A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Landed During the Holidays

The winter break offer a plethora of pastimes much better than checking the headlines: opening presents, getting stuffed on festive fare, and employing deep breathing to not arguing with relatives. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the entertainment world doesn't go on vacation, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Many thrilling announcements emerged during the break, and should you missed any, here is a roundup of the biggest bits.

The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Moving Forward (Come 2027)

Truly the most surprising announcement, the much-discussed troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop further production. Season 3 will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they easily could have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will still be in charge. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. However, the key visual for the new episodes is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, nowadays, they could be teasing the fans.

Ruri Dragon Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga from Shonen Jump, arguably the most iconic magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became massive popularity when it launched in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the creator's health issues. When it returned with a more relaxed pace, the series proved it maintained the fans' affection and enthusiasm, and now everyone is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.

The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Currently in Production

Kingdom is the highly popular, epic Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English translation, but the anime has been going on for a while, and season 6 was another outstanding entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will almost certainly debut in 2026.

Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime

Another studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has brought us critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing 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 reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.

The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Season Two

Immediately following the release of its twenty-fourth episode, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has yet to be revealed.