A Ton of Japanese Animation News Arrived Over the Holidays

The winter break present a wealth of activities far superior than checking the headlines: unwrapping gifts, indulging in holiday treats, and harnessing meditation skills to not yelling at relatives. I hope you were able to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy developments came out over the festive period, and if you missed a few, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.

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

Truly the most surprising revelation, the notorious disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt further production. Season 3 will return with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they might as well have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain in charge. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which is seen as a hopeful indicator. However, the main art for the new episodes is a mirror of 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 teasing the fans.

The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime stemming from a manga published in Shonen Jump, possibly the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained massive popularity when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' support and goodwill, and now fans are overjoyed about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 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 just received an English localization, but the anime has been airing for a while, and season 6 was a further stellar entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will very likely air in 2026.

Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series

A further studio famous for the excellent quality of its projects, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an influential woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and intriguing visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my watchlist.

Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Second Season

Shortly after the airing of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a second season. Based on 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 specific premiere date has not yet been announced.