Anime Winter 2026 Weekly Ranking January 9th to January 15th
Jan. 9, 2026
Ranking for anime episodes released Jan. 9, 2026 to Jan. 15, 2026
Still catching up on Fire Force and some others, but the season is off to a great start.
S: Must Watch
Episodes I believe you must watch or are missing out on.
1. Sentenced to Be a Hero. Ep.2
SUMMARY
After a stellar episode 1 we return to see if this anime can continue with the quality in episode 2.
The most pressing matter to be discussed in this episode was Xylo's past. Teoritta, despite her childish behavior, trusts in Xylo enough to believe that there was a reason for the crime that left him a hero.
This episode takes us to a town suffering from a demon blight in their nearby mines. Along the way we meet two more heroes, and the distraught people of the town. His majesty might be my favorite of everyone so far, but Xylo remains great as he is willing to speak his mind without remorse, especially when it comes to Teoritta.
After setting up a base camp, the heroes receive a distress call from the holy knights as fairies within the mine attack. These fairies are unique in that they were once humans; Tatsuya doesn't hesitate, but Teoritta is pained by the fact that the people they face were once human.
After the fight, discussion of what to with the mines infuriate Norgalle. The holy knights are bound to abandon those trapped within the mines, but Xylo decides to go in without Teoritta. The episode ends with Xylo giving everyone there the middle finger and heading inside with hopefully Norgalle and Tatsuya at his side.
Of course, I expect Teoritta to join him later on and have an idea of how it will happen. Next episode is setting up to be quite nice.
I loved the animation this episode, especially the love and care placed into scenes with Teoritta. I can see the influence of those that worked on Mushoku Tensei, and that only makes my excitement for what is tome come even greater.
9.3/10, give me more
2. To Your Eternity Season 3. Ep.14
SUMMARY
And we're back! Why is crunchyroll an episode behind?! Oh well, back to the pressing issue of everyone's happiness!
It's been a while since Fushi has been home so we're just as surprised as he is to see what is going on. The difficulty of adjusting to current day is evident for most of the team; though the issues of the Nokkers aren't prominent for them anymore, the current day still comes with its own.
Fushi wants to do more for everyone to help them enjoy their lives in this world, even if it means getting into fights for them. Despite this, happiness in this world may not be in the same spot for everyone. For Gugu, it may be back at the old man's shop.
Gugu seeing Rean's portrait, and the pictures inside the picture book was incredibly nice to see. I wished nothing more for the guy, Takunaha welcomed him and made me cry for it.
We know the possible plan for two of the team, but what about the others? Well, whatever their plans may be, I agree with Tonari that their dreams, setbacks, and journey, are their own. For Fushi, it is now important that he accept this fact and that their journeys may take them away from him.
A painful reality, and one we never thought the wondering boy would ever face, but, it is one that brings me hope as he has come a long way and can still continue to grow.
9/10, It's never easy splitting apart
A: Very Good
Good episodes, anime I would recommend to someone looking for something to watch.
3. Hell's Paradise Season 2. Ep.1
SUMMARY
This season has so many great returning anime and Hell's Paradise is one of them. The mystery of the island and the god like characters we fought through season 1 were awesome, but the true draw was Gabimaru and the mystery around him. So let's hop on to season 2 with excitement. Also, man, MAPPA does not hold back on the opening visuals, they were just as fantastic as season 1.
To begin season two we get see others preparing to head for the island and what the gods are up to before returning to our main crew. Gabimaru and Mei are missing at the moment and Sagiri has convinced those with her to help look for him despite the dangers of the island.
Speaking of Gabimaru, he's still confused after the end of last season where his memories have seemingly switched from what I remember. Gabimaru as we see him now is a ruthless killer and he demonstrates it in the first fight of the season.
During the fight we get alluding to something that I feared from before. Unfortunately we don't get much more as more fights break out and the next one was like watching a puppy fight a lion. Of course, the focus is still on Gabimaru who takes it to the next level for his fight against Choubei. Like his opponent, Choubei evolves as well, though this could mean he loses a lot more than just his life.
9/10, a great return
![[Oshi No Ko] Season 3](https://efvedablogbucket.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/images/oshiNoKo.jpg)
4. [Oshi No Ko] Season 3. Ep.1
SUMMARY
We're back and the B Komachi girls are suffering from success. Akane has also found more success in her acting career as Aqua spreads a wide net for himself with different jobs in the entertainment industry.
Forgive me Kana, but I'm a fan of Akane. I say this, but the opening being sung by the Komachi girls was a great touch and could be what changes my mind; what a great touch.
Now, despite the success, Kana and Ruby have changed since we last saw them. Mem notices this as well, she's my favorite girl outside of the aqua love polygon. Kana's problem stem from Aqua avoiding her, though the reason for it may not be what she thinks. Even so, best girl Mem is on the case!
