A Heap of Japanese Animation News Dropped During the Holidays
The Yuletide season offer a wealth of activities considerably more enjoyable than checking the latest news: unwrapping gifts, feasting on delicious food, and using patience techniques to not arguing with relatives. Hopefully you managed to do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the world of entertainment doesn't go on vacation, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling announcements surfaced over 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)
Perhaps the biggest revelation, the notorious controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to deter further production. The show will be back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they easily could have labeled it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be at the helm. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. But, the promotional image for the new episodes is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This leads one to believe that, by now, they must be trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an top-tier animation studio, distinguishing itself 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 adapted from a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it first appeared in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the creator's health issues. When it returned with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now fans are ecstatic about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been airing for a while, and its sixth season was a further outstanding entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio renowned for the artistic merit of its projects, Science Saru has delivered hit shows of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, which is based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an influential 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 intriguing 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 Return With a Season Two
Shortly after the airing of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be receiving a second season. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific release date has not yet been announced.
