Written by Anime has become one of Netflix’s biggest attractions, with millions of fans spending hours watching everything from classic adventures to the latest blockbuster series. Very recently, Netflix officially revealed its “What We Watched” report for the first half of 2026.
In the report, some anime have performed better than the rest, pulling in huge viewership numbers across multiple seasons and story arcs. Whether it’s longtime favorites like One Piece and Naruto or newer hits like Jujutsu Kaisen, these shows have kept fans coming back for more. So, based on Netflix’s latest viewership data (via Netflix), here are the 10 most-watched anime series of 2026 so far, ranked by total views across the franchise.
10. Hunter x Hunter Is Still One of Anime’s Best Adventures
Gon Freecss and Killua Zoldyck from the anime series Hunter × Hunter. | Credit: Madhouse
It is honestly impressive that Hunter x Hunter is still one of Netflix’s biggest anime after all these years. The 2011 adaptation picked up 12.6 million views, showing that a great story never really gets old.
A lot of people start watching because they have heard about the famous Chimera Ant Arc, but they usually end up loving everything that comes before it too. The Hunter Exam Arc is one of the best introductions in shonen anime; Yorknew City completely changes the mood of the story, and the Chimera Ant Arc delivers some unforgettable moments with Gon and Meruem. Few anime are this easy to recommend, no matter when someone starts watching.
9. The Seven Deadly Sins Still Has a Loyal Fanbase
Meliodas from The Seven Deadly Sins anime. | Credits: A-1 Pictures
Some anime disappear from the spotlight once they end. The Seven Deadly Sins is not one of them. The franchise pulled in 12.8 million views, proving that fans still enjoy returning to Britannia.
The original series built its popularity through Meliodas, Ban, Escanor, and the battles against the Ten Commandments. Since then, Four Knights of the Apocalypse has helped keep the world alive. Only its first two seasons added 2.1 million views on Netflix, showing that plenty of fans are happy to follow the next generation instead of saying goodbye to the series.
8. Devil May Cry Made a Huge Impact on Netflix
Dante from the anime series Devil May Cry. | Credit: Studio Mir
For a newer anime, Devil May Cry has had an amazing start. It reached 13.4 million views, and most of that came from Season 2 alone, which pulled in a huge 9.1 million views.
That jump is not too surprising. The second season builds on everything that made the first one fun, from Dante’s sarcastic personality to the fast-paced demon fights. Instead of trying to copy the game scene by scene, the anime feels confident enough to tell its own story, and that seems to be exactly what Netflix viewers wanted.
7. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Is Unlike Any Other Anime
Johnny Joestar from the anime JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run. | Credit: David Production
Every JoJo fan has a favorite part, and that is probably one reason the series never slows down. This year, the franchise reached 13.8 million views, with Steel Ball Run doing most of the heavy lifting after attracting an impressive 8.3 million views by itself.
One amazing aspect of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is how each new installment comes with brand new ideas. In Stardust Crusaders, we were treated to famous Stand fights; in Golden Wind, we got to see how Giorno became part of the mafia, whereas Stone Ocean was the first time in which Jolyne Cujoh was at the center of attention. Now Steel Ball Run has brought even more excitement, proving there is still plenty of life left in Hirohiko Araki’s world.
6. BAKI Shows That Brutal Fights Never Go Out of Style
Baki Hanma from a still. | Credit: TMS Entertainment
Not every action anime needs giant explosions or magical powers. Sometimes people just want to watch unbelievably strong fighters beat each other up, and that is exactly what BAKI has always delivered.
Netflix viewers clearly agree. The franchise earned 15 million views, with BAKI-DOU: The Invincible Samurai leading the way at 8 million views. Whether it was the Great Raitai Tournament or Baki Hanma’s endless rivalry with Yujiro Hanma, the series has never tried to be anything other than pure martial arts entertainment. That is exactly why fans keep coming back.
