A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Holidays
The winter break offer a multitude of pastimes far superior than checking the updates: unwrapping gifts, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and employing patience techniques to refrain from snapping at relatives. I hope you managed to enjoy all these things and more. Nevertheless, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy news items emerged over the festive period, and just in case you missed some of them, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (By 2027)
Perhaps the most shocking piece of news, the notorious troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to stop more episodes. Season 3 will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—a date so remote they easily could have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be at the helm. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the start, which might be a hopeful indicator. Yet, the promotional image for the continuation is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, nowadays, they could be teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a standing for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved massive popularity when it debuted in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a extended pause due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it maintained the fans' affection and positive sentiment, and now the community is thrilled about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English translation, but the anime has been airing for a while, and season 6 was yet another outstanding entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been revealed as currently being made, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio famous for the excellent quality 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 real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful 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 absolutely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the release of its twenty-fourth episode, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific release date has not been disclosed yet.
