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Spring 2026 New Anime, Early Review Rankings SummaryWe've analyzed the initial reviews of the new anime series heating up the Spring 2026 season, dividing them into grades from SS to D. Check out now which shows are getting rave reviews and which ones left us wanting more.
1. 🌟 Grade D: Below Expectations
· Niwatori Fighter, Hayabara-kun's Strong and Youthful New Game, The Strongest Profession Isn't Hero or Sage, but Appraiser (Tentative Name), Petals of Reincarnation, Invading Now!, and Ghost Concert received a D grade.
· Ghost Concert is a disappointing work that tried to cram too many elements, resulting in a muddled message. It would have been better with a simpler structure.
· In Invading Now!, the plot progression, where the deduction elements become meaningless due to the protagonist's special ability to revive even after death, hindered immersion. Despite its original concept, it failed to capture interest.
· NEEDY GIRL OVERDOSE was often described as difficult to understand, abstractly depicting the desire for validation and human weakness created by the modern internet environment. Some felt it was too obscure and could be tiring for viewers.
· Ghost Concert is a disappointing work that tried to cram too many elements, resulting in a muddled message. It would have been better with a simpler structure.
· In Invading Now!, the plot progression, where the deduction elements become meaningless due to the protagonist's special ability to revive even after death, hindered immersion. Despite its original concept, it failed to capture interest.
· NEEDY GIRL OVERDOSE was often described as difficult to understand, abstractly depicting the desire for validation and human weakness created by the modern internet environment. Some felt it was too obscure and could be tiring for viewers.
00:42 - 01:43
1. 🌟 Grade D: Below Expectations
· Niwatori Fighter, Hayabara-kun's Strong and Youthful New Game, The Strongest Profession Isn't Hero or Sage, but Appraiser (Tentative Name), Petals of Reincarnation, Invading Now!, and Ghost Concert received a D grade.
· Ghost Concert is a disappointing work that tried to cram too many elements, resulting in a muddled message. It would have been better with a simpler structure.
· In Invading Now!, the plot progression, where the deduction elements become meaningless due to the protagonist's special ability to revive even after death, hindered immersion. Despite its original concept, it failed to capture interest.
· NEEDY GIRL OVERDOSE was often described as difficult to understand, abstractly depicting the desire for validation and human weakness created by the modern internet environment. Some felt it was too obscure and could be tiring for viewers.
· Ghost Concert is a disappointing work that tried to cram too many elements, resulting in a muddled message. It would have been better with a simpler structure.
· In Invading Now!, the plot progression, where the deduction elements become meaningless due to the protagonist's special ability to revive even after death, hindered immersion. Despite its original concept, it failed to capture interest.
· NEEDY GIRL OVERDOSE was often described as difficult to understand, abstractly depicting the desire for validation and human weakness created by the modern internet environment. Some felt it was too obscure and could be tiring for viewers.
03:33 - 05:03
2. 👍 Grade C: Decent, but Lacking
· The Engagement Observation Record of a Self-Proclaimed Villainess, Liar Game, The Black Cat and the Witch's Classroom, The Fish I Missed Was Big, But the One I Caught Was Too Big, The Strongest Villainess Queen Who Will Become the Cause of Tragedy Sacrifices Herself for the People. Season 2, Punk-chan and the JK Whose Skirt Length is Inappropriate, A Year of Living in a Square Meter!, Yowamushi Pedal, Bones of the Hero Season 2, The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, I Want to End the Game I Love, and Became Friends with the Second Cutest Girl in Class received a C grade.
· Liar Game received mixed reviews, with the anime adaptation being considered somewhat disappointing compared to the high quality of the original manga and drama. The analysis suggests that the high quality of the media mix project ironically held back the anime.
· A Year of Living in a Square Meter! is considered a decent anime that's enjoyable to watch every week, though not particularly outstanding.
· Yowamushi Pedal received high praise for its appropriate handling of mature content despite its R-18 rating.
· Liar Game received mixed reviews, with the anime adaptation being considered somewhat disappointing compared to the high quality of the original manga and drama. The analysis suggests that the high quality of the media mix project ironically held back the anime.
· A Year of Living in a Square Meter! is considered a decent anime that's enjoyable to watch every week, though not particularly outstanding.
· Yowamushi Pedal received high praise for its appropriate handling of mature content despite its R-18 rating.
05:24 - 08:22
3. ✨ Grade B: Offers Solid Entertainment
· That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4, The Gal Who Doesn't Know How to Be Kind to Otakus!, Kusunoki Mansion with a Garden of Gods, Farming Life in Another World Season 2, The Maid I Hired Recently Is Too Exquisite, Go for it! Nakamura-kun!!, Drops of God, Bones of the Hero, The Princess Knight Is the Bride of the Barbarian, Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 5, and The Left-Handed Elias received a B grade.
· The Princess Knight Is the Bride of the Barbarian is praised for its fresh and fun concept of a legendary Coliseum protagonist returning to middle school to experience youth. The balance between battles and comedy is well-executed.
· Bones of the Hero stands out with its excellent visual expression and creative direction, though some found the overly unique plot difficult to follow at times. The format of the protagonist and goddess commenting on the show was well-received.
· The Maid I Hired Recently Is Too Exquisite is praised for the comfort provided by the protagonist maid enjoying various Japanese dishes. The art style is natural and creates a relaxing atmosphere.
