The fall slate is packed with major titles returning after extended breaks, alongside fresh takes on classic stories and unique dystopian adaptations. From high-octane gang wars to emotional character-driven romances, the autumn lineup offers a diverse range of genres and animation styles designed to help fans slow down and settle in before winter arrives.
Blue Box Season 2
Kicking off the season on October 4, Telecom Animation Film returns with the second season of Blue Box. While the series is not a traditional sports anime in the vein of Haikyu!!, it skillfully integrates elements of the sports genre into its wholesome romance and slice-of-life setting. The story follows Taiki Inomata, a diligent member of the boys’ badminton team who constantly strives to improve his average athletic performance. Through his frequent gym sessions, Taiki crosses paths with Chinatsu Kano, the star player of the girls’ basketball team. Their romance develops gradually, with matters of the heart intertwining with their mutual ambitions to reach national championships. Blue Box serves as a comforting watch for audiences seeking a lower-stakes narrative, and the second season is poised to continue its sensitive exploration of teenage emotional growth and adolescent vulnerability.
Psyren
Scheduled for release in October, Satelight’s Psyren offers an intriguing sci-fi supernatural premise that requires no prior catching up. The story centers on teenager Ageha Yoshina, who heads home after collecting a cash reward for confronting a bully, anticipating a lecture from his sister. However, his journey home takes a bizarre turn when a public payphone rings, echoing Ageha’s own voice back to him. He discovers a mysterious calling card bearing the word "Psyren," thrusting him into an urban legend tied to the promise of a massive financial reward. Adapted from Toshiaki Iwashiro’s compelling source material, Psyren holds strong potential to captivate fans of supernatural sci-fi and finally bring wider recognition to an overlooked gem.
Ranma ½ Season 3
Also premiering on October 4, MAPPA’s reimagining of Ranma ½ returns for its third season. This modern adaptation breathes new life into Rumiko Takahashi’s classic manga and Studio Deen’s abruptly canceled 1989 series. The plot follows Ranma Saotome, a young martial artist who falls into the cursed springs of Jusenkyo, causing his body to transform dramatically when exposed to water—cold water turns him into a young girl, while hot water restores his original male form. Amid this physical chaos, Ranma must navigate a complex love-hate dynamic with Akane, his designated fiancée under an arrangement made by their parents. Ranma ½ cleverly blends themes of identity and societal expectations into a comedic martial arts framework.
Tokyo Revengers: War of the Three Titans Arc
Liden Films is set to release the fourth season of Tokyo Revengers on October 3, titled the War of the Three Titans Arc. The series follows Takemichi Hanagaki, who accidentally travels twelve years back in time moments before he is struck by a train on a subway platform. His time-leap is motivated by a desperate desire to prevent the tragic death of a loved one connected to the Tokyo Manji Gang. In this upcoming arc, a massive three-way gang war erupts across Tokyo. With the stakes higher than ever, Takemichi aims to rescue his close friend Mikey from a destructive path, drawing the entire city into a brutal conflict with far-reaching consequences.
Fool Night
Arriving on November 26, the high-profile collaboration between Studio Sunrise and Shaft brings Fool Night to screens as a mind-boggling sci-fi thriller. Set in a dystopian future where a thick cloud layer has blocked sunlight from reaching Earth for a century, the planet faces rapid oxygen depletion. Humanity survives through cutting-edge technology that relies on plants, creating a system where volunteers can choose to permanently transform into vegetation. Toshiro Kamiya, a world-weary volunteer, undergoes the transformation but unexpectedly gains the ability to communicate with plants. Fool Night positions itself as a sharp critique of capitalism and environmental collapse, exploring how deeply intertwined the two crises truly are.
Black Clover Season 2
Following a long hiatus since the first season concluded in March 2021, Black Clover is finally returning for its second season in October under Studio Pierrot. Based on Yuki Tabata’s beloved manga, the story follows Asta, an orphan born without the ability to use mana in a magic-dependent world. While lacking magical aptitude, Asta focuses intensely on building his physical and non-magical skills, contrasting with his fellow orphan Yuno, who is recognized as a magical prodigy. Global audiences should note that the initial 170 episodes—previously categorized as four separate seasons internationally—aired consecutively in Japan as a single run, making this official continuation a landmark event for dedicated fans.
The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Part 1
Premiering on October 2, The Apothecary Diaries returns with Season 3, Part 1, courtesy of studios Toho and OLM. Combining historical intrigue, mystery, and humor, the series follows Maomao, a young apothecary who is kidnapped and sold to the Imperial Palace as an indentured servant. After quietly resolving a critical palace mystery, Maomao captures the attention of the influential Jinshi and becomes an indispensable asset to the court. The upcoming season is set to expand the scope of Maomao’s investigations beyond the palace walls, introducing new characters and exploring the wider political consequences of conflicts within the kingdom.
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus
Toei Animation is revisiting early arcs of the franchise with Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, scheduled for release on October 11. This enhanced, remastered, and recut edition highlights the refined fight choreography and massive scale of the original storyline. While some fans might argue for the animation of untouched manga material rather than revisiting established arcs, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus aims to surprise long-time viewers by recalibrating stakes and introducing subtle narrative tweaks. Backed by striking updated animation, the project offers fans a fresh way to experience a familiar chapter in the overarching saga.
Sekiro: No Defeat
Developed by studio Qzil.la, Sekiro: No Defeat adapts FromSoftware’s acclaimed action RPG Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Set during Japan’s Sengoku period, the original game follows a shinobi tasked with protecting his lord amid a backdrop of revenge, redemption, and sociopolitical turmoil. The anime adaptation dramatizes the reign of Sword Saint Isshin Ashina and the escalating threat posed by the Interior Ministry. Following an exclusive three-week theatrical run in Japan that began on September 4, a worldwide release date remains to be announced. Despite premiering slightly ahead of the traditional fall window, the adaptation stands as a major release for fans of the dark fantasy property.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2
Studio Trigger returns on October 20 with the second season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the acclaimed anime spin-off prequel to CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077. While plot details remain scarce outside of promotional trailers, the series continues to explore the harsh realities and loss of innocence inherent to life in Night City. The narrative shifts focus to Roman Carax, a young cinephile caught up in a neon-drenched adventure alongside street gang member Talia Wang, nomad netrunner D, and Weak Kingsley, a veteran edgerunner past his prime. Following the tragic narrative arc of David Martinez in the first season, the upcoming installment promises to deliver another emotionally charged story within the dystopian cyberpunk universe.
