The Biggest Anime Lineup of 2020 That You Should Add to Your Watchlist

Hey guys, 2020 is finally here and I am simply excited to share what the anime industry had in store for all of us in the New Year. In this post, I will share the list of the biggest anime series and movies of 2020 which will definitely make the start of the new decade an exciting one.

Our list is composed of popular and huge anime franchise which already built up its reputation in the past, some are sequel anime shows, and others are promising new anime series and movies. While it is still too early as there are some anime titles that haven’t been revealed yet for 2020, the time is obviously ripe to prepare our anime watchlist for 2020.

Alright, let’s proceed directly to our topic – what are the biggest anime of 2020 and why we should watch out for it? To be able to assist you in creating your anime watchlist this year, I have listed here the most anticipated anime series of 2020 as follows:

The 4th season of Haikyuu!! is airing as part of the winter 2020 anime lineup. This is going to be exciting especially for the sports anime enthusiasts. Haikyuu!! is among the highest-rated and well-received sports anime of all-time, and it’s been quite a while since the last time we had seen the anime on air. Fans are definitely excited to see the boys and the whole volleyball team once again. For full list of anime airing in the first quarter of 2020, you may check: The Winter 2020 Anime Lineup post for your reference.

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 2nd Season – One of the most popular isekai anime of the decade is returning this 2020 for its second season. It’s the most hyped and viral anime of 2016 and fans are excited to see Subaru and Emilia once again. On my end, as well as the rest of the anime fandom, we’re quite excited to see Rem as she’s definitely the best girl in the series. [Update: The anime is supposed to air as part of the spring 2020 anime season, however it was moved to summer due to Covid-19 concern in Japan]

• LIST: The Summer 2020 Anime Season Lineup

Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season – We are coming closer to the conclusion of the most epic post-apocalyptic drama anime of the decade. The anime had been an enduring and fascinating ride filled with action, drama, and mysteries. After the almost-perfect run of Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 2 during the spring 2019 season, the anime is returning to continue where the story left us off. Obviously, we are delving deeper into the bigger picture and we’ll definitely see a clearer look at the anime’s world-setting this time. Although in the latest update, Attack on Titan animation studio had been changed from WIT Studio to MAPPA.

Yakusuko no Neverland 2^ndSeason – Here, we have the best anime of 2019 from our year-end review. Emma and the rest of the children who escaped with her are returning in the upcoming 2^nd season of The Promised Neverland – the anime series that brought so many exciting memories from the winter 2019 lineup. Obviously, everybody is excited to see what will Emma and Ray does next, now that they had escaped. What really happened to Norman might be revealed this time too. [Update: In the latest announcement, it was revealed that The Promised Neverland Season 2 will be moved to January 2021 lineup due to delay in production caused by Covid-19 in the anime industry in Japan.]

Shokugeki no Souma: Gou no Sara – One of the strongest shounen-anime of this decade and one that revolves around cooking and so much foodgasm – Food Wars is returning for its 5^th season this 2020. After defeating the higher-ups of the Elite Ten during the Team Shokugeki that took place in Food Wars Season 4 during its stint at the fall 2019 seasonal lineup, what will be the next action of Yukihira Souma and his crew? On my end, I am simply excited about some more visually aesthetic foods and my selected favorite characters from the anime. [Update: While the anime is originally listed for spring 2020 lineup, after airing its first 2 episodes, the anime had been postponed and will resume airing in July.]

Enn Enn no Shouboutai: Ni noShou – One of the 2019’s most lit anime is coming back for its 2^nd season this 2020 and the promise of an even more exciting and burning story is keeping me hype about it. Shinra together with the 8^th Division will return for Fire Force Season 2. We definitely have to unravel the secrets behind the mystery of the human combustion in the story and some more flashy fight scenes. Fire Force actually had one of the best-animated fight sequences of 2019; definitely have to praise David Production and the rest of the staff working behind the project. Fire Force Season 2 is slated to premiere on July 3.

Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan / OREGAIRU SEASON 3 – Look what we have here? Hachiman is returning together with everyone else in the highly anticipated Oregairu Season 3. The anime will air as part of the spring 2020 seasonal lineup and it promises another feelsy trip filled with interesting and relatable teenage drama. [Update: Oregairu season 3 release had been rescheduled due to Covid-19 issue in Japan]

Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru no Darou ka III – Alright, we have Danmachi season 3 here and it will continue where the previous season had left us hanging from summer 2019 season. Now that the Ishtar Familia and Apollo Familia were vanquished from the story, what is next for Bell Cranel and his goddess Hestia? Obviously, we are excited to see what will be his next mission. Let’s all find it out in the summer 2020 anime lineup when Danmachi season 3 officially air. [Update: Danmachi Season 3 is rescheduled on fall 2020 anime lineup]

Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai? Tensai-tachi no Renai: Zunousen 2^nd Season – One of the best romantic comedy anime of 2019 – Kaguya Shinomiya is returning together with the rest of the student council to bring another hella ride of a roller coaster with its romance school cliché. Will our lady Kaguya be able to win this war against the person that she fell in love with? We’ll definitely watch-out for that this 2020. Kaguya-sama: Love is War season 2 is currently airing and sitting atop the chart for best anime of spring 2020 lineup.

The final part of the Alicization Arc in Sword Art Online anime adaptation is slated to air in April of 2020. I have to admit that Sword Art Online III War of the Underworld Part 1 had been an amazing ride and it’s my favorite installment of the franchise so far. We didn’t see Kirito in action though but he’ll definitely play a big part in the continuation of the story in spring. [Update: The highly anticipated return of Sword Art Online had been postponed due to Covid-19 issue in Japan]

• Related Post: Sword Art Online III War of the Underworld Part 2 News & Updates

After 6 years, one of the highest-rated anime of 2012 and 2013 is returning for its 3^rd season. The historical-action military anime is slated to air its 3^rd season April as part of the spring 2020 anime lineup.

Naofumi together with the rest of the gang will return for the confirmed 2^nd and 3^rd season of The Rising Shield Hero which will definitely showcase the imminent battle of our heroes against the other world’s heroes in the succeeding waves.

Log Horizon: Entaku Houkai – Isekai fans, it’s about time to rejoice as we are finally getting a sequel that we’re truly looking forward to. After 5 long years, Log Horizon is returning for its 3^rd season, and such give so much hope for the fans of other anime series that need a sequel it deserves (cough cough No Game No Life). Studio Deen is also back as its animating studio which previously worked on the 2^nd season of the anime. For people who are not familiar with Log Horizon, the anime is one of the best isekai series of the last decade and could be compared to giant titles such as Overlord and No Game No Life with a genius tactician as the main protagonist and his newly founded guild.

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei:Raihousha-hen – Magic and science collide in this anime which introduced one of the most overwhelming overpowered men to the anime community. The Irregular at Magic High School is coming back for its 2^nd season after several years and obviously, fans are excited to see the Shiba siblings breaking some more legs and necks in this fantastic sci-fi fantasy high school anime. Tatsuya Shiba is a godlike anime character and we are obviously excited to see what other obstacles must he defeat in the upcoming 2^nd season The Irregular at Magic High School, and on my end, I am simply looking forward to delving deeper into its world and also meet his aunt Maya. [Update: The anime was rescheduled for release on October 2020.]

• Related Post: The Irregular at Magic High School Season 2 News & Updates

The 3^rd season of the A Certain Scientific Railgun officially premiered as part of winter 2020 anime list and just like the other anime in the franchise – A Certain Magical Index, and A Certain Scientific Accelerator, this anime never lacks the fun and excitement that we are looking forward from espers clashing against each other. Meanwhile, what I truly enjoyed about A Certain Scientific Railgun is that it revolves around high school students, giving us a light-hearted teenage drama and action.

One of the most beautiful and dramatic anime of 2019 is coming back this year to continue the story intertwined fate of Tohru Honda and the boys from the Soma family. How will she deal with the curse of the zodiac on the Somas as her relationship with each of them gets deeper? It seems that she’ll be sucked deeper into the core of the zodiacs as we get to know more of the other members of Soma family and eventually the antagonist Akito. I swear this is going to be another trip filled with feels and heartbreaking story with the warm of kindness that Tohru emits from deep within.

Honzuki no Gekokujou: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan wo Erandeiraremasen 2^nd Season – Main is coming back on April 2020 to continue her isekai journey of creating books as she battles the lethal condition of the devouring which slowly consumed her lifespan from deep within.  Ascendance of a Bookworm had been one of the most fascinating and interesting anime from the fall 2019 lineup which really unique among isekai anime shows.

