A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Holidays
The winter break offer a multitude of activities much better than catching up on the updates: unwrapping gifts, feasting on festive fare, and using patience techniques to avoid arguing with family members. I hope you succeeded in enjoy all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy announcements surfaced over the break, and just in case you didn't see a few, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Set to Continue (In 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising piece of news, the notorious disaster that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to deter further production. Season 3 will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they could have called it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the start, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. But, the main art for the continuation is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, by now, they could be trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime stemming from a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it first appeared in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a reduced workload, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now the community is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been running for years, and its sixth season was a further outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will probably air in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has brought us hit shows of the quality 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 actual historical person of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual 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 captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the conclusion of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific air date has yet to be revealed.
