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The Winter 2022 Anime season is right around the corner, and it looks like there will be an impressive pool of shows for anime fans to indulge in. The new season offers viewers a myriad of different series, with tons of interesting titles set to debut alongside continuing favorites.
This winter season will have its fair share of high-profile titles air, with Attack on Titan and Arifureta standing out alongside ongoing titles like Demon Slayer and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Be it Isekai, comedy, slice-of-life, or anything in-between, the Winter 2022 season has something for everyone. Here’s a comprehensive look at every major title airing in January.
Most Anticipated
Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2
- Airdate: January 10
- Studio: MAPPA
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
Attack on Titan returns for its final season after an over-year-long break. MAPPA will once again head the project after taking over for Wit Studio, with Jun Shishido and Yūichirō Hayashi set to return alongside the rest of the Final Season’s cast and staff.
The upcoming season will finish adapting the manga’s War for Paradis arc, picking up from where Part 1 left off. After years of twists, surprise revelations, and shocking betrayals, fans will finally get to see how Eren, Mikasa, Armin and the rest of the series cast’s stories end.
Arifureta - From Commonplace to World's Strongest 2nd Season
- Airdate: January 14
- Studio: Studio Mother
- Streaming: Funimation
Arifureta was one of the big sleeper hits of the Summer 2019 season, and fans of the series will finally get to see it continue after a more than two year gap. Ryo Shirakome’s light novel series has inspired a number of light novel and manga spin-offs, with Seven Seas Entertainment and J-Novel Club handling their release in English.
Season 2 of Arifureta will see a new staff alongside the returning cast of characters. Studio Mother will take over for White Fox, with Isuca and Corpse Party: Tortured Souls director Akira Iwanaga succeeding Kinji Yoshimoto (I Couldn't Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job, Unbreakable Machine-Doll) as director.
Princess Connect! Re:Dive Season 2
- Airdate: January 11
- Studio: CygamesPictures
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Based off of the role-playing game developed by Cygames, Princess Connect! Re:Dive serves as a sequel to the 2015 game, Princess Connect!. An anime adaptation was first released during the Spring 2020 season.
The second season will once again be produced by Cygames animation subsidiary, CygamesPictures. Yasuo Iwamoto, who directed the final episode of the first series, will return to spearhead the second season.
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom 2nd Season
- Airdate: January 9
- Studio: J.C.Staff
- Streaming: Funimation
Based on Dojyomaru’s novel series of the same name, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom is one of many Isekai anime set to air this upcoming winter season. Following the adventures of Kazuya Souma as he works on administratively reforming the Kingdom of Elfrieden, Realist Hero is a fresh take on the popular Isekai genre.
J.C.Staff will once again handle the anime’s production, with Boogiepop Phantom, Shakugan no Shana, and Kino's Journey: Life Goes On director Takashi Watanabe returning to spearhead the project.
Teasing Master Takagi-san Season 3
- Airdate: January 7
- Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
- Streaming: HIDIVE
Based on the popular manga by Sōichirō Yamamoto, the Teasing Master Takagi-san anime returns with its third season. The anime’s first season was streamed on both Crunchyroll and Funimation, while Netflix grabbed the rights to the second season.
Season 3 will stream exclusively on HIDIVE, with studio Shin-Ei Animation returning to work on the project.
Continuing Simulcasts
The Case Study of Vanitas 2nd Cour
- Airdate: January 15
- Studio: Bones
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
One of the biggest hits of the Summer 2021 season, The Case Study of Vanitas returns for its second cour later this January. The vampire/steampunk series turned heads with its unique setting and appealing visuals, and will continue from where the first cour left off in September.
My Hero Academia and Fullmetal Alchemist studio, Bones handles the series’ production. Long-time Monogatari series contributor Tomoyuki Itamura will return to direct the 2nd cour alongside the rest of the first cour staff.
Ranking of Kings 2nd Cour
- Airdate: Ongoing
- Studio: Wit Studio
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
Sōsuke Tōka’s Rankings of Kings is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that follows a young prince named Bojji. Born deaf and small in stature, Bojji must overcome the various obstacles surrounding him with the aid of a shadow named Kage.
The manga began serialization in 2017 in Manga Hack’s Beam Comix imprint. Wit Studio is producing the anime adaptation, with former Studio Ghibli contributor Taku Kishimoto handling the scripts.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
- Airdate: Ongoing
- Studio: ufotable
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
One of the biggest anime properties around, Demon Slayer’s latest season is still going strong. The second season started off with a recap of the incredibly successful Mugen Train film, and is now continuing on with newer content from the manga.
