Best Action Anime of 2026

Kenjaku, who has inhabited the bodies of Noritoshi Kamo and most recently Suguru Getou, launches the next phase of his millennium-long scheme to evolve and ultimately wipe out ordinary humanity. With Satoru Gojou imprisoned following the events in Shibuya, the higher-ups of the jujutsu community order the reinstatement of 15-year-old Yuuji Itadori’s execution. Unaware of this decree, Yuuji wanders the deserted streets of Tokyo alongside Chousou, destroying every cursed spirit they encounter. Simultaneously, Megumi Fushiguro’s selection as the new head of the Zenin Clan severely wounds the pride of the bigoted and arrogant Naoya Zenin. Seeking to eliminate Megumi, Naoya targets Yuuji, but Yuuta Okkotsu is determined to be the one to execute Yuuji. The Culling Game, a brutal battle royale across Japan forcing jujutsu practitioners to kill one another, begins. The young sorcerers enter the conflict to settle past grievances, rescue Gojou, and free their world from Kenjaku’s threat.

Seeking the secret behind the elixir of immortality, the group arrives at the stronghold of the island's monstrous ruler, the "Tensen." To survive and leave the island, cooperation becomes necessary—whether one is a death row convict or an executioner. At the same time, the shogunate dispatches additional landings on the island of the Immortal Realm, commanded by Shugen Yamada Asayemon. Among these arrivals is the Ishigakure clan, who have a history with Gabimaru. Desperate to obtain the elixir and flee the island, Gabimaru and his allies confront the Tensen in a battle that spirals into an all-out war between humans and immortals!

In a world where being called a Hero is a punishment rather than an honor, the most serious criminals are condemned to the front lines of a never-ending war against the Demon Lords. Marked as Heroes, they are forced into military duty, denied even the mercy of death, and doomed to be revived and thrown back into battle forever. Among these is Xylo Forbartz, once a highly respected commander of the Holy Knights. Now leading Penal Hero Unit 9004, he commands a team of convicts considered disposable by the very nation they serve. During a chaotic mission, he comes across Teoritta, a living weapon referred to as a Goddess, whose existence could alter the course of both the war and his own destiny. As the unit is assigned increasingly perilous operations, Xylo must juggle leading his squad, surviving the battles ahead, and uncovering the truth behind his own sentencing.

Second season of Youjo Senki.

Demon Lord Rimuru's goal of establishing an alliance between humans and monsters inches closer to reality. As Tempest flourishes, Granville Rozzo and his granddaughter Maribel Rozzo oppose Rimuru, pushing for a strategy to protect humanity through subjugation. Meanwhile, in El Dorado, Demon Lord Leon advances his own objectives. The awakening of a new Hero is on the horizon.

Second part of Enen no Shouboutai: San no Shou.

In a secluded village, twin siblings are born, their lives divided between day and night. Years pass, and the elder brother Yuru works as a hunter of animals, while his sister Asa remains confined to a cage, assigned a special task that prevents her from meeting anyone beyond a chosen few. One ordinary day, armed men arrive in helicopters—referred to by the villagers as "dragons"—and attack the settlement, killing every adult they see as they search for Yuru. As Yuru tries to reach Asa to escape together, he discovers only her corpse; moreover, the person who killed her claims to be Yuru's actual twin sister. Before this woman can seize him, Yuru is saved by Ryuu "Dera" Tadera, an outsider who often visits the village. Soon, however, the two find themselves cornered. As a final resort, Dera has Yuru present an offering to the village's deity, summoning a pair of daemons whose very existence is destined to unveil the truth behind the turmoil.

A new Holy Grail War is beginning in Snowfield, Nevada, drawing mages from across the globe who summon Servants—legendary heroic spirits from myth and history—to battle for them. Yet this conflict appears distinct from earlier iterations. The organization orchestrating it seems to have based their ritual on data from the Fuyuki Grail War, leading to peculiar anomalies. Unknown to most participants, this brewing clash is actually a counterfeit Grail War. A separate set of seven true Servants has been summoned to fight in the authentic Holy Grail War. Among them is a powerful Saber-class Servant who, upon being summoned, saves the life of Ayaka Sajou, his apparent master. With concealed motives and unpredictable forces at work, the boundary between the fake and genuine Grail War grows blurred, transforming Snowfield into a perilous battleground.

