Fall always feels like anime Christmas, and this year’s Q4 anime lineup might be the strongest in recent memory. Long-awaited sequels are finally closing out arcs fans have waited years for, a genre-defining Netflix hit is getting a standalone follow-up, and a handful of beloved manga are reaching their emotional peaks on screen.
Whether you’re into palace mysteries, sports romance, or gang warfare, there’s something worth clearing your watchlist for. Here are seven anime dropping between October and December 2026 that deserve a spot at the top of your queue, along with where you’ll be able to stream each one.
1 The Apothecary Diaries S3 – Mystery, Intrigue, and Palace Politics Deepen
Maomao’s return was never going to be quiet, and The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 proves it by yanking her out of her comfortable apothecary life and into a locust-driven famine crisis in a brand-new region. If you loved the first two seasons for their slow-burn political scheming and razor-sharp deduction, this is where the stakes finally escalate. Watch it on Crunchyroll starting October 2, with a second cour returning in April 2027 (as per the official anime website).
2 Black Clover S2 – Asta Return...