A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Landed Over the Holidays
The winter break provide a multitude of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than scanning the updates: discovering surprises, feasting on holiday treats, and harnessing meditation skills to avoid snapping at family members. It is wished you succeeded in enjoy all these things and more. However, the showbiz industry doesn't go on vacation, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Many thrilling news items came out during the holidays, and should you overlooked a few, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (In 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising piece of news, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter further production. The show will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they could have called it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be at the helm. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which might be a good sign. However, the promotional image for the continuation is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, by now, they could be trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime stemming from a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained massive popularity when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it resumed publication with a reduced workload, the series showed it still retained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now fans are overjoyed about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is not 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 some time, and its sixth season was a further outstanding entry. As it happens that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in development, and it will very likely premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has brought us critically acclaimed works of the caliber 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. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and captivating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Season Two
Immediately following the airing of its twenty-fourth episode, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a sequel. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific release date has yet to be revealed.
