Crunchyroll’s Darkest Anime of 2026 Just Became a Gripping Espionage Thriller

At any given time, the most popular anime on Crunchyroll are about battling supernatural enemies, demon possession, and apocalyptic cataclysms. However, the darkest new series of the year may be the historical Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia. The series stands out from the shonen fare that typically dominates Crunchyroll — both in content and in art style. It tells the story of a well-educated slave in 13th Century Persia who is captured by Mongol conquerors and seeks to use her knowledge to take them down from within. It's a heart-stopping thriller combining medieval action with royal politics and espionage, and it manages to be incredibly chilling even by the standards of Crunchyroll, where main characters are regularly put through the wringer.