2026 Summer Anime Trends and Predictions: Most Anticipated Series and Merchandise Guide

Ready to level up your anime collection this season? The highly anticipated Summer 2026 anime lineup is officially here, bringing an explosive mix of breakout horror-comedies, massive light novel sequels, and jaw-dropping historical epics straight to our screens.

If you are an overseas fan tracking the latest Japanese broadcast cycle online, you already know that securing official character merchandise, event-exclusive releases, and limited-edition figures can be a challenge from abroad. In this ultimate guide, our resident otaku editorial team breaks down the absolute must-watch series of the season and shows you exactly how to buy anime merchandise online from Japan using a trusted Japanese proxy shopping service to claim your favorite collectibles the moment they drop!

Cultural Background: The Rise of 2026 Summer Anime Trends

image source: mercari

The highly anticipated 2026 summer anime season has finally arrived, drawing intense global attention! The explosive hype surrounding this season is heavily driven by the massive success of previous installments and intense media exposure that triggered viral worldwide trends. In particular, the lingering excitement from record-breaking theatrical releases and the breathtaking animation quality of recent prequels have pushed global fans’ enthusiasm to its absolute limit, leaving everyone desperate to catch the latest episodes and support their favorite characters in real-time.

Responding to this passionate surge in search intent, Japanese official stores and e-commerce sites are dropping exclusive, limited-edition figures and rare character goods. To snag these hot anime merchandise items at the exact same time as local fans in Japan, international otaku are increasingly turning to proxy shopping services to buy from Japan / online. This seamless connection between global streaming and online shopping is the ultimate driving force fueling the fiery trends of Summer 2026!

Summary of Core Elements: Quick Overview of Anticipated 2026 Summer Anime

Anime Title | Air Date (Japan) | Recommended Shops for Japan Merch

Ushiro no Shoumen Kamui-san

July 2026

Mercari Japan
Shop via Buyee

Skeleton Knight in Another World Season 2

July 2026

Mercari Japan
Shop via Buyee

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3

July 2026

Mercari Japan
Shop via Buyee

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You

July 2026

Mercari Japan
Shop via Buyee

You and I Are Polar Opposites Season 2

July 2026

Mercari Japan
Shop via Buyee

The Elusive Samurai Season 2

July 2026

Mercari Japan
Shop via Buyee

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – Part 4 (Cataract)

July 2026

Mercari Japan
Shop via Buyee

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3

July 2026

Mercari Japan
Shop via Buyee

Highly Anticipated 2026 Summer Anime Series & Character Merchandise

Ushiro no Shoumen Kamui-san

Get ready for an electrifying blend of spine-chilling haunts and absolute hilarity! Breaking through the massive 1-million-copy milestone for its original manga, the smash-hit horror-comedy Ushiro no Shomen Kamui-san is officially making its animated debut this July. Jointly produced by studios ZERO-G and ZG-R, this adaptation promises top-tier animation quality that perfectly captures the source material’s chaotic energy. The series features a stellar voice cast starring the legendary Tomokazu Sugita as the eccentric powerhouse psychic Kamui, alongside Riko Aono as Shizuka, the ordinary high school girl who constantly attracts spirits.

As passionate anime otaku editors, we are dying to see Kamui exorcise malevolent spirits with Tomokazu Sugita’s distinctively majestic and heroic voice! His commanding presence instantly reminds us of his iconic role as Gyomei Himejima slaying demons in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba—but with a wildly comedic twist (lol). Naturally, the Japanese market is already gearing up for this release, and a wave of exciting character goods is on the horizon. For international fans eager to secure these upcoming releases from Japan / online, tracking pre-orders early through a proxy shopping service is the ultimate way to lock down your exclusive anime merchandise before it sells out!

Explore Ushiro no Shoumen Kamui-san Merch on Mercari

Skeleton Knight in Another World Season 2

Fans of high-fantasy action, rejoice! The highly anticipated second season of Skeleton Knight in Another World is officially charging onto screens this summer. For those new to the series, this thrilling world-reforming fantasy follows a gamer who wakes up reincarnated into the body of his fully armored MMORPG skeleton knight character, Arc. Boasting an incredible milestone of over 3.5 million copies in circulation for its original light novel series, this blockbuster sequel is produced by Aura Studio. The phenomenal main cast returns to bring the characters to life, starring Tomoaki Maeno as the chivalrous bone-knight Arc and Fairouz Ai as the fierce elven warrior Ariane, all backed by an epic new theme song that sets the perfect tone for high-stakes adventure.

