A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Landed Over the Holidays
The Yuletide season provide a wealth of pastimes far superior than checking the headlines: unwrapping gifts, getting stuffed on delicious food, and employing deep breathing to not yelling at relatives. It is wished you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Numerous thrilling announcements came out during the holidays, and if you overlooked any, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (In 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising announcement, the notorious troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man failed to deter further production. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—a date so remote they easily could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which might be a good sign. But, the key visual for the second cour is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, nowadays, they are probably trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its productions but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga from Shonen Jump, possibly the most iconic magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained massive popularity when it launched in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a extended pause due to the author's health issues. When it resumed publication with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it maintained the fans' affection and goodwill, and now fans are overjoyed about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up 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 recently got an English localization, but the anime has been running for some time, and season 6 was yet another excellent entry. It turns out that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as in development, and it will very likely debut in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its projects, Science Saru has given 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 real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and intriguing visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Second Season
Immediately following the airing of its twenty-fourth episode, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a sequel. Inspired by 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 premiere date has yet to be revealed.
