Black Clover Season 2 leads our Fall 2026 ranking, but the season offers more than another familiar franchise to catch up on. FX Fighter Kurumi-chan ranks second by Bangumi collections and 30th by MyAnimeList members. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 places near the top on MyAnimeList and Filmarks, while Bangumi reviewers give it a much cooler reception.
Those differences can help you find your next watch. Alongside the returning favourites, we’ve picked out a student-council comedy, a fantasy about rebuilding after victory, and a few lower-rated shows whose premises might still suit you.
We compare MyAnimeList (MAL), the Chinese-language Bangumi, the Japanese review service Filmarks, and Taiwan’s Gamer / Bahamut. They span English-speaking, Chinese-speaking and Japanese-speaking communities, with different audiences and scoring habits. Their users don’t represent everyone who speaks those languages.
The AniGems score brings together eligible platform ratings. Fall ranks cover the 68 tracked titles with a score in this snapshot.
This early-season watchlist uses AniGems’ October 22 snapshot of 70 tracked Fall titles. Most weekly shows are still near the start of their run. Cyberpunk’s ten episodes, by contrast, released together on October 20. These are early reactions, with different amounts of each series available to watch.
A new comedy and returning favourites
Black Clover, Aoashi and Ace of Diamond occupy the first three combined positions. Even the Student Council Has Its Holes! is fourth, giving newcomers a choice without a previous season to finish.
Student Council is a new comedy you can start here
Even the Student Council Has Its Holes! starts with Ume, who excels at Japanese but risks failing because of his science subjects. He joins the student council to improve his school standing and ends up among its eccentric members. The official introduction describes a school ensemble comedy with suggestive humour.
MAL gives it 7.60/10 and Bangumi 7.5/10, with positive reception on Filmarks and Gamer too. It is the new-series choice among these leading recommendations, with no catch-up required.
Early ranking details and platform coverage
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| Rank | Anime | Combined /10 | Platforms with 100+ ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Clover Season 2 | 8.83 | 4 |
| 2 | Aoashi Season 2 | 8.45 | 4 |
| 3 | Ace of Diamond Act II Season 2 Part 2 | 8.41 | 2 |
| 4 | Even the Student Council Has Its Holes! | 8.27 | 4 |
| 5 | The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 | 8.23 | 3 |
| 6 | Reincarnated as a Sword Season 2 | 8.13 | 3 |
| 7 | Mission: Yozakura Family Season 2 Part 2 | 8.07 | 2 |
| 8 | The Ramparts of Ice Season 2 | 8.06 | 3 |
| 9 | A Certain Dark Item | 7.99 | 3 |
| 9 | FX Fighter Kurumi-chan | 7.99 | 4 |
Dark Item and Kurumi share ninth place at 7.99/10. Combined scores can include platforms with fewer than 100 ratings; the coverage column shows how many meet our stricter comparison threshold. The ranking notes list the small samples behind these positions.
Black Clover has broad early support, with a small Bangumi sample
Black Clover Season 2 has 8.81/10 on MAL and 7.6/10 on Bangumi. Those scores lead both sites in the same 36-title comparison. Filmarks gives it 4.1/5, while Gamer gives it 5.0/5.
On Gamer, the median in our matched 23-title comparison is 4.9/5, so near-perfect scores are common in this sample.
The Bangumi result has only 102 ratings, compared with 14,268 on MAL, so that part of the reception is still thin. For viewers already following Asta and Yuno’s pursuit of the Wizard King title, described in the broadcaster’s series introduction, it is a well-supported return. Newcomers face the biggest catch-up commitment here: the original run has 170 episodes.
Aoashi is the football choice
Aoashi Season 2 follows Ashito’s development in a professional club’s youth system, where he learns the tactics and skills needed to pursue professional football.
It is highly rated on MAL, Bangumi and Filmarks. If training and team development are what you want, start with the 24-episode first season to follow Ashito’s progression.
The Apothecary Diaries is worth catching up for
For medical mysteries and court intrigue, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 is a strongly rated returning choice. It is fifth combined, but second on MAL and joint first on Filmarks in the shared three-site comparison.
The official third-season introduction continues Maomao’s mystery-solving story. There are two earlier seasons of 24 episodes each: 48 episodes to follow her work and relationships from the start.
The Ramparts of Ice gives romance readers another returning option
The Ramparts of Ice Season 2 centres on Koyuki, a high-school student who keeps other people at a distance, and the relationships that complicate that isolation. The official introduction establishes an ensemble story about friendship, attraction and difficulty saying what you feel.
