“Crypto City” Selected List of Anime to Catch Up on During the 2026 Spring Festival, Covering Works from 2025 to 2026 such as “Diary of a Foreign Land” and “Earth’s Movements,” and Plus a Recommendation of the Classic Workplace Anime “Shirobako” to Help Readers Deeply Experience the Charm and Rational Romance of High-Quality Animation During the Holidays.
Spring Festival Catch-Up / Recommended Anime List for Early 2025-2026
2026 Spring Festival is here! During the holiday, gatherings with friends and family are naturally lively, but once the reunion ends, many find themselves with a gap—either aimlessly scrolling on their phones at home or not knowing what to watch. “Crypto City” has compiled a list of recommended anime to catch up on during the 2026 Spring Festival, mainly focusing on anime broadcast from 2025 to 2026 that haven’t gone viral or aren’t very popular.
Therefore, you won’t see titles like “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle,” “Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” “Fruits of the Dead Season 2,” or the recent Netflix hit “Time-Space Radiance Princess,” as these are presumably well-known and don’t need much introduction (?).
Next, it’s time to introduce the 2026 Spring Festival anime catch-up list, which includes 10 titles plus 1 special bonus recommendation!
Diary of a Foreign Land
- Genre: Heartwarming, Family
- Viewing Platform: Bahamut Anime Fantasia
- Synopsis: Shy and introverted novelist Takayo Makio, at her sister’s wedding, impulsively adopts her niece, Taki Asahi, who has lost her parents. This unexpected cohabitation begins, completely changing Makio’s peaceful daily life.
Why Recommend
If you like Furier’s delicate emotional storytelling and character development, you might want to try this. The story begins with a loss but doesn’t fall into cliché tear-jerking tropes. Instead, it’s restrained, reserved, calm, and a bit slow, yet it can hit your heart in some moments. The original author’s mastery of dialogue makes many scenes feel very authentic and easy to relate to.
This is the only anime in the recommended list currently airing in January 2026, so you might need to catch up and follow the series.
Octopus B’s Original Sin
- Genre: Suspense, Time Travel, Gore, Dark
- Viewing Platform: Bahamut Anime Fantasia
- Synopsis: An alien from the planet HAPPY, Octopus B, aims to spread happiness on Earth. However, his mission is thwarted when he nearly starves upon arrival. He is saved by an ordinary girl, Shizuka. But Octopus B notices that Shizuka never smiles. To help her find her lost smile, he works tirelessly, but her environment is far more severe than he can imagine.
Why Recommend
This anime cleverly uses an alien creature unfamiliar with human darkness—Octopus B—to explore complex school bullying issues from a naive perspective, creating strong dramatic contrast.
But don’t expect this to be a revenge or action-packed series; it may also be uncomfortable at times, and by the end, you might see “Octopus B’s Original Sin” in a different light.
Post-Apocalyptic Hotel
- Genre: Original, Sci-Fi, Robots, Healing
- Viewing Platform: Bilibili (Simplified Chinese), Crunchyroll (Traditional Chinese)
- Synopsis: After humanity disappears, Earth has endured for many long years. The “Ginga Building” hotel in Ginza, Tokyo, remains operational. The staff are mainly robots centered around the hotel robot Yachiyo, working in various departments. They wait for their boss to return and for humans to come back, focusing on their work in an unoccupied hotel.
Why Recommend
As an original work (no source material, animation is the primary medium), this anime lacks the current popular refined character designs, but the storytelling is very skillful.
Set against a post-apocalyptic, desolate Earth, the overall tone is light-hearted and humorous. Each episode has a theme to resolve, making it a slice-of-life anthology. Some episodes even feel like they connect to other genres, blending entertainment with storytelling—a sci-fi masterpiece with both fun and depth.
The scriptwriter is Shigeru Murakoshi. If you enjoy the storytelling style of “Post-Apocalyptic Hotel,” I also recommend the original animations blending zombie and idol themes, such as “Saga Idol is Legend” and “Saga Idol is Legend R: Return.”
