A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Dropped During the Holidays
The Yuletide season present a wealth of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than scanning the updates: unwrapping gifts, indulging in festive fare, and using patience techniques to not arguing with loved ones. It is wished you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting news items came out over the festive period, and just in case you missed a few, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Will Continue (Come 2027)
Truly the most surprising announcement, the widely-criticized disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to deter more episodes. The show will be back with a second cour in 2027—such a distant date they easily could have labeled it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the beginning, which might be a positive development. However, the main art for the continuation is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This suggests that, nowadays, they are probably mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a name 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 uncommon practice in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not adapted an anime adapted from a manga from Shonen Jump, possibly the most famous magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved massive popularity when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the mangaka's health issues. When it returned with a more relaxed pace, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' support and goodwill, and now fans are thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English localization, but the anime has been airing for years, and its sixth season was yet another outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in development, and it will almost certainly debut in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio renowned for the excellent quality of its productions, Science Saru has given us masterpieces of the quality of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Second Season
Shortly after the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a second season. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has not yet been announced.
