“Manga We Want to See Animated” “Deadline Approaching Fast News” Released! Indie Game Version Also Decided to be Held [AnimeJapan 2026]

AnimeJapan 2026 Reveals Top 10 “Most Wanted Anime Adaptations” Just Before Voting Deadline!

The world’s largest anime event, AnimeJapan 2026, is set to take place at Tokyo Big Sight on March 28th and 29th, 2026. Exciting news has just dropped from one of the event’s most popular fixtures: a last-minute preliminary report for the top 10 entries in the “Anime Adaptation Desired Manga Ranking 2026” has been released. Furthermore, it’s been decided that the “Anime Adaptation Desired Indie Game Ranking 2026 Supported by BitSummit” will also be held!

The “Anime Adaptation Desired Manga Ranking” is a beloved, traditional AnimeJapan poll where fans vote for manga they’d love to see get an anime, choosing from published tankoubon or currently serialized works. Affectionately known as the “Ani-Ran,” it’s a huge deal. Past rankings have featured titles like SPY×FAMILY, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (The Apothecary Diaries), and 【Oshi no Ko】 at the top, with many going on to get anime adaptations and become major hits.

Following last year’s massive response with over 150,000 total votes, this year’s event features 48 nominated titles. The just-released preliminary top 10, announced just before the deadline, features the following manga:

• Utsura Nain Desu (which can be translated as “It Won’t Show Up on Film”)
• Kaisha to Shiseikatsu (Company and Private Life)
• #Gyaru to Gyaru no Yuri (#Gal and Gal Yuri)
• Kentouria
• Kozure Batsuichi, Saigo no Koi wa Numa deshita. (Single Parent Divorcee, My Last Love Was a Swamp.)
• Komyushou, Isekai e Iku (Socially Awkward, Going to Another World)
• Thank You Pitch
• Dinosan
• Tonari no Seki no Yatsu ga Sou Iu Me de Mite Kuru (The Person Next to Me Keeps Looking at Me That Way)
• Ryuuokuri no Isagi (The Dragon-Sender’s Isagi)

Voting for the manga ranking is open until January 30th. Don’t miss your chance to cast a vote for your favorite manga that you’re dying to see animated!

The “Anime Adaptation Desired Manga Ranking” booth at AnimeJapan 2025.

New for 2026: The Indie Game Ranking!

In a fresh twist, the launch of the “Anime Adaptation Desired Indie Game Ranking” has been confirmed! This exciting new poll will have fans voting for which domestic indie game they’d most want to see as an anime. The selection is centered around award-winning titles from BitSummit, Japan’s biggest indie game festival, and features 35 nominated titles in total.

Think of it as the indie game version of the classic “Anime Adaptation Desired Manga Ranking.” This initiative focuses on the synergy between anime and games, exploring the potential for media mix projects, and aims to create a new connection point between the anime and game industries.

The voting results will be announced right at the AnimeJapan 2026 venue on March 28th and 29th. A special booth will showcase the top 10 titles in a ranked list. The booth will also feature a demo area for the nominated games and an exhibit highlighting successful cases of indie games that were adapted into anime or other media. Be sure to participate in this vote to help decide the next indie game that deserves an anime adaptation!

Event and Voting Details

The world’s largest anime event, AnimeJapan 2026, will be held at Tokyo Big Sight on March 28th and 29th, 2026. Tickets, including stage lottery admission tickets, general admission, and same-day tickets will be available, with special goods-included tickets also on offer this year. The AJ advance sale for “Stage Lottery Admission Tickets,” which allow you to apply for “AJ Stage” viewings, is open until February 5th. Check the official website for all the details.

About the “Anime Adaptation Desired Manga Ranking”

Voting Schedule:
【Nomination Period】October 29, 2025 (Wed) – November 16, 2025 (Sun)
【Main Voting Period】December 24, 2025 (Wed) – January 30, 2026 (Fri)
【Results & Award Ceremony】Scheduled for March 4, 2026 (Wed)

Nomination Conditions:
・Previously published manga tankoubon (web comics included).
・Currently serialized works (even if not yet in tankoubon form) are eligible.
・Limited to manga that have not received an anime adaptation (TV, movie, OVA, etc.). *Live-action adaptations of non-animated works are allowed.
・Excludes works already inducted into the “Hall of Fame.”

About the “Anime Adaptation Desired Indie Game Ranking Supported by BitSummit”

Voting Schedule:
【Information Release / Voting Starts】January 26, 2026 (Mon) 17:00~
【Voting Deadline】February 11, 2026 (Wed) 23:59
【Results & Top 10 Exhibition】March 28 (Sat) & 29 (Sun), 2026 (at the AnimeJapan 2026 Special Booth)

About the Nominated Titles:
・Centered on award-winning domestic titles carefully selected by BitSummit for 2025.
・Number of Nominations: 35 titles (decided).
・One vote per person (multiple votes will not be reflected in the ranking).
・Only the top 10 titles will be announced (no award ceremony will be held).

AnimeJapan 2026 Event Overview

【Public Days】
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, East Halls 4-8, South Halls 1-4, Rooftop Exhibition Area
Dates: March 28 (Sat) & 29 (Sun), 2026, 9:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Contents: Exhibition Booths / AJ Stage / Official Events / Official Goods Sales, etc.

【Business Days】
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, Conference Tower 1F, 6F
Dates: March 30 (Mon), 2026, 10:00 – 18:00 (Last entry 17:30)
　　　 March 31 (Tue), 2026, 10:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Contents: Exhibition Booths / Business Seminars / Anime Business Concierge

【Family Anime Festa 2026】
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, South Hall 1
Dates: March 28 (Sat) & 29 (Sun), 2026, 9:30 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Contents: Exhibition Booths / Family Stage / Character Photo Sessions / Workshops, etc.

Organizer: General Incorporated Association AnimeJapan
Support: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; The Association of Japanese Animations; Comic Publishers Association
Special Sponsor: Sony Group Corporation
Premium Sponsor: Fate/Grand Order

By Nakase Koutarou

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