Nobody expected this. When the Summer 2026 anime season kicked off in July, most eyes were on returning heavyweights and shonen adaptations. But weeks into the season, one title has quietly seized the #1 spot on every major ranking chart, broken through Crunchyroll’s engagement metrics, and ignited a controversy that has the anime community deeply divided.
That anime is Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia (Tenmaku no Jaadugar), and it might just be the most talked-about show of the year — for all the right reasons, and a few that make no sense at all.
What Is Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia?
Based on the acclaimed manga A Witch’s Life in Mongol by Tomato Soup, Jaadugar is a historical anime set in 13th-century Mongolia. The story follows Fatima, a Persian medical expert from the city of Tus who is thrust into the brutal world of the Mongol Empire after her home is devastated by war. Using nothing but her intelligence, medical knowledge, and cunning, she infiltrates the Khan’s harem and forms an alliance with Töregene, the sixth wife of Ögedei Khan.
Together, these two women manipulate palace politics from within, shaping events that would ripple across the entire known world. It’s a story about survival, revenge, and the quiet power of women in a world built by conquerors.
The anime is produced by Science SARU, the studio behind critically acclaimed titles like Devilman Crybaby, Ping Pong the Animation, and Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!. And if you’ve seen any of those, you know exactly what kind of visual and storytelling quality to expect.
Why It’s Topping Every Chart
After just two episodes, Jaadugar took the #1 spot on Anime Trending’s Summer 2026 weekly rankings — beating out far more hyped titles. On Crunchyroll, it’s been flagged as one of the platform’s best-performing new series of the year, with engagement numbers that rival established franchises.
The reasons are obvious from the first frame. Science SARU has delivered some of the most gorgeous animation of 2026: sweeping Mongolian landscapes, intricate character designs rooted in historical accuracy, and action sequences that feel visceral and grounded. The art direction alone makes it a must-watch.
But it’s the storytelling that has viewers hooked. Unlike most seasonal anime that lean on power fantasy or comedy, Jaadugar is a political thriller wrapped in a historical drama. Every conversation is a chess move. Every alliance could be a betrayal. The tension builds slowly, deliberately, and it pays off in ways that have fans flooding social media with theories.
The Controversy Nobody Asked For
Here’s where things get messy. Despite universal critical praise, Jaadugar has somehow attracted heat from two completely opposing directions — and neither criticism holds water.
On one side, Islamophobic viewers have targeted the show simply for centering Muslim characters and Islamic culture in the 13th century. This is the same crowd that has been increasingly vocal about any media representation of Muslim communities, and Jaadugar’s unflinching portrayal of Persian and Central Asian life during the Mongol expansion was always going to make them uncomfortable.
On the other side, some viewers have criticized the anime for not portraying Muslim culture “correctly” — citing the depiction of the hijab, the show’s emphasis on science and medicine, and other creative choices as somehow blasphemous. What these critics ignore is that the story takes place nearly 800 years ago. Cultural norms, dress, and daily life were fundamentally different. Judging a historical drama by modern standards is a fallacy from the start.
As Screen Rant noted, the show’s depiction of slavery — which some viewers found uncomfortable — is actually a nuanced portrayal of how things worked in that era, not an endorsement. The anime uses these difficult topics to build empathy for its characters, not to exploit them.
Why This Anime Matters
Beyond the controversy, Jaadugar represents something rare in anime: a historical epic centered on women of color in a non-European, non-East Asian setting. The Mongol Empire is one of the most fascinating periods in world history, yet it’s almost completely absent from anime. Jaadugar doesn’t just fill that gap — it does so with a level of research, respect, and dramatic craft that sets a new standard.
The series also proves that anime audiences are hungry for stories outside the usual shonen and isekai formula. A historical drama about a Persian woman manipulating Mongol royalty shouldn’t be a commercial hit by conventional anime standards. But it is, because good storytelling transcends genre expectations.
If you haven’t started Jaadugar yet, you’re missing what might be the most important anime of 2026. It’s streaming on Crunchyroll every Saturday, and with only a few episodes in so far, now is the perfect time to catch up before the rest of the world does.
What Comes Next?
With the series still in its early episodes, the political machinations are only beginning. Fatima’s plan to dismantle the Mongol court from within has barely started, and Töregene’s ambitions extend far beyond what we’ve seen so far. Historical viewers will know that the real Töregene Khatun eventually became one of the most powerful women in the Mongol Empire, serving as regent. The anime is clearly building toward that.
Expect betrayals, power shifts, and a climax that could rival the best political anime in recent memory. If Science SARU maintains this level of quality, Jaadugar isn’t just going to win Summer 2026 — it’s going to be in the conversation for Anime of the Year.
Are you watching Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia? What do you think of the controversy surrounding it? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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