The Mugen Train arc accounted for the first seven episodes of the new season, and the ongoing Entertainment District arc amassing four so far. No episode list has been provided for the Entertainment District Arc series, but it seems like there’s still quite a bit more of it to get through before its conclusion.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean
- Airdate: Ongoing
- Studio: David Production
- Streaming: Netflix
Set 10 years after the events of Golden Wind, Stone Ocean is the sixth entry in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure series. David Production once again returns to handle production of the series.
Part 6 follows Part 3 protagonist Jotaro Kujo’s daughter, Jolyne after she is wrongfully imprisoned and forced to navigate the perils of Green Dolphin Street Prison alongside other inmates. The first 12 episodes were released on Netflix on December 1, and will be released on Japanese television networks starting January 2022.
One Piece
- Airdate: Ongoing
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
The One Piece anime recently celebrated its 1000th episode, with the manga celebrating its 1000th chapter earlier this year. Eiichiro Oda’s pirate adventure is still going strong over two decades into its narrative, as is the anime.
The anime is currently adapting the massive Wano Country Arc, which has amassed a total of 115 episodes so far. With the manga arc still a little ways off from completion and the anime behind it, fans can count on Wano being just as prominent in 2022 as it was the year before.
Platinum End
- Airdate: January 7
- Studio: Signal.MD
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
From the creators of Death Note, Platinum End follows protagonist Mirai Kakehashi, a young orphan who is thrust into a battle royale against 12 other people vying for the chance to become a new deity.
The series has drawn parallels to Ohba and Obata’s previous work, mainly due to the similarities between the two protagonists and the supernatural elements. The first half aired late into the Fall 2021 season, and the second will resume following a short break.
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon—The Second Act
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- Airdate: Ongoing
- Studio: Sunrise
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
A sequel to Rumiko Takahashi’s incredibly popular Inuyasha, Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon has a lot to live-up to. The anime first aired during the Fall 2020 season, with the first season concluding in Spring 2021.
Season 2 of Yashahime was released in Fall 2021 and will continue into the Winter 2022 season. With Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha’s adventures ramping up, fans should have plenty to look forward to this winter.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
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- Airdate: Ongoing
- Studio: Pierrot
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Yet another sequel series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations takes place 15 years after the events of the original series. The anime and manga follow the adventures of the titular Boruto alongside the rest of Hidden Leaf Village’s new generation of Shinobi.
The anime first premiered in 2017, standing as one of the longest-running anime series currently airing. The anime will take a brief break during the holidays before returning on January 9.
Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
- Airdate: Ongoing
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
The Dragon Quest franchise is one of the longest-running and most recognizable in Japan. The Adventure of Dai is one of its most popular spin-off titles, with the manga having inspired a host of anime adaptations and manga spin-offs.
The 2020 anime is the latest adaptation, following the 1991 film series and the 46-episode anime. The current series first aired in October of 2020 and has been going strong since, amassing 63 episodes so far throughout its run.
Digimon Ghost Game
- Airdate: Ongoing
- Studio: Toei Animation
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
The Digimon franchise has put out a myriad of games and anime over the years, with Digimon Ghost Game standing as the latest anime series for fans of the franchise to enjoy.
The series follows Hiro Amanokawa, who after bering gifted a Digivice by his father finds himself able to see and interact with “Hologram ghosts”. Fighting alongside Gammamon, Hiro and his friends work to confront the strange ghosts.
Fantasy/Isekai
She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man
- Airdate: January 12
- Studio: Studio A-Cat
- Streaming: Funimation
Based on the light novel series by Hirotsugu Ryusen, She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wise Man is one of many Isekai series anime fans have to choose from this winter season.
The series follows Sakimori Kagami, and avid player of the online MMO Arch Earth Online whose character, Dunbalf, is one of the game’s nine great sages. But when Sakimori is transported into the game world in the body of a girl, he must convince the inhabitants of the game that he is Dunbalf’s pupil while also figuring out how he got there.
The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt
- Airdate: January 11
- Studio: Yokohama Animation Laboratory
- Streaming: Funimation
One of the few Fantasy series airing this winter season that doesn’t also have Isekai elements, The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt comes with a bit of a comedic twist.
