A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Dropped Over the Holidays
The winter break offer a wealth of pastimes far superior than scanning the latest news: discovering surprises, getting stuffed on delicious food, and employing patience techniques to refrain from yelling at relatives. I hope you were able to enjoy all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting news items surfaced during the holidays, and should you overlooked any, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Set to Continue (In 2027)
Truly the biggest announcement, the widely-criticized controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man failed to stop further production. The show will come back 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 leading the project. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the outset, which is seen as a good sign. But, the main art for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, by now, they could be trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an elite animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the fair treatment of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it returned with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' support and enthusiasm, and now fans are ecstatic about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the top-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 airing for a while, and season 6 was another excellent entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio known for the excellent quality of its work, Science Saru has delivered masterpieces of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most 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 influential woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my list of anticipated shows.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Continue With a Season Two
Right after the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific air date has yet to be revealed.
