A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Holidays
The winter break offer a wealth of pastimes much better than catching up on the latest news: opening presents, feasting on holiday treats, and harnessing meditation skills to not arguing with loved ones. Hopefully you succeeded in enjoy all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many thrilling news items came out over the festive period, and should you didn't see any, here is a compilation of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (By 2027)
Without a doubt the most surprising piece of news, the notorious troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to deter further production. The show will be back with a second cour in 2027—such a distant date they easily could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be at the helm. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the beginning, which is seen as a good sign. However, the main art for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, at this point, they could be trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a name for being an elite animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its output 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 published in Shonen Jump, arguably the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it hadn't lost the fans' affection and goodwill, and now the community is ecstatic about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only recently got an English release, but the anime has been airing for years, and its sixth season was a further stellar entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will probably premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio known for the excellent quality of its work, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an prominent woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and intriguing visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Right after the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has yet to be revealed.
