Winter 2026 Anime Awards - Biggest Flops, Best Girls, & Anime of the Season

You've seen our Spring impressions, now it's Winter's turn! This week, AniPro awards the best Winter 2026's anime season had to offer! From best visuals, to best girl, and the coveted best new and continuing anime of the season, there are a lot of awards to give, and a lot of steals to be made!

We're breaking down the biggest hits and the most surprising misses, touching on everything from the dominance of Frieren: Beyond Journey's End and Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, to standout newcomers like You and I Are Polar Opposites and Journal with Witch. Plus, we debate where shows like Fate/Strange Fake, Steel Ball Run, Oshi no Ko Season 3, and Chained Soldier landed in our rankings, alongside some hidden gems and the biggest flops of the season.

Also, Mike's enjoying YouTube, one show finds awards dominance, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Winter 2026 Anime Awards Begin
• 02:58 - Podcast Banter & Pokémon TCG Talk
• 12:05 - Anime Awards Scoring & Draft Recap
• 23:45 - The Biggest Flops of Winter 2026
• 30:12 - Best Opening & Ending Sequences
• 41:16 - Best Writing & Plot
• 47:24 - Visuals, Animation & Direction
• 57:59 - Studio of the Season
• 01:01:02 - Best Girl
• 01:21:42 - Best Boy
• 01:32:19 - Best Ensemble Cast
• 01:40:00 - Most Fun Anime of the Season
• 01:47:30 - Most Underrated Anime
• 01:56:11 - Best Continuing or Returning Anime
• 02:01:58 - Best New Anime & Wrapping Up

Support AniPro:

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• TokyoTreat (Code: ANIPRO)

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Next Reviews:

• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk
• Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya” via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Top 15 New Anime To Watch - Spring 2026 Season Preview

With Spring 2026 on the horizon, AniPro is here to help YOU figure out what to watch! This season of anime has a little something for everyone, so there's bound to be a banger just waiting for your eyes!

We're breaking down our top 15 most anticipated new shows, including Witch Hat Atelier, Daemons of the Shadow Realm, and Rooster Fighter, plus returning heavyweights like Re;Zero and Dr. Stone.

Also, Cole's telling the time, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro, Spring 2026 Preview & Affordable Watches
• 09:00 - Returning Sequels: ReZero, Dr. Stone & Wistoria
• 25:27 - More Sequels: Dorohedoro, Classroom of the Elite & Farming Life
• 42:25 - Question of the Week, Sponsor Break & Death Note Trivia
• 54:30 - Jay's Top 15 Anime Setup & Early Picks
• 01:05:13 - Top 15: Pedals of Reincarnation & Witch Hat Atelier
• 01:19:40 - Top 15: Daemons of the Shadow Realm, Akane Banashi & BL Picks
• 01:34:16 - Top 15: Snowball Earth, Needy Girl Overdose & Aaron the Southpaw
• 01:44:29 - Top 15: Rooster Fighter, Dumb Prefect & Ramparts of Ice
• 01:54:40 - Top 15: Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku & 2nd Prettiest Girl
• 02:01:15 - Honorable Mentions & Next Time on AniPro

Support AniPro:

• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off
• Patreon
• Mailbag

Follow & Subscribe:

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Next Reviews:

• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk
• Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya” via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Gaming Hot Takes + One Piece Live Action Season 2, Chainsaw Man, JJK Modulo Thoughts

The game corner continues as AniPro fires off their hottest gaming takes! From Nintendo, to IGN, the boys have takes bound to spice things up! Also, Jay's One Piece of work, Mike finished a manga, Cole has someone read him a bedtime story, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & Live-Action One Piece Season 2
• 06:11 - Manga Endings: Chainsaw Man & Jujutsu Kaisen
• 26:07 - The Exorcist Audiobook & Reading Habits
• 40:32 - Mailbag: Trusted Anime Studios in 2026
• 46:20 - Zelda Trivia, Ad Break & Teeny Tiny Trophy
• 54:06 - Gaming Hot Takes: Sports Games & Open Worlds
• 01:13:09 - Graphics Obsession vs. Unique Game Art
• 01:21:35 - Nintendo's Business Practices & Hardware
• 01:35:01 - Overrated Original Pokémon Games & Nostalgia
• 01:42:58 - The Flaws of Numbered Game Reviews
• 01:51:01 - Framerate Obsession, Remakes & Paid DLC
• 02:02:42 - Wrapping Up & Next Time on AniPro

