A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Holidays
The winter break provide a plethora of pursuits much better than scanning the latest news: discovering surprises, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using meditation skills to refrain from snapping at loved ones. It is wished you were able to enjoy all these things and more. However, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy developments surfaced during the festive period, and just in case you missed a few, here is a roundup of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (In 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest revelation, the much-discussed controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to stop more episodes. The show will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—a date so remote they easily could have called it season 4. Adding to the surprise, 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 is seen as a positive development. However, the main art for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, nowadays, they are probably teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the good working conditions of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime stemming from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a extended pause due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it maintained the fans' support and positive sentiment, and now everyone is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been going on for years, and season 6 was yet another outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in production, and it will very likely premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the artistic merit of its productions, Science Saru has delivered masterpieces of the caliber 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 actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Shortly after the airing of its twenty-fourth episode, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a second season. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has not yet been announced.
