Mushoku Tensei S3 Is the Most Popular Anime of Summer 2026

The third season of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation was crowned the most popular anime of summer 2026. Anime Trending revealed the results in the early hours of October 10, and the Studio Bind series earned 11,684 votes, enough to beat Tenmaku no Jaadugar and the second season of Seihantai na Kimi to Boku.

The vote was close. Tenmaku no Jaadugar reached 11,167 votes and Seihantai na Kimi to Boku finished with 11,052. A difference of just 632 votes between first and third place. No blowouts here: any of the three could have taken the title.

The curious thing is that this isn't the first time the Rudeus franchise has fought for this recognition. Anime Trending made it clear in its announcement: the series broke a streak of several second-place finishes and finally took the top prize on its fifth attempt. About time, more than one fan would say.

Three awards for Rudeus and company

In addition to Anime of the Season, Rudeus's adventure took home two other awards: Favorite Action or Adventure Anime and Favorite Fantasy Anime. Not bad for a third season that many were skeptical about after the uneven pacing of the previous one.

Sitara's story, Tenmaku no Jaadugar, didn't leave empty-handed: it received recognition as New Anime of the Season. A logical award for an original project that managed to slip in among industry heavyweights.

Seihantai na Kimi to Boku swept the character categories

When it comes to total awards, the second season of Seihantai na Kimi to Boku won decisively. In addition to third place overall, it took home four awards: Favorite Male Character for Shuuji Taira, Favorite Couple for Taira and Azuma, Favorite Supporting Male Character again for Taira, and Favorite Supporting Female Character for Shino Azuma.

That the same character wins in two different categories says a lot about the weight Taira carries with the audience. And the fact that the main couple took the Favorite Couple award in the season where their love story concludes makes perfect sense.

What is surprising is that the conclusion of that romance didn't push the series to first place overall. With such dominance in the character categories, anyone would think Anime of the Season was theirs. But these votes are just that unpredictable.

The rest of the Top 10 and other awards

Fourth place went to Sayonara, Lara, which received no other recognition. A solid position, but with no secondary awards to back it up.

Other titles stood out in specific categories:

• Super no Ura de Yani Suu Futari: Favorite Female Character for Yamada and Favorite Slice of Life Anime.
• Yani Neko: Favorite Comedy Anime and Favorite Opening Song for Nanmonee by Wasureranneyo.
• Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity: Favorite Supernatural Anime and Favorite Ending Song for Rasen by 9Lana.
• Toumei na Yoru ni Kakeru Kimi to, Me ni Mienai Koi wo Shita: Favorite Drama Anime and Favorite Romance Anime.
• Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- (fourth season): Favorite Mystery or Psychological Anime.
• Ghost in the Shell – THE GHOST IN THE SHELL: Favorite Science Fiction or Mecha Anime.

The top five in the overall ranking advance to the Anime of the Year final: Mushoku Tensei, Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, Goodbye, Lara, Though I am an Inept Villainess, and Love Unseen Beneath the Clear Night Sky. The latter entered as the winner of the last week's advantage.

The question that remains is whether the third season of Mushoku Tensei will repeat the title in 2027. With the story moving toward its most ambitious arcs, it wouldn't be far-fetched. But in a year as competitive as this one, nothing is guaranteed.

Did you follow this season or did the result catch you by surprise? Tell me in the comments who your winner would have been.