Anime Winter 2026 Weekly Ranking January 23rd to Jannuary 29th
Jan. 23, 2026
Ranking for anime episodes released Jan. 23, 2026 to Jan. 29, 2026
Somehow, someway, I've made it to Japan. Forgive me for falling behind, I'll do my best to keep up
S: Must Watch
Episodes I believe you must watch or are missing out on.
1. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2. Ep.2
SUMMARY
Lets be real, a spell to scratch your back may be one of the greatest creations of all time.
I really love what this story does with the title of hero. I apologize as I immediately thought the statue was of a poser, but it turns out the hero of the south was an actual beast deserving of the praise.
Frieren having met the hero and learning his secret was excellent. The man knew of his death and still proceeded forward, understanding what must be done and his strength to help with the cause. The fact that it took the seven sages to kill him makes it even better, what I would pay to see this fight man.
How?! What is this unbelievable talent that Kanehito Yamada has to create spectacular characters in literal minutes. We will probably never see the guy again and I already love him. I dream of having such impact, but characters like this only emphasize the quality of this anime and why it is so well regarded.
While Frieren got a nice trip through memories, she's soon summoned to help retrieve a stolen item despite how much she wanted to avoid the matter. It's our first fight aginst a demon for the season and it does not dissapoint. Madhouse is a master of the craft and my favorite studio, what an honor to watch.
9.5/10, Be like the hero, whichever one you like
2. Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Part 1. Ep.5
SUMMARY
Yaga's ability to create self sustaining beings is a blessing and a terrible curse. We see how he uses the information of others to make them with a heartbreaking reunion, and why others of the sorcerer community want him dead. Unfortunately, Panda would not make it in time to save him.
While Panda mourns, the community is given a reward for surviving, here comes the fan favorite Hakari! Itadori is pitched into the fight club against none other than Panda in hopes of getting a meeting with Hakari and his efforts are rewarded.
Hakari is as much a gambling degenerate as I remember, but he's still keen enough to get information out of Itadori. I enjoyed the animation of this meeting, watching from that fixed camera possession allowed the team to focus on simple movements and was just a nice decision overall.
9/10, even pandas cry
3. Sentenced to Be a Hero. Ep.4
SUMMARY
I do love me some fantasy towns and festivities. Xylo doesn't have much interest in participating in the great exchange, but he is soon dragged out by Kivia and Teoritta.
Kivia reveals what was planned for Teoritta when she was discovered. Dissecting her to make more goddesses is cruel, a fate bestowed upon her becuause her ability was deemed weak. The holy knight stocks may never recover to be honest, but I doubt Xylo would ever allow Teoritta to be hurt.
The heroes have been assigned a new mission to thier deaths in defending the fort they are at. Once dead, an attack from another goddess will use poison to defeat the demon lord. The cost here is great, but I believe it is a plot to take Teoritta while Xylo recovers.
Venetim stole the episode near the end of the episode. His crime was telling the truth, one that would bring mass hysteria and ruin plans for certain people and may also explain what happened with Xylo's crew. Does his seal make it impossible for him to reveal this? If it does, it would be awesome to see him sacrifice himself himself to reveal the truth.
9/10, what is Kazuya doing here?
4. Trigun Stargaze. Ep.3
SUMMARY
The episode begins with a look at the ship which Jessica arrived on, but Vash has left with her to look at the ship carrying everyone else. Here, only trouble awaits them.
Vash and Jessica are attacked by puppets on the ship. They want Vash to swear loyalty to million knives, but he is able to escape to safety before hunting the puppet master down. This fight is great as we see Vash's dexterity in full display, and the strange abilities of the puppet master that lead them to the research dome.
Inside the research dome, Leonoff has an army of puppets that attack Vash. I have to say, the strongest aspect of the 3d animation is the use of the camera. Seeing Vash stab the puppet and run with him as the camera is put at a low level was awesome, we're then taken into a scene where Vash runs and we're tracking him from behind with the camera.
Leonoff being the kid from the start was a nice touch, but not as nice as Vash checking to see if Wolfwood was a puppet. Meryl and Milly arrive just before Wolfwood kills Leonoff by landing on the puppet master with a piece of the ceiling, which in my opinion should have killed him as well.
Meryl and everyone else is here to help Vash as he caries the heavy burden of those lost in Julai. A very sweet ending for him, one that I am glad he got. But, the happy moments will soon be interrupted.
