Japanese anime fans have already picked their most anticipated series of Fall 2026, and the result gives The Apothecary Diaries a major advantage over several high-profile returning franchises. The upcoming third season ranked first in a new survey conducted by Japanese media company CM Site, placing it ahead of the highly anticipated Dragon Ball Super: Beerus remake.
The ranking was published by Rankingoo on September 9 after collecting responses from 3,864 people of different age groups. While several established franchises performed strongly, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3, Cour 1, emerged as the clear winner with 515 votes, substantially ahead of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus with 303.
The Apothecary Diaries Leads Japan’s Fall 2026 Anime Ranking
The survey’s top five were rounded out by Ranma 1/2 Season 3 with 214 votes, Tokyo Revengers: Three Deities Arc with 205, and Blue Box Season 2 with 168. Uncle’s Obsession With Cute Things followed with 147 votes, while Firefly Wedding and As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World Season 3 each received 140.
The Apothecary Diaries’ first-place position is particularly notable because the series is competing against the return of one of anime’s biggest franchises. Its success has been driven by the appeal of Maomao, whose knowledge of medicine and poisons repeatedly places her at the center of mysteries inside the imperial court.
The anime follows Maomao after she is taken from the red-light district and brought to the Rear Palace, where she becomes involved in incidents affecting the emperor’s household. Her ability to identify poisons and investigate unusual illnesses eventually catches the attention of Jinshi, leading her deeper into the palace’s political and personal intrigues.
According to comments from survey participants, viewers particularly praised the series for its visual quality and intricate storytelling. The unresolved developments from Season 2 have also increased anticipation for the next installment, with the story expected to continue exploring several major character mysteries.
The third season will be divided into two cours, with the first scheduled to begin broadcasting in Japan on October 2, 2026. A new The Apothecary Diaries animated movie is also planned to premiere in Japan in December, giving fans even more of Maomao’s story to look forward to.
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus Remains a Major Fall 2026 Contender
Although Dragon Ball Super: Beerus finished second, its 303 votes demonstrate the enormous interest surrounding the return of the Dragon Ball Super anime. The new series is expected to revisit and condense the original anime’s opening God of Destruction storyline while presenting the material with updated animation and production technology.
The upcoming series is particularly significant because the original Dragon Ball Super television anime ended in 2018. Fans have therefore been waiting years for a new animated version of the franchise, making Beerus one of the biggest releases of the Fall 2026 schedule.
Rankingoo’s survey also highlighted the production’s goal of improving the presentation of its battles. One participant described the opportunity to experience the story with modern technology as “like a dream,” reflecting the excitement surrounding the updated visuals.
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is scheduled to premiere in Japan on October 11, 2026. With The Apothecary Diaries arriving slightly earlier on October 2, the two series will compete for attention during one of the year’s most crowded anime seasons.
The Rankingoo results ultimately show that Japanese audiences are not simply prioritizing the biggest established battle shonen franchises. The Apothecary Diaries’ combination of mystery, palace intrigue, drama and character relationships has given it enough momentum to become Japan’s most anticipated Fall 2026 anime, at least according to this survey.
