eyes. You can watch a new episode every week, every Sunday on Netflix.

My verdict: My opinion is biased when it comes to any Kyoto Animation production. They are behind many of the most iconic series from the 2000s, several of which are among my favourites.

Sparks of Tomorrow reminds me of Violet Evergarden, as both depict an alternative world at the beginning of the 20th century with a steampunk aesthetic.

And of course, both stories are beautifully animated by Kyoto Animation. Steampunk is one of my favourite sub-genres due to its potential for storytelling about inventions and technology.

Sparks of Tomorrow features intriguing characters and a captivating mystery. Definitely one of the gems of this season.

8. Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Historical
Episodes: 12 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 4th July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)
Content warning: slavery and violence. Some content may not be suitable for sensitive viewers.

Definitely, this season is a feast for history enthusiasts! Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is an adaptation of the manga created by Tomato Soup, a mangaka known for producing mostly historical manga about the Middle East.

A Witch in Mongolia is her most praised and popular work, and now it’s breaking streaming records on Crunchyroll. This is surprising and great because action and fantasy series usually dominate the most-watched category.

A Witch in Mongolia follows Sitara, a young girl sold as a slave in the city of Tus, Persia, to a family of scholars. With her new masters, Sitara receives an education, and even when she’s a slave, she’s treated kindly by Fatima and her son Muhammad.

However, her life and fate will change forever when the Mongols invade Tus, destroying everything and killing Fatima. Sitara is taken as a slave for Genghis Khan’s son, and she decides to defeat and seek revenge within the Mongol Empire.

The series is the dark, dangerous and tragic hero’s journey of Sitara. Although Sitara is a fictional character, the events and other characters in the story are real. Don’t be fooled by the character design and the bright colours; the story is raw and cruel, as it was in reality. You can follow Sitara’s fate every Saturday on Crunchyroll.

My verdict: A Witch in Mongolia was one of the first series to get announced for this season, and from then on, it got my curiosity. Among so many fantasy and isekai series, Jaadugar is a breath of fresh air.

I know that historical series may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they’re certainly a great way to learn about a part of humankind’s history that is largely unknown, especially in Western countries.

The art resembles a children’s picture book, making the cruelty and tragedy even more evident. Definitely one of my favs from this season.

9. Draw This, Then Die!

Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Episodes: 12 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 3rd July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)

This series is pure enjoyment. And for the people who not only enjoy reading comics but also creating them, this definitely is the series for them.

The story follows Ai Yasumi, who is in her first year of high school. Since she was little, she has had some issues bonding with other kids, so she found solace in reading manga she rented from a library in her neighbourhood.

She got fond of a manga that helped her sort through the social interactions: Robota and Pokota. Unfortunately, this manga was cancelled after only one volume was published, so Ai rented it repeatedly.

For her, Pokota, an alien creature from the manga she reads, has become her ally to deal with social anxiety, serving as an imaginary friend who encourages her to make connections.

At this point of the story, let’s say the first five minutes of the first episode, I had totally bought this series because it hit me hard at a personal level. Ai takes her manga everywhere, but her strict teacher scolds her, claiming that reading manga isn’t real reading. At this point, I became suspicious that Minoru Toyoda, the author of Draw This, Then Die!, has been spying on me my entire life.

When Ai finds out that the mysterious and secluded author of Robota and Pokota will be releasing a new volume and selling it at a comic convention in Tokyo, she immediately decides to plan a trip to the bustling city. To her surprise, the author she has admired all her life ends up being her insufferable teacher.

However, this discovery infuses Ai with a new objective: to become a mangaka. Thus, the popular trope of the reluctant mentor emerged, characterised by a mentor who avoids a very enthusiastic student to protect them from the suffering they experienced in the past.

However, this series goes beyond a simple trope and delves into both the bright and dark aspects of creating art, particularly when that art is influenced by the fluctuations of the market, as is often the case with comics. The cartoonish character design and bright colours perfectly combine to create a series that aims to be comforting for anyone with a creative side. Every Friday, a new episode drops on Crunchyroll.

My verdict: Any series involving manga or anime creation has my absolute attention. I watched the first episode with my daughters.

The worst that can happen is they want to draw their comics. Draw This, Then Die! is the type of series you can enjoy with your family, and you’ll get some interesting topics to discuss later.

In a season full of drama and historical series, Draw This, Then Die! is something different and refreshing to try.

10. Chainsmoker Cat

Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life, Ecchi
Episodes: 12 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 24 min/episode
Release date: 2nd July 2026
Available on: Netflix (worldwide), OceanVeil (the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
Content warning: addiction, poverty and depression themes. Some content may not be suitable for sensitive viewers.

