A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Festive Season

The Yuletide season offer a multitude of pursuits far superior than catching up on the headlines: opening presents, getting stuffed on festive fare, and using deep breathing to avoid arguing with relatives. Hopefully you managed to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling announcements emerged during the holidays, and just in case you missed a few, here is a summary of the biggest bits.

One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (In 2027)

Without a doubt the most shocking piece of news, the notorious controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter the series' continuation. The show will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they easily could have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be at the helm. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. Yet, the key visual 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, by now, they are probably teasing the fans.

Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has established a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a reduced workload, the series proved it maintained the fans' affection and enthusiasm, and now fans are overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up Currently in Production

Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is aside from 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 going on for a while, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as in development, and it will very likely air 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 delivered hit shows of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, 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 thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.

Tougen Anki Will Return With a Season Two

Shortly after the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a second season. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has yet to be revealed.