When the Winter 2026 anime season wrapped up, most people assumed Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 would walk away with everything. And it did, mostly. But the real surprise of the year came from a completely different direction, and the numbers from ABEMA tell a story that nobody saw coming.
ABEMA, Japan’s massive streaming platform, just released its official Winter 2026 anime rankings, and the results have ignited one of the most intense fan debates of the year. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game took the top spot for most-watched anime in Japan. No surprise there, right? But here is the twist: Oshi no Ko Season 3 generated the highest number of viewer comments across the entire season, blowing past every shounen heavyweight in pure engagement.
That is not a small thing. When one anime dominates views and a completely different anime dominates conversation, it tells you something fundamental about where the industry is heading in 2026.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Undisputed Ratings King
MAPPA Studio delivered exactly what fans expected with The Culling Game arc. Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, and the rest of the sorcerer cast locked into a brutal tournament-style battle royale that kept viewers glued to their screens week after week. Gojo Satoru’s shadow still looms large over the series, and Sukuna continues to be the most terrifying villain in modern anime.
The Culling Game arc has been building toward this moment since the manga chapters first dropped, and MAPPA’s animation quality proved why they remain the gold standard for action anime. Every episode trended on Japanese social media, and the Thursday release schedule became an appointment viewing ritual for millions of fans across Asia and beyond.
But here is where things get interesting. Views do not equal obsession.
Oshi no Ko Season 3: The Engagement Monster
While Jujutsu Kaisen had the numbers, Oshi no Ko Season 3 had the fire. Aqua Hoshino and Ruby Hoshino’s dual narrative in the entertainment industry struck a nerve that ratings alone cannot measure. Kana Arima’s character development became one of the most discussed topics of the entire season, and every episode spawned hundreds of thousands of comments debating theories, character motivations, and the dark underbelly of the idol industry that the show portrays so brilliantly.
Doga Kobo’s animation brought the show’s emotional beats to life with a level of subtlety that most anime never attempt. The contrast between the glittering surface of J-Pop idol culture and the rot underneath it gave viewers something to dissect, argue about, and obsess over long after the credits rolled. That is what generates comments. That is what creates a community.
What These Rankings Reveal About 2026 Anime
The split between Jujutsu Kaisen’s viewership dominance and Oshi no Ko’s engagement crown highlights a major shift in how anime audiences behave. Action-heavy shounen titles like Bleach TYBW The Calamity and Chainsaw Man continue to pull massive audiences, but story-driven psychological thrillers like Oshi no Ko are building deeper, more active fanbases.
Other titles making waves this year include the upcoming Kagurabachi anime adaptation set for April 2027, which Takeru Hokazono fans are already treating like a cultural event. Science SARU’s Ghost in the Shell reboot is bringing a faithful manga adaptation that purists have been waiting decades for. And as we head into the Summer 2026 anime season, the lineup is shaping up to be one of the most stacked in recent memory.
The takeaway for 2026 is clear: anime is no longer just about who can draw the biggest crowd. It is about who can make that crowd talk, argue, and come back for more every single week.
What Do You Think?
Do you agree with ABEMA’s Winter 2026 rankings? Is Jujutsu Kaisen still the king of anime, or should Oshi no Ko’s engagement numbers count for something more? Which anime has been your personal must-watch of 2026 so far?
Drop your thoughts in the comments and let the debate begin. (≧◡≦) ♡
