Dark Fantasy Shounen Is on Top of Crunchyroll’s Top 10 Most-Watched Anime of the Week List Again

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As a total anime fanatic, I’ve been keeping a close eye on what everyone’s streaming, and it’s always changing! This week, looking at the numbers from Crunchyroll, it’s a really interesting mix. We’ve got everything from dark, epic fantasy series to adaptations of those popular light novels, and of course, the return of some sequels we’ve all been waiting for. It’s cool to see such variety – one minute you’re watching a super intense story about prisoners facing their fate, and the next you’re lost in a more thoughtful series about an elf who’s lived forever. Basically, these stats give you a good idea of what anime is really grabbing people’s attention right now.

‘Hell’s Paradise’ (2023–)

Gabimaru, a skilled ninja facing execution, gets a chance at freedom: he must find the mythical Elixir of Life on a dangerous, remote island. He’s sent with a group of fellow condemned criminals and their guards, and together they face a stunning but deadly landscape filled with terrifying creatures. ‘Hell’s Paradise’ combines supernatural thrills with intense martial arts action and explores the characters’ inner struggles, all set in historical Japan. The story delves into questions of forgiveness and what it truly costs to live forever.

‘DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR’ (2026)

At Decelis Academy, seven boys have their lives changed when they meet a mysterious girl named Sooha. As strange things start happening at the school, they’re forced to confront their own secrets and a growing supernatural world filled with vampires and werewolves. ‘DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR’ is a series based on a popular online comic and inspired by the K-pop group ENHYPEN, blending urban fantasy, teen drama, mystery, and strong character relationships.

‘Solo Leveling’ (2024–)

Sung Jinwoo starts as the weakest hunter in the world, but after a dangerous double dungeon, he unlocks a secret ability: a unique way to grow stronger. As he completes challenges and defeats monsters, he rapidly transforms from a fragile fighter into an incredibly powerful force, potentially changing the future. The story takes place in a world where magical gates constantly open, unleashing monsters that hunters must fight. ‘Solo Leveling’ is popular for its exciting battles and its gameplay style, which feels like a role-playing game.

‘Fire Force’ (2019–)

I’m really hooked on Fire Force! It’s about this team, Special Fire Force Company 8, who deal with people suddenly bursting into flames and turning into these terrifying creatures called Infernals. I’ve been following Shinra Kusakabe, a new recruit who can create fire with his feet, as he tries to become a hero and figure out what happened to his family. The story shows the struggles between all the different fire companies in Tokyo, and it’s full of awesome, unique powers based around fire. But it’s not just about cool abilities – there’s a really dark religious conspiracy unfolding that makes everything even more intense!

‘ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!’ (2026)

Flum Apricot is abandoned by her group and forced into slavery because she doesn’t have any magical abilities. She manages to survive in a dangerous world filled with monsters and treachery after finding a cursed sword. The story follows her as she searches for a normal life with someone she saves from a similar situation. ‘ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!’ is a story about healing from difficult experiences and discovering inner strength.

‘Gachiakuta’ (2025)

Ludo grew up in a shantytown built above a massive chasm called the Abyss, where all the city’s trash ends up. People say the Abyss is full of monsters and refuse. When Ludo is falsely accused of a crime, he’s thrown into the Abyss, but discovers that the junk there can be turned into incredible weapons. He teams up with a group called the Cleaners to fight the unfairness of their world and find a way back to the surface. ‘Gachiakuta’ is notable for its distinctive art style and its thought-provoking message about pollution and how we value things.

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–2024)

Following the defeat of the Demon King, the elf mage Frieren grapples with the fact that her human friends live much shorter lives than she does. Years later, she sets out on a new adventure to revisit places from their past and finally understand the human emotions she hadn’t fully appreciated before. The story is a thoughtful exploration of what happens after a grand adventure, and how time affects everyone. ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ focuses more on developing its characters and creating emotional connections than on typical fantasy action.

‘Jack-of-All-Trades, Party of None’ (2026)

In a fantasy world obsessed with experts, one character finds it hard to join a team because he’s good at many things, but not necessarily great at any one of them. The story examines whether being well-rounded is still valuable when everyone else specializes. He repeatedly demonstrates that even seemingly small or unimportant skills can be surprisingly useful in dangerous situations. ‘Jack-of-All-Trades, Party of None’ offers a new take on classic fantasy tropes and highlights the power of being adaptable and resourceful.

‘Sentenced to Be a Hero’ (2026)

In ‘Sentenced to Be a Hero,’ criminals convicted of serious crimes are given a brutal choice: fight for the kingdom against the Demon King’s army, or face immediate execution. If they survive the incredibly dangerous missions, they earn a second chance at life. The story centers on one such criminal, exploring the difficult moral questions that arise as he fights for survival and attempts to atone for his past through this forced service. It’s a dark and gritty take on the classic hero’s journey.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–)

After swallowing a fragment of the incredibly powerful curse Ryomen Sukuna, Yuji Itadori is thrown into the hidden world of Jujutsu Sorcerers. He enrolls at Tokyo Jujutsu High to learn to harness his newfound abilities and combat dangerous spirits that threaten humankind. The story revolves around the growing battle between these sorcerers and ancient curses determined to change the world. ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ is celebrated for its complex magic system and stunning animation by MAPPA.

Please share which of these popular anime series you are watching this week in the comments.

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2026-01-25 04:52