As passionate anime otaku editors, we are practically screaming with excitement over this return! While the premise of a powerful skeleton protagonist might instantly remind you of the iconic dark fantasy masterpiece Overlord, this series carves out its own unique identity with breathtakingly intense battle scenes and a genuinely refreshing, exhilarating sense of triumph. It is an absolute must-watch sequel that no battle anime lover can afford to miss! Naturally, the hype has ignited a massive demand for new anime merchandise, from intricate scale figures of Arc’s striking armor to adorable plushies of the spirit fox Ponta. For international fans looking to secure these hot collectibles straight from Japan / online, utilizing a reliable proxy shopping service is the smartest way to jump on pre-orders before local shelves in Japan run completely dry!

Find Skeleton Knight Goods via Buyee

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 3

The prominent romantic-comedy series returns for its third season under Bibury Animation Studios, continuing Rentaro Aijo’s journey to love 100 destined partners. The franchise has achieved 2.2 million copies in print. This season introduces highly anticipated characters voiced by Kanon Takao, Kaori Ishihara, and Ayana Taketatsu.

The absolute peak of harem comedy is back for Season 3, and we are completely obsessed. Every single heroine in this show is written with such a distinct, unhinged, yet lovable personality that picking a “best girl” is a mathematical impossibility. That said, if we have to choose, our personal staff recommendation goes to the athletic tomboy Iku Sudo (voiced by the legendary Rie Takahashi)—she is going to absolutely steal the show this arc. Authentic acrylic stands, limited-edition anime character goods, and event-exclusive badges of the new heroines are already flooding Japanese secondary markets, making it prime time to look into how to import anime figures and collectibles safely before prices skyrocket.

Browse 100 Girlfriends Merch Now

Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You

Adapting the Next Manga Award-winning series with over 3 million copies in circulation, this slice-of-life drama is animated by Asahi Production. The plot tracks the low-key interactions between Sasaki, an overworked corporate salaryman, and Tayama, a mysterious woman he meets behind a local store. Takuya Sato and Minami Homma provide the voice acting.

While there are no over-the-top explosions or flashy superpowers here, this series is an absolute masterpiece of atmosphere. It perfectly captures the exhausting weight of Japanese corporate culture, contrasted beautifully with the quiet, shared comfort of a post-work conversation in a hidden corner of the city. It’s exactly the kind of anime you want to watch late at night with a warm drink to wind down after a long day. Because of its grounded vibe, the official merchandise leans heavily toward minimalist conceptual designs, original manga art goods, and understated character keychains that are incredibly popular on Japanese online storefronts.

Shop Exclusive Merch via Buyee

You and I Are Polar Opposites Season 2

Following a successful run, Lapin Track delivers the consecutive second season of this realistic romance tracking the relationship between the energetic Suzuki and the quiet Tani. The original manga stands at 1.8 million copies. Voiced by Sayumi Suzushiro and Shogo Sakata, the adaptation maintains its iconic pop art aesthetic.

We are incredibly spoiled to get a consecutive second season right after the first run. The sheer, blinding purity of Suzuki and Tani’s realistic high school romance makes us simultaneously deeply envious and incredibly happy. What really sets this adaptation apart is how seamlessly it transitions into minimalist, deformed chibi art styles during comedic moments—the cuteness levels are genuinely dangerous. For collectors looking to source authentic Japanese merchandise, the rubber straps and lifestyle collaboration items featuring these specific chibi character designs are absolute must-haves.

Check Polar Opposites Merch on Mercari

The Elusive Samurai Season 2

The historical epic based on Yusei Matsui’s manga reaches its second season, brought to life with the high production values of CloverWorks. The series follows Hojo Tokiyuki, a young heir forced to reclaim power not through typical combat, but through masterful evasion. It has achieved over 5 million copies in print, with voice acting handled by Asaki Yuikawa and Hinaki Yano.

Turning the traditional, rigid samurai ethos of “fight until you die gloriously” completely on its head by introducing a main character whose literal superpower is running away to survive is such a brilliant narrative flip. CloverWorks absolutely elevates the historical setting with jaw-dropping color palettes and fluid movement, making this an incredible gateway for international fans to dive deep into the fascinating history of the Kamakura period. Historical anime goods, traditional-style prints, and intricate acrylic dioramas from this series are highly sought after by global collectors utilizing online shopping from Japan to bypass domestic retail limitations.

Discover Elusive Samurai Goods Now

BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War – Part 4 (Cataract)

PIERROT FILMS presents the final part of the monumental adaptation covering the ultimate arc of the global franchise, which boasts 130 million copies worldwide. Starring Masakazu Morita and Noriaki Sugiyama, the production promises high-tier cinematic animation to conclude the saga.

