A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Festive Season
The winter break present a wealth of activities far superior than catching up on the updates: unwrapping gifts, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using meditation skills to avoid arguing with loved ones. It is wished you succeeded in accomplish all these things and more. Nevertheless, the world of entertainment never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling news items came out over the break, and if you missed some of them, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (Come 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest announcement, the notorious controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop the series' continuation. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they might as well have labeled it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the beginning, which might be a hopeful indicator. But, the promotional image for the second cour is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they must be teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an elite animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the most iconic magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb 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 extended pause due to the author's health issues. When it resumed publication with a more relaxed pace, the series proved it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now the community is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English release, but the anime has been airing for years, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in production, and it will probably air in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio renowned for the excellent quality of its projects, Science Saru has delivered masterpieces of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and intriguing visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Immediately following the release of its twenty-fourth episode, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has not been disclosed yet.
