A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Holidays
The winter break offer a multitude of pastimes far superior than checking the headlines: discovering surprises, indulging in delicious food, and harnessing deep breathing to refrain from arguing with relatives. Hopefully you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of exciting news items came out during the holidays, and if you didn't see a few, here is a compilation of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Will Continue (By 2027)
Truly 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. The show will return with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they easily could have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be leading the project. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which might be a positive development. Yet, the promotional image for the second cour is the same image 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.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an top-tier animation studio, making its mark not just for the exceptional quality of its productions but for the fair treatment of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, possibly the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the mangaka's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series demonstrated it hadn't lost the fans' support and enthusiasm, and now fans are ecstatic about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Is Getting a Follow-Up In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English translation, but the anime has been going on for years, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will very likely premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has delivered hit shows of the ilk 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 real historical figure of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Season Two
Right after the airing of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a second season. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has yet to be revealed.