Second season of Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria.

"Orhun Dura, this is your final day in the party," the leader declares. Orhun, once a formidable Swordsman, had taken on the role of Enchanter to cover a vital weakness in the Hero Party. But one day, the party leader abruptly expels him, citing his abilities as insufficient. Labeled a "weakling" and a "jack of all trades, master of none" by his former companions, Orhun is thrown out without hesitation. Determined to forge a new path, he returns to adventuring—this time as a Swordsman, the class he originally mastered. Yet his time as an Enchanter was not wasted. The experience, knowledge, and countless original spells he crafted while in the Hero Party have shaped him into a warrior unlike any other. Now, equipped with an unconventional arsenal of skills, Orhun is ready to carve his own way—one that will show the world his true strength.

For centuries, the Poison Masters have refined the art of killing. Among them, the Gero clan is one of the five most influential Master families, boasting unmatched skill and influence. Hikaru Gero, the heir to this infamous lineage, has spent his entire life hidden in the underworld's shadows, far removed from love or marriage. However, to ensure the Poison Master bloodline continues, the head of the Gero family decrees that Hikaru's sister must bear an heir. Soon after, Hikaru encounters Mei Kinosaki, a brilliant marriage swindler who also happens to be his current assassination target. Determined to protect his sister and solve the succession issue himself, Hikaru makes an unexpected proposal on the spot—asking Mei to help him get married. "...That's the first time anyone's ever proposed like that." And so, with the cunning marriage swindler Mei as his advisor, the elite assassin Hikaru embarks on the toughest mission for love. His objective? The ultimate marriage. The most unlikely duo—an assassin and a marriage swindler—take on the world's toughest mission for love!

Second season of Mato Seihei no Slave.

Yuuki awakens in a strange mansion, clad in a maid uniform and resting on an opulent bed. She soon finds five other girls, all dressed identically to her. This place is called the Ghost House, and the only way for them to stay alive is to navigate the deadly traps that await—lethal games featuring blowguns, buzz saws, locked rooms, and weapons. For everyone present, this is a bleak and terrifying ordeal... except for Yuuki. For her, this is simply her job at the age of seventeen. Does that strike you as strange? She would agree. But that's just how some people are—they make a living by participating in death games.

Tsukuyomi is a virtual realm where ambitions and aspirations converge. Iroha Sakayori, a 17-year-old high school student in Tokyo, juggles a hectic schedule of part-time work and studies. She finds solace by watching Yachiyo Runami, a popular streamer who administers an online virtual space called Tsukuyomi. Iroha frequently visits Tsukuyomi, where people can live alternate lives and freely explore their creativity. She spends her time supporting Yachiyo and playing battle games to earn some extra cash. One day on her way home, Iroha notices a telephone pole glowing with iridescent colors. To her astonishment, a cute baby emerges from the pole. Unable to leave the infant behind, Iroha takes it home and watches as the baby rapidly grows into a girl her own age. "Are you Princess Kaguya?" The grown Kaguya develops a self-centered personality. At Kaguya's earnest request, Iroha helps her start streaming in Tsukuyomi. With Iroha acting as producer and songwriter and Kaguya as streamer and singer, the two grow steadily closer. Unbeknownst to them, sinister forces are lying in wait, eager to take Kaguya back to the moon. This is the story of Princess Kaguya as never seen before.

Final part of Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen.

Second season of Vigilante: Boku no Hero Academia Illegals.

Second season of Tensei shitara Ken deshita.

Noah Ararat is born into luxury as the 13th prince of an imperial dynasty, granted a life most could only dream of. In addition to having access to the empire's finest education and resources, Noah is a reincarnator who retains memories of his past life, blessed with an infinite level cap and an elite ability that lets him harness his subordinates' skills. Within the imperial court, however, status alone does not ensure safety. While Noah's overwhelming potential sets him apart from his siblings from the start of his training, it also attracts the attention of nobles whose ambitions go far beyond politics. Inevitably, Noah must learn to navigate royal expectations and the mechanics of his unique power, as he comes to understand that privilege invites control just as readily as it bestows freedom.

