A Ton of Japanese Animation News Dropped During the Holidays
The winter break provide a plethora of pursuits far superior than catching up on the latest news: discovering surprises, feasting on delicious food, and employing patience techniques to avoid snapping at family members. I hope you succeeded in enjoy all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Many thrilling developments surfaced during the holidays, and if you didn't see a few, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (Come 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising announcement, the much-discussed controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt further production. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they might as well have called it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be in charge. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which is seen as a hopeful indicator. Yet, the main art for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This suggests that, by now, they could be teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the exceptional quality of its work but for the fair treatment of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' affection and goodwill, and now the community is overjoyed about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English localization, but the anime has been going on for a while, and its sixth season was another outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will probably premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio famous for the excellent quality of its work, Science Saru has brought us hit shows of the caliber 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 intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and intriguing visual style, which evokes 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 its twenty-fourth episode, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has yet to be revealed.
