A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Dropped Over the Festive Season
The winter break present a wealth of activities far superior than checking the headlines: unwrapping gifts, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using deep breathing to refrain from arguing with relatives. I hope you succeeded in accomplish all these things and more. Nevertheless, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting news items surfaced over the festive period, and just in case you didn't see any, here is a summary of the most exciting bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Will Continue (In 2027)
Truly the most surprising announcement, the much-discussed controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to deter further production. The show will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they easily could have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be leading the project. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the outset, which might be a positive development. Yet, the main art for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they are probably trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a reputation for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the high caliber of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not adapted an anime adapted from a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained widespread acclaim when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the mangaka's health issues. When it came back with a lighter schedule, the series showed it maintained the fans' support and goodwill, and now the community is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Is Getting a Follow-Up Now in the Works
Kingdom is the best-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only recently got an English translation, but the anime has been going on for a while, and season 6 was a further excellent entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in development, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its projects, Science Saru has brought us hit shows of the quality of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, which is based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an influential woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging 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. Debuting in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Season Two
Right after the conclusion of episode 24, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be getting a second season. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific premiere date has not been disclosed yet.
