A Mountain of Japanese Animation News Dropped Over the Holidays
The Christmas holidays present a plethora of pastimes much better than checking the headlines: discovering surprises, indulging in festive fare, and employing deep breathing to avoid yelling at loved ones. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't go on vacation, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy developments emerged during the festive period, and just in case you missed some of them, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (In 2027)
Perhaps the biggest announcement, the much-discussed disaster that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt further production. Season 3 will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they could have dubbed it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will remain in charge. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the beginning, which is seen as a hopeful indicator. But, the key visual for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, nowadays, they could be trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its output but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, possibly the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the creator's health issues. When it resumed publication with a reduced workload, the series proved it maintained the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now fans are thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom 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 haven't come across it before, it's because it only just received an English release, but the anime has been running for years, and season 6 was another outstanding entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as currently being made, and it will probably premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its projects, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, which is based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and captivating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Right after the release of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Inspired by 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 firm air date has not yet been announced.
