A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Festive Season
The winter break present a plethora of pastimes much better than checking the headlines: opening presents, indulging in holiday treats, and using patience techniques to refrain from yelling at relatives. I hope you managed to enjoy all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting news items surfaced during the holidays, and if you didn't see some of them, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (By 2027)
Perhaps the biggest piece of news, the widely-criticized disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to deter further production. Season 3 will come back with a second cour in 2027—so far away they could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the outset, which might be a hopeful indicator. However, the key visual for the new episodes is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe that, by now, they must be mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a standing for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its productions but for the fair treatment of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it maintained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now everyone is thrilled about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, long-running Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English localization, but the anime has been going on for years, and its sixth season was another outstanding entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has brought us hit shows of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and captivating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Season Two
Immediately following the airing of the final episode of the first season, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be securing a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has not been disclosed yet.