Gold Medalist
- Genre: Figure Skating, Sports, Passion, Inspirational
- Viewing Platform: Disney+ Exclusive
- Synopsis: Repeated setbacks have plagued skater Akira Myouji, until he meets the girl, Yui Endo, who dreams of becoming a figure skater. Her dedication deeply moves Akira, leading him to start coaching her. As Yui’s talent blossoms, Akira also becomes an outstanding mentor. Their shared goal is to make Yui a proud gold medalist.
Why Recommend
Effort, setbacks, reconciliation with loved ones, promises, and ultimate victory—this anime follows classic sports anime tropes, and the 3D CG depiction of figure skating is excellent. Yui, a girl who only started professional training late in her skating career, shows incredible perseverance—hardly what you’d expect from a fifth-grade girl; even adults might find it hard to reach her level.
However, Yui still has some sports anime protagonist aura. Even Olympic gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu has joked that she learns too fast and is exaggerated, but fans counter that Hanyu’s skills are even more exaggerated than in the anime.
Maebashi Witch
- Genre: Original, Magic, Idol, Music
- Viewing Platform: Bahamut Anime Fantasia
- Synopsis: In Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, first-year high school student Yuna Akagi lives a mundane yet somewhat dull life. One day, a mysterious frog, Cloper, enters her life. “Why not try being a witch?” With Cloper’s appearance, everything changes. Her room’s wardrobe connects to an incredible space, leading her to meet four other girls and experience some unbelievable events.
Why Recommend
This anime combines magical girl, idol, and music elements. It appears to be a bright, positive girl’s anime, but it’s actually quite nuanced, exploring characters’ worries and life choices.
It manages to deliver unpredictable plot twists within a somewhat formulaic story structure. One reviewer’s comment is very insightful: “It never asks us to stay positive, but it still conveys positivity to the audience.”
The Food That Remains Delicious Over the Years
- Genre: Original, School, Food, Daily Life
- Viewing Platform: Bahamut Anime Fantasia
- Synopsis: “Cute × Delicious = The Ultimate Food”—follows the daily lives of five girls who just became college students. They love food, want to have fun together, and also study seriously—enjoying college life to the fullest!
Why Recommend
“Eating well is living well”—this is the biggest impression this original anime left on me, and it was one of the most joyful and heartwarming series I watched last year. The story is simple: five college students form a cooking club, with the main character, Mako Kawai, being the talented cook. From episode two onward, each episode features a dish, with detailed and careful animation of the cooking process.
I especially like the scenes where everyone finishes their meal and the “Finished” sign appears. But I wouldn’t recommend watching on an empty stomach or late at night—it will make you very hungry!
Earth’s Movements
- Genre: Theology, Science, Intellectual, Astronomy
- Viewing Platform: Netflix Exclusive
- Synopsis: Did you know? In the past, people believed the sun revolved around the Earth. In the early 15th century in the P Kingdom, prodigy Raphael initially planned to major in theology at university. By chance, he met the heretic Herbert, who was tortured for heresy. His research was the then-unrecognized heliocentric theory.
Why Recommend
This anime depicts the stories of different eras when people fought to prove that the Earth revolves around the sun—risking their lives for astronomical science. Although the theme can be quite dense, the plot is full of surprises, allowing viewers to feel the romantic pursuit of rationality.
This anime was also included in the “Crypto City” 2025 New Year’s catch-up list, where only half of it had aired. The full series finally finished in 2026, so it’s time to catch up during the New Year!
Galaxy Express Milky☆Subway
- Genre: Original, Sci-Fi, Robots, OVA
- Viewing Platform: YouTube, Bilibili Official (with danmaku)
- Synopsis: Genetically modified superhuman Chihiro and modified human Machina, who were arrested for violating space traffic laws, are sentenced to community labor along with four other criminals and board the interplanetary train “Milky☆Subway.” When the train unexpectedly starts, everyone must work together to resolve the crisis.
Why Recommend
This is a rare full 3D original anime from Japan. Each episode is only about 3.5 minutes long and was never broadcast on TV—premiered only on YouTube—and became a dark horse hit in summer 2025.
It’s a “vaporwave” style anime that pays homage to Showa-era sci-fi elements, borrowing themes from 1977 idol groups. Director Yohei Kameyama handled the script, character design, direction, and animation himself. Although the entire series is only about 40 minutes, it fully showcases the personalities and growth of six characters. The humor is rapid and dense but natural, with many foreshadowing elements, demonstrating impressive directing skills.
