A Heap of Japanese Animation News Arrived Over the Festive Season
The Yuletide season present a plethora of activities far superior than catching up on the updates: opening presents, getting stuffed on delicious food, and using deep breathing to not yelling at loved ones. Hopefully you managed to enjoy all these things and more. However, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting announcements emerged over the festive period, and should you overlooked a few, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Will Continue (Come 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest piece of news, the much-discussed controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to deter further production. Season 3 will return with a second cour in 2027—so far away they easily could have labeled it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which might be a good sign. Yet, the promotional image for the continuation is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This makes me think that, nowadays, they must be trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a name for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the fair treatment of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the mangaka's health issues. When it returned with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now fans are overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been airing for some time, and its sixth season was another outstanding entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in development, and it will very likely premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has delivered masterpieces 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 real historical figure of Fatima, an influential woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my list of anticipated shows.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Season Two
Shortly after the release of episode 24, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be getting a follow-up. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific premiere date has not yet been announced.
