A Heap of Japanese Animation News Arrived Over the Holidays
The winter break present a plethora of activities far superior than scanning the latest news: opening presents, feasting on holiday treats, and harnessing deep breathing to not yelling at relatives. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy announcements surfaced over the break, and if you missed any, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (By 2027)
Truly the most surprising piece of news, the notorious controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to deter more episodes. Season 3 will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they could have called 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 outset, which is seen as a good sign. But, the promotional image for the second cour is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe that, nowadays, they must be teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an prestigious animation studio, making its mark not just for the exceptional quality of its work but for the fair treatment 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, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a lengthy break due to the creator's health issues. When it resumed publication with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it maintained the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now everyone is thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only recently got an English localization, but the anime has been airing for some time, and season 6 was a further stellar entry. As it happens that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will probably debut in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces of the quality 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, inspired by the real historical figure of Fatima, an prominent woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and fascinating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my list of anticipated shows.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Season Two
Immediately following the airing of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. 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 premiere date has not yet been announced.