5. Demon Slayer Keeps Setting the Standard for Action Anime
Tanjiro from Demon Slayer. | Credit: Ufotable
There are plenty of action anime on Netflix, but Demon Slayer still feels special. It brought in 17.1 million views this year, proving that Tanjiro’s journey is just as popular now as it was when the anime first took off.
A big reason is that every arc gives fans something memorable. The Mugen Train Arc delivered one of anime’s most emotional endings with Kyojuro Rengoku, while the Entertainment District Arc raised the bar with Tengen Uzui’s fight against Gyutaro and Daki. More recently, the Hashira Training Arc slowed things down just enough to prepare everyone for the massive Infinity Castle battles ahead. When people talk about the best-looking anime today, Demon Slayer is almost always part of the conversation.
4. My Hero Academia Is Still One of Netflix’s Biggest Hits
Deku against Shigaraki from My Hero Academia. | Credit: Bones
Some fans grew up watching Deku chase his dream of becoming the world’s greatest hero. Years later, they are still following his journey. That helped My Hero Academia reach 17.7 million views across its main series and the Vigilantes spin-off.
The series has changed a lot since the early days at U.A. High School. The Paranormal Liberation War Arc showed that heroes do not always win, and the Final War Arc has pushed Deku, Shigaraki, and All For One into one final clash. At the same time, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes lets fans explore the same world from a different angle, making it feel much bigger than one story alone.
3. Jujutsu Kaisen Keeps Getting Bigger Every Year
Satoru Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen. | Credit: MAPPA
For a series that is only a few years old, Jujutsu Kaisen has built an incredible fanbase. It collected 24.8 million views, and Season 3 was the biggest reason why. On its own, the new season attracted 9.4 million views, making it the franchise’s most-watched entry on Netflix this year.
The timing could not have been better. After the heartbreaking Shibuya Incident Arc left fans with more questions than answers, Season 3 jumps into the Culling Game. New enemies, stronger sorcerers, and nonstop fights make almost every episode feel important. Studio MAPPA’s animation also continues to be one of the biggest reasons people keep coming back every week.
2. Naruto‘s Story Is Still Winning Over Fans
Team 7 from Naruto Shippuden. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
Very few anime can stay popular for more than 20 years, but Naruto continues to do exactly that. Together, Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations collected an incredible 33.5 million views on Netflix.
What is interesting is that fans are not just watching one part of the franchise. Many still start with the original Chunin Exams or the Search for Tsunade Arc before moving on to Naruto Shippuden for the Pain Assault Arc and the Fourth Great Ninja War. Others jump into Boruto to follow Kawaki’s story and the Kara organization. No matter where someone starts, there is always another chapter waiting.
1. One Piece Is Still the King of Anime on Netflix
No other anime even came close this year. With a massive 43 million views, One Piece easily claimed the top spot on Netflix, and that is without counting the live-action adaptation.
One of the biggest reasons is that there is always something happening in Luffy’s world. New fans are starting with the East Blue Saga, while others are rewatching classics like Water Seven, Enies Lobby, and Marineford. At the same time, longtime viewers are keeping up with the Egghead Arc, where Dr. Vegapunk’s secrets and the arrival of the Five Elders changed the future of the series. The anime’s move into the long-awaited Elbaf Arc has only added to the excitement. After more than 25 years, One Piece is not just surviving – it continues to grow bigger than ever.
Here is a quick overview of all the anime we have discussed above –
RankAnime SeriesTotal Franchise Views (for anime only)1One Piece43 million2Naruto (including Shippuden & Boruto)33.5 million3Jujutsu Kaisen24.8 million4My Hero Academia17.7 million5Demon Slayer17.1 million6BAKI15 million7JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure13.8 million8Devil May Cry13.4 million9The Seven Deadly Sins12.8 million10Hunter x Hunter12.6 million
Now the big question: Which series from this ranking have you watched the most this year, and which one do you think deserves an even higher spot? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
