A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived Over the Festive Season
The Christmas holidays present a plethora of activities much better than catching up on the latest news: unwrapping gifts, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using patience techniques to not yelling at family members. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting developments surfaced during the holidays, and if you overlooked any, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (By 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest piece of news, the widely-criticized disaster that was the third season of One-Punch Man failed to stop more episodes. Season 3 will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they could have dubbed it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will remain in charge. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. Yet, the key visual for the continuation is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This suggests that, by now, they are probably mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an prestigious animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the exceptional quality of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga published 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 achieved massive popularity when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a reduced workload, the series proved it maintained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now everyone is ecstatic about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up Now in the Works
Kingdom is the highly popular, epic Shueisha manga that is not 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 years, and its sixth season was another stellar entry. As it happens that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as currently being made, and it will probably premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has given us critically acclaimed works of the quality of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, which is based on the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and captivating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my watchlist.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Second Season
Shortly after the release of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has not been disclosed yet.