Personal Recommendations for New Anime in April 2026
Although there aren't many breakout hits at a glance this season, there are quite a few underrated gems worth checking out.
Kami-Ina Botan: Sake-bi Sugata wa Yuri no Gotou
From the Encouragement of Climb team, with heavy involvement from Kou Yoshinari; a real treat for fans of cute girls doing cute things.
Awashima Hyakkei
Takako Shimura's original work directed by Morio Asaka. It will be a work comparable to Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater (or Exotic Diary), featuring very delicate character portrayals. The first episode is already out and highly rated; it's my most anticipated show this season.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run
I'm counting this as a new release. The official PV is actually pretty good. Only three days left until it airs. If David Production nails it, it'll be legendary; even if it's mediocre, it'll still be legendary.
Akane-banashi
A fantastic shonen manga. It's a traditional, passionate style of shonen, just with a Rakugo theme.
Shunkashuutou Daikousha: Haru no Mai
Another work by the author of Violet Evergarden. The original work is quite low-key, similar to Violet, and Wit Studio probably won't pour too many resources into it. The visual quality is decent; it's good enough for shipping characters.
Yomi no Tsugai (Daemons of the Shadow Realm)
Bones and Hiromu Arakawa—a long-awaited combination. The PV is impressive; it will be a very solid work.
Marriage Toxin
Bones is doing two shows at once. The visual quality is okay, but it probably won't get as much investment as Yomi no Tsugai.
Witch Hat Atelier
A manga with a beautiful art style. It's impossible for the animation to be as detailed, but the PV looks pretty good in motion. Let's see if the direction can bring something new to the table.
I Want to End This Game of 'I Love You'
Basically Kaguya-sama but they've already started dating. It's almost sickeningly sweet.
The Story of a Stoic Disciplinary Committee Member and a Miniskirt JK
Probably a low-budget version of The Dangers in My Heart. It definitely won't be as interesting, but it's fine for some lighthearted fluff.
Ice Wall
Another work by the author of The Dangers in My Heart. The style is completely different. Based on the PV, it probably won't surpass The Dangers in My Heart, but the floor won't be too low either. The story and character development are pretty good.
MAO
Rumiko Takahashi's latest manga. Just seeing this name guarantees a certain level of quality.
Dandelion
Hideaki Sorachi's debut work. A pretty decent short story.
Left Hand Layla (Left-handed Ellen)
It can't be worse than Blue Period, right? I quite like stories about art, so I'm hoping for something good.
Needy Streamer Overload
The drama behind the scenes might be more exciting than the work itself. The dragon slayer eventually becomes the dragon. I hope the original creator is truly back on the production team.
Which shows are you planning to follow this season? Feel free to share!
Kami-Ina Botan: Sake-bi Sugata wa Yuri no Gotou
From the Encouragement of Climb team, with heavy involvement from Kou Yoshinari; a real treat for fans of cute girls doing cute things.
Awashima Hyakkei
Takako Shimura's original work directed by Morio Asaka. It will be a work comparable to Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater (or Exotic Diary), featuring very delicate character portrayals. The first episode is already out and highly rated; it's my most anticipated show this season.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run
I'm counting this as a new release. The official PV is actually pretty good. Only three days left until it airs. If David Production nails it, it'll be legendary; even if it's mediocre, it'll still be legendary.
Akane-banashi
A fantastic shonen manga. It's a traditional, passionate style of shonen, just with a Rakugo theme.
Shunkashuutou Daikousha: Haru no Mai
Another work by the author of Violet Evergarden. The original work is quite low-key, similar to Violet, and Wit Studio probably won't pour too many resources into it. The visual quality is decent; it's good enough for shipping characters.
Yomi no Tsugai (Daemons of the Shadow Realm)
Bones and Hiromu Arakawa—a long-awaited combination. The PV is impressive; it will be a very solid work.
Marriage Toxin
Bones is doing two shows at once. The visual quality is okay, but it probably won't get as much investment as Yomi no Tsugai.
Witch Hat Atelier
A manga with a beautiful art style. It's impossible for the animation to be as detailed, but the PV looks pretty good in motion. Let's see if the direction can bring something new to the table.
I Want to End This Game of 'I Love You'
Basically Kaguya-sama but they've already started dating. It's almost sickeningly sweet.
The Story of a Stoic Disciplinary Committee Member and a Miniskirt JK
Probably a low-budget version of The Dangers in My Heart. It definitely won't be as interesting, but it's fine for some lighthearted fluff.
Ice Wall
Another work by the author of The Dangers in My Heart. The style is completely different. Based on the PV, it probably won't surpass The Dangers in My Heart, but the floor won't be too low either. The story and character development are pretty good.
MAO
Rumiko Takahashi's latest manga. Just seeing this name guarantees a certain level of quality.
Dandelion
Hideaki Sorachi's debut work. A pretty decent short story.
Left Hand Layla (Left-handed Ellen)
It can't be worse than Blue Period, right? I quite like stories about art, so I'm hoping for something good.
Needy Streamer Overload
The drama behind the scenes might be more exciting than the work itself. The dragon slayer eventually becomes the dragon. I hope the original creator is truly back on the production team.
Which shows are you planning to follow this season? Feel free to share!
