A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived Over the Holidays
The Yuletide season present a wealth of pastimes considerably more enjoyable than scanning the latest news: discovering surprises, indulging in holiday treats, and employing deep breathing to not yelling at relatives. It is wished you were able to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling developments came out over the festive period, and just in case you overlooked a few, here is a compilation 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 much-discussed troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter more episodes. Season 3 will come back with a second cour in 2027—such a distant date they could have labeled it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the start, which might be a hopeful indicator. Yet, the main art for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This suggests that, by now, they must be trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced 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 achieved massive popularity when it launched in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a lengthy break 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 the community is ecstatic about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, long-running Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English release, but the anime has been airing for some time, and season 6 was yet another excellent entry. It turns out that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been revealed as currently being made, and it will probably premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the artistic merit of its productions, Science Saru has brought us hit shows of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an influential woman and scholar 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 captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Immediately following the airing of episode 24, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be getting a second season. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific premiere date has not yet been announced.
