A Heap of Japanese Animation News Landed During the Holidays
The Yuletide season provide a wealth of activities considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the latest news: unwrapping gifts, feasting on festive fare, and using deep breathing to not yelling at family members. It is wished you succeeded in accomplish all these things and more. Nevertheless, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy news items came out during the break, and just in case you didn't see a few, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (In 2027)
Without a doubt the most shocking revelation, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt more episodes. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they easily could have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which might be a good sign. But, the promotional image for the second cour is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This leads one to believe that, nowadays, they must be mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a reduced workload, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' affection and goodwill, and now everyone is ecstatic about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning 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 going on for years, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. As it happens that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as currently being made, and it will probably debut in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
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, more recently, 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 true story of Fatima, an prominent woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Right after the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific release date has not yet been announced.
