Highlights
- MHA Vigilantes and Gintama confirmed for February 2026 premieres.
- Sakamoto Days and Ghost in the Shell reboot reveal first-look trailers.
- Daemons of the Shadow Realm and Gundam Hathaway debut new footage.
A massive wave of high-profile trailers has just sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, confirming a blockbuster slate for 2026 that is poised to dominate pop culture. In a surprise coordinated drop timed perfectly for the upcoming rush of global fan expos, studios unveiled first looks at a My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Season 2 new arc, a star-studded Sakamoto Days live-action adaptation, and a visually explosive return for the Gintama franchise. These announcements signal a year defined by massive franchise expansions, where the anime and live-action worlds collide spectacularly.
Adding fuel to the franchise's fire, official sources have confirmed that My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Season 2 will dive deep into the past with the highly anticipated "Aizawa School Days Arc." The new season is slated to premiere on February 9, 2026, exclusively on Crunchyroll.
A newly released key visual confirms the return of Director Kenichi Suzuki, teasing a gritty, emotional look at a young Shota Aizawa (Eraser Head) before he became a teacher. The trailer hints at the tragic origins of his friendship with Present Mic and Midnight, bridging the gap between the Vigilantes spin-off and the main series' lore just as the prequel show explores the previous generation.
Sakamoto Days Live-Action Trailer
Action fans finally received a proper look at the Sakamoto Days live-action movie, which is now locked for a Golden Week release in Japan on April 29, 2026. Produced under the oversight of TMS Entertainment, the trailer showcases Ren Meguro as Taro Sakamoto, seamlessly switching between his chubby, unassuming shop-owner persona and his lethal assassin past.
The footage highlights slick, chaotic fight choreography that blends slapstick humor with violence, featuring a standout brawl on a rollercoaster. Despite early debates over the animation-style visual effects, Meguro’s dual performance and the faithful recreation of the early manga arcs, leading up to the Shin facility showdown, have generated significant hype.
Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames Trailer
In a major win for legacy anime fans, the Gintama franchise is returning to the big screen with Gintama: Yoshiwara in Flames on February 13, 2026. The newly released trailer focuses on the fan-favorite "Yoshiwara in Flames" arc, showcasing re-animated, high-budget footage of the brutal battle between Kamui and the Night King, Housen.
The visual fidelity has been ramped up significantly for a planned IMAX screening run, promising to deliver the visceral impact of the Yato clan's strength like never before. The trailer teases not just the action, but the emotional weight of the arc, confirming that the Silver Soul is burning brighter than ever in 2026.
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway Sequel
Mecha enthusiasts were also treated to a special trailer for the anime film Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe. Following the massive success of the first Hathaway film, this special PV for the sequel highlights the haunting ED theme song, perfectly matching the film's intense political drama and high-stakes mobile suit battles. The trailer offers new glimpses of Hathaway Noa’s deepening struggle and the cutting-edge animation of the Xi Gundam, further cementing the film as a must-watch event for the Universal Century timeline.
Science SARU’s Ghost in the Shell Reboot
Reigniting the cyberpunk genre, a breathtaking new trailer has confirmed a high-profile reboot project that looks ready to do right by the iconic manga. Moving away from the live-action aesthetic of previous years, this new high-budget production marks a return to the franchise's roots as a television anime series produced by the acclaimed studio Science SARU.
The footage reveals a stunning aesthetic that bridges the gap between Masamune Shirow’s dense, tech-heavy manga panels and the high-voltage atmosphere of modern cyberpunk. The teaser showcases Major Motoko Kusanagi with fluid animation of thermoptic camouflage sequences and a return to the philosophical complexities of the 'Ghost.' Fans are already praising the Science SARU trailer for capturing the grit of Section 9 with a design that feels authentic to its 1989 origins, signaling a true return to form for the legendary franchise in July 2026.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm Anime Release Date
On the fantasy front, a new trailer for Daemons of the Shadow Realm has seized attention. Adapted from the manga by Hiromu Arakawa (creator of Fullmetal Alchemist) and produced by Wit Studio, the series is eyeing an April 4, 2026, theatrical release. The two-minute teaser introduces a dark fantasy world filled with shadow beasts and cursed warriors, featuring fluid animation of shadow manipulation fights. The trailer has also offered a look at official music contributions by Japanese artists Vaundy and yama.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Anime Specials
Finally, the cozy-yet-chaotic world of Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin returns with special anime episodes premiering on February 15 and February 22, 2026, on TV Tokyo (with streaming expected to follow on major platforms). These specials shift the spotlight to Princess Kokorowa as she tries her hand at agriculture, adapting the 2021 sequel novel.
While Sakuna remains a key presence, the specials feature Kokorowa finding her own strength, blending the franchise's signature rice-farming simulation vibes with tactical demon-slaying action.
