A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Holidays
The Yuletide season offer a wealth of pastimes much better than scanning the headlines: discovering surprises, indulging in festive fare, and harnessing deep breathing to avoid arguing with family members. I hope you succeeded in enjoy all these things and more. However, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Many exciting announcements surfaced during the holidays, and should you missed a few, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (By 2027)
Perhaps the most shocking piece of news, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter more episodes. Season 3 will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they could have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will still be in charge. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the start, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. But, the key visual for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This makes me think that, by now, they must be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an top-tier 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. Curiously, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a extended pause due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now fans are thrilled about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, 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 release, but the anime has been airing for years, and season 6 was another excellent entry. It turns out that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as in development, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio renowned for the excellent quality of its projects, Science Saru has given us hit shows of the quality of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the actual historical person of Fatima, an influential 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 intriguing visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Immediately following the conclusion of episode 24, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a second season. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has yet to be revealed.