A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Festive Season
The Yuletide season offer a plethora of pastimes far superior than scanning the headlines: unwrapping gifts, feasting on delicious food, and harnessing deep breathing to not arguing with relatives. I hope you were able to do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy developments came out during the break, and if you missed some of them, here is a compilation of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (In 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising piece of news, the much-discussed controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter the series' continuation. The show will return with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they easily could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which might be a positive development. Yet, the key visual for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they are probably trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a name for being an prestigious animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the high caliber of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, possibly the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved massive popularity when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a lighter schedule, the series showed it still retained the fans' support and goodwill, and now everyone is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, epic Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been airing for years, and its sixth season was another stellar entry. It turns out that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in development, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio renowned for the excellent quality of its projects, Science Saru has given us hit shows of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, 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 true story of Fatima, an influential woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and captivating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Second Season
Shortly after the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be getting a second season. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life 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.
