A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Holidays
The Christmas holidays provide a wealth of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the updates: unwrapping gifts, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and harnessing deep breathing to avoid yelling at loved ones. It is wished you managed to do all these things and more. However, the world of entertainment never sleeps, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Numerous thrilling developments emerged during the holidays, and just in case you overlooked any, here is a compilation of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Will Continue (Come 2027)
Truly the most shocking piece of news, the widely-criticized controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop more episodes. The show will be back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—such a distant date they could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will still be leading the project. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which might be a positive development. But, the main art for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This makes me think that, at this point, they are probably teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the ethical practices of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had never worked on an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the best-known magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it debuted in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it returned with a more relaxed pace, the series proved it still retained the fans' support and enthusiasm, and now fans are overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running 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 translation, but the anime has been going on for years, and its sixth season was yet another stellar entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in development, and it will probably air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has brought us hit shows 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, inspired by the true story of Fatima, an powerful woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and captivating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series 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 securing a sequel. Adapted from 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 firm premiere date has not yet been announced.