This anime is a sequel to Kameyama Yohei’s college graduation work “Milky☆Highway,” which already drew attention. After its 2025 sequel broadcast, it became a huge hit in Japan, with over 50 million views across 12 episodes. It offers both Japanese audio and subtitles in 11 languages, including Chinese dubbing, showing great sincerity. I recommend watching in Japanese with Chinese subtitles.
New Suspender Angel
- Genre: Original, American-style, Comedy, Action
- Viewing Platform: Amazon Prime
- Synopsis: In the fallen angel city between heaven and hell, evil spirits feed on human desires and resentment. Two mysterious figures, Pandy and Satojin, appear to purify them with holy light. These fallen angel sisters are on a mission to cleanse the darkness consuming the earth.
Why Recommend
Although it looks like an American-style anime, it’s actually produced by Japanese animation studio Trigger. Don’t be fooled by its cute art style; the content is quite mature, with explicit depictions of sexuality, so Amazon has marked it as 18+!
“New Suspender Angel” is a direct sequel to the 2010 “Suspender Angel,” but you can watch it without worry—episode one provides a recap of the previous story.
CITY THE ANIMATION
- Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Kyoto Animation
- Viewing Platform: Amazon Prime
- Synopsis: This small town is no ordinary place. Filled with laughter, warmth, and touching moments, residents live unpredictable everyday lives! New events happen one after another—welcome to CITY.
Why Recommend
This anime is a follow-up to the 2011 “Nichijou,” with Kyoto Animation continuing to adapt works, maintaining their signature style. It continues the style of “Nichijou,” showcasing one of Japan’s most challenging and creative animation techniques. The fifth episode features a particularly stunning segment, where multiple lively bubbles depict small city scenes, eventually merging into a large bubble forming a complete miniature cityscape. Only one key animator drew the frames—proof of Japan’s deep animation talent!
(Officially shared this clip on X/Twitter)
Bonus Recommended Catch-Up Anime
Shirobako
- Genre: Workplace, Inspirational, Ensemble
- Viewing Platform: Bahamut Anime Fantasia
- Synopsis: Five members of the Kamiyama High School animation club—Aoi Miyamoto, Ema Aihara, Shizuka Saki, Misa Toudou, and Midori Imai—vow to create a commercial anime together over donuts. Two and a half years later, Miyamoto, now working at Musashino Animation, participates as an assistant in the production of the TV anime “EXODUS!” Facing continuous difficulties, she grows through support from colleagues, seniors, and benefactors.
Why Recommend
Although originally aired in 2014, with the rise of generative AI in recent years and many claiming AI will replace animators or that one-person animation studios will emerge, it’s time to revisit this anime.
As described, it depicts how a group of animation professionals produce TV commercial anime, focusing on the “production management” role—very helpful for understanding the workflow of Japanese animation in the 2010s.
Perhaps some processes have changed now—more severe labor shortages, increased digital animation, more international outsourcing—but I believe that even with AI assistance, most commercial animation still requires teamwork and skilled animators to maintain character aesthetics and fluidity. As Taiwanese animation teacher Cactus discussed AI animation:
“Most of the ‘AI will change the animation industry’ talk comes from Chinese communities—non-industry people pontificating. Without understanding the actual structure and operation of the Japanese animation industry, it’s impossible to discuss accurately. Everything remains superficial, with no practical basis.”
Most Anticipated New Anime in 2026
FX Warrior Kurumi
- Genre: Finance, Investment, Thriller
- Expected Broadcast: 2026
- Synopsis: “FX Warrior Kurumi,” written by Demunyann and illustrated by Satoshi Daisuki, follows 20-year-old college student Kurumi as she risks her life in high-leverage forex trading (X) and gambling (O) to recover the 20 million yen her mother lost.
Why Recommend
“20x leverage is low,” “Buy now for guaranteed profit,” “I’m quitting, give me my money back”—Kurumi accurately portrays the gambler’s mindset in high-leverage markets. As someone involved in crypto, it’s definitely a series you shouldn’t miss.