It is eighth combined, yet shares first place on Filmarks in the 17-title comparison. If you’d rather follow a school relationship drama than a battle series, the 14-episode first season is a shorter catch-up than the other continuations here.
Native scores and rating counts for the opening picks
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| Returning or new choice | MAL /10 (ratings) | Bangumi /10 (ratings) | Filmarks /5 (ratings) | Gamer /5 (ratings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Clover S2 | 8.81 (14,268) | 7.6 (102) | 4.1 (233) | 5.0 (2,792) |
| Aoashi S2 | 8.20 (3,406) | 7.3 (150) | 4.2 (273) | 4.9 (416) |
| The Apothecary Diaries S3 | 8.66 (13,454) | 7.4 (531) | 4.2 (1,393) | — |
| The Ramparts of Ice S2 | 8.34 (7,015) | 7.3 (476) | 4.2 (864) | — |
| Even the Student Council Has Its Holes! | 7.60 (6,765) | 7.5 (1,970) | 3.8 (375) | 5.0 (8,361) |
What your usual watchlist might miss
Kurumi and Dark Item are much higher on Bangumi’s attention list than on MAL’s. We compare ranks among the same 69 titles with positive counts on both sites. MAL members and Bangumi collections include saved watchlists; neither count means everyone finished or even started the show.
Member and collection counts behind the attention ranks
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| Attention comparison | MAL members | MAL rank /69 | Bangumi collections | Bangumi rank /69 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FX Fighter Kurumi-chan | 29,094 | 30 | 16,274 | 2 |
| A Certain Dark Item | 26,683 | 33 | 5,970 | 5 |
Kurumi is more visible on Bangumi
FX Fighter Kurumi-chan follows a university student trying to recover the money her late mother lost in foreign-exchange trading. If financial pressure sounds more interesting to you than another fantasy quest, this is the discovery to try.
Its MAL score of 7.12/10 is near the middle of our 36-title MAL–Bangumi comparison. Bangumi’s 6.9/10 ranks eighth, with positive reception on Filmarks and Gamer too. That gives you a reason to look beyond its more modest MAL presence.
Dark Item follows Academy City’s covert operatives
A Certain Dark Item shifts attention to a four-girl unit doing the dirty work beneath Academy City’s outwardly advanced society. The official introduction describes violence, supernatural abilities and the bonds within that group.
Dark Item belongs to the A Certain franchise. Familiarity with Academy City may help, but we can’t confirm how accessible it is to newcomers.
It ranks seventh on Bangumi, compared with joint thirteenth on MAL in their shared 36-title comparison. Both sites give it positive support. Gamer’s 4.9/5 is ordinary for our comparison group, and Filmarks has only 81 ratings. The covert-operations premise and stronger Bangumi standing are the reasons to look closer.
Native scores and rating counts for Kurumi and Dark Item
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| Discovery choice | MAL /10 (ratings) | Bangumi /10 (ratings) | Filmarks /5 (ratings) | Gamer /5 (ratings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FX Fighter Kurumi-chan | 7.12 (3,463) | 6.9 (1,877) | 3.8 (316) | 5.0 (6,300) |
| A Certain Dark Item | 7.46 (1,941) | 7.1 (463) | 3.6 (81; below threshold) | 4.9 (1,270) |
When communities give different verdicts
Cyberpunk and Chitose both place high on MAL and low on Bangumi. For these comparisons, we use the same 36 titles with at least 100 ratings on each site.
Cyberpunk has strong MAL and Filmarks reception, but weaker Bangumi support
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 follows a new group of mercenaries in Night City. Netflix describes it as a standalone ten-episode story, so you can begin without watching the previous anime. Expect a violent science-fiction setting.
MAL gives it 8.40/10 from 11,487 ratings. Bangumi gives it 5.6/10 from 2,695. Among the 36 titles matched on MAL and Bangumi, those scores rank third and 28th respectively. The split remains clear when checked against each site’s seasonal average and median.
Filmarks gives it 4.1/5 from 571 ratings, another relatively high result beside MAL. The Japanese-language and Chinese-language platforms differ here too; combining them into one “Eastern opinion” would hide that distinction. Exact matched ranks and baselines are in the comparison details.
