A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Holidays
The Yuletide season present a wealth of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the latest news: opening presents, indulging in holiday treats, and using deep breathing to refrain from yelling at loved ones. It is wished you were able to accomplish all these things and more. However, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy announcements came out during the holidays, and if you didn't see any, here is a compilation of the most exciting bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Set to Continue (In 2027)
Perhaps the biggest revelation, the much-discussed troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt further production. Season 3 will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will still be in charge. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which might be a good sign. But, the main art for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This suggests that, nowadays, they are probably mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its output but for the ethical practices of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it launched in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a lighter schedule, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' support and goodwill, and now fans are overjoyed about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Is Getting a Follow-Up Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been running for a while, and season 6 was yet another excellent entry. It turns out that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in development, and it will very likely debut in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio known for the artistic merit of its productions, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Season Two
Right after the release of episode 24, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a second season. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific air date has not been disclosed yet.
