Akutami’s Beloved Dark Fantasy Is on Top of Crunchyroll’s Top 10 Most-Watched Anime of the Week List Again

The winter anime season on Crunchyroll has introduced a variety of highly anticipated sequels and brand-new adaptations that have quickly captured the attention of viewers worldwide. From high-stakes fantasy battles to slice-of-life adventures, the current viewership charts reflect a diverse mix of genres catering to different tastes. Fans are tuning in to witness the continuation of established sagas while also discovering fresh narratives involving exiled heroes and unconventional protagonists. This list explores the most popular titles currently dominating the platform’s streaming numbers.

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–Present)

The story follows the elven mage Frieren, who was part of the hero’s party that defeated the Demon King after a ten-year quest. Unlike her human companions, Frieren lives for thousands of years, and the narrative explores her life after the passing of her former comrades. She embarks on a new journey to Aureole, the land where souls rest, to speak with the hero Himmel one last time. Along the way, she takes on new apprentices and learns to understand the fleeting nature of human connections. The series is celebrated for its melancholic tone, world-building, and exploration of time and memory.

‘An Adventurer’s Daily Grind at Age 29’ (2026)

Hajime Shinonome is a pragmatic adventurer who prioritizes a stable lifestyle over grand acts of heroism. After years of routine dungeon exploration to earn his keep, his life changes when he encounters a girl named Rirui who has been abandoned in a dungeon. Hajime decides to take her in, leading to a shift in his solitary existence as he balances his daily work with his new responsibilities. The series focuses on the grounded aspects of fantasy life, highlighting the economics and day-to-day realities of being an adventurer. It combines elements of slice-of-life storytelling with traditional dungeon crawling mechanics.

‘Easygoing Territory Defense by the Optimistic Lord’ (2026)

Van, the fourth son of a nobleman, remembers his past life as a Japanese salaryman and finds himself reincarnated in a fantasy world with production magic. Considered useless by his family due to his lack of combat abilities, he is banished to a desolate village on the verge of collapse. However, Van utilizes his unique magic to build fortifications and improve the village’s infrastructure, slowly transforming it into a prosperous city. The anime chronicles his efforts to defend his territory from external threats while managing the internal development of his domain. It emphasizes creativity and resourcefulness over raw offensive power.

‘Gachiakuta’ (2025)

Rudo is a boy living in the slums of a floating city, where the descendants of criminals are treated as outcasts and forced to scavenge for survival. After being framed for a crime he did not commit, he is cast down into the Abyss, a refuse-filled wasteland below the city teeming with trash beasts. In this harsh environment, Rudo discovers he possesses the power to animate inanimate objects, turning trash into weapons known as Jinki. He joins a group of warriors called Cleaners who fight against the beasts while seeking a way to return to the surface for revenge. The series features a distinctive graffiti-inspired art style and intense action sequences.

‘Solo Leveling’ (2024–Present)

In a world where hunters must battle deadly monsters to protect humanity, Sung Jinwoo is infamously known as the weakest hunter of all. His fate changes drastically after he survives a terrifying double dungeon and is selected by a mysterious program known as the System. This unique ability allows him to level up and grow stronger without limit, a feat impossible for other hunters. As he ascends in power, Jinwoo uncovers the secrets behind the dungeons and the true source of his abilities as the Shadow Monarch. The anime adapts the popular South Korean web novel and manhwa, focusing on Jinwoo’s rapid progression and solitary battles.

‘Hell’s Paradise’ (2023–Present)

Gabimaru the Hollow, a ninja on death row, is given a chance to earn a pardon if he can retrieve the Elixir of Life from a mysterious island known as Shinsenkyo. He travels to the island accompanied by the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, only to find that the beautiful landscape hides deadly creatures and immortal beings. The expedition team, comprised of dangerous criminals and their handlers, must fight for survival against the island’s monstrous inhabitants and each other. As the mysteries of the island unravel, Gabimaru is forced to rely on his lethal skills and newfound alliances to return to his wife. The series blends supernatural horror with historical action elements.

‘ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword!’ (2026)

Flum Apricot is selected to join the hero’s party, but she is soon branded as useless due to her apparent lack of combat stats and eventually sold into slavery. Desperate to survive, she acquires a cursed greatsword that is said to bring ruin to its wielder. However, Flum discovers that her unique ability, Reversal, allows her to turn the curse’s negative effects into immense power. She uses this newfound strength to fight against the monsters threatening the kingdom and the corrupt individuals who wronged her. The narrative combines dark fantasy themes with a story of resilience and reclaiming one’s destiny.

‘Jack-of-All-Trades, Party of None’ (2026)

Orun is a spellblade and enchanter who is expelled from the hero’s party for being a “jack-of-all-trades” with no specialized superior skills. Despite the rejection, he decides to continue his adventures solo, aiming to prove that his versatility is actually his greatest weapon. He utilizes a combination of magic and swordsmanship to tackle quests that specialists cannot handle alone. The story follows his journey as he builds a new reputation and eventually forms a new team that appreciates his diverse skillset. It serves as a commentary on the value of adaptability in a rigid class-based system.

‘Sentenced to Be a Hero’ (2026)

In this dark fantasy setting, the title of “Hero” is not an honor but a punishment reserved for the worst criminals. Xylo Forbartz, a former knight convicted of a grave crime, is forced to lead a unit of penal heroes against the invading Demon Lord’s army. These sentenced warriors are revived repeatedly after death to continue fighting, trapped in a cycle of eternal combat until their sentence is served. Xylo must manage this chaotic team of villains while uncovering the conspiracy that led to his imprisonment. The anime presents a gritty subversion of the traditional chosen one trope.

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ (2020–Present)

Yuji Itadori, a high school student with immense physical strength, becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcerers after consuming a cursed object containing the soul of Ryomen Sukuna. He joins Tokyo Jujutsu High to learn how to control his cursed energy and protect humanity from Curses born of negative emotions. The latest season covers the Culling Game, a battle royale orchestrated by the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku that forces sorcerers into deadly combat. Yuji and his allies must navigate this lethal tournament to save their mentor, Satoru Gojo, and prevent a catastrophe. The series is renowned for its complex combat system and fluid animation.

Share your favorite anime from this week’s top 10 list in the comments.