Anime Expo 2026 saw a flood of major announcements, including early looks at "The Ghost in the Shell," Yoshitaka Amano's "ZAN," and "Star Wars: Visions" spin-off "The Ninth Jedi." Updates for popular series like "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2" and "Kagurabachi" also dominated headlines, making it easy for even dedicated fans to miss out on other significant reveals. Beyond the biggest franchises, smaller premieres, unexpected adaptations, and unique passion projects debuted, many from celebrated creators or based on beloved manga and light novels.
To highlight these under-the-radar projects, here are ten fascinating new anime announcements from Anime Expo 2026 worth watching.
Romance and Rock
One of the internet's favorite romance manga, "The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All," is making the leap to anime with minimal fanfare. The series follows a high schooler who develops a crush on a cool record store clerk, only to discover the clerk is actually her quiet classmate. The anime is being produced by CloverWorks, known for hits like "Spy x Family" and "Bocchi the Rock!" The show's rock-infused premise, highlighted by a snippet featuring Nirvana's "Breed" at the convention, and promotional interviews with Dave Grohl suggest a strong musical element. The series is set to debut in January 2027.
Historical Dramas and Artistic Pivots
"Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia" marks a rare historical anime from director Naoko Yamada, acclaimed for "A Silent Voice" and "Liz and the Blue Bird." The series adapts Tomato Soup's manga, set during the Mongol Empire, about an orphaned girl sold into slavery who seeks revenge within the Khan's harem. Yamada is reuniting with animation director Abel Góngora, whose work on "Scott Pilgrim Takes Off" and "Dandadan" showcases his visual style. The first two episodes premiered at the convention and are available on Crunchyroll.
"The World Is Dancing" offers a different take on historical anime, reminiscent of "Akane-banshi" in its depiction of Noh theater's origins. The series centers on the young Oniyasha, who would become Zeami, the legendary playwright and performer. Directed by Toshimasa Kuroyanagi with CygamesPictures, the production features authentic performances by professional Noh artists and choreographers. The series is available to stream on HIDIVE.
Ambitious Originals and Sequels
"Jurassic Shadows" is a surprising pivot for director Norihiro Naganuma, known for "The Apothecary Diaries." This project, teased at Anime Expo, presents a "ninjas versus dinosaurs" narrative where a sect of dinosaurs and ninja clans battle using ancient pigments to unlock prehistoric powers. While less bombastic than some other announcements, its unique premise suggests potential for a hit.
"Grotesqqque," a theatrical anthology film and the feature-length directorial debut of Atsushi Nishigori ("The Idolmaster," "Darling in the Franxx"), offers an original story with character designs leaning into exaggerated expressions and surreal imagery. The trilogy of short films, reportedly focusing on female characters, showcases a blend of flat-shaded color palettes and avant-garde graphic realism. The first trailer was shown during a CloverWorks panel, and the film is set to release in Japan on November 6, with a U.S. release yet to be announced.
Franchise Revivals and New Collaborations
CLAMP's "Magic Knight Rayearth," a beloved 1990s fantasy classic, is finally receiving a remake. The original series blended magical girls, giant robots, isekai fantasy, and shoujo romance, influencing modern fantasy storytelling. The new series is slated to debut on October 7, 2026.
Studio Trigger's "untitled project" from director Hiroyuki Imaishi and writer Kazuki Nakashima, the duo behind "Gurren Lagann" and "Kill la Kill," was a notable tease at Anime Expo. While details are scarce, the team's history of kinetic, over-the-top action and epic storytelling suggests this fourth collaboration will be a significant event, even without early visuals.
Unique Takes on Familiar Tropes
"Though I Am an Inept Villainess" adapts Satsuki Nakamura's light novels, setting itself apart from typical villainess stories with an imperial Chinese-inspired backdrop. The plot involves two rivals mysteriously switching bodies, forcing them to navigate drastically different circumstances and palace intrigue. The series, featuring a lavish setting and character-driven drama, premiered its trailer at Anime Expo and is available on Crunchyroll starting July 12.
"Sparks of Tomorrow" is an original anime from Kyoto Animation, the studio behind "Violet Evergarden." Known for meticulous animation and emotional storytelling, Kyoto Animation's new Netflix original is anticipated to follow in the tradition of their deeply resonant works. The series premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival before its U.S. debut at Anime Expo and has been streaming exclusively on Netflix since July 5.
"Hanaori-san Still Wants to Fight in the Next Life" offers a playful twist on reincarnation stories. Instead of a teenager transported to another world, the protagonist is a former Demon King reborn in modern Japan who prefers gaming to his past life. This series blends action with slice-of-life comedy, avoiding a overly serious take on its fantasy premise. An early screening was held at Anime Expo, and it is available on Crunchyroll starting July 11.
A Visually Distinctive Romance
"The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All" features animation from CloverWorks, a studio with a strong track record. The adaptation of Sumiko Arai's yuri manga promises to capture the original's distinctive aesthetic and understated chemistry. The January 2027 release date, coupled with the strong musical direction hinted at by Nirvana's inclusion, positions this as a potential breakout romance series.
