A Mountain of Japanese Animation News Landed During the Festive Season
The Yuletide season offer a wealth of pursuits far superior than catching up on the headlines: discovering surprises, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and employing patience techniques to not snapping at loved ones. I hope you succeeded in do all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting developments surfaced over the festive period, and just in case you overlooked any, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (Come 2027)
Truly the biggest piece of news, the widely-criticized disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to stop further production. Season 3 will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they might as well have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be leading the project. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a good sign. But, the main art for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This suggests that, at this point, they are probably trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a name for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the exceptional quality of its productions but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime adapted from a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it maintained the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now fans are thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, epic Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only recently got an English localization, but the anime has been airing for some time, and its sixth season was another excellent entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will probably premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio renowned for the artistic merit of its productions, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the true story of Fatima, an prominent woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and fascinating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the airing of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm release date has yet to be revealed.