· The Gal Who Doesn't Know How to Be Kind to Otakus! is a romantic comedy featuring two gals who cater to otaku tastes, with its warm worldview that respects otaku preferences being a major draw.
· The Princess Knight Is the Bride of the Barbarian is praised for its fresh and fun concept of a legendary Coliseum protagonist returning to middle school to experience youth. The balance between battles and comedy is well-executed.
· Bones of the Hero stands out with its excellent visual expression and creative direction, though some found the overly unique plot difficult to follow at times. The format of the protagonist and goddess commenting on the show was well-received.
· The Maid I Hired Recently Is Too Exquisite is praised for the comfort provided by the protagonist maid enjoying various Japanese dishes. The art style is natural and creates a relaxing atmosphere.
· The Gal Who Doesn't Know How to Be Kind to Otakus! is a romantic comedy featuring two gals who cater to otaku tastes, with its warm worldview that respects otaku preferences being a major draw.
08:23 - 11:44
4. 🌟 Grade A: Masterpieces with High Quality
· Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring, Ice Wall, So I'm a Spider, So What? Season 2, Snowball Earth, When Kujira Sings, the House Cries, Classroom of the Elite Season 4, Even If It's a Replica, I Love You., and Kanan-sama is Always Cute received an A grade.
· Even If It's a Replica, I Love You. is praised for its intriguing story about the relationship between the real self and its replica, and finding true emotions in the process. It tackles the universal theme of 'self-discovery' with an original concept.
· Kanan-sama is Always Cute is a work that skillfully blends cute characters with erotic comedy elements. The sub-heroine 'Jeanne' is particularly noted for being as charming as the main heroine.
· When Kujira Sings, the House Cries is an slice-of-life story depicting the daily lives of a family and the unique creature 'Kujira'. What initially seemed bizarre about Kujira becomes endearing the more you watch, and the family's warm story delivers emotional impact.
· Even If It's a Replica, I Love You. is praised for its intriguing story about the relationship between the real self and its replica, and finding true emotions in the process. It tackles the universal theme of 'self-discovery' with an original concept.
· Kanan-sama is Always Cute is a work that skillfully blends cute characters with erotic comedy elements. The sub-heroine 'Jeanne' is particularly noted for being as charming as the main heroine.
· When Kujira Sings, the House Cries is an slice-of-life story depicting the daily lives of a family and the unique creature 'Kujira'. What initially seemed bizarre about Kujira becomes endearing the more you watch, and the family's warm story delivers emotional impact.
11:45 - 14:20
5. 🏆 Grade S: Masterpieces with High Quality and Fun
· Akanebana, Marry My Husband, Dorohedoro Season 2, Dr. STONE NEW WORLD Part 2, KIRIO FANCLUB, and When the Dew Dew Dew is Drunk, It's Like a Lily received an S grade.
· KIRIO FANCLUB is an everyday romantic comedy depicting a unique love triangle where two girls who like the same boy build their friendship by sharing their feelings. The complex entanglement of outward relationships and hidden secrets adds to the intrigue. Furthermore, the bold comedy and direction are noteworthy.
· Marry My Husband is a work with a novel premise where an assassin who handles poison receives dating advice from a man and pursues marriage. It strikes a good balance between shonen manga-like progression and romantic comedy, with excellent action direction.
· KIRIO FANCLUB is an everyday romantic comedy depicting a unique love triangle where two girls who like the same boy build their friendship by sharing their feelings. The complex entanglement of outward relationships and hidden secrets adds to the intrigue. Furthermore, the bold comedy and direction are noteworthy.
· Marry My Husband is a work with a novel premise where an assassin who handles poison receives dating advice from a man and pursues marriage. It strikes a good balance between shonen manga-like progression and romantic comedy, with excellent action direction.
14:21 - 17:40
6. 👑 Grade SS: The Best of the Season
· Atelier of Witch Hat, Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2, and Sengoku Youko received an SS grade.
· Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2 is impressive for its overwhelming story progression and immersion from the beginning to the middle. It portrays the classic hero's journey of 'the have-not' saving the world with high quality. The protagonist's awakening and battle scenes, in particular, delivered great emotion.
· Atelier of Witch Hat stands out with its overwhelming visual quality and delicate artwork. Its unique perspective defining magic as 'drawing' rather than 'using' and the beautiful depiction of the background capture the viewer's attention. The protagonist Coco's growth and the secrets of the magical world intertwine, adding depth to the story.
· Sengoku Youko is a sci-fi work based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms with a modern sensibility, praised for its original setting and the engaging human drama unfolded by its charming characters. It left a strong impression from the first episode and was chosen as one of the best works of the season.
· Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2 is impressive for its overwhelming story progression and immersion from the beginning to the middle. It portrays the classic hero's journey of 'the have-not' saving the world with high quality. The protagonist's awakening and battle scenes, in particular, delivered great emotion.
· Atelier of Witch Hat stands out with its overwhelming visual quality and delicate artwork. Its unique perspective defining magic as 'drawing' rather than 'using' and the beautiful depiction of the background capture the viewer's attention. The protagonist Coco's growth and the secrets of the magical world intertwine, adding depth to the story.
· Sengoku Youko is a sci-fi work based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms with a modern sensibility, praised for its original setting and the engaging human drama unfolded by its charming characters. It left a strong impression from the first episode and was chosen as one of the best works of the season.