After nearly five years off television, the fantasy anime series Black Clover has made a commanding return. It captured the top spot for audience engagement on Crunchyroll in 2026. Episode 1 of Season 2, titled “The War Begins,” debuted on October 3, 2026. It quickly dominated release metrics across the streaming platform.
Record-Breaking Engagement on Crunchyroll
According to reports from Anime Hunch, the premiere episode collected approximately 134,000 likes in less than a week. In addition to its viewer approval on Crunchyroll, the episode achieved an IMDb rating of 9.4 out of 10. This signals a strong reception from both casual viewers and long-time fans.
The numbers place Black Clover ahead of several other major 2026 anime premieres. Its engagement surpassed Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 1, which recorded approximately 128,900 likes. It also beat Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2 Episode 1, which garnered roughly 68,900 likes. Meanwhile, The Apothecary Diaries Season 3 Episode 1 debuted a day prior to Black Clover‘s return and accumulated about 63,000 likes.
The Long-Awaited Return of Asta and the Spade Kingdom Raid
The strong performance marks a major milestone for the franchise following its extended hiatus. Black Clover‘s first television season originally concluded in March 2021 after running for a total of 170 episodes.
The multi-year interruption ended in October 2026. It successfully resumed the adaptation right into the highly anticipated Spade Kingdom Raid storyline. With high production values and continued fan enthusiasm, the series has reestablished its presence in the modern anime landscape.
Fan Reception and Future Expectations
The staggering number of likes within just a few days highlights the enduring popularity of Yūki Tabata’s creation. As the Spade Kingdom Raid arc progresses, viewers will watch closely. They want to see if later episodes can maintain the record-setting momentum of the Season 2 premiere.
