A Mountain of Japanese Animation News Arrived During the Festive Season
The Christmas holidays offer a plethora of pastimes much better than catching up on the latest news: unwrapping gifts, indulging in holiday treats, and using patience techniques to not yelling at loved ones. It is wished you managed to enjoy all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't go on vacation, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. A slew of exciting news items emerged over the festive period, and should you missed any, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Will Continue (In 2027)
Truly the most shocking announcement, the notorious disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to stop the series' continuation. The show will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they easily could have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. But, the main art for the continuation is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, nowadays, they must be teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it debuted 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 demonstrated it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now the community is thrilled about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only recently got an English translation, but the anime has been airing for years, and season 6 was another excellent entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the ilk 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, which is based on the true story of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the conclusion of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm release date has not been disclosed yet.