As we expected, Aqua avoiding Kana comes from a place of care. Mem realizes where she was wrong in what she thought of their relationship and continues being best girl by comforting Aqau who really needed it. The guy is still traumatized, and I fear he is still far from being able to live a nice life.
Speaking of trauma, Ruby joins Aqua's show! She's an excellent entertainer as she trained her entire life and dreamt about it even before then. This being Ruby's idea also reveals that she is more cunning then she lets be known. And, it is this cunning that lets her find the man who supported her mother.
Ichigo is back!
8.5/10, is the ending of the manga really that bad, maybe I'll go read it
5. Trigun Stargaze. Ep.1
SUMMARY
I still remember the fuss around Trigun Stampede when it first came it. People refused to give it a chance because of the animation, but I'm a sucker for Sci-Fi. Trigun Stampede ended up being amazing and one of my favorites of that season, and I have high hopes for this season.
We return two years after the events of the last episode to find that people are stealing plants and causing ruckuses in bars. Meryl is on the case with her partner Milly after kicking some butt at the bar. It's at this scuffle where we see how this animation can shine, the camera is well used by the team and allows for some cool movements as well.
Enough about the animation however, Meryl is lead to a big ship where they find a dead plant. The cause of its death is unknown, but it may find solace in that Meryl saw a last vision of them and helped solidify her conviction of helping them.
The news of the fleet from Earth heading their way gives the planet hope as they have been offered the opportunity to board and reach new frontiers. This news doesn't bring everyone instant hope however, we find someone who cares for someone who is likely Vash in a deep depressive state.
That is all for today as we end with someone looking for Vash. I'd like to take the moment to express to everyone that the music in this anime has always been top notch. The scene of us following Erik's caretaker was magnificent and took me back to the absolute masterclass that was the OST of the first season.
8.5/10, it's going to be a good year for anime.
6. Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 1. Ep.3
SUMMARY
Of course I'm watching JJK, though I'm not the biggest fan of the anime or manga, I still think it's a lot of fun. Alos, Lobotomy Kaisen is one of the greatest things ever created by a fandom.
Tengen and Yuki seem to have personal beef, I say let them fight. In all seriousness, meeting Tengen was very well done, the supernatural feeling of a being like Tengen has to be done with great care, and they made them look like something above the crazy world of JJK.
Furthermore, the presentation around everyhing Tengen is saying was fantastic. The visuals are amazing, other anime that I will not name, Slime season 3, would just have the characters speaking and with small reactions, but we get so much to fill what should be nothing exciting and it was great.
Now then, Tengen has asked two of the stongest within the group to protect them from Kenjaku who seeks to absorb Tengen for his plan. The culling games are another part of his plan to make assimilation is successful, and one made so that it is difficult to stop now that it has started.
Not all hope is lost however, Tengen has given them a chance to free Gojo but only with the help of another sorcerer now returned becuase of the culling games.
With those staying with Tengen decided, we're now agianst time before the culling games start. After exploring more of the game rules, we give everyone their task going forward. Yuta is going into the games while Maki goes home to collect weapons, but it is Yuji and Fushigoro who get what everyone has been waiting for; that's right, they're going to look for Hakari.
8.5/10, the visuals this episode were amazing, top notch job
B: Good/Solid
7. The Darwin Incident. Ep.2
SUMMARY
I am a sucker for Sci-Fi so I was very interested in watching this. The idea behind Charlie himself is wild in my opinion, but we've added some interesting drama with the addition of a radical group that is interested in Charlie as well.
Charlie is an intriguing character that is calm and frighteningly curious, though that may be a bad word to describe the questions he asks. Of course, he is interested in learning more about humans as this is his first time outside of his protected space.
Charlie is interesting enough on his own, but how the world reacts to him and the actions by the ALA group add great depth to the anime. Given the ALA's attack, Charlie is seen in a demonized light and we even get a bit of history form a cop that paints Charlie as more dangerous than we are led to think by the calm person we see.
Deeper this episode, we find that the ALA will stop at nothing to get their hands on Charlie in hopes of using him as a symbol of their cause. Lucy's tip has given the family a way to prepare for this, though I believe there will tragedy given the mystery of the ALA at the moment.
Skipping to the end, I did not expect to see Eva, Charlie's biological mother. I really wanted to see how they would react to each other, and the staff did an excellent job at cutting just there to keep us wanting for more. Very well done, there is much I still want to see like how Charlie will continue to adapt to this world, and if the world will accept him.
7.5/10, an excellent cut at the end
8. The Holy Grail of Eris. Ep.2
SUMMARY
Constance and Scarlett begin their adventures as Scarlett forces the poor girl to help with revenge. I feel bad for someone as sweet as Constance to be forced into this mission, but she can't say no to the ghost at her side.