Kenichi Yamada has dedicated most of his adult life to seeking out the toughest challenges in online gaming, only to find the current scene dominated by mechanics that go easy on players. As if the universe answered his wishes, Kenichi gets an abrupt, mysterious invite to an unnamed game that promises an unbelievable degree of difficulty. Thrilled, he instantly picks its most brutal option—Hell Mode. But rather than jumping into another virtual game, Kenichi is reincarnated in a different world as a peasant named Allen, forced to deal with a mercilessly intricate system where even the most basic progress demands relentless effort. As a result, Allen has to build his strength from scratch and learn how to master the summoner class. With his endurance tested at every step, Allen sets off on an uncharted journey that might just prove to be fiercer than actual hell.

Second season of Black Clover.

Following the tragic events of the Lost JuLai, which claimed 90 percent of the JuLai population, Meryl Stryfe travels across the barren wasteland of Noman's Land with her younger companion, Milly Thompson. Their goal is to hunt down Vash the Stampede, the individual responsible for the disaster. Known as the "Humanoid Typhoon," Vash carries a bounty of 60 billion double dollars, the highest amount ever placed on a person. Meanwhile, in a remote settlement, a disinterested Vash is being looked after by Hoppered the Gauntlet, an armored man with a disfigured physique. This quiet existence is shattered when a young woman named Jessica arrives, pleading for assistance to protect her threatened community.

In Sapporo, ex-convict Keiji Ueji’s arrival draws various factions to the city, all seeking a portion of the Ainu gold map tattooed on his body. Simultaneously, a figure resembling Jack the Ripper stalks the streets. Saichi Sugimoto, Asirpa, and Yoshitake Shiraishi, along with Fusatarou "Boutarou the Pirate" Oosawa and Vasily Pavlichenko, form a temporary alliance with Toshizou Hijikata, whose goals seem less sinister than those of Seventh Division First Lieutenant Tokushirou Tsurumi. Asirpa struggles to authenticate the fake skins and decipher the map accurately. While Sugimoto vows never to be separated from Asirpa again, the chaos surrounding the serial killer enables new betrayals and allows Tsurumi’s scheme to capture Asirpa to progress. With the gold hunt reaching its end, the Ainu's future hangs in the balance, determined by whoever claims the treasure first.

Juuzou Oogami is a legendary hitman who has never failed an assignment, no matter how impossible. One day, after wiping out a powerful organization, he is stung by a mysterious wasp and collapses. When he wakes up, the fearsome 39-year-old assassin has been transformed into a 13-year-old boy! Before he can even process what happened, his boss delivers a new order: "In that body, infiltrate a middle school." What awaits him is an unexpected school life filled with colorful classmates, youthful chaos, and looming danger. Can Juuzou ever return to his original form? Or will the assassins closing in on him end his second life before it even begins!?

Selected by the deity Origin of the Church, a rural maiden named Flum Apricot joins the hero's party with the expectation of battling demons. Yet her sole inherent ability, Reversal, appears useless in combat. Consequently, Jean Inteige, the party's sage, regards her as a liability and ultimately sells her to a trafficker. While imprisoned in the dealer's bleak dungeon, Flum finds her situation hopeless until desperation sparks a realization: her power converts the negative energy of cursed arms into strength. This discovery allows her to kill her captor and flee alongside another captive, Milkit. With this newfound capacity for combat and survival, Flum adopts the path of an adventurer, determined to build a joyful existence with Milkit, far removed from the Church's sinister schemes.

Second season of Gaikotsu Kishi-sama, Tadaima Isekai e Odekakechuu.

The Branch of Reincarnation is a mystical artifact that bestows the abilities of one’s previous lives, provided the user sacrifices themselves by slitting their throat with it. Touya Senji, a high school student plagued by deep-seated insecurity, has lived in the constant shadow of his extraordinarily gifted older sibling. Believing that academic excellence is his only path to standing out, he throws himself into his studies, yet finds no fulfillment even though he consistently ranks among the top one hundred in national practice exams. His life takes a dramatic turn when he witnesses Haito Luo Buffett, a classmate and a Returner who has awakened her past-life talents through the Branch, battling a serial killer.

Sequel to Tokyo Revengers: Tenjiku-hen.

