A Ton of Japanese Animation News Arrived During the Holidays
The winter break present a plethora of activities far superior than catching up on the latest news: discovering surprises, indulging in delicious food, and employing meditation skills to avoid arguing with loved ones. It is wished you succeeded in enjoy all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling news items came out during the break, and just in case you didn't see some of them, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (By 2027)
Truly the most surprising announcement, the notorious disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter further production. The show will return with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they could have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will still be leading the project. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a positive development. But, the main art for the second cour is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, by now, they are probably mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its productions but for the fair treatment of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime stemming from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, possibly the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the author's health issues. When it returned with a lighter schedule, the series proved it still retained the fans' affection and positive sentiment, and now everyone is thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the best-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been airing for years, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. As it happens that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been revealed as currently being made, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its projects, Science Saru has given us hit shows of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and fascinating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Season Two
Right after the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was announced 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 second season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete air date has not yet been announced.
