A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived Over the Festive Season
The Christmas holidays offer a wealth of pursuits much better than scanning the latest news: unwrapping gifts, indulging in delicious food, and harnessing meditation skills to avoid arguing with loved ones. I hope you succeeded in do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the showbiz industry never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy news items came out over the break, and just in case you overlooked any, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (By 2027)
Without a doubt the most surprising piece of news, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter the series' continuation. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they easily could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be in charge. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the outset, which might be a good sign. But, the key visual for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, at this point, they are probably trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a name for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it launched in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' affection and goodwill, and now the community is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, long-running 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 going on for some time, and its sixth season was a further excellent entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces 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, based on the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from 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 without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the release 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 specific release date has yet to be revealed.