Support AniPro:

• Patreron
• Mailbag
• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off

Follow & Subscribe:

• X / Twitter
• Instagram
• Discord

Next Reviews:

• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk
• Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya” via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Needy Streamer Overload Game Review + Transformers One & Umamusume Movie

AniPro broadens their horizons with their first game review! What better way to kick off a new segment than with a manic, unhinged game that spawned an anime: Needy Streamer Overload!

Also, the boys watched movies, times are a-changin', Cole got new Gundams, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & Umamusume Movie
• 06:03 - Crimson Desert & Sci-Fi vs Fantasy
• 12:01 - Transformers One Review
• 15:01 - The Daylight Savings Rant
• 26:26 - Uncut Gems Review
• 31:08 - Mailbag: The Variety Pack Dilemma
• 40:40 - Trivia: The First Pokémon Ever Made
• 47:36 - Needy Streamer Overload Review
• 01:01:09 - Gameplay, Endings & The Switch Version
• 01:34:23 - The Upcoming Anime Adaptation
• 01:38:47 - Final Ratings & Next Time on AniPro

Support AniPro:

• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off
• Patreon
• Mailbag

Follow & Subscribe:

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• Discord

Next Reviews:

• Anime: Now and Then, Here and There
• Manga: Botan Kamina Fully Blossoms When Drunk

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya” via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Pitching Shameless Anime Ads, High School Reunions & Modern Pokémon Complaints

In an exciting twist of fate, AniPro has been given full-reign to insert product placements into some of the best anime! What products are they inserting? And how do they envision the ads playing out? Tune in to this wacky episode and find out!

Also, Cole's figuring things out, Mike's embracing a new generation, Jay wants a reunion, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & The Purple Tape Entertainment Sellout
• 05:59 - Beast Wars, Gunpla & Figure Collecting Limits
• 11:57 - High School Reunions & The Grade 6 Attractiveness List
• 30:52 - The State of Pokémon: X & Y, Switch Ports & Legends Z-A
• 46:22 - Was Dr. Pepper a Paid Steins;Gate Sponsor?
• 52:31 - Shameless Anime Ads & Anime Food Tangents
• 1:01:26 - Pitches: Attack on Titan, Laid-Back Camp & One Piece
• 1:18:04 - Pitches: Dragon Ball Z, Canada Goose & Chainsaw Man
• 1:32:09 - Pitches: Uma Musume, Death Note, JoJo, Lain & Frieren
• 1:46:58 - Upcoming Reviews: Botan Kamiina, Now and Then & More

Support AniPro:

• Patreon
• Mailbag
• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off

Follow & Subscribe:

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Next Reviews:

• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk
• Anime: Now and Then, Here and There
• Game: Needy Streamer Overload
• Live Action: One Piece Live Action

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya” via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Can the Live Action Fix a One Piece Hater? + Top 10 Zelda Games, Beast Wars & Slay the Spire

The wait is finally over. After weeks of teasing, after Cole resolved to continue to hate it in 2026, AniPro finally watches the live action Netflix adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece! Do the boys like it? Or was the treasure merely the friends made along the way?

Also, Mike's playing Zeldas, Jay's slaying spires, Cole's reliving his childhood, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Introductions & US Olympic Hockey
• 06:03 - Parenting Woes & Sickness
• 08:34 - The Legend of Zelda Franchise & IGN Top 10 Debate
• 25:02 - Slay the Spire Board Game Impressions
• 29:34 - Transformers: Beast Wars & 90s CG Nostalgia
• 36:11 - Mailbag: What Power Does Kirby Get From Us?
• 40:43 - AniPro Asks Trivia: One Piece Casting
• 49:38 - One Piece Live Action Review Starts
• 01:01:28 - Production, Sets & Multicultural Casting
• 01:09:33 - The Straw Hats & Villain Actor Performances
• 01:29:25 - Questionable CGI & Directorial Choices
• 01:37:41 - Adaptation Changes & Future Season Worries
• 01:55:15 - Final Thoughts & Next Reviews

