A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Holidays

The winter break present a wealth of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than scanning the latest news: unwrapping gifts, indulging in holiday treats, and using deep breathing to refrain from arguing with relatives. It is wished you managed to do all these things and more. However, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy news items surfaced during the holidays, and should you didn't see any, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.

One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Set to Continue (By 2027)

Truly the biggest announcement, the notorious controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop more episodes. The show will be back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be leading the project. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the beginning, which could be taken as a positive development. But, the promotional image for the second cour is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, by now, they must be teasing the fans.

The Ruri Dragon Series Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has established a name for being an elite animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the exceptional quality of its work but for the fair treatment of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it still retained the fans' support and positive sentiment, and now fans are overjoyed about the impending KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel In Production

Kingdom is the highly popular, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only recently got an English localization, but the anime has been airing for a while, and its sixth season was another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been revealed as currently being made, and it will probably debut in 2026.

Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series

A further studio known for the excellent quality of its work, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an prominent woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and intriguing 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 Is Set to Continue With a Second Season

Right after the conclusion of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a second season. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific air date has yet to be revealed.