A Ton of Japanese Animation News Arrived During the Holidays
The winter break provide a multitude of activities much better than scanning the headlines: opening presents, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using deep breathing to refrain from yelling at loved ones. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. However, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many thrilling developments surfaced during the holidays, and just in case you didn't see any, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Will Continue (By 2027)
Truly the most surprising piece of news, the much-discussed troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to stop the series' continuation. Season 3 will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be leading the project. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which is seen as a hopeful indicator. But, the main art for the second cour is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This makes me think that, at this point, they must be mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the fair treatment of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, possibly the most famous magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it returned with a lighter schedule, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' support and goodwill, and now the community is ecstatic about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only just received an English release, but the anime has been airing for some time, and its sixth season was a further outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will very likely premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the superior craftsmanship 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 taking on 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 thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my list of anticipated shows.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Second Season
Right after the release of episode 24, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has not yet been announced.
