A Ton of Japanese Animation News Arrived During the Holidays
The winter break provide a multitude of activities far superior than scanning the updates: opening presents, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and harnessing deep breathing to refrain from arguing with family members. It is wished you were able to accomplish all these things and more. However, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy developments came out over the festive period, and if you overlooked any, here is a roundup of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (By 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest announcement, the widely-criticized troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt the series' continuation. The show will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they easily could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which might be a good sign. Yet, the main art for the new episodes is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, nowadays, they are probably teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a standing 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 uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great 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 creator's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series showed it still retained the fans' affection and goodwill, and now the community is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only just received an English release, but the anime has been going on for a while, and season 6 was a further stellar entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will very likely premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio famous for the excellent quality of its productions, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and captivating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Second Season
Shortly after the airing of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be receiving a second season. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific premiere date has yet to be revealed.
