A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Landed Over the Holidays
The winter break provide a wealth of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than checking the updates: opening presents, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using meditation skills to avoid arguing with relatives. It is wished you were able to accomplish all these things and more. Nevertheless, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. A slew of exciting news items came out over the break, and if you didn't see some of them, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series 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 wasn't enough to deter the series' continuation. The show will be back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they might as well have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a good sign. However, the key visual for the continuation is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they could be teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From 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 good working conditions of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime adapted from a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' support and positive sentiment, and now fans are ecstatic about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not 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 running for years, and season 6 was yet another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio famous for the artistic merit of its productions, Science Saru has brought us hit shows of the ilk 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, inspired by the true story of Fatima, an influential 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 highly unique and captivating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my list of anticipated shows.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Shortly after the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has not been disclosed yet.