Crunchyroll’s 2026 Fantasy Epic Featuring A Silent Voice Star Becomes an Overnight Streaming Sensation

Alright, anime fans — if you thought winter 2026 was overloaded already, here comes another title that's apparently not interested in waiting its turn. 'Kunon the Sorcerer Can See' is two episodes in, and it's already barging into Crunchyroll's US top 10 most-streamed anime. No, really: Flix Patrol had it clocked at number 6, right below some heavy-hitters like 'Jujutsu Kaisen' and 'Solo Leveling.' You don't just jump into that party with nothing up your sleeve.

So What's the Deal with Kunon?

Here's what makes 'Kunon the Sorcerer Can See' stand out: the show revolves around Kunon Gurion — a character born blind, who decides that, instead of quietly accepting his circumstances, he’ll master water magic to try building himself magical eyes. Not only does Kunon actually pull it off (a feat literally no one's managed before), he outpaces his mentors and catches the attention of some VIPs. No pressure.

The series follows Kunon as he enters a top-ranked magic academy, the School for Noble Children, and pushes his magical abilities into some pretty weird, creative areas. We’re talking seeing colors through magic and making objects out of water — it’s not your usual ‘underdog wizard’ routine.

The Real Secret Weapon: Saori Hayami

A lot of the early buzz is less about fantasy worldbuilding and more about voice acting royalty: Saori Hayami voices Kunon. For context, Hayami is a big deal. She’s probably best known as Shouko Nishimiya from 'A Silent Voice,' which is a movie that still destroys anyone with a functioning heart. Pretty much every time she’s involved, you know you’re in for some quality dramatic performance.

'Saori Hayami has become a household name in anime for a reason — when she voices your main character, people notice.'

Hayami’s been at this since 2007 and she’s the kind of prolific where even a casual anime viewer has heard her somewhere. Want receipts? Here are some of her more recognizable roles:

• Kunon (Kunon the Sorcerer Can See)
• Shouko Nishimiya ('A Silent Voice')
• Musubi ('Sekirei')
• Reika ('Gantz: O')
• Yuri ('Burn the Witch')
• Shinobu Kocho ('Demon Slayer: The Infinity Castle Arc')
• Yor Forger ('Spy x Family')
• Himawari Uzumaki ('Boruto: Naruto the Movie')
• Yamato ('One Piece')
• Tsumiki Fushiguro ('Jujutsu Kaisen')
• Rachel ('Tower of God')
• Fubuki ('One Punch Man' Season 2)
• Yumeko Jabami ('Kakegurui XX')

If you’re watching a show and think, ‘Wow, this lead really sounds familiar...’ there’s a strong chance it’s her.

The Basics

If you're thinking of checking it out, here's what you need to know:

Title: Kunon the Sorcerer Can See
Studio: Platinum Vision
Genre: Magic, Slice-of-Life, Fantasy
Release Date: January 4, 2026
IMDb Rating: 8/10
MAL Rating: 6.76/10
Where to watch: Crunchyroll

So far, the mix of clever fantasy and a star voice performance is enough to muscle 'Kunon' into the hot list before it's even halfway through its season. We’ll see if it sticks the landing, but right now, this show is absolutely capitalizing on the Hayami hype and an unusual premise. Episodes are already up for streaming — you know where to find them.