9/10, action is so nice with this animation.
5. Hell's Paradise Season 2. Ep.3
SUMMARY
Choubei can't catch a break it seems, getting the interest of one of the Tensen may be a fate worse than death.
Gabimaru learned a lot from his battle against Choubei, most of all how he can't defeat the Tensen without mastery of Tao. He recruits the help of four of his travel buddies in hopes learning more about Tao and finding a way to counter the Tao. This may have been Gabimaru's most impressive display of power yet, but it will still not be enough to beat the Tensen.
Back to Choubei's battle, he uses his transformed state and is able to control it this time. He would have beaten Gabimaru like this, but it is not enough to beat the Tesen he faces, Rein. It's his defeat, but he's taken back for research of the physical kind.
The history of the island is amazing. The Tensen are creatures created by a hermit named in search of immortality. All of the experiments and creations of the island have been done with the goal of imortality in mind, the horrors now something the group we follow must face.
Even on an island of horrors, there can be beauty however. Houko and Mei's story did not need to end like that, what about my heart MAPPA?! I agree that it wasn't a lie, and I am glad that Houko was able to do something for his daughter, farewell Houko.
9/10, cool fights, sex, and tear pulling scenes all in one episode
6. To Your Eternity Season 3. Ep.15
SUMMARY
We're back baby, and Bon is back as well. I remember when March died at Fushi's side, but I never stopped to think of what happened to everyone else after that.
Tonari and Hairo spread spread wrote of Fushi's efforts, though they were met with opposition because of it. Others protected Fushi or continued to do what they can to keep peace in the world they lived in. In the end they all wished to see Fushi one last time however, waiting for the day he would return.
It is here that Fushi confess how he feels to everyone and the fear of being left behind by them. It is a very selfish thing of Fushi to ask, immortal life is difficult and not something all of them wish for, but Fushi's fears could push them away if he doesn't accept this reality.
Now, I never expected the incredible turtle scene to be made use of again, but boy I am impressed. Using the baby turtles to show Fushi his own possessiveness and reminding him of the people that have gone their own way was something that he needed.
With this realization comes a new hairstyle for Fushi, a new way of living; the guy even gets a job. And so, the first of the baby turtles to leave the beach will be Gugu. We have a farewell party for the guy before Fushi drops him off at the airport. In a way, this hurts just as much as the deaths but I'm happy for them both.
This was a very feel good episode, I wish nothing but the best for Gugu, but that ending was something else.
9/10, moving on and letting go is always difficult.
A: Very Good
Good episodes, anime I would recommend to someone looking for something to watch.
![[Oshi No Ko] Season 3](https://efvedablogbucket.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/images/oshiNoKo.jpg)
7. [Oshi No Ko] Season 3. Ep.3
SUMMARY
Today in 2.5 dimensional seduction, Ruby and co cosplay!
The one thing I'll agree with the director in is that people will put up with some crazy weather for a cosplay. But that's it, the questions he asked to the cosplayer Ruby invited were unbelievable and what came after was deserved.
In hopes of addrssing the fallout from this, Ruby offers a plan that brings Meiya onto the show. We get some nice scene here with Kana, but it's the director that surprised me with his hand made cosplay.
If you were watching closely, you'd come to the same conclusion as Aqua. Ruby has been involved at every step of the way, from suggesting the cosplay, to bringing Meiya, even the apology method. Just how much she is im control of, and why, I look forward to see.
8.5/10, Ruby scares me now
8. The Darwin Incident. Ep.0
SUMMARY
Charlie's smarts got him to the ALA group but he was outwitted and put in jail because of it. This brings us to a very important discussion on what Charlie is seen as. At the moment, he falls into a grey zone that makes him property, and the cops plan to use this as a way to keep him imprisoned or worse.
We get the reveal of what happened 10 years ago when Charlie attacked the officers. I wish they were a little more obvious with what the kids were doing, it seemed a little too far for a prank, then again, kids have little sense for such things so Charlie defending himself makes sense. Still, the poor guy was in a state of fear and survival which led to the officers being hurt as well.
By the end, Lucy gets Charlie to break out and help her but I'm sure this won't go over well with the police. With any luck the family can get him out of there, but the uphill battle will continue.
8.2/10, the Charlie plushies were cute
B: Good/Solid
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.
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.