Anime NYC 2026 Premiere Panel Shows a Rough Returner and a Fun Space Mercenary
The panel's two premieres show a stark quality split, with the Returner sequel struggling visually while the Space Mercenary premiere lands as an enjoyable, self-aware take on the isekai formula.
Reporting from 1 source: Anime News Network.
Anime News Network's coverage of the Crunchyroll Premiere Panel at Anime NYC 2026 reviews the first episodes of two upcoming series. A Returner's Magic Should Be Special Season 2 continues directly from its first season, but suffers from spotty animation and uninspired character designs. Reborn as a Space Mercenary offers a sci-fi isekai with a self-aware lead and a lighter tone.
The Crunchyroll Premiere Panel at Anime NYC 2026 screened the opening episodes of two upcoming series, and the results were uneven. A Returner's Magic Should Be Special Season 2 picks up right where the first season left off, but the premiere was one of the more unfortunate looking at the panel. The warrior clan enemies are carbon copies of each other, character models look off, and camera perspectives appear distorted. The most impressive animation cut is a carbon copy of Saber's Excalibur finishing move from the Fate franchise, delivered by a character named Azest who looks strikingly like Saber.
Reborn as a Space Mercenary takes a different path. The sci-fi isekai follows Hiro, an overworked man who wakes up inside a video game he knows well. The premiere has a self-aware attitude that keeps the generic setup enjoyable, with Hiro getting over his situation quickly and settling into the ride.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.