After his father collapses from illness, Prince Wein Salema Arbalest is thrust into the role of King. Though Wein does a good job of upholding his duties and leading his country, in reality, the Prince Regent will take any opportunity he can to abandon his duties and commit treason by selling his country off.
Fantasia Sango – Realm of Legends
- Airdate: January 10
- Studio: Geek Toys
- Streaming: Funimation
Based on the long-running RPG from Taiwanese developer UserJoy Technology, Fantasia Sango - Realm of Legends takes a fantasy setting and mixes in supernatural elements as well.
The games are set in the Three Kingdoms era, with demons and monsters devastating the land. In order to fend off the impending dangers surrounding them, four heroes band together to fight off these threats and rid the realm of a mysterious organization conspiring against the kingdoms.
The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest
- Airdate: January 8
- Studio: J.C. Staff
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Shinkoshoto’s The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest might not be the most well known Isekai series out there, but it looks to be one of the Winter 2022 season’s most interesting.
The story follows Mathias, who was considered to be the world’s strongest sage in a past life despite being born with the weakest possible crest. Feeling limited by this, Mathias decides to reincarnate and succeeds in obtaining a powerful crest instead. But his attempt sends him a little too far into the future, giving him more than he first bargained for.
In the Land of Leadale
- Airdate: January 5
- Studio: Maho Film
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Ceez’s In the Land of Leadale novel series had a fairly short run on user generated publishing site Shōsetsuka ni Narō from 2010-2012. But the series was eventually given new life as a light novel published by Enterbrain.
The series follows Keina Kagami, who is put on life support following a devastating accident. Keina finds herself occupying the body of her game avatar in the VRMMORPG World of Leadale soon after, finding the experience to relieve a lot of the burdens of her past life. But the world of Leadale isn’t exactly as she’d remembered it.
Life with an Ordinary Guy who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout
- Airdate: January 12
- Studio: OLM
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Yū Tsurusaki’s Life with an Ordinary Guy who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout manga is more of a parody than a straightforward Isekai series.
The comedy series follows the exploits of two friends, one dull and the other handsome, who are sent to another world by a whimsical goddess. When they arrive, the two are shocked to discover that one of them has been transformed into a beautiful girl. In order to switch things back, the two must journey to defeat the world’s Demon King.
Miss Kuroitsu from the Monster Development Department
- Airdate: January 9
- Studio: Quad
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Based on the manga by Hiroaki Mizusaki, Miss Kuroitsu from the Monster Development Department looks to be one of the more under-the-radar titles airing this season.
The series follows Touka Kuroitsu, a scientist who helps make monsters for the evil organization, Agastia. While Touka’s monsters are made to fight off superheroes, Touka’s biggest enemy isn’t a good-willed hero, but her boss.
Slice of Life / Romantic Comedy
Akebi’s Sailor Uniform
- Airdate: January 9
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
Based on the manga by Hiro, Akebi’s Sailor Uniform is a simple enough series that any anime fan can enjoy.
The series follows Akebi Komichi who lives in the countryside with her family. When Akebi is accepted into the celebrated all-girl Roubai Academy middle school, she sets her sights on wearing her new sailor uniform and making 100 new friends.
Sasaki and Miyano
- Airdate: January 10
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Streaming: Funimation
One of the few slice-of-life titles airing during this winter season, Shō Harusono’s Sasaki and Miyano has inspired a light novel adaptation alongside a spin-off, Hirano and Kagiura throughout its short run.
The series follows the meek Yoshikazu Miyano and his upperclassman Shuumei Sasaki. Though the two seem to be polar opposites at first, Shuumei seems to enjoy Miyano’s company and shares his interest in boys-love manga, sparking an unexpected friendship and potentially more between the two.
My Dress-Up Darling
- Airdate: January 8
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
First announced back in April, the anime adaptation of Shinichi Fukuda’s My Dress-Up Darling is something that fans of the manga have been eagerly anticipating.
The series follows first-year high school student Wakana Gojo. Gojo aspires to be a hina doll craftsman and finds himself helping his classmate, Marin Kitagawa, with breaking into the cosplay scene thanks to his skills at making clothing. Though mismatched at first, the pair gradually find themselves bonding over their passions for their respective crafts.
CUE!
- Airdate: January 8
- Studio: Graphinica, Yumeta Company
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Based on the mobile simulation game developed by Liber Entertainment, CUE! looks to be a great anime for fans of idol anime like Love Live!
