Best New Anime to Watch in September 2026
September 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting months for anime fans, with major franchises returning, highly anticipated adaptations arriving, and several special projects filling the gap before the full Fall 2026 anime season gets underway.
From the stylish western-inspired action of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run to the samurai combat of Sekiro: No Defeat, there is something for almost every type of anime viewer. Netflix and Crunchyroll are also bringing several notable releases throughout the month.
If you’re wondering what new anime to watch in September 2026, here are the titles that deserve a place on your watchlist.
1. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run
Release date: September 25, 2026
Streaming: Netflix
Genre: Action, Adventure, Supernatural
Few anime releases in 2026 have generated as much anticipation as JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run.
The second and third stages of the series begin streaming globally on Netflix on September 25, with a new episode released every Friday. The upcoming release contains 11 episodes.
Steel Ball Run follows Johnny Joestar and Gyro Zeppeli during a massive horse race across 19th-century America. What initially appears to be a sporting competition quickly becomes something much stranger, involving supernatural abilities, dangerous opponents and the mysterious Devil’s Palm.
For long-time JoJo fans, Steel Ball Run is one of the most anticipated story arcs in the franchise. For newcomers, its western setting and road-race structure also make it a particularly distinctive entry point.
Why watch it: Stylish characters, bizarre supernatural battles, an unusual historical setting and one of JoJo’s most ambitious stories.
2. Sekiro: No Defeat
September 2026
Based on: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Genre: Action, Samurai, Fantasy
FromSoftware’s acclaimed action game Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is making the jump to anime with Sekiro: No Defeat.
The project is particularly interesting because it is being produced as a hand-drawn anime adaptation, bringing the game’s brutal sword combat and Sengoku-era atmosphere into a different medium. The Japanese theatrical release began on September 4, 2026, while Crunchyroll has announced international streaming for a later date.
The story centers on Wolf, the shinobi known as the “One-Armed Wolf,” and his mission to protect the young Lord Kuro. Fans of samurai anime should have plenty to look forward to, especially if the adaptation successfully captures the tension and precision of the original game.
Why watch it: Samurai action, FromSoftware world-building and fast, cinematic sword fights.
3. Kaiju No. 8: Narumi’s Week at Work
Premiere: September 5, 2026
Streaming: Crunchyroll and other platforms
Genre: Action, Comedy, Kaiju
While fans wait for the next major chapter of Kaiju No. 8, the franchise has delivered a fun new spin-off focusing on Gen Narumi.
Kaiju No. 8: Narumi’s Week at Work is a four-part short anime exploring what happens when Japan’s strongest anti-kaiju fighter has to deal with something almost as terrifying as monsters: everyday work.
Narumi is notorious for avoiding meetings, ignoring paperwork and spending his free time gaming. The four-episode story gives viewers a more comedic look at the First Division captain outside of major battlefield conflicts.
The episodes are scheduled weekly, beginning September 5 and continuing through September 26.
Why watch it: It’s short, funny and provides more screen time for one of Kaiju No. 8’s most entertaining characters.
4. Mononoke The Movie: Chapter III – The Curse of the Serpent
Release date: September 29, 2026
Streaming: Netflix
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Psychological
Anime fans looking for something darker should put Mononoke The Movie: Chapter III – The Curse of the Serpent near the top of their September list.
The movie is the final installment of the Mononoke film trilogy, following The Phantom in the Rain and The Ashes of Rage. Netflix confirms that Chapter III premieres worldwide on September 29.
The story once again follows the mysterious Medicine Seller, who confronts supernatural entities born from human emotions, grudges and tragedy. This time, the story moves deeper into the ÅŒoku and introduces another dangerous supernatural threat.
Visually, Mononoke remains one of the most distinctive anime properties around, combining traditional Japanese-inspired imagery with surreal colors, unusual compositions and psychological horror.
Why watch it: Beautiful experimental animation, Japanese folklore, mystery and genuinely unsettling atmosphere.
5. The Prince of Tennis II U-17 WORLD CUP Final Roster Selection
Release date: September 30, 2026
Genre: Sports, Tennis, Shonen
Sports anime fans also have something to look forward to at the end of September.
The Prince of Tennis II U-17 WORLD CUP: Final Roster Selection is scheduled for September 30 as part of the autumn 2026 anime lineup. NewAnime
The series continues the competitive tennis world created by Takeshi Konomi, bringing familiar players and intense matches back to the screen.
For fans who enjoy sports anime such as Blue Lock, Haikyuu!! or Ace of Diamond, the exaggerated techniques and high-stakes matches of The Prince of Tennis remain part of its appeal.
Why watch it: Competitive matches, established characters and over-the-top sports action.
6. As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World Season 3
Release date: September 27, 2026
Genre: Isekai, Fantasy, Adventure
Another notable September release is As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World Season 3, scheduled for September 27. NewAnime
The series follows Ars Louvent, a young nobleman whose unique appraisal ability allows him to discover talented people and build a powerful domain around them.
Instead of relying purely on overwhelming combat abilities, the anime emphasizes strategy, recruitment and political development. That makes it a refreshing choice for viewers who enjoy slower-burning isekai stories.
Why watch it: World-building, strategy, character development and a different approach to the isekai formula.
Which September 2026 Anime Should You Watch First?
If you only have time for a few titles, the best choices depend on your favorite genre.
For action: Sekiro: No Defeat
For supernatural adventure: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run
For comedy: Kaiju No. 8: Narumi’s Week at Work
For horror: Mononoke The Movie: Chapter III
For sports: The Prince of Tennis II U-17 WORLD CUP
For isekai fantasy: As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World Season 3
September also serves as a bridge into an exceptionally busy Fall 2026 anime season, with major titles such as Black Clover Season 2, Overgeared, Firefly Wedding and The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 arriving around the following weeks.
Whether you’re a long-time anime fan or looking for something new, September 2026 is an excellent month to expand your watchlist. With JoJo returning, Sekiro entering the anime world, Kaiju No. 8 exploring its characters from a new angle and Mononoke concluding its cinematic trilogy, there is plenty to keep viewers entertained before the full fall lineup takes over.
