A Heap of Japanese Animation News Arrived Over the Holidays
The Yuletide season offer a plethora of activities far superior than scanning the latest news: discovering surprises, feasting on festive fare, and using patience techniques to not yelling at family members. Hopefully you were able to do all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many thrilling news items came out over the holidays, and just in case you missed any, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (By 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising piece of news, the notorious troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man failed to stop more episodes. The show will be back with a second cour in 2027—such a distant date they could have dubbed it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will still be leading the project. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the start, which might be a hopeful indicator. Yet, the promotional image for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This suggests that, by now, they could be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a name for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved massive popularity when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it returned with a more relaxed pace, the series proved it still retained the fans' affection and goodwill, and now everyone is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been running for years, and season 6 was a further outstanding entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in production, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship 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 handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and intriguing visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Immediately following the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a second season. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has yet to be revealed.