The anime will follow 16 aspiring voice actors throughout their journeys to becoming successful seiyuus. The anime features a massive main cast, mostly featuring newcomers including Ganbare Douki-chan’s Nene Hieda.
Sci-Fi
The Irregular at Magic High School: Reminiscence Arc
- Airdate: December 31
- Studio: Eight Bit
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
The Irregular at Magic High School many anime veterans are likely familiar with, as the popular fantasy/sci-fi series’ first anime adaptation aired back in 2014. The series returned with a second season in 2020, with an adaptation of the Reminiscence Arc on the way.
The 60-minute special will take a look at Miyuki and Tatsuya’s relationship prior to the start of the series. It adapts the light novel arc of the same name, which takes place in the eight volume.
World's End Harem
- Airdate: January 7
- Studio: AXsiZ, Studio Gokumi
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
World’s End Harem was initially supposed to air during the Fall 2021 season. But the series was delayed after its first episode due to undisclosed production issues.
The series is a unique take on the popular harem genre. It follows a young man named Reito Mizuhara, who after awaking from a five-year cryostasis induced coma, is shocked to discover that 99.9% of the world’s male population has died off. Reito decides to investigate the mysterious virus that killed the world’s male population while also trying to solve the disappearance of his girlfriend, Elisa Tachibana.
Mystery
Love of Kill
- Airdate: January 13
- Studio: Platinum Vision
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Based on the manga by Fe, Love of Kill is a mystery/thriller revolving around the relationship between two killers for hire.
Chateau Dankworth is a bounty hunter after the infamous killer, Son Ryang-ha. For whatever reason, Son Ryang-ha is infatuated with Chateau, often handling her targets for her and leaving them as gifts. Confused by his behavior, Chateau reluctantly gets closer to the notorious murderer to discover the truth behind his fascination with her.
Lord El-Melloi II’s Case Files {Rail Zeppelin} Grace note -Special Episode-
- Airdate: December 31
- Studio: Tryoca
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
Though not as widely popular as other Fate properties, Lord El-Melloi II's Case Files is one of the most interesting entries in the franchise has to offer, emphasizing investigation and problem solving over the usual urban fantasy battles.
A special episode expanding upon the younger Waver Velvet’s back-story will be released at the end of the year. While it’s not a full season, the OVA serves as a good sign for a potential new series in the near future.
Tokyo 24th Ward
- Airdate: January 6
- Studio: CloverWorks
- Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
This upcoming season doesn’t have many anime original series lined up, but Tokyo 24th Ward looks to be one of the more interesting shows this season has to offer.
The series takes place on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay referred to as the 24th Ward. Years following a deadly incident on the island, three friends gather and are contacted by a friend they long thought was dead. Together, the trio must try and unravel the mystery while working to save their home.
Adventure
Rust–Eater Bisco
- Airdate: January 11
- Studio: OZ
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Post-apocalyptic settings are always a popular choice for manga and light novel authors, but Shinji Cobkubo’s Rust–Eater Bisco has its own spin on the genre.
After a devastating wind rusts nearly everything in the world, many blame the catastrophe on mushroom spores carried by the wind. Though he’s perceived as a criminal Bisco Akaboshi works to replenish the land by planting various fungi to recover some of the world’s greenery. With the help of his companions, Bisco sets out in search of the legendary Sabikui mushroom, said to devour all types of rust.
FreakAngels
- Airdate: January 27
- Studio: Yapiko Animation
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
Based on the webcomic by acclaimed comic book writer Warren Ellis, FreakAngels is the only series being developed this season that adapts a piece of western media.
The Crunchyroll Original series takes place in a steampunk/post-apocalyptic world, following the adventures of twelve 23-year-old physics trying to keep themselves and their community safe from the dangers around them. The series ran from 2008-2011, and has won a handful of awards throughout its run.
Tribe Nine
- Airdate: January 10
- Studio: Liden Films
- Streaming: Funimation
The first entry in what’s set to be a multimedia project, Tribe Nine is an ambitious series created by Too Kyo Games and Danganronpa creator and writer Kazutaka Kodaka.
The series takes place in Neo-Tokyo, following the meek Haru Shirogane and ambitious Taiga. After the two encounter Shun Kamiya, an incredibly skilled Extreme Baseball player and leader of the Minato Tribe, the group bands together to fend off a mysterious threat.