What I've Been Watching in 2026

Bluey

Bluey is a cartoon that is easy to dismiss because of its massive popularity. On the surface, it is an over-commercialized children's comedy about a family of cartoon dogs. But once you watch an episode or two, you see that its popularity is well-deserved. The music, the characters, the backgrounds, and the animation all work together to produce a stunning work of art.

Bluey is actually something of a miracle. I want to ellaborate more on this in a future post, but the real magic of Bluey is how it teaches both parents and kids how to play without seeming didactic or forced.

Primal

I'll be honest, after the second season ended I didn't see how it would be possible to make more Primal. But somehow they managed to keep it going. In tone the episodes of the third season feel more similar to the first season rather than the second. They're scary, isolated, and filled with existential dread. As always, the technical qualities of the animation itself are incredible.

Frieren

It's almost become a cliche itself to say that the fantasy anime genre has become filled with cliches. Somehow, though, Frieren both exemplifies the fantasy genre and extends it without become a full deconstruction. It is calm, contemplative, and relaxing while still containing moments of both peril and comedy.