A Heap of Japanese Animation News Arrived Over the Holidays

The Christmas holidays offer a plethora of activities much better than catching up on the updates: opening presents, feasting on festive fare, and employing meditation skills to avoid yelling at family members. I hope you were able to do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the world of entertainment doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of noteworthy news items came out over the break, and just in case you didn't see a few, here is a summary of the most exciting bits.

One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Set to Continue (By 2027)

Without a doubt the biggest piece of news, the widely-criticized controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt further production. The show will be back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—such a distant date they could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, animation studio J.C. Staff will still be leading the project. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the start, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. Yet, the promotional image for the continuation is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This makes me think that, nowadays, they must be teasing the fans.

Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has built a standing for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the fair treatment of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it still retained the fans' affection and positive sentiment, and now the community is thrilled about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.

The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Currently in Production

Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is not 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 airing for some time, and its sixth season was another stellar entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in development, and it will probably air in 2026.

Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime

Another studio known for the artistic merit of its projects, Science Saru has given us critically acclaimed works of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, which is based on the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and intriguing visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my must-watch list.

The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Second Season

Immediately following the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific release date has not been disclosed yet.