Today, we look into someone named Lily, an old acquaintance of Scarlett if we can even call their relationship that. Constance does the best she can, though I believe she is too nice for her own good; she even forgives Neil after the betrayal and unfair treatment in a party.
At Scarlett's command, Constance goes to another party where Scarlett is forced to take over and defend against Lily's husband. Where Constance is sweet to a fault, Scarlett's cunning and wit are enough to survive for a moment, but it is a fight at the party that let her go without issue.
The mystery around who framed Scarlett seems tied to that which killed Lily, and there may be even more to be discovered in the coming episodes.
7.5/10, smacking someone with glass is crazy
9. Scum of the Brave. Ep.1
SUMMARY
Financial struggles seem to be universal issue at the moment. Yashiro is no better off than I am, though bigger issues find him as he is trying to think of a way to make money. As first impressions go, Yoshiro made it known that he is relentless. But even a man willing to kill enjoys kicking it back with some friends.
Unfortunately for Yoshiro, saving a life brings unforeseen circumstances as Aki follows him to thank him and ask for help in slaying a dark lord by the end of the night. Yashiro is reluctant to accept at first but exchanges accepts the request in exchange for a hefty amount.
After more the thorn's minion get beat up by Yoshiro's friends, Aki and Yoshiro prepare to head out on their mission. As for first impressions, I'm interested in learning more about Yoshiro and why he is pessimistic about the Brave work. As for Aki, she's just the ball of sunshine someone like Yoshiro needs and I look forward for their growth together.
7/10, could be good
C: It's ok/ Fine
These are shows I happen to pick up but struggle to finish. Still watchable, but not without a good break in between episodes.
10. Chained Soldier Season 2. Ep.2
SUMMARY
Don't save him, he's right where he wants to be.
Kyouka and Yuki return to base after the meeting ends due to extreme show of power by the top ranker. The audience is treated to some eye candy, and then some sweetness from Nei. Please protect her at all cost.
The early return gives ShuShu the chance to sneak into Yuuki's room, but she finds not one, but two intruders! Best girl Tenki pushes the intruder away, all while yuuki is somehow still asleep until he wakes to a face full of ass, and some some loving from Tenka as well. As nice as this is for Yuuki, it's all an illusion by the attacker but not good enough for the two defending the somehow still asleep Yuuki.
Yuuki apologizes for being such a heavy sleeper, it's still a good time waking up to beautiful girls and now he even gets to sleep with all of them!
Shushu doesn't let the new sleeping arrangement stop her from making advances, but she get's punted into the wall for her efforts. Don't give Shushu! Or do? Tenka is best girls after all. While Shushu is sent to watch, we get sad scene of Nei dreaming of her parents. It hurt to see her cry, I do hope we have a happy ending for her.
Speaking of Nei, paring her with Yuuki gives him a cool mecha looking form. Did we see this last season? I can't remember. But since this is possible, I would really like to see him paired with some others as well, Tenka and Ren would be cool to see, though if he is paired with Ren I imagine he becomes something like Alien X from Ben 10.
7.5/10, Yuuki's going to get passed around, oh how terrible! I'll do it for Yuuki instead!
11. There was a Cute Girl in the Hero's Party, so I Tried Confessing to Her. Ep.2
SUMMARY
Yoki reunites with his old crew at the start of this episode. Happiness ends up working at Cecelia's home while the other two will remain with Yoki to live in the human world. Maid work doesn't seem all that fun, but we get to see Happiness in a maid uniform so it was worthwhile.
Yoki get's the blessing to take Cecelia on a date during her day off. The start of the date is glorious for Yoki but they soon run into the hero and Mikana. As nice as the hero is, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed and lets their identities out. A crowd builds within seconds and our mai couple is seperated because of it.
Being seperated from the group of three leads Yoki to meeting the last of of the hero's group, Raven. Having a high voice makes it difficult for Raven to speak out, and to make friends. Yoki has now befriended two of the heroes, we only have two to go.
Before befriending more of them, we're back to our date! A sweet ending for them, and they get to see each other the next day as Ceclia has a mild cold. The gods smile down on Yoki as Cecelia promises another date for him though he's almost killed for being loud.
The love triangle or pentagon is going to cause issues as we continue in the story. I believe Raven is not going for Cecelia, my money in on Happiness though they may have not met yet. Either way, Mikana is being set up as someone who will try to remove the only thing standing between her and the hero, I wonder what Yoki will be forced to do should this happen.
7/10, love polygon
D: Do Not Recommend
Shows I do not recommend you watch for various issues.
F: Bad
Anime with glaring issues that make them not only difficult to watch, but the watcher angry at times.