Eager for conflict and chaos for its own sake, online streamer Aoringo is a troll who creates the most extreme and provocative flamebait content, profiting from viewers who hate-watch. He may seem like a societal parasite and a waste of space, but in truth he's high school dropout Souji Enishiro—a sweet-toothed, caring older brother devoted to his little sister. His viral videos are simply a way to cover her medical bills. Even if all of humanity despises him, he doesn't care, as long as his sister gets better. Then an extremely strange phenomenon begins to unfold... Do not miss the debut of this modern-day occult exorcism battle manga!

Upon awakening in a completely new realm, the protagonist discovers that his reincarnation lacks combat abilities, magical prowess, or even limbs. Reborn as a defenseless egg, he finds himself trapped within an unfamiliar woodland teeming with dangerous and voracious predators. Yet, eggs eventually crack open and young dragons mature, proving that modest origins can blossom into extraordinary destinies. Driven to achieve the status of the most powerful dragon imaginable, he is determined to ensure that his fragile shell never stands as an obstacle to his growth.

Second season of Clevatess.

Second season of Yozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen.

More than just a typical barnyard bird, the neighborhood rooster stands as humanity's ultimate protector. Even though his adversaries tower ten stories high, his courageous spirit and terrifying crow—cock-a-doodle-doo!—are far greater.

Second season of Katainaka no Ossan, Kensei ni Naru.

By 2029, Niihama City has evolved into a highly advanced technological hub where cybernetic enhancements allow citizens to replace limbs with robotic prosthetics. As globalization deepens global connectivity, Public Security Section 9 is tasked with fighting corruption, terrorism, and other severe threats arising from this new era. The determined Major Motoko Kusanagi leads the unit in investigating the Puppet Master, a mysterious hacker who leaves victims with their memories erased. Resembling the rest of the population in this futuristic setting, the Puppet Master’s body is mostly mechanical, granting them immense power. As Motoko and her team pursue the elusive criminal, other entities, including Section 6, intervene, complicating the investigation. While reflecting on profound philosophical issues like the meaning of existence, Motoko comes to understand that the Puppet Master holds the answers she seeks.

Bored with his status as the "World's Strongest Boy," Baki Hanma drifts through his days in a state of lethargy. Having finally ended the conflict with his demonic father Yuujirou, Baki defends his title at the Kourakuen Underground Arena, stifling yawns as he effortlessly defeats his challengers. His friends and mentors similarly struggle with this newfound peace, going through intense training sessions with little excitement. Japan is then shaken by the revelation of a long-running scientific experiment: the successful cloning of the legendary samurai Musashi Miyamoto. The revived warrior delights in testing his abilities against Baki and other fighting legends of Tokyo, but finds it difficult to adapt to the modern era. Miyamoto clings to his ancient code of honor and lethal duels—a philosophy that clashes with the more peaceful present. As the resurrected swordsman attempts to dominate this unfamiliar society by cutting through Baki's allies, he heads toward a confrontation with the vengeful young fighter. Baki embraces this surge of excitement and charges headlong into battle with his new rival.

Ansatsu Kyoushitsu Movie: Minna no Jikan adapts episodes which were omitted in the original anime series.

By the mid-21st century, Tokyo's criminal underworld is dominated by Demon Lords—crime bosses who have undergone ether enhancement surgery, granting them terrifying superpowers. The only ones capable of taking them down are Heroes, bounty hunters who amplify their own ether abilities using the drug E3 (E-Three). Since killing is legally sanctioned as part of the job, being a Hero is less about justice and more about survival. Yashiro, known as the Reaper, is one such Hero—a lone enforcer who operates independently. That is, until Jougamine, a high school girl and self-proclaimed "apprentice," forcibly inserts herself into his life. Reluctantly taking her under his wing, Yashiro soon finds himself entangled in a series of deadly conflicts.

Seventeen-year-old Jirou Azuma lives peacefully with his grandfather, using his innate ability to communicate with animals to befriend and protect them. Both Jirou and his grandfather come from a long line of shinobi, training in combat to preserve their family's martial arts tradition. Jirou's world turns upside down when he rescues a stray black cat named Ragou, only to learn that the cat is actually a mononoke—a demonic spirit locked in a long-standing conflict with humans. When an aggressive mononoke pursues Ragou, Jirou leaps to the cat's defense using his shinobi skills, but quickly sustains a fatal wound. Faced with the option of consuming Jirou's fading life force to regain full strength, Ragou instead chooses to transfer his own remaining energy to Jirou. This act revives the boy and bestows formidable supernatural abilities that enhance his existing shinobi techniques. Ryousuke Shiba, an officer from the Bureau of Espionage tasked with eliminating hostile mononoke, witnesses the event. Shiba offers Jirou and his grandfather a chance to join the Bureau's newly formed squad, Black Torch, in their fight against powerful mononoke that prey on innocent people.

