A Heap of Japanese Animation News Dropped Over the Festive Season
The Yuletide season present a multitude of pursuits much better than checking the headlines: opening presents, indulging in festive fare, and harnessing meditation skills to not snapping at relatives. Hopefully you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy news items surfaced during the break, and should you overlooked any, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Will Continue (In 2027)
Truly the most shocking announcement, the much-discussed controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt the series' continuation. Season 3 will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they easily could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be at the helm. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which is seen as a good sign. Yet, the key visual for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This leads one to believe that, by now, they are probably trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a name 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. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not adapted an anime stemming from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the creator's health issues. When it returned with a lighter schedule, the series showed it maintained the fans' support and positive sentiment, and now fans are ecstatic about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English localization, but the anime has been airing 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 currently being made, and it will probably premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio known for the artistic merit of its projects, Science Saru has given us hit shows of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, 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 prominent woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and captivating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my list of anticipated shows.
Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Second Season
Immediately following the release of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a sequel. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete air date has not been disclosed yet.
