A Mountain of Japanese Animation News Arrived During the Festive Season
The winter break offer a plethora of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than checking the updates: discovering surprises, indulging in festive fare, and employing patience techniques to avoid arguing with family members. I hope you succeeded in accomplish all these things and more. However, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy news items emerged over the festive period, and if you missed a few, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Will Continue (In 2027)
Perhaps the most shocking announcement, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to stop more episodes. Season 3 will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—a date so remote they easily could have dubbed it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will still be in charge. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the beginning, which might be a hopeful indicator. But, the promotional image for the second cour is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe that, by now, they could be teasing the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga published in Shonen Jump, possibly the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the creator's health issues. When it returned with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now everyone is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only recently got an English localization, but the anime has been going on for years, and season 6 was another outstanding entry. As it happens that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as currently being made, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works 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, which is based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an prominent woman and thinker 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 is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my list of anticipated shows.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Immediately following the release of its twenty-fourth episode, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a second season. Adapted from 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 release date has yet to be revealed.