• Related Post: Ascendance of a Bookworm Season 2 Release Date & Updates

Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken 2 – Hail to our adorable slime-sama! Rimuru Tempest is back in the 2^nd season of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. While the anime is pretty generic for an isekai genre, it’s definitely among the most loved isekai anime with so much fun and lovable characters in it. Now, we are excited to see how Rimuru will deal with other demon lords in the story, or can we have Veldora wake up already to add power to his almighty lineup.

The 4^th season of My Hero Academia continues its run from last year and will air as part of the winter 2020 anime lineup. Obviously, we can’t hide our excitement for the imminent clash of the heroes and the Shie Hassaikai group. Furthermore, the League of Villains is lurking just behind the corner, and this set up makes the situation even more intense and fascinating.

While I am not a big fan of Fujimaru and Mash, I am literally hyped up for this anime because of King Gilgamesh, and the Goddess Ishtar. There are plenty of amazing characters to follow in this anime and the fight scenes were pretty decent and beautiful. Fate/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylonia eventually topped our Winter 2020 Anime Awards as shown in our post: The Best Anime of Winter 2020 Season – Our Final Impression Review. FGO topped the list together with some leftover shows such as My Hero Academia Season 4, Ahiru no Sora, and Chihayafuru 3. 

The best sports anime of 2019 – Ahiru no Sora is slated to return in 2020 for the continuation of its story. The anime had been listed for at least 50 episodes, and I am seriously glad that we have plenty of chances to witness the growth of our favorite characters from the anime especially Sora, and Kite.

The best adventure anime of 2017 is coming back this 2020 but on the big screen. Made in Abyss new movie will be released in Japanese theaters in the first quarter of the year. We are all excited to see how the journey of our young explorers unfold in the Abyss as their journey went deeper, encountering dangerous creatures, and even another Guardian.

Aside from the ongoing 4^th season of My Hero Academia, fans should also watch out for the release of its upcoming anime film titled Heroes Rising in January. Being the biggest shounen-anime in recent years, there’s no way that anime fans in the same genre could ignore the screaming heroic aura in the story.

One of the most beautiful and vividly aesthetic anime from Kyoto Animation will hit the big screen in April 2020. Violet Evergarden upcoming movie supposed to be scheduled to hit the Japanese theatres in January but due to the unfortunate accident of Kyoto Animation Fire, the movie had been rescheduled for release in spring instead. The film will continue to showcase our beautiful anime girl – the titular Violet Evergarden. While the series had brought us all in tears with the backstory of the major and Violet, it seems that we could only look forward to the future and the upcoming might give us what will be the next step that Violet will take after finding the truth about the major. One thing is sure, this experience is going to be wonderful and majestic. [Update: Violet Evergarden movie release date had been postponed due to Covid-19 issues in Japan]

Demon Slayer Movie – Here comes the most viral anime of 2019 that everybody talked about. Demon Slayer is returning for a movie sequel which will continue where the series left off from the finale of its anime adaptation last September. Furthermore, the upcoming Demon Slayer movie will feature one of the most beloved Hashira in the story and it’s Rengokou Kyousuke – the Fire Pillar. He will join the journey of Tanjirou, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke as they fight the Lower Demon One – the main antagonist of the Infinite Demon Train arc from the Kimetsu no Yaiba manga. In the latest announcement, Demon Slayer movie: Infinite Train Arc release date is scheduled on October 16, 2020.

Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi – as if the visual isn’t lovely enough to catch my attention. This upcoming anime film will revolve around a university student Tsuneo, and a young girl Josee who is unable to walk. Their fate meets one day and an exciting story of romance and drama unfold in this upcoming 2020 anime movie.

The last installment of Fate/Stay Night: Heaven’s Feel film trilogy is scheduled for release this 2020 and it’s gonna be lit. A blast of fascinating animation, amazing fight scenes, and heartbreaking drama will soon unfold in the finale of the one of the best route from Fate/Stay Night franchise. The upcoming movie is will be released in Japan on March 28, 2020.

Right after Psycho-Pass season 3 finale last fall 2019, we’d been treated to the announcement of upcoming movie Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector. I am still not sure whose backstory we will get this time but based on the events from the previous season, I think it’ll be about Koichi Azusawa who’s quite the notorious and competent villain that outsmarted our inspectors. Furthermore, this may also revolve around Kei Ignatuv who finally joined the Bifrost as an inspector. Nonetheless, these questions shall be answered once we get more details about the upcoming Psycho-Pass movie.

