A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived Over the Festive Season
The Yuletide season present a multitude of pursuits much better than checking the headlines: opening presents, feasting on festive fare, and employing deep breathing to refrain from arguing with loved ones. Hopefully you succeeded in do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Many exciting developments emerged during the festive period, and if you didn't see some of them, here is a roundup of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Moving Forward (By 2027)
Without a doubt the most surprising announcement, the much-discussed troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt further production. The show will come back with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they might as well have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the beginning, which could be taken as a good sign. However, the promotional image for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This makes me think that, nowadays, they could be teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a name for being an top-tier animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the fair treatment of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime stemming from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained massive popularity when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the mangaka's health issues. When it came back with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' support and goodwill, and now the community is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, long-running Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been airing for a while, and season 6 was another stellar entry. It turns out that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has delivered hit shows 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, which is based on the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and fascinating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Right after the release of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete air date has not been disclosed yet.
