Summer 2026 anime season begins in early July. The headline is non-negotiable: Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War Part 4 is the most anticipated anime return of the year. The Yhwach battle is the culmination of the entire Bleach run. Studio Pierrot is pulling out everything for the finale. Crunchyroll simulcasts day-and-date with Japan.
Beyond Bleach, the summer slate is strong. One Piece Elbaph is mid-run and not stopping. New seasonal originals are launching. If you're behind on big shonen titles, the next six weeks before summer starts is your catch-up window.
Big Anime Titles to Watch Before Summer Starts
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Parts 1-3 are on Hulu and Disney+ now. Catch up before Part 4 drops in July. The animation quality is the best Bleach has ever looked — Studio Pierrot went all in.
Crunchyroll
One Piece
The Elbaph arc is live and running weekly. One Piece is in its best arc in years — the Giants, Shanks, and 20 years of emotional buildup finally on screen. Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Tanjiro's story continues in spring 2026. The Infinity Castle arc film trilogy is the most anticipated anime film event of the decade. Series catalog on Crunchyroll.
Crunchyroll
Jujutsu Kaisen
Culling Game arc is in its final phase. MAPPA's fight animation remains the best-animated action in any ongoing anime. Catch up on all seasons before summer continuation.
Crunchyroll
Attack on Titan
The Final Season is complete on Crunchyroll. Eren's story ends the way it should. One of the best anime endings ever made — watch it all before summer season starts.
Crunchyroll
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia's final arc wrapped its anime adaptation. All seasons available for summer binge. Izuku's story is complete — a full shonen from start to finish.
Crunchyroll
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The benchmark. If you haven't seen FMAB, watch it before complaining about any modern anime. Edward and Alphonse's story is perfect from start to finish.
Crunchyroll
Vinland Saga
Viking revenge drama that pivots into something much more interesting in Season 2. Thorfinn's arc on Netflix. Genuinely the best-written anime of the decade.
Netflix
Hunter x Hunter
148 episodes and the Chimera Ant arc alone is worth the whole run. Hunter x Hunter on Crunchyroll and Netflix is the summer pre-season binge.
Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man
MAPPA's weird, bloody, cinematic adaptation of Fujimoto's manga. Denji and Power's story complete in Season 1. Season 2 news expected this summer.
Crunchyroll
Spy x Family
Spy x Family Season 3 carries into the summer season. Loid, Yor, and Anya remain the most reliable comfort watch in the seasonal anime calendar.
Crunchyroll
Alice in Borderland
Netflix Japan's survival thriller. Both seasons complete. If you want live-action J-drama with the intensity of shonen anime, Alice in Borderland is the pick.
Netflix
Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super's Tournament of Power arc on Crunchyroll is the reentry point for Dragon Ball fans returning before summer 2026.
Crunchyroll
Naruto Shippuden
500 episodes of Naruto Shippuden complete on Crunchyroll. The Fourth Great Ninja War arc is the franchise's best run. Summer is the right time for a Shippuden binge.
Crunchyroll
The Boy and the Heron
Miyazaki's Oscar-winning latest film. Dense, personal, and unlike anything he made before. On Max — watch it before summer anime season consumes your evenings.
MaxJuly 2026 — Mark Your Calendar
Bleach TYBW Part 4 premiere date is expected to be confirmed in early June. The pattern from Parts 1-3 suggests a Saturday simulcast on Crunchyroll, one episode per week, running through September. Clear your Saturday mornings.