A Ton of Anime News Arrived During the Holidays
The winter break provide a plethora of activities considerably more enjoyable than checking the headlines: opening presents, indulging in festive fare, and using deep breathing to avoid yelling at relatives. I hope you managed to do 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. A slew of noteworthy announcements emerged during the break, and just in case you didn't see some of them, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Set to Continue (Come 2027)
Perhaps the most shocking piece of news, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man failed to stop the series' continuation. Season 3 will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—a date so remote they could have labeled it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which is seen as a good sign. But, the main art for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they could be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a reputation for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its productions but for the fair treatment of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it hadn't lost the fans' affection and goodwill, and now everyone is ecstatic about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only recently got an English release, but the anime has been running for years, and season 6 was another outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in production, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the artistic merit of its projects, Science Saru has delivered hit shows of the quality 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 real historical figure of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my list of anticipated shows.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Right after the release of episode 24, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has not yet been announced.