If we had been in the 90s, Chainsmoker Cat would be the raunchy humour and edgy animated series that MTV definitely would have aired. I learned about this series from news reports of viewers expressing disgust at the main character’s habits, specifically her smoking and overall lack of hygiene.

Honestly, I thought that these people were exaggerating, because we are talking about an anime series with a catgirl as the protagonist. Well, they were right indeed. I didn’t know that you can smell something animated. Believe me, I could smell the smoking, the garbage, and all kinds of disgusting things that appear on the screen.

So, if this series is so disgusting, why is it getting so many good reviews? Because making you feel uncomfortable is one of the objectives of making art. This series surpasses many limits and, of course, is not for everyone.

I’m a seasoned anime fan, and I know that I can’t recommend Chainsmoker Cat to a casual anime viewer, for example. But if you enjoy edgy films and series that dangerously play on the limits of what most people tolerate, then this series is for you.

Chainsmoker Cat follows a catgirl named Yani Neko who is heavily addicted to cigarettes, and she lives in an apartment full of garbage. She’s mostly unemployed because her vices are stronger than her will to work. So, basically, she lives in a full circle of poverty, misery, depression, and addiction.

Are you getting the point? The series is a manifestation of how addiction of any type destroys the life of a person. The episodes are a collection of vignettes showing how Yani Neko spends her days isolated because she has no friends, and her family don’t want to be near her.

Even when the series uses raunchy humour to portray Yani Neko’s routine, this is just a narrative device to expose these situations. At the end of each episode, the message is the same: smoking destroys your life.

In the same sense that if you replace smoking in Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You with any other social or bonding activity, you’ll get the same cute result, here in Chainsmoker Cat, if you replace smoking with any other addiction, whether drugs or alcohol, you’ll get your life destroyed.

In an article on Polygon, Ryan Epps discusses how the series highlights poverty in Japan and notes that the country tends to ignore this issue, along with mental health and other societal problems.

And yes, Yani Neko lives in poverty; she barely has money to buy cigarettes because her priorities are plain wrong, she’s behind with the rent and other essential bills. So Chainsmoker Cat is not just about a cat girl who smokes; it is about a part of society that is broken and invisible.

The series is set in an alternative world where beastfolk exist and are part of society, but at the same time they’re considered low-level beings. But the interesting thing is the beastfolk element is not even important; it’s another device like humour.

I’m more concerned about why this young cat woman ended up like this, especially since she has a sister who lives a normal life. So, as you can see, yes, what’s shown in this series is disgusting, but it’s not for the sake of it; it’s part of the message the author wants to convey. Chainsmoker Cat drops a new episode every Thursday on Netflix and OceanVeil.

My verdict: Chainsmoker Cat is an uncomfortable series to watch, but I think it’s necessary. It puts on the table topics that you usually avoid. And to be honest, you don’t know if you don’t have a friend like this cat girl drowning in despair, smoking, and in a never-ending circle of bad decisions.

As someone who has suffered from depression, this series is a mirror showing me a reflection I don’t want to see. I’ve read that this series has triggered many feelings among the audience, and some people have started cleaning their houses and improving their routines.

If a series about a cat girl living in misery consumed by smoking is helping people to improve their lives, then the message has been delivered accurately.

11. Dara-san of Reiwa

Genre: Comedy, Horror
Episodes: 13 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 24 min/episode
Release date: 2nd July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)

Weird is the first word that comes to my mind to define Dara-san of Reiwa. This series is a strange mix of humour, horror, Japanese folklore, and slice of life. Probably it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but still I consider it worth giving it a try.

The series focuses on the titular character, Yamatagi Madara, a cursed woman, half human, half serpent, with six arms. She resides in a shrine in a rural area in Japan. The shrine is forbidden to be accessed by anyone because of the danger that such a creature poses.

One night of heavy rain, siblings Kaoru and Hinata go searching for their grandfather and stumble upon Madara. However, far from being terrified, the kids are indifferent to her monstrous appearance and start bonding with Madara, whom they call “Dara”.

This whole situation of two kids developing a friendship with such a youkai and the youkai becoming protective of the kids assures hilarious moments. However, I am making my judgment only by the first episode.

I know that the manga has some fetish elements that can be negative or disgusting for the average audience, but I don’t know how the anime is going to approach this. Every Thursday, a new episode is available on Crunchyroll.

My verdict: I must admit that anything featuring youkai and cursed beings from Japanese folklore automatically has my attention. In this case, the mix of an ancient creature with a tragic origin dealing in the present time with two reckless kids is fun and strange at the same time.

The first episode was entertaining enough to get me hooked and see how this strange narrative develops.

