A Ton of Japanese Animation News Dropped Over the Holidays
The Christmas holidays offer a multitude of pastimes far superior than checking the updates: discovering surprises, indulging in festive fare, and employing meditation skills to avoid arguing with loved ones. It is wished you managed to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy news items emerged during the festive period, and if you overlooked some of them, here is a summary of the most exciting bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (Come 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising revelation, the much-discussed disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter the series' continuation. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—a date so remote they could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the beginning, which might be a good sign. However, the promotional image for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This leads one to believe that, by now, they must be mocking 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 elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the high caliber of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not adapted an anime stemming from a manga from Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained massive popularity when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' support and enthusiasm, and now everyone is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up Now in the Works
Kingdom is the best-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only recently got an English release, but the anime has been going on for some time, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has delivered masterpieces of the quality of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, which is based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and intriguing visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my list of anticipated shows.
Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the release of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a sequel. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific premiere date has yet to be revealed.
