A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Landed Over the Holidays
The winter break provide a wealth of activities far superior than catching up on the updates: opening presents, getting stuffed on festive fare, and harnessing patience techniques to refrain from snapping at loved ones. It is wished you succeeded in enjoy all these things and more. Nevertheless, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy news items surfaced during the holidays, and just in case you didn't see any, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Set to Continue (By 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising announcement, the much-discussed controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter further production. Season 3 will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they easily could have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain in charge. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the beginning, which might be a hopeful indicator. But, the main art for the second cour is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, at this point, they must be trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the fair treatment of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime stemming from a manga from Shonen Jump, possibly the most famous magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series showed it still retained the fans' affection and goodwill, and now the community is ecstatic about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only recently got an English translation, but the anime has been running for years, and its sixth season was a further 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 premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
One more studio famous for the excellent quality of its work, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works 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, inspired by the actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my list of anticipated shows.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Immediately following the airing of its twenty-fourth episode, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm release date has not been disclosed yet.