12. Red River

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Historical, Romance, Supernatural, Isekai
Episodes: 12 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 7th July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)

Red River is one of the isekai that has made it to this list. There is a reason behind this: Red River is based on the manga from 1995 of the same name by Chie Shinohara, and it can be considered one of the earliest isekai.

Originally, the isekai sub-genre belongs to shoujo manga, stories aimed at young girls with the main protagonist being transported to another world (historical or fantastic), and all the perils and adventures to get back to their world. However, in the mid 2000s, shounen authors began to copy this narrative trope to adapt it to their action heroes. The rest is history.

Currently, with isekai being the norm and not the exception, going back to the roots of the genre and adapting an old manga is somehow refreshing. Of course, at this point, Red River doesn’t offer anything new regarding narrative devices and tropes because it was one of the series that originally established them. But it’s interesting how an isekai can reunite many subgenres and take them seriously.

This story follows Yuri Suzuki, a 15-year-old Japanese girl who, during a date with her crush, disappears through a puddle of water and time-travels to the Hittite Empire during the reign of King Suppiluliuma I. Once she arrives, she feels desperate to go back home to a world where she doesn’t understand the language and has no idea where she is.

The series is a mix of intrigue, thriller, romance, and history. Besides the fantastic element of a girl of our time going back in time to an ancient civilisation, all the historical facts are accurate. Red River was published over seven years, spawning a total of 28 volumes that are currently being published in English by Viz Media.

Red River is a great exponent of the golden time of isekai, when the genre was part of shoujo. It’s like a history lesson about manga and how the stories about people being transported to another world used to be fascinating. Enjoy it every Tuesday on Crunchyroll.

My verdict: I’m a huge fan of old isekai, when they were still part of shoujo, and they portray strong female characters enduring a difficult journey in an unknown and mysterious world.

Red River, Fushigi Yuugi, and The Twelve Kingdoms are just three iconic titles from the 90s and early 2000s that set the rules of the game.

I would include InuYasha as well, but it’s considered a shounen, even when the main character is a girl, and the main frame for the story is a tragic love story.

I’m still surprised that Red River hasn’t been adapted into anime till now, but perhaps the heavy historical background was one of the reasons. The thing is, right now we have an anime of one of the most influential titles in the isekai realm.

13. Victoria of Many Faces

Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Episodes: 9 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 7th July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)

Victoria of Many Faces is based on the light novel series of the same name written by Syuu and illustrated by Nanna Fujimi. The story develops the known trope of the secret agent trying to get a normal life.

The titular Victoria, whose real name is Chloe, has been trained and worked as a spy for the Kingdom of Hagl since she was a child. After the betrayal of her boss, she decides to fake her death, leave the kingdom, and start a new life as Victoria Sellers in the Kingdom of Ashbury.

On her first day as a civilian, she meets a little girl, Noona, who was abandoned by her mother. Victoria immediately remembers her hard childhood and decides to adopt her. Also, by using her spy skills, she helps the police catch a burglar on the street.

She meets Knight Captain Jeffery, who helps her adopt Noona, and of course he is going to be her love interest. All this happens in the first episode, a way to introduce the characters and line up the story.

Some people compare Victoria of Many Faces with the Spy x Family series. But the similarities are only on the surface. I find this series a cozy one when I’m in the mood to watch a romance with an adult female lead character who also happens to be a skilful spy. You can enjoy Victoria of Many Faces every Tuesday on Crunchyroll.

My verdict: I have a bunch of series among my favourites focusing on secret agent girls, but none of them explores the possibility of them having a normal life, like being a mother, or even getting married. So, Victoria of Many Faces is a new addition to my collection with a twist worthy of being explored.

What I most value from this series is that we have an adult woman as the main character, something that is not the average for most anime in which teenagers are always the heroes.

An adult cast not only marks the audience at which it’s aimed, but also it’s the sign for a more mature and, at some point, more realistic outcome. Victoria of Many Faces is definitely on my list for this season, but I’m going to binge it once it has finished.

14. The Cat and the Dragon

Genre: Fantasy
Episodes: 13 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 23 min/episode
Release date: 4th July 2026
Available on: Crunchyroll (worldwide)

The Cat and the Dragon is a pleasant surprise from this season. In a world of fantasy where dragons and magical cats are common, a female dragon is killed by humans. She left behind her nest with an egg.

A pregnant magical Cait Sith reached the dragon nest to have her babies, and to her surprise, she finds she has another son, a baby dragon. She adopts him and trains him as a cat, and when she dies, she trusts her sons and daughters to the dragon.

The dragon grows up believing he’s a cat and sees all the generations of his siblings come and go to the nest to deliver their babies and then raise them. He’s affectionately called “uncle wings” by all the Cait Sith he protects.

