A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Dropped Over the Holidays

The Christmas holidays provide a plethora of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the latest news: opening presents, indulging in holiday treats, and employing meditation skills to not arguing with relatives. It is wished you were able to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy announcements emerged over the holidays, and if you overlooked a few, here is a summary of the biggest bits.

One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (Come 2027)

Truly the biggest revelation, the notorious troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt further production. The show will return with a subsequent part in 2027—a date so remote they could have labeled it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the beginning, which is seen as a positive development. However, the promotional image for the second cour is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they are probably trolling the fans.

The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has built a standing for being an top-tier animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, possibly the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained massive popularity when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the author's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series showed it still retained the fans' support and positive sentiment, and now everyone is thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Its Sixth Season Is Getting a Follow-Up Now in the Works

Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running 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 airing for years, and its sixth season was a further stellar entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in development, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.

Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime

Another studio famous for the excellent quality of its projects, Science Saru has brought us critically acclaimed works of the ilk 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, which is based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and captivating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.

The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Season Two

Immediately following the airing of its twenty-fourth episode, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has not yet been announced.