What to Watch This Week

The week of August 9–15 is packed: several major ongoing series are dropping pivotal episodes, and new Chinese ONA titles continue to make their way into the catalogue. Below is a selection drawn from the most-watched titles on VORTEX over the past 30 days, alongside those releasing new episodes right now.

Highlights of the Week

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL (2026)

On VORTEX

THE GHOST IN THE SHELL

2026 · Ongoing

Episode 6 — Tuesday, August 11. The top title by unique viewers on VORTEX over the past 30 days. Science SARU's new adaptation of the iconic franchise brings Major Kusanagi and Section 9 back into a cyber-thriller centred on mind-hacking and the hunt for a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master. Episodes drop reliably every Tuesday — a good opportunity to catch up on previous instalments before the latest one lands. MAL: 7.6.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3

On VORTEX

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 3

2026 · Ongoing

Episode 7 — Sunday, August 9, 15:00 UTC. Produced by Studio Bind. MAL: 8.5 — the highest score of any ongoing series in this roundup. The third season continues the story of Rudeus Greyrat and remains one of the most discussed isekai of the summer. If you haven't started yet, now is the time: the first two seasons are also available on VORTEX.

BLACK TORCH

On VORTEX

BLACK TORCH

2026 · Ongoing

Episode 7 — Friday, August 15. Featured on both the VORTEX viewer rankings and fifth place in AniList Trending. A supernatural action series following high schooler Jirou Azuma, into whom the demonic cat mononoke Ragou has transferred himself — granting Jirou extraordinary powers while drawing the attention of those who covet them. A new episode every week, and the season is still in full swing. MAL: 7.1.

The Cat and the Dragon

On VORTEX

The Cat and the Dragon

2026 · Ongoing

Episode 8 — Friday, August 15. An ONA from OLM with a surprisingly strong reception — MAL: 7.6, 13th in AniList Trending. A quiet, warm-hearted story about an orphaned dragon raised by a family of magical cats. No world-ending battles here: just an anthology of small feline lives and the protagonist's gradual reconciliation with humanity. An ideal choice for a spoiler-free evening watch.

The World Is Dancing

On VORTEX

The World Is Dancing

2026 · Ongoing

Episode 7 — Sunday, August 10. A historical drama from studio Cypic centred on the young Oniyasha — the future founder of Noh theatre — set against the turbulent Japan of the 14th century. One of the most unconventional titles of the summer season: no magic, no isekai, but a rare depth in its portrayal of medieval Japanese culture. MAL: 7.53.

A Livid Lady's Guide to Getting Even: How I Crushed My Homeland with My Mighty Grimoires

On VORTEX

A Livid Lady’s Guide to Getting Even: How I Crushed My Homeland with My Mighty Grimoires

2026 · Ongoing

Episode 6 — Sunday, August 10. A fantasy revenge story following Elizabeth Leiston, the prime minister's daughter, who is thrown in prison on false charges. Armed with seven powerful grimoires, she leaves the kingdom with one clear purpose: payback. Studio Comet, 12 episodes. MAL: 7.08.

Also This Week

• One Piece — Episode 1173 on Sunday, August 9. The flagship long-running shonen takes no summer break. MAL: 8.7.

• Hell Mode Season 2 — Episode 7 on Thursday, August 14. The isekai about a speedrunner gamer holds steady in AniList Trending (12th place). MAL: 7.2.

• Memory Management (2026) — Episode 4 on Sunday, August 9. A fresh Chinese ONA set in a Bureau of Memory Management: psychological action with a distinctive setting. MAL: 7.4.

• The Abandoned Saint and Her Gourmet Journey in Another World — Episode 6 on Monday, August 10. A light-hearted isekai built around culinary adventures. MAL: 6.69.

Key Episode Schedule: August 9–15

1. August 9 — Mushoku Tensei Season 3, Ep. 7 / One Piece, Ep. 1173 / Memory Management, Ep. 4

2. August 10 — The World Is Dancing, Ep. 7 / A Livid Lady's Guide to Getting Even, Ep. 6 / The Abandoned Saint, Ep. 6

3. August 11 — THE GHOST IN THE SHELL (2026), Ep. 6

4. August 14 — Hell Mode Season 2, Ep. 7

5. August 15 — BLACK TORCH, Ep. 7 / The Cat and the Dragon, Ep. 8

Viewership rankings are based on the VORTEX unique viewers metric over the past 30 days (July–August 2026). MAL scores are current as of the publication date.