If you want a complete science-fiction story without a season-one catch-up, Cyberpunk is worth sampling despite the disagreement. Its whole series had been available for only two days at the cutoff, so the reception is still new.
Chitose is a school drama with a sharper MAL–Bangumi divide
Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle Part 2 continues the school drama around Saku Chitose, a socially successful student at a competitive high school. Start with the first part to get to know Saku and his friends.
Its 7.62/10 on MAL ranks eighth; Bangumi’s 4.9/10 ranks 34th. Filmarks also has a low raw score, 2.4/5, but only 55 ratings, so it stays outside our main comparison.
If you liked the first part, MAL’s reception offers encouragement to continue. The sharply different ratings make this a less certain recommendation than the returning titles with broader agreement above.
Native scores and rating counts behind the different verdicts
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| Community comparison | MAL /10 (ratings) | Bangumi /10 (ratings) | Filmarks /5 (ratings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 | 8.40 (11,487) | 5.6 (2,695) | 4.1 (571) |
| Chitose Part 2 | 7.62 (1,512) | 4.9 (272) | 2.4 (55; below threshold) |
Worth a try if the premise fits
You might want a particular kind of story more than a place near the top of a ranking. Romelia and Dark Summoner have modest early reception, with different reasons to give them a first episode.
Romelia starts after the demon king’s defeat
Romelia War Chronicle begins with a victory that leaves plenty unfinished. After defeating the demon king, Romelia turns to the damaged country and people left behind. The official setup involves rebuilding lives, raising an army and getting an economy moving again.
That work is the reason to consider it if you prefer the practical aftermath of a fantasy war to the journey towards the final battle. It is a new series, so there is no earlier season to catch up on.
Its ratings on MAL and Bangumi are moderately positive, though short of the season’s leaders. Try it for the rebuilding story.
Dark Summoner pairs a priest with his secret lover
I’m Dating a Dark Summoner pairs a serious priest with a summoner who uses demonic power. They keep their romantic relationship secret while travelling with the rest of their party. The official introduction makes the raunchy romantic-comedy premise clear; choose it for that relationship setup rather than expecting a conventional adventure-first fantasy.
Its MAL score is below the middle of our comparison group, while Bangumi’s 6.3/10 is exactly the median. Filmarks has just 37 ratings, too few for the main comparison. Give it a try if the romance appeals; the ratings provide little reason to choose it over the stronger picks for general fantasy viewing.
Scores and rating counts for the moderate-reception choices
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| Premise-led choice | MAL /10 (ratings) | Bangumi /10 (ratings) | Filmarks /5 (ratings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romelia War Chronicle | 7.28 (3,173) | 6.6 (286) | 3.6 (133) |
| I’m Dating a Dark Summoner | 6.90 (1,940) | 6.3 (323) | 3.4 (37; below threshold) |
Lower-rated options, if you’re curious
Magic Repo Man and Dandivine have weaker reception across MAL, Bangumi and Gamer. Both sit below each site’s average and median when we compare the same 23 titles.
Magic Repo Man turns lent power into a debt to collect
In Magic Repo Man, an expelled support mage can reclaim the magic he lent his former party. If you enjoy an underestimated support character turning the tables, that is the reason to consider it despite the low scores.
Its 3.8/5 on Gamer is well below the 4.9/5 middle score discussed earlier, alongside weaker reception on MAL and Bangumi. Filmarks has only 74 ratings, below the main threshold.
Dandivine mixes a robot comeback with a toy company’s troubles
Dandivine begins twenty years after a combining robot defeated an enemy. The toy company that relied on its success is struggling, and the enemy’s return gives its owner another chance to revive the brand.
The commercial interest in bringing a robot back gives this a different hook from another expelled-adventurer story. Choose it if that premise interests you, knowing that early reception is weak across MAL, Bangumi and Gamer. Filmarks has just 47 ratings.
Scores and rating counts for the lower-rated choices
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| Lower-rated choice | MAL /10 (ratings) | Bangumi /10 (ratings) | Filmarks /5 (ratings) | Gamer /5 (ratings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magic Repo Man | 6.24 (3,092) | 3.7 (154) | 2.4 (74; below threshold) | 3.8 (1,621) |
| Dandivine | 5.43 (503) | 5.1 (132) | 2.1 (47; below threshold) | 3.5 (214) |
Choose your next watch
For a first episode tonight, we’d narrow the list to four choices:
- Student Council for suggestive school comedy with positive early support.
- Kurumi for a university student’s risky attempt to recover her mother’s trading losses.