One day, when he witnesses how a group of humans are killing the cats for their fur, he flies to the nearby kingdom and threatens everyone to burn everything if they keep killing the cats. From then on, humans treat the Cait Sith with respect, fearing the dragon.

The first episode is self-contained and follows the narrative style of a fairy tale. The series is an anthology in which different generations of princes and princesses grow up with a Cait Sith at their side as part of a magical collaboration in which the cats train the children in the use of magic, with the protective guidance of the dragon.

If you’re looking for an anime to relax and you can share with your family, The Cat and the Dragon is the best option this summer season. The series is based on the light novel series of the same name written by Amara and illustrated by Mai Ōkuma. At the moment, there are a total of 9 volumes published and a manga adaptation as well. A new episode is released on Crunchyroll every Saturday.

My verdict: Any anime that I can share with my daughters automatically is added to my must-watch list. The pacing, the storybook style, and the characters (talking cats and dragons) are all elements enticing for young kids.

The series has nothing objectionable, except for a couple of scenes like the killing of the female dragon. But if we have survived Bambi losing his mom and Mufasa’s death when we were kids, they can survive this.

On a plus for me, the dragon is voiced by legendary seiyuu Takehito Koyasu, so when I heard him for the first time, I had my fangirl attack.

15. Thunder 3

Genre: Science Fiction, Isekai
Episodes: 13 episodes | 1 season
Runtime: 24 min/episode
Release date: 8th July 2026
Available on: Netflix (worldwide)

Thunder 3 is the second isekai included in this list. It’s perhaps the most bizarre and fun series from this season. Thunder 3 is based on the manga of the same name by Ikeda Yuki.

The manga is famous for mixing different art styles according to each segment of the story, and the anime adaptation is doing the same with the animation style. At first sight, it’s bizarre, but once you realise it has a narrative purpose, you realise it is pure art.

The story follows three childhood best friends now in middle school known as the Small Three: Pyontaro, Tsubame, and Hiroshi. Pyontaro has a 3-year-old sister, Futaba, who adores him and follows him everywhere to his annoyance.

One day, the boys bring from school a game disc that their teacher lends them. It’s a virtual reality game that’s rumoured to take you to another dimension. When they’re trying it on Pyontaro’s console, they’re impressed by the ultra-high-definition graphics when something comes out of the screen.

While they’re busy investigating the item that was expelled from the TV, they leave Futaba alone in front of the screen. The little girl touches it and her hand trespasses to the other side. And yes, as a good toddler, she ends up going through the screen, landing in another dimension. In that world, she looks like someone from a comic strip, catching the attention of people.

When the boys realise the girl has gone through the TV, they go after her, finding out that the world in that video game is full of spaceships, aliens, and people looking in a realistic 3D rendering. Futaba is taken by the aliens to their mothership. Meanwhile, the Small Three discover they have super strength and powers and can fight the aliens back.

Yes, it could sound messy, but I believe that Thunder 3 is a delight to watch. Adventure like it’s hard to find these days. The different design and animation styles mixed together are weird at the beginning, but once you get used to it, it’s genius.

Some professional critics were worried about Thunder 3 not finding its audience, because it is not the average isekai. But for people who don’t consume the genre as a routine, Thunder 3 presents as an interesting, intriguing, and above all, fun option for this summer. Every Wednesday, a new episode is released on Netflix.

My verdict: Here at home, Thunder 3 becomes the favourite. My daughters prefer this series above all the others they like. I know that there is an additional factor to this: it’s dubbed, so they can understand everything.

The fact that the protagonists are kids makes this series more relatable for children. Even when it has some instances of violence, this is mild in comparison with other shows. If you want to share some action-packed series with your family, then Thunder 3 is one of the best options this summer.

Summary

This summer anime season is amazing. With a strong focus on history with anime series like Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Red River, and The World is Dancing, it promises to be the strongest season in 2026.

Something that I want to highlight is the presence of family-friendly series like Draw This, Then Die!, Goodbye, Lara, The Cat and the Dragon, and Thunder 3. Keep in mind that these series aren’t meant for kids exclusively, but they can watch it under the guidance of a responsible adult.

Of course, this list is a curated selection from the over forty series that were released this season, but, as you may guess, not everything is worth investing your time in.

Even when most of these releases are available worldwide on different streaming platforms, it could be the case that some of them are on services affected by geo-restrictions.

I’d like to know which series you are watching this summer season. Please, drop some lines in the message box below.

Don’t forget to grab ExpressVPN if you’re heading overseas or unable to access the streaming service showing the anime you want to watch.