Support AniPro:

• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off
• Patreon
• Mailbag

Follow & Subscribe:

• X / Twitter
• Instagram
• Discord

Next Reviews:

• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk
• Anime: Now and Then, Here and There
• Game: Needy Streamer Overload
• Live Action: One Piece Live Action

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya” via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Winter 2026 Mid-Season Anime Reactions + Pokémon Switch News & JJK Modulo

Join AniPro as they list their top 10 winter 2026 anime! From exciting newcomers to beloved returns, there's bound to be an anime for you!

Also, Cole's returned, Mike's reading manga, Jay's excited for a 22 year old game, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & Cole's Japan Trip
• 03:39 - Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen on Switch!
• 11:03 - Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Manga
• 34:39 - Winter 2026 Honorable Mentions
• 38:28 - Hell's Paradise S2 & SHIBOYUGI
• 44:01 - MF Ghost S3 & Gnosia
• 47:57 - Trivia: Is Silent Hill's School from Kindergarten Cop?
• 52:50 - The Winter 2026 Top 10 Anime
• 55:38 - #10: Love Through a Prism
• 1:00:38 - #9: Sentenced To Be a Hero
• 1:06:04 - #8: Chained Soldier Season 2
• 1:12:14 - #7: Tamon's B-Side
• 1:18:24 - #6: Oshi no Ko Season 3
• 1:24:33 - #5: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Season 2
• 1:29:30 - #4: Journal with Witch
• 1:34:05 - #3: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game
• 1:40:39 - #2: You and I Are Polar Opposites
• 1:45:59 - #1: Fate/strange Fake
• 1:51:50 - Upcoming Reviews: Botan Kamiina, Now and Then, Here and There & More

Support AniPro:

• Patreon
• TokyoTreat: Use code "ANIPRO" for $5 off
• Mailbag

Follow & Subscribe:

• X / Twitter
• Instagram
• Discord

Next Reviews:

• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk
• Anime: Now and Then, Here and There
• Game: Needy Streamer Overload
• Live Action: One Piece Live Action

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya” via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!

Is Anime Just for Kids? Debunking Myths + Star Trek, Pokémon, & New Anime Movies

There are a lot of misunderstandings out there, so this week AniPro is playing Mythbusters as they put those impressions to the test!

Also, Cole's on his long-foretold trip to the otherlands (or is he?), Jay's a champion of some other kind, Mike remembers his movie marathon, and more!

Topics & Timestamps:

• 00:00 - Intro & The "Cole is Away" Prank
• 03:38 - Cole's Star Trek Phase & Enterprise Model
• 11:03 - Best Western Openings: Simpsons, Dragon Ball, Pokemon
• 
  
• 16:30 - Jay's Pokémon Platinum Run & Team
• 21:59 - The Legacy of Nintendo Consoles
• 32:03 - Mike's Solo Cinema Trip & Marvel Runtimes
• 37:18 - Movie Review: All You Need Is Kill
• 41:15 - Movie Review: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
• 46:31 - True or False: Can Magikarp Jump a Mountain?
• 51:39 - Myth: Anime is Just Pornography
• 01:00:18 - Myth: Anime is for Kids
• 01:07:09 - Myth: Manga Isn't Real Reading
• 01:18:42 - Myth: Manga is Always Better than Anime
• 01:30:37 - Myth: Subs are Always Superior to Dubs
• 01:45:02 - Upcoming Reviews: One Piece Live Action & More

Support AniPro:

• Patreon
• Mailbag
• TokyoTreat (Code: ANIPRO)

Follow & Subscribe:

• X / Twitter
• Instagram
• Discord

Next Reviews:

• TV: One Piece Live Action
• Game: Needy Streamer Overload
• Anime: Now and Then, Here and There
• Manga: Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk

Music & Credits:

• Opening: “Shibuya” via slip.stream
• Break Music By AniPro

Enjoying the show? If so, please rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify – it only takes a moment and helps new listeners find us!