A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived Over the Festive Season
The Yuletide season present a wealth of pastimes considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the headlines: unwrapping gifts, feasting on festive fare, and harnessing deep breathing to not yelling at family members. Hopefully you were able to accomplish all these things and more. However, the showbiz industry never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy news items came out during the festive period, and should you overlooked a few, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (Come 2027)
Perhaps the biggest announcement, the much-discussed troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to deter further production. The show will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—a date so remote they might as well have labeled it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the beginning, which could be taken as a good sign. Yet, the promotional image for the second cour is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This suggests that, nowadays, they could be mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a standing for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the most iconic magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained massive popularity when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the creator's health issues. When it returned with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now everyone is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is aside from 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 going on for years, and its sixth season was another outstanding entry. It turns out 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
One more studio renowned for the artistic merit of its work, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the true story of Fatima, an prominent 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 truly original and intriguing visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Season Two
Immediately following the release of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be receiving a second season. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete air date has not been disclosed yet.
