ABEMA Announces Massive Lineup for Spring 2026 Anime Season: Over 65 Titles to be Free
ABEMA, one of Japan's most popular digital streaming platforms, has made a massive announcement that has excited the anime world. The platform announced that it will broadcast over 65 new anime series as part of the Spring 2026 season completely free of charge, without any membership or registration requirements. Operating with a vision of being the "Television of the New Future," the platform highlighted 9 major productions to provide viewers with a comprehensive viewing guide. This move is seen as a step that pushes the boundaries of free access in digital broadcasting.
Among the most anticipated productions of the season are Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4, produced by White Fox studio, and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4, signed by 8bit. Re:Zero, in particular, has already reached the top of the viewing lists according to the platform's first-week data. Additionally, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, the new work by Fullmetal Alchemist creator Hiromu Arakawa brought to life by Studio Bones, and the visually stunning Witch Hat Atelier are cited as must-watch titles this season.
This strategy by ABEMA is a result of the partnership between CyberAgent and TV Asahi, the forces behind the platform. Founded in 2016 and having announced its first annual profit last year, the platform combines traditional television with the speed of digital. Thanks to its free and ad-supported (FAST) broadcasting model, anime fans can legally access popular series such as Classroom of the Elite Season 4 and Dorohedoro Season 2 without paying any fees. This situation also plays a critical role in combating piracy in the industry.
For anime lovers, this season is not just about sequels; new isekai productions like The Strongest Job Is Not a Hero Or a Sage, But an Appraiser (Provisional)! are also receiving great interest on the platform. ABEMA provides a "fastest delivery" guarantee for certain productions, allowing episodes to be watched simultaneously with or even earlier than their TV broadcasts in Japan. As broadcasting schedules become clearer in the coming weeks, the platform will continue to share detailed notifications via its mobile app regarding which series fans can follow on which days.
