The Fall 2026 anime season is officially here, and October has delivered a lineup packed with returning favorites. Crunchyroll and Netflix are airing everything from big shonen comebacks like Black Clover Season 2 to mystery hits like The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, so there is plenty to choose from, and picking where to start isn't easy.
With so many premieres landing in the same few weeks, it is easy to fall behind or end up watching the wrong show. To make it simple, we ranked the 5 anime worth your time this October, from #5 to #1, with release dates, where to stream them and what to know before you hit play.
5. The Detective Is Already Dead Season 2
The Detective Is Already Dead mixes mystery, action and comedy in a way few anime manage. The story follows Kimihiko Kimizuka, a young man who was the assistant of Siesta, a brilliant detective who always seemed to be one step ahead. As the title says, Siesta is already gone, and Kimizuka is left to carry on in a world of secret agents and hidden organizations that she pulled him into.
Season 2 premiered on October 7 on Crunchyroll, with an English dub available. It returns after a long gap, since the first season aired back in 2021, which makes it one of the more surprising comebacks of the Fall 2026 season. Fans of the original will be happy to see Kimizuka and the cast back on screen, and the show's mix of serious twists and silly moments is a big part of its charm.
It lands at #5 because it is a fun, easy watch but lighter than the other shows on this list, and it works best if you already know the first season. If you want a mystery that does not take itself too seriously, with plenty of action and jokes along the way, it is a solid pick for a relaxed weekend. New viewers should start with Season 1 first, since the characters and the story build on each other, and then jump into Season 2 while it is still airing weekly.
4. Aoashi Season 2
Aoashi is one of the best sports anime running right now, and it proves you don't need superpowers to make football exciting. The story follows Ashito Aoi, a talented but raw young player from a small town who gets scouted by Tokyo City Esperion, a pro club's youth team. Surrounded by stronger players and guided by the demanding coach Tatsuya Fukuda, Ashito has to learn how to think the game, not just run and kiick.
Season 2 premiered on October 4 on Crunchyroll, with an English dub available. After a long wait since the first season in 2022, fans finally get to see Ashito and his teammates return to the pitch. What sets Aoashi apart is how seriously it treats the sport. Matches focus on positioning, decisions and teamwork, so even a simple pass feels like it matters, and the growth of each character feels earned.
It lands at #4 because it is a very strong show that suits a narrower audience than the shows ranked above it. If you like sports anime with real character growth, it is a perfect fit for your weekly watch. You don't need to love football to enjoy it, but you should watch Season 1 first, since the story continues directly and the new episodes lean on what came before.
3. Blue Box Season 2
Blue Box is the warm, easy-to-love pick of the season. It follows Taiki Inomata, a first-year student on his school's badminton team who is quietly in love with Chinatsu Kano, a senior and star of the girls' basketball team. Both train hard every morning in the same gym, and Taiki admires how much effort she puts in. When circumstances bring them to live under the same roof, their daily routines, small talk and growing feelings become the heart of the story.
Season 2 premiered on October 4 on Netflix, so you can watch it without needing a Crunchyroll subscription. What makes Blue Box stand out is that it is not just a romance. The sports side matters just as much, and Taiki's drive to improve at badminton is a big part of his growth. Every match, every practice and every failure pushes the characters forward, and the romance feels natural instead of forced.
It lands at #3 because it is one of the most charming and well-made shows airing right now, and it is the perfect break from the heavy action shows in the lineup. If you like school romance with real emotion and a sports setting, you will enjoy it. Watch Season 1 first, since the relationships and the story build on each other, and then catch up on the new episodes as they release weekly.
2. Black Clover Season 2
Black Clover is the big shonen comeback of the season. The story follows Asta, a boy born without any magic in a world where everyone has it. Instead of giving up, he trains relentlessly and earns a rare five-leaf grimoire and an anti-magic sword. Together with his rival and friend Yuno, he joins the Magic Knights and sets out to become the Wizard King, the strongest mage in the kingdom.
Season 2 premiered on October 3 on Crunchyroll, with an English dub available. Fans have waited a long time for the series to return, so the premiere is one of the most talked-about of Fall 2026. What makes Black Clover special is its energy. The fights are loud, the characters shout their dreams, and Asta never stops pushing, which gives the show a hopeful, never-give-up feeling that fans of classic shonen love.
It lands at #2 because few anime this season hit as hard for action fans, and it works as a great weekly watch with friends. The only reason it is not #1 is that the story is easier to enjoy if you already know the first series, so new viewers have more catching up to do. If you like big battles, rivalries and a hero who refuses to quit, Black Clover Season 2 belongs on your list.
1. The Apothecary Diaries Season 3
The Apothecary Diaries is our #1 pick for October, and it is easy to see why. The story follows Maomao, a sharp and curious young woman who was kidnapped and sold into the imperial palace as a servant. She hides her medical knowledge at first, but when mysterious illnesses start to spread among the court ladies, she uses her skills with herbs and poisons to uncover the truth, which draws the attention of a powerful official named Jinshi.
Season 3 premiered on October 2 on Crunchyroll, with an English dub available. It airs in a split-cour format, with the first part running now and the second part following in April 2027, so fans get a longer stretch of new episodes. What makes the series special is how it blends mystery, history and humor. Each case feels like a small puzzle, and Maomao's dry personality turns even the darkest poisoning plot into something you can't stop watching.
It takes the top spot because it is the most complete show of the season. The writing is smart, the characters are memorable, and the palace setting gives every episode a rich, atmospheric feel. It works for mystery fans, drama fans and anyone who wants something different from the usual action anime. Watch the first two seasons before you start, since the story and the relationships build over time, and then catch the new episodes as they release weekly.
