A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Festive Season
The Yuletide season offer a wealth of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than checking the latest news: opening presents, getting stuffed on festive fare, and using meditation skills to not arguing with family members. Hopefully you were able to do 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. A slew of exciting developments came out during the break, and if you didn't see a few, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (Come 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest revelation, the much-discussed troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop more episodes. The show will come back with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they might as well have called it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which is seen as a good sign. But, the promotional image for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This suggests that, by now, they must be trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had never worked on an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved a huge following when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now the community is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is aside from 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 running for a while, and its sixth season was a further outstanding entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in development, and it will probably air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
One more studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its projects, Science Saru has given us masterpieces 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 influential woman and thinker 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 fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the release of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has not been disclosed yet.