Listed as one of our most recommended anime to watch in the winter 2020 lineup, In/Spectre is an astonishing mystery thriller anime that everybody will surely enjoy. It screams excitement based on the available trailers with a very promising premise filled with monsters demons, and spirits. In/Spectre anime adaptation had been a great ride so far as I did enjoy the first few episodes of it. Obviously, the vibes from soothing anime such as Natsume Yuujinchou, and other supernatural anime could be felt while watching In/Spectre with an interesting mystery-thriller approach that reminds me of my favorite Hyouka. A little trivia here, In/Spectre, also comes from the original creator of Blast of Tempest.

Based on a survival-battle manga series, Darwin’s Game is a bloodbath anime filled with action and excitement which will revolve around a notorious online game called Darwin’s Game– which sucked up its player into a survival game which their own life at stake. It seems that Darwin’s Game will dare to challenge the domination of Sword Art Online as the reigning anime in the online game genre.

Another anime set in a world where humanity is in decline and they’re the inferior race – a forest guardian (Golem) embark on a journey to find the parents of a human child he had found. Somali and the Forest Spirit is a heartwarming story filled with drama paired with visually stunning graphics which will give us into a whole new world experience.

A shounen anime about fashion and modeling – that what is the story of Smile Down the Runway is all about. This sounds new for me, but I didn’t expect that we have here a fashion-shounen anime and seriously, it has been an amazing ride so far. Smile Down the Runway is an inspiring anime from winter 2020 lineup that follows the journey of an aspiring model and her classmate, an aspiring designer to reach their dreams despite so many circumstances that hinder them. [Update: Smile Down the Runway had topped our final review for the best new anime of Winter 2020 lineup, followed by ID: Invaded.]

The isekai train isn’t stopping in this new decade and it’s just getting bigger than ever. Here, we have our main protagonist reincarnated as a spider, oh that sounds like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime isn’t it? Well, according to the readers of the manga, the story promises an enjoyable ride with plenty of twists and turn. I think that’s pretty interesting enough and I don’t mind undergoing the same usual isekai drill at the start of every similar story.

Yesterday wo Utatte – An upcoming 2020 anime that falls in the seinen, romance-drama genre, Sing Yesterday For Me follows the story of three individuals – Rikuo, Haru, and Shinako. This anime promises a dramatic coming-of-age story which will melt our heart in one way or another.

Another original anime projects from P.A. Works and I just wish it won’t be the same as Fairy Gone, or Sirius the Jaeger. Appare-Ranman! is a 2020 historical anime set at the end of the 19^th Century. The premise really looks interesting and unique which follows our protagonists: brilliant but socially inept engineer Sorano Appare and our shrewd cowardly samurai Isshiki Kosame as they compete in the Trans-America Wild Race, battling crazy people and outlaws along the way. However, the greatest hindrance that they must deal with and survive is the great outdoor itself in this exciting journey from Los Angeles to New York.

We have another historical-seinen anime this 2020 here in the presence of Arte. This beautifully animated anime (based on the available trailer) will follow the titular character Arte as she pursued her dreams of becoming an artist in a world dominated by men and women is unheard of to enter. I strongly believed that we shall enjoy a good drama from this one as our main heroine cast aside even her privilege as an aristocrat just to follow her dream.

A mystery anime is coming in April 2020 to bring a fantastic investigative adventure to anime fans who love the genre. The story of Fugou Keiji: Balance: UNLIMITED will revolve around a wealthy detective Daisuke Kanbe as he joined the Modern Crime Task Unit which is filled with problematic officers.

From the studio that brought us Attack on Titan, Vinland Saga, The Ancient Magus’ Bride, and Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress comes to another action plus comedy anime which will make 2020 an even more interesting year for the anime community. Great Pretender is an original anime that will tell the story of Japan’s greatest swindler who tricked a Frenchman who is in control of mafias. I think I will gonna have a similar story with Banana Fish here but on a lighter note but the action and adventure definitely will be amazing.

These were only a few of the biggest and most anticipated anime of 2020 that everyone should look forward to no matter what is your genre preferences. I will constantly update this post whenever the new 2020 upcoming anime had been announced and will add it especially if it offers a promising plot.

Alright, so which anime from our list makes you excited the most? Please let us know by leaving your comments below.