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

As a critic, I’ve been keeping a close eye on Crunchyroll’s winter anime lineup, and let me tell you, it’s delivering! We’re seeing both the sequels everyone’s been waiting for and a bunch of exciting new shows that are quickly gaining a following. It’s a really diverse season – whether you’re into epic fantasy fights or more laid-back, everyday stories, there’s something for everyone. People are loving catching up with familiar series and getting invested in brand new characters – from heroes on the run to protagonists who break the mold. I’ve put together a rundown of the shows that are currently topping the charts and grabbing everyone’s attention.

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

Frieren is an elf mage who, after a decade-long adventure, helped defeat the Demon King. Because elves live for thousands of years, the story focuses on her life after her human friends have passed away. She sets out on a journey to Aureole, the realm of souls, hoping for one last conversation with the hero, Himmel. During her travels, she takes on new students and begins to appreciate how quickly human relationships come and go. The series is known for its thoughtful, somewhat sad atmosphere, its detailed world, and its themes of time and memory.

‘An Adventurer’s Daily Grind at Age 29’ (2026)

Hajime Shinonome isn’t interested in being a hero; he’s an adventurer who just wants a comfortable life. He’s spent years exploring dungeons for a steady income, but his routine is disrupted when he finds a girl named Rirui left alone inside one. He decides to care for her, which changes his quiet life and adds new challenges to his work. The story focuses on the practical side of fantasy adventures, showing what it’s really like to be an adventurer – the costs, the work, and everyday life. It’s a blend of realistic slice-of-life moments and classic dungeon exploration.

‘Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord’ (2026)

Van, once a Japanese office worker, has been reborn as the fourth son of a noble in a world where people can use magic to create things. His family doesn’t value him because he can’t fight, so they send him away to a struggling, run-down village. Using his special magical abilities, Van starts improving the village, building defenses and infrastructure, and gradually turning it into a thriving city. The story follows his journey to protect his growing territory from outside dangers while also focusing on developing it from within. It highlights cleverness and making the most of what you have, rather than just relying on strength.

‘Gachiakuta’ (2025)

Rudo grows up in the slums of a city in the sky, a place where the families of criminals are forced to live as outcasts and survive by scavenging. When he’s falsely accused of a crime, he’s thrown into the Abyss – a dangerous, trash-filled wasteland beneath the city, overrun with monstrous creatures. There, Rudo discovers he has a unique ability: he can bring junk to life, turning trash into powerful weapons called Jinki. He teams up with a band of fighters known as Cleaners, who battle the beasts and search for a way back to the city above, seeking justice. The series is known for its striking, graffiti-inspired visuals and fast-paced action.

‘Solo Leveling’ (2024–Present)

In a world plagued by dangerous monsters, Sung Jinwoo is initially considered the weakest hunter. However, his luck changes when he barely survives a particularly harrowing double dungeon and is chosen by a strange program called the System. Unlike other hunters, the System allows him to continuously grow stronger with no apparent limits. As Jinwoo’s power increases, he begins to unravel the mysteries surrounding the dungeons and discovers the origins of his incredible abilities, ultimately revealing himself as the Shadow Monarch. This anime is based on a popular South Korean web novel and manhwa, and it follows Jinwoo’s remarkable journey of self-improvement and his fights against overwhelming odds.

‘Hell’s Paradise’ (2023–Present)

Okay, let me tell you about this show. It centers around Gabimaru, a seriously skilled ninja who’s facing execution. He gets a shot at freedom – a pardon, actually – if he can find this legendary Elixir of Life on a super dangerous island called Shinsenkyo. I went in expecting a straight action series, but it’s way more than that. He’s joined by his executioner, Sagiri, and they quickly discover this beautiful island is crawling with monsters and immortals. It’s not just about fighting creatures, though. They’re part of a team of criminals and their keepers, all trying to survive not only the island’s dangers but each other. As the secrets of Shinsenkyo start to come out, Gabimaru has to use everything he’s got – and make some uneasy alliances – if he wants to make it back home to his wife. Honestly, it’s a really cool blend of supernatural horror and historical action – definitely worth checking out!

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

Flum Apricot is chosen to be a hero, but quickly dismissed as weak because she doesn’t seem to have any fighting skills and is ultimately sold into slavery. To survive, she obtains a dangerous, cursed sword rumored to destroy anyone who wields it. Surprisingly, Flum’s special ability, called Reversal, lets her transform the curse’s harmful effects into incredible power. She uses this strength to battle the monsters plaguing the kingdom and to get revenge on those who mistreated her. The story blends dark fantasy elements with a tale of overcoming hardship and taking control of one’s own fate.

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

Orun is a skilled fighter and magic user who gets kicked out of a hero group because he’s good at many things, but not necessarily great at any one thing. Determined to prove his worth, he sets out on his own, believing his ability to do a little bit of everything is actually his biggest strength. He takes on challenges that require both magic and swordplay, quests that specialists struggle with. The story follows Orun as he earns a new reputation and builds a team that values his wide range of skills, highlighting the importance of being adaptable in a world that often favors specialization.

‘Sentenced to Be a Hero’ (2026)

This anime is a dark fantasy where being called a ‘Hero’ is actually a terrible punishment for criminals. Xylo Forbartz, a disgraced knight, is forced to lead a team of these condemned warriors – all criminals revived after death – against an invading demon army. They’re stuck in an endless battle until they’ve served their sentences. Xylo has to control this unruly group of villains while also trying to figure out why he was imprisoned in the first place. It’s a dark and realistic take on the classic ‘chosen one’ story.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–Present)

Yuji Itadori is a high school student with incredible strength who unexpectedly finds himself in the world of Jujutsu Sorcerers. After swallowing a cursed object containing the powerful spirit Ryomen Sukuna, he enrolls at Tokyo Jujutsu High to learn how to manage his newfound abilities and fight against dangerous Curses—spirits born from negative feelings. The current season focuses on the ‘Culling Game,’ a deadly battle royale created by the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku, which pits sorcerers against each other. Yuji and his friends must survive this brutal tournament to rescue their teacher, Satoru Gojo, and avert a major disaster. The series is famous for its intricate fight choreography and impressive animation.

Share your favorite anime from this week’s top 10 list in the comments.

2026-02-08 04:45