A Mountain of Japanese Animation News Landed Over the Holidays
The winter break provide a plethora of pursuits far superior than scanning the headlines: discovering surprises, feasting on festive fare, and using deep breathing to avoid arguing with relatives. It is wished you were able to enjoy all these things and more. However, the world of entertainment doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling announcements came out during the break, and should you didn't see a few, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Will Continue (Come 2027)
Truly the most surprising announcement, the much-discussed troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man failed to halt the series' continuation. The show will come back with a second cour in 2027—so far away they might as well have called it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will still be leading the project. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which is seen as a good sign. Yet, the promotional image for the second cour is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they must be 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 prestigious animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the high caliber of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the creator's health issues. When it resumed publication with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now fans are ecstatic about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, decades-spanning 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 release, but the anime has been airing for a while, and season 6 was yet another outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will very likely debut in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
A further studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has given us hit shows of the caliber 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 influential woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and intriguing visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the airing of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a second season. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific air date has yet to be revealed.
