The Fall animated series I’m most excited for will mean sitting in front of the monitor more and having enough eyedrops to keep my vision clear. Some are familiar properties, while others are taking their first steps onto the screen. Together, they offer a lively mix of fantasy, comedy, horror, science fiction, and adventure for the season ahead.
There’s already plenty of buzz around this new fantasy series, so I’ll begin with it. After watching the first episode, I can see why The Golden Axe has so much promise. It has the ingredients to stand alongside shows such as Vox Machina, even if it is chasing a very different kind of energy. Whether it becomes a new favourite remains to be seen, but I’m certainly hoping it does.
Golden Axe
Sep 16, 2026
Streaming: Paramount+
Synopsis: When Paramount+ first announced an animated adaptation of SEGA’s classic arcade hack-and-slasher Golden Axe, I had my doubts. Not everyone will know the game, especially when SEGA’s best-known mascot is Sonic. With Mike McMahan (Star Trek: Lower Decks) and Joe Chandler (American Dad!) leading the series, this fantasy epic is shaping up to be a hilarious, button-mashing trip back to Yuria. The result could be a surprisingly welcome revival for a property that has been waiting a long time for its next quest.
And the idea is sound. Here, we meet a barbarian going by the name of Ax Battler, a fiery sorceress named Tyris Flare, and a cranky dwarf Gilius Thunderhead preparing to face Death Adder. The twist comes when the party splits up, Ax and Tyris join forces with Chronos (from Golden Axe III), while Gilius finds himself saddled with Hampton Squib, a starry-eyed novice whose ambitions far outstrip his mentor.
At first glance, you might think it is trying to give The Legend of Vox Machina a run for its money, but the two shows hit very different notes. Vox leans into high-stakes campaign drama, while Golden Axe embraces gaming satire, rapid-fire meta-comedy, and arcade logic. With a voice cast featuring Matthew Rhys and Danny Pudi, it sounds like a great fit for pop-culture junkies who enjoy a little side-quest chaos. Attempts to get an animated Golden Axe project off the ground date back to 2014, so this version has been a long time coming.
The Sisters Grimm
Oct 2, 2026
Studio/production: Titmouse
Streaming: Apple TV+ | Returning: Season 2
Synopsis: Season two follows sisters Sabrina and Daphne Grimm as they continue uncovering the secrets of Ferryport Landing. After the events of the last season, it seems nearly all the characters they have interacted with (and not) have a score to settle with their parents, and it’s about time a continuation is happening! I’d have to rewatch the first series again to get caught up (review can be read here), and after a long wait, I can watch how they’ll deal with this broader threat.
One reason why I love this series is that it brings back the nostalgic mystery-solving charm of The Hardy Boys, or The Three Investigators, which I’m more of a fan of. Sabrina and Daphne face intense fairy-tale mysteries while trying to understand their family legacy. The show balances warmth and storybook wonder with a darker sense of unease, giving the sisters’ adventures room to become more than simple quests. The road to the screen was surprisingly long, too, with author Michael Buckley saying the books went through nearly two decades of unsuccessful adaptation attempts before this version finally came together.
#I’m Looking For a Zombie
Oct 3, 2026
Studio/production: Studio Comet
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Synopsis: Aki and her childhood friends grew up hearing stories about the old world, but those warnings do not keep them at home. They set out to find Aki’s missing father, knowing that the outside world is dangerous. Their first stop is already plagued by zombies, making the search far more hazardous than they expected. The series pairs a young hero’s determination with a post-apocalyptic world that clearly has more secrets waiting beyond the next ruined settlement.
One reason to watch is Aki herself. She remains optimistic even when the apocalypse gives her every reason to give up, and that contrast should keep the journey emotionally engaging. The real question is whether the search for her father will change her outlook, especially if he is already gone and cannot be brought back. The series may offer an intriguing inversion of the usual zombie-survival story, while the ongoing manga marks a notable departure for creator Katsuwo (Mitsuboshi Colours).
So What’s Wrong with Getting Reborn as a Goblin?
Oct 5, 2026
Studio/production: BAKKKA
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Synopsis: Office worker Akira Yagami dies after saving a child, and that good deed earns him another chance at life. He is reincarnated as a goblin, but his new existence comes with an unusual advantage. Goblins normally have short lifespans, yet Akira has eighty years to build a new life and decide how to use the power he gains. What begins as a familiar reincarnation setup quickly becomes a long-term challenge about survival, identity, and purpose.
One reason to watch is the unusual time limit. Akira is not simply trying to survive one dangerous day after another; he has decades to decide what kind of goblin he wants to become. Watching that lifespan unfold could give the series a different rhythm from the usual isekai adventure. The manga is written by Nazuna Miki (My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1), and its strong following gives this adaptation a solid foundation.
Magic Knight Rayearth
Oct 7, 2026
Studio/production: E&H production / UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS
Streaming: Crunchyroll
Synopsis: Three ordinary girls are summoned to the magical world of Cephiro. Once there, they learn that they must become the legendary Magic Knights. Their mission is to save the land from destruction, but the journey will demand more than simply learning how to fight. This new adaptation brings CLAMP’s classic fantasy adventure back to the screen for a new generation.
One reason to watch is the blend of familiar fantasy structure and a new presentation. I have fond memories of the older series, so I’m genuinely curious to see how this version handles the journey. The premise gives three ordinary girls a clear emotional and adventure hook as they are asked to become heroes in a world that needs them. For fans of CLAMP and retro anime, this has the strongest nostalgic pull on the list. It is also the first new animated adaptation of Rayearth in 29 years, following the 1997 OVA.
