A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Dropped During the Holidays
The winter break provide a wealth of pursuits far superior than catching up on the headlines: unwrapping gifts, feasting on holiday treats, and employing meditation skills to avoid arguing with loved ones. I hope you succeeded in accomplish all these things and more. Nevertheless, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling developments came out over the break, and should you didn't see some of them, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Moving Forward (In 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest revelation, the much-discussed disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to deter further production. The show will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they easily could have labeled it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which might be a positive development. However, the promotional image for the second cour is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This leads one to believe that, by now, they must be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From 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 output but for the fair treatment of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the most iconic magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series proved it maintained the fans' support and enthusiasm, and now fans are thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the highly popular, epic Shueisha manga that is other than 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 season 6 was yet another stellar entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its projects, Science Saru has given us hit shows of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, 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 scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my watchlist.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Right after the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a sequel. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm air date has yet to be revealed.
