As we wrap up 2025 and burrow into our homes for the holiday season, I hope everyone is taking some much needed respite from the chaos of life. Spending time with your loved ones and enjoying the holidays after a long year.
Oh, and prepare for the absolute wave of peak anime seasons we’re about to be blessed with. January is shaping up to be an incredible time for some great shows to pick back up. Here, I’ll be listing some favorites that I am so ready for—and to cry over.
Do note that all of these will have slight spoilers as they’re shown well into their story and not starting out as new. If you haven’t watched any of these incredible shows, I highly recommend you catch up!
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
After the end of season one, where Fern has become certified as a first class mage, allowing her, Frieren and Stark passage to continue their journey. Frieren is banned from the test per Serie’s orders.
It was great to see how much Frieren has changed from the beginning of the story. She went from an emotionally distant elf to someone who came to appreciate human life and their stories. She has a great bond with Fern and I am so excited to see their story continue. I firmly believe Fern has a chance to even surpass Frieren as a mage. She is just that incredible and capable.
Season 2 is set to begin on Friday, January 16th, and run every week on Crunchyroll for approximately 20-28 episodes on, as we don’t have official confirmation on episode counts.
- Hell’s Paradise, Season 2
As much as I enjoy this show, I have to first admit I didn’t finish season 1 yet. I know, I know, throw some tomatoes at me. But with the release of season 2 just around the corner, I know I need to finish it.
Gabimaru is one of the best assassins when he’s put on death row. The only way he can regain his freedom is to retrieve the mysterious elixir of life on an island teeming with monsters. Accompanied by an executor if he strays from the mission, it’s a story about a man who wants to be freed and return to his wife.
Season 2 is set to premiere on Sunday, January 11th on Crunchyroll. It will run for approximately 13-14 episodes.
- Jujutsu Kaisen, Season 3
This is probably the most anticipated return out of every other show on the list. We will finally continue Yuji’s story after the tragic events of the Shibuya incident. We now have The Culling Game. Gojo has been sealed, and now they must participate in a sadistic game.
One part about this season I saw from the trailer is how absolutely excited I am to finally see Yuta come into the main plot. The only time he appears is in the prequel movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0. It’s exciting to see him finally interact with the main cast again, as well as meet Yuji for the first time.
Jujutsu Kaisen is a crazy story with so many twists and turns. I can’t even guess how this arc is going to go, but if it’s anything like the Shibuya incident, it’ll be brutal. Season 3 is set to premiere on Thursday, January 8th on Crunchyroll. It will air approximately 24-26 episodes, potentially in two parts, but that is a rumor right now.
- Trigun Stampede: Stargaze
Finally, we will continue, and sadly end, Vash’s story with Stargaze. It takes place over two years after the events of the first season, with Vash seemingly missing and the introduction of a new character.
It seems Vash will have to go after his brother again, as Nai also survived what Vash did based on trailers. With how incredible the first season was, I’m sure this season and conclusion will live up to it. Even if I’m disappointed Trigun will only have these two seasons, I’m sure it’ll be well done. If not, I can simply check out the original anime from 1998.
Stargaze is set to premiere on Saturday, January 10th on Crunchyroll and will run for approximately 12-13.
So, enjoy your holiday season, but know that in a few short weeks, we will feast our eyes on returning anime and be sucked right back into their worlds.
