A Heap of Japanese Animation News Dropped During the Festive Season
The winter break offer a wealth of activities considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the updates: opening presents, indulging in festive fare, and harnessing deep breathing to not arguing with loved ones. It is wished you were able to enjoy all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy announcements surfaced during the festive period, and if you missed any, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (Come 2027)
Perhaps the biggest piece of news, the notorious controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop the series' continuation. The show will be back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—such a distant date they might as well have dubbed it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be leading the project. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. However, the key visual for the second cour is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, nowadays, they are probably teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a name for being an top-tier animation studio, making its mark not just for the exceptional quality of its work but for the good working conditions of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a lighter schedule, the series showed it maintained the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now fans are thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Has a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only recently got an English localization, but the anime has been running for a while, and its sixth season was yet another outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in production, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
One more studio known for the artistic merit of its projects, Science Saru has delivered hit shows 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, which is based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an influential 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 distinctly fresh and intriguing visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Season Two
Right after the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Adapted from 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 concrete release date has not been disclosed yet.
