A Heap of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Holidays

The Christmas holidays provide a plethora of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the updates: opening presents, getting stuffed on delicious food, and using meditation skills to refrain from arguing with family members. I hope you were able to enjoy all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment doesn't go on vacation, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy developments emerged during the festive period, and should you overlooked some of them, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.

One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (In 2027)

Without a doubt the most surprising piece of news, the much-discussed disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to deter further production. Season 3 will come back with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they easily could have called it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will still be leading the project. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which might be a hopeful indicator. However, the promotional image for the continuation is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, nowadays, they must be mocking the fans.

The Ruri Dragon Series Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has established a standing for being an top-tier animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the good working conditions of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the best-known magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained massive popularity when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series proved it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now the community is thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up 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 release, but the anime has been running for some time, and its sixth season was another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been announced as in development, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.

Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series

Another studio known for the excellent quality of its productions, 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 handling 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 truly original and intriguing visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my list of anticipated shows.

The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Season Two

Right after the release of its twenty-fourth episode, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific premiere date has not yet been announced.