A Heap of Japanese Animation News Dropped During the Holidays
The Yuletide season offer a multitude of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than scanning the latest news: opening presents, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and employing deep breathing to avoid snapping at relatives. Hopefully you were able to do all these things and more. However, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling news items emerged over the break, and if you overlooked a few, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (By 2027)
Truly the most shocking piece of news, the much-discussed disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to halt the series' continuation. The show will return with a second cour in 2027—such a distant date they could have labeled it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which could be taken as a good sign. Yet, the promotional image for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, nowadays, they could be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime stemming from a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, 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 extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it returned with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it maintained the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now fans are thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been running for a while, and season 6 was another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will very likely debut in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio renowned for the artistic merit of its work, Science Saru has given us masterpieces of the caliber 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, based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and intriguing visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Right after the release of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a second season. Based on 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 premiere date has yet to be revealed.
