A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Festive Season
The Christmas holidays present a wealth of activities considerably more enjoyable than checking the latest news: discovering surprises, feasting on holiday treats, and employing deep breathing to avoid snapping at loved ones. Hopefully you were able to enjoy all these things and more. Nevertheless, the entertainment world doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy announcements came out over the festive period, and if you overlooked some of them, here is a compilation of the most exciting bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Moving Forward (By 2027)
Without a doubt the most surprising announcement, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop more episodes. Season 3 will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they easily 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, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which is seen as a good sign. Yet, the key visual for the continuation is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This suggests that, at this point, they could be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a standing for being an elite 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. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga from Shonen Jump, possibly the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved massive popularity when it debuted in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a lengthy break due to the mangaka's health issues. When it returned with a reduced workload, the series showed it maintained the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, 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 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 translation, but the anime has been airing for a while, and its sixth season was another stellar entry. It turns out that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has given us hit shows of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Continue With a Season Two
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 is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm air date has not yet been announced.