At fifteen, everyone undergoes the Ritual of Divine Blessing, a ceremony meant to determine their fate. Elymas, born into a prestigious lineage of master swordsman, was expected to inherit his father’s title. Instead, he awakens as a Heavy Knight, a class dismissed as weak, cowardly, and lazy due to its unbalanced stats and seemingly useless abilities. Stripped of his status and exiled by his family in disgrace, Elymas possesses secret knowledge from his past life: the world he inhabits mirrors a game he once played. In that game, the Heavy Knight was actually the most powerful class of all. Armed with this insight, Elymas embarks on a journey to dominate the world, turning his disgrace into supreme strength.

Second season of Hell Mode: Yarikomizuki no Gamer wa Hai Settei no Isekai de Musou suru.

Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, a project initiated several years ago, is the newly upgraded version of the Dragon Ball Super anime. Enhanced with cutting-edge visual techniques, every scene—especially the fight sequences—feels more engrossing, offering a more accurate and detailed rendition of Akira Toriyama's original creation, and it promises a level of quality certain to completely satisfy viewers.

After an unidentified invasion from outer space, Rita finds herself caught in a time loop, doomed to experience the same day repeatedly. With every cycle, she gains knowledge and fights; her accumulating memories and experience refine her abilities, forging her into a powerful warrior. However, the relentless repetition of death and isolation begins to take its toll. Then she meets Keiji. "I've been repeating this day too," he reveals. Two lost souls, ensnared in an endless conflict—could their encounter rewrite fate?

Nobody wants "Grubby Forager" Rudd on their adventuring team. His nickname—and his odor—stem from his constant expeditions into the Noxious Labyrinth to collect medicinal herbs, a duty he endures only due to his status immunity skill. When he finally gets hired as a party porter, things seem to improve... until a deadly dungeon monster appears and his false comrades use him as bait before deserting him! Injured, broke, and barely surviving the encounter, Rudd breaks a forbidden rule to stay alive: consuming monsters. Yet the more he eats, the stronger he becomes, launching a thrilling, adventurous gourmet fantasy!

Third season of Ranma ½ (2024).

Sequel of Tougen Anki.

In 199x, a nuclear war erupted, setting the world ablaze. The oceans dried up, the earth was shattered, and while all life seemed lost, humanity stubbornly clung to survival. But the post-apocalyptic world was ruled by pure violence. The remaining people split into two factions: those who kill and plunder whatever they can, and those who are preyed upon. Just as hope fades for the weak, a man appears in tattered clothing. He is Kenshiro, the true heir of the Hokuto Shinken fighting style, marked by seven scars shaped like the Big Dipper. His path to becoming a legendary savior is about to unfold.

Operating covertly within enemy ranks, Jooheon Suh's latest scheme to torment TKBM focuses on bringing them down from within. Stealing their relics and stirring up internal conflict are only the beginning of what he will do to make the organization pay for its crimes. However, with the emergence of the Tower of Pride, Jooheon's talent for rage-baiting is put to the ultimate test as he must turn the most fearsome warlords against each other. Will Jooheon Suh triumph in the battle among history's greatest conquerors?

Movie remake of the Yoshiwara Enjou arc.

The sorcerer Luck is certain that this is his end. Surrounded by powerful demons, he makes a noble sacrifice, holding off their assault so his companions can flee. Without a moment of sleep or rest, Luck endures the clashing of swords, the downpour of blood, and an endless wave of enemies. Against all odds, he defeats the demon commander and emerges victorious, only to discover that a full decade has passed. Moreover, his body has de-aged so drastically that he appears to be no more than a teenager. After his victory, Luck soon meets up with his old friends: the hero Eric Imgard Mendirival and the warrior Goran Morton. Having believed Luck was dead, the pair had ensured he would be remembered as a hero in history and had prepared to suppress the demons' resurgence themselves, unaware of what Luck had accomplished. With all of this behind him, Luck simply desires a peaceful life. He registers as a novice adventurer under the alias Lock and sets off on a journey with fresh companions.