- Romelia for rebuilding a country after the fantasy victory.
- Cyberpunk for a complete, standalone science-fiction story with sharply different community verdicts.
If you want to catch up with an established story instead, use the episode counts in the returning recommendations. The premise-led choices and lower-rated options remain choices for more specific tastes.
Open a title’s AniGems page for its source links before deciding. The figures here remain frozen at October 22; the linked pages may have newer scores by the time you read this.
How we compared the scores
We use the 70 Fall 2026 titles AniGems was tracking in this snapshot. Another 27 Fall catalogue entries were excluded from the tracked view, so this is not a complete census of the season. Sixty-eight tracked titles have an eligible combined score. Two MAL observations retain an October 6 date rather than October 22; neither belongs to the main recommendations above.
The combined ranking follows the existing website calculation: MAL and Bangumi use ten-point scores; Filmarks and Gamer use five-point scores, doubled for this calculation only. Each eligible platform score receives a weight equal to the base-ten logarithm of its rating count. A valid score needs at least two ratings to contribute. This reduces the difference in weight between large and small rating counts, but does not adjust how generously each community scores anime.
The opening ranking includes some small platform samples. Ace of Diamond’s combined score includes just five Bangumi ratings and 69 Filmarks ratings. Mission: Yozakura has 48 and 67 respectively. Reincarnated as a Sword has 66 on Filmarks. The ranking’s coverage column counts only sites with at least 100 ratings, while leaving the combined calculation unchanged.
For the main reception comparisons we require at least 100 ratings on each participating platform and compare the same titles across those sites. MAL–Bangumi therefore contains 36 titles, MAL–Filmarks 26, and the three-site MAL–Bangumi–Filmarks group 17. The ten-title four-site sample is smaller still. A rank always belongs to its stated sample, not a platform’s entire catalogue.
Aoashi, Apothecary and Ramparts all exceed both the mean and median on MAL, Bangumi and Filmarks in that shared 17-title group. Student Council exceeds both on all four sites in the ten-title group. Cyberpunk is third on MAL, fifteenth on Bangumi and joint fourth on Filmarks among the shared 17 titles. In the separate 36-title MAL–Bangumi group used in its main discussion, its ranks are third and 28th.
Romelia shows why a near-middle result needs care. Its 3.6/5 on Filmarks is below the 3.75 median in the 26-title MAL–Filmarks group, but above the 3.5 median when a 50-rating threshold expands that group to 51 titles. Its own score has not changed. This supports a moderate recommendation rather than a dramatic disagreement claim.
Matched platform averages and medians
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| Platform baseline | Matched titles | Mean | Median | Native scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAL, paired with Bangumi | 36 | 7.1767 | 7.18 | /10 |
| Bangumi, paired with MAL | 36 | 6.1528 | 6.3 | /10 |
| MAL, paired with Filmarks | 26 | 7.6031 | 7.455 | /10 |
| Filmarks, paired with MAL | 26 | 3.6385 | 3.75 | /5 |
| MAL, shared with Bangumi and Gamer | 23 | 7.0139 | 6.97 | /10 |
| Bangumi, shared with MAL and Gamer | 23 | 6.1304 | 6.3 | /10 |
| Gamer, shared with MAL and Bangumi | 23 | 4.6739 | 4.9 | /5 |
These averages give every eligible title equal weight. We check both mean and median, retain tied ranks, and test selected findings with 50- and 300-rating thresholds. Those thresholds change the set of titles, sometimes substantially. A title near a median can move above or below it without its own score changing. Relative standing describes the sample; it is not a statistical significance test or a calibrated measure of quality.
The attention comparison uses the same 69 titles with positive MAL member and Bangumi collection counts. Bangumi collections include planned, current, completed, paused and dropped titles. Rating contributions and saved lists are different measures, and neither identifies unique viewers across platforms.
We use official introductions for the spoiler-light premises and make recommendations from those premises and the recorded reception, without claiming a first-hand viewing review. Missing scores are not zero. Aggregate averages cannot establish a fifty-fifty split, the reasons for disagreement or representative national tastes. Genre metadata is missing from this extract, so we have not inferred a seasonal genre distribution from the titles.
Cover artwork comes from the MyAnimeList catalogue URLs preserved in the October 22 dataset. Artwork identifies the featured series; AniGems created the layouts and comparisons. Source URLs and visual-production checks are recorded in the supporting evidence.