It is truly the end of an era. Watching one of the legendary Shonen Jump “Big Three” finally reach its definitive animated conclusion brings a massive wave of nostalgia and a little bit of heartbreak, especially with so many generational staples wrapping up recently. But wow, seeing this final battle brought to life with movie-quality modern animation has our hype levels through the roof. Legacy merchandise, premium scaled figures, and anniversary art prints are seeing a massive surge in popularity, making it the perfect time for fans worldwide to look into a reliable Japanese proxy shopping service to secure these historic collectibles directly from domestic sellers.

Get BLEACH Rare Merch via Buyee

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3

Studio Bind returns to animate the third major installment of the definitive Isekai fantasy tracking Rudeus Greyrat’s lifelong journey in a parallel universe. The source novels have sold over 17 million copies. The expansive vocal cast continues to be led by Yumi Uchiyama and Tomokazu Sugita.

As seasoned light novel readers who have tracked this story from its web novel roots, we cannot stress this enough: Mushoku Tensei remains the gold standard of the reincarnation genre for a reason. After the intense, emotionally turbulent character arcs of Season 2, the narrative scale and world-building in Season 3 are about to escalate to absolutely jaw-dropping levels. This is a massive, mandatory watch for the Summer 2026 season. Because specialized scale figures, limited-edition light novel box sets, and official fabric tapestries are rarely exported to standard international retail sites, importing them directly from Japanese hobbyists online is the best way to expand your collection.

Shop Mushoku Tensei Collectibles Now

Buyee Cross-Border Shopping FAQ & Crucial Tips

Navigating the Japanese domestic market from abroad requires a clear understanding of international proxy shipping mechanisms. Because many official character goods, second-hand marketplace listings, and limited event releases are confined strictly to domestic transactions within Japan, cross-border buyers utilize Buyee to secure these products directly from Japanese storefronts and online platforms.

To help you quickly finalize your order and understand the full scope of using a Japan proxy service, we’ve gathered answers to the most common questions about Japanese online shopping from overseas.

Q: How much is international shipping from Japan with a proxy service?

A: The total international cost, or how much is shipping from Japan, varies significantly based on your package’s weight, dimensions, and the Japan proxy shipping methods you choose (e.g., EMS is fast but costly; Surface Mail is cheap but slow). This fee, combined with the item price and the Buyee service fee, makes up your total. Always use Buyee’s shipping calculator for a precise estimate.

Q: What fees does Buyee charge as a Japan proxy?

A: The total cost of using Buyee proxy includes four components: the item price, domestic shipping in Japan (if any), the Buyee service fee (for placing the order and handling), and the international shipping cost. Optional services (like Protective Packaging Service) incur minor extra fees.

Q: Does Rakuten Japan offer overseas shipping? Can I still use Buyee if it doesn’t?

A: Many sellers on Rakuten Japan do not offer overseas shipping, which is why many shoppers use a Japan proxy shopping service. If a seller doesn’t ship to your country, Buyee acts as your local Japanese address and handles the entire export process for you.

Q: Does Amazon Japan ship to my country? When should I use a proxy?
A: While Amazon Japan overseas shipping is available for some products, many items (especially third-party seller items or specialty goods) still restrict shipping outside of Japan. You should use Buyee proxy when the item you want isn’t eligible for direct international shipping or if you need to consolidate multiple orders from different shops into one shipment.

Q: How long does it take for a package from Japan to arrive?

A: Delivery time depends entirely on your chosen Japan proxy shipping methods. For example, express methods (like EMS or FedEx) usually take 3–7 days, standard methods take 7–14 days, and surface mail can take 1–3 months.

Q: Will I have to pay customs duty or import tax when using Buyee?

A: Yes, you may have to pay Customs duty or VAT/GST upon your package’s arrival. These taxes are calculated by your local government (Japan international shipping customs laws) and are not included in your initial Buyee fees. Checking your local import laws is part of learning how to buy from Japan online.

Q: What items cannot be shipped from Japan?

A: To avoid having your purchase seized or returned, you must know what cannot be shipped from Japan. This often includes batteries, pressurized items, alcohol, and certain foods. For a detailed, up-to-date list, please refer to Buyee’s official prohibited items page.

For more information, check out this blog [Updated 2026] Mastering Buyee: Your Complete Guide to Japan Proxy Shopping—Shipping Costs, Customs, and Delivering to Your House!