The Wind Sage, Ephtal, is a human who was reincarnated from modern Earth. Arriving in a world where magic exists, he dedicates his entire life to studying it. Yet despite all his efforts, he discovers he has absolutely no talent for magic, and dies in despair. But that is not the end! He is reborn once more, still carrying the name Ephtal, four hundred years later. Retaining all his past knowledge and power, he resolves to pursue the pinnacle of magic again. However, he makes a startling discovery: magic has drastically deteriorated. In this age where even strong spells are rare, his former lack of talent now makes him utterly unrivaled! From the depths of weakness to the height of strength, the talentless yet peerless mage's ascent begins now.

A youth named Riddle witnessed the loss of every friend he had—and the entire world—to a shadowy organization called the "Box of Malice." Bereft of any will to live, he wallowed in hopelessness until a single idea dawned on him: what if he could return to a time before the catastrophe? After a thousand years, a warped Riddle finally manages to rewind time. "I'll stop them this time!" Carrying a millennium of wisdom and experience within his reverted body, the Great Sage Riddle's journey into the past now begins.

Second season of Ao no Miburo.

Second season of Hyouken no Majutsushi ga Sekai wo Suberu.

Fia has always longed to become a knight. Raised in a family of knights, she is the least skilled among them, yet she clings to her dream and trains relentlessly. When the moment arrives for her to prove herself by slaying a small demon, she unexpectedly finds herself confronting a dragon instead. A critical injury causes her life to pass before her eyes—and she suddenly recalls her previous existence as a powerful Saint from a forgotten age who defeated the Demon King. That past life ended in agony due to her identity, instilling a deep fear of ever becoming a Saint again. Now that the magic from her former life has been reignited, she might become a far greater knight than she ever imagined—if she can just stay alive long enough!

The Adrasia Empire on the Vogel continent is locked in a succession struggle for its throne, a realm boasting formidable military strength and vast lands. With no heir chosen, the emperor's children scramble to consolidate their influence. Yet one prince is universally dismissed as unfit to rule: the seventh prince, Arnold Lakes Adler. Inferior to his younger twin brother in every respect, he is seen as a dull prince—incompetent and listless, squandering his days in idleness. In secret, however, he is one of only five SS-Class adventurers, known as "Silver." As the battle for the throne intensifies, he resolves, "I don't want to die, so let's have my little brother become the emperor..." This is the story of the absurd, covert maneuvers of a prince who has no interest in the imperial title.

Corporate slave Arihito Atobe dies in a freak bus accident, starting his new life as a type of adventurer known as a Seeker. Reincarnated into a fantasy world, he takes on a previously unknown job class called "rearguard," which lets him provide his (all-female) party with crucial attack, defense, and recovery support. It also comes with an extra perk: simply staying at the back of the party line boosts his companions' affection for him! Released from the burden of corporate life, Arihito is eager to begin anew as a freshly minted Seeker.

Sequel to Yoroiden Samurai Troopers.

Second season of Kabushikigaisha Magi-Lumière.

Yuri, a beautiful Japanese girl, is overjoyed after passing her college entrance exam and sharing her first kiss with her childhood friend, who has become her boyfriend. But her fortune quickly shifts. She begins to observe that water grows turbulent whenever she approaches it. One evening, hands emerge from a puddle on the street and pull her into the water! She is transported to an ancient village in the Middle East, where she is seized by armed soldiers and brought to the Queen's palace to serve as a human sacrifice.

Three decades in the past, the sudden arrival of mysterious alien invaders nearly caused humanity's extinction. Ever since that time, humans and these creatures, called Invasion Species, have been fighting for control of living space. While a fragile level of safety is kept, the world itself is always on the verge of ruin. Even as the constant threat of death and destruction looms, people try to live their normal lives by pretending the danger around them does not exist. In reaction, the United Nations organizes EXCEEDS, an agency meant to investigate and deal with threats coming from the Invasion Species. The story is set in the Far Eastern island nation of Mizuho, where a young hunter named Shiina Kuze lives on a lonely island, exterminating invasive organisms. All she wants is a calm life together with her only remaining family—her younger sister, Setsuna. But her ordinary days are broken when an unexpected event occurs, dragging her into a much bigger conflict.