A Ton of Japanese Animation News Dropped Over the Festive Season
The Yuletide season offer a wealth of pastimes much better than catching up on the latest news: discovering surprises, feasting on delicious food, and using patience techniques to avoid arguing with family members. I hope you were able to do all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't go on vacation, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Many exciting announcements surfaced during the holidays, and should you overlooked any, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Will Continue (Come 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest piece of news, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter further production. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they might as well have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be in charge. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which might be a positive development. But, the main art for the second cour is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they must be mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a standing for being an elite animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the author's health issues. When it returned with a lighter schedule, the series showed it still retained the fans' support and enthusiasm, and now everyone is thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Is Getting a Follow-Up Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English translation, but the anime has been airing for a while, and season 6 was yet another excellent entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in development, and it will probably air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces of the ilk 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, based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an prominent woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my list of anticipated shows.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Season Two
Immediately following the release of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a sequel. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm air date has not been disclosed yet.
