Another anime season is upon us, and that means it’s time once again for our first impressions! Over the next several weeks, our writers will be sampling a wide range of new and returning shows and sharing their early thoughts—what excites us, what surprises us, and what might be worth adding to your watchlist.
This summer season is beginning a little early. A handful of premieres are arriving ahead of the traditional summer rush, giving anime fans a taste of what’s to come. But the season will soon hit in earnest as dozens of new and returning series begin rolling out, filling our watchlists and making us wonder once again how we’re supposed to keep up with all this anime.
Compared to some recent seasons, Summer 2026 doesn’t feature an overwhelming number of massive new debuts. That’s often the case with summer lineups, which tend to lean on established franchises and sleeper hits rather than a flood of headline-grabbing premieres. Even so, there are plenty of reasons to be excited. Major returning series include Mushoku Tensei, Season 3; Trapped in a Dating Sim, Season 2; BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity -; You and I Are Polar Opposites Season 2; and The Elusive Samurai Season 2, giving fans several highly anticipated continuations to enjoy.
As for brand-new adaptations, a few titles stand out immediately. Science Saru is adapting The Ghost in the Shell, bringing one of anime’s most influential franchises back to television, while Red River finally brings the beloved classic manga to the screen after years of fans hoping for an adaptation. We’re also intrigued by newcomers like The Classroom of a Black Cat and a Witch, Tomb Raider King, and Victoria of Many Faces, all of which could find audiences looking for something fresh amid a season dominated by sequels.
And that’s often what makes summer anime so interesting. While the biggest headlines may belong to a handful of returning favorites, the season has a way of producing unexpected successes—the kind of shows that arrive with less fanfare and slowly build devoted followings. Whether one of this season’s newcomers breaks out remains to be seen, but we’re eager to find out.
Below, you’ll find our writers’ first impressions of several Summer 2026 anime as the season gets underway. Keep coming back as we add to this post—and let us know your thoughts as well!
Heroine? Saint? No, I’m an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)!
Heroine? Saint? No, I’m an All-Works Maid (And Proud of It)!
First Impression: Jeskai
My only complaint about this episode is that it was a bit disjointed. We start in the present but then have multiple flashbacks to fill in Melody’s background, and it was a little jarring or confusing at times. Otherwise, I have nothing but praise. There are some pretty funny parts (like the magical-girl-style maid transformation sequence), and Melody herself is charming and likeable. Beyond that, the episode crammed in a ton of dangling plot threads that pique my curiosity.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
