A Ton of Japanese Animation News Landed Over the Holidays
The Christmas holidays offer a plethora of activities much better than catching up on the updates: opening presents, indulging in holiday treats, and employing meditation skills to avoid arguing with relatives. It is wished you were able to enjoy all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. A slew of exciting news items came out during the break, and just in case you didn't see some of them, here is a compilation of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Moving Forward (In 2027)
Truly the most shocking revelation, the much-discussed troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt more episodes. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they could have labeled it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain in charge. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the start, which is seen as a good sign. But, the main art for the second cour is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe that, nowadays, they must be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the fair treatment of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not adapted an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the most iconic magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it debuted 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 lighter schedule, the series proved it hadn't lost the fans' affection and goodwill, and now everyone is thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season 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 recently got an English translation, but the anime has been airing for a while, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in production, and it will very likely premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio known for the artistic merit of its projects, Science Saru has delivered masterpieces of the quality 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, inspired by the actual historical person of Fatima, an prominent woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my list of anticipated shows.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Right after the conclusion of episode 24, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be getting a follow-up. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm air date has not yet been announced.
