A Ton of Anime Updates Arrived Over the Holidays
The Yuletide season provide a plethora of pastimes far superior than checking the headlines: opening presents, feasting on delicious food, and using deep breathing to avoid arguing with relatives. I hope you managed to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting announcements emerged during the festive period, and just in case you overlooked a few, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (In 2027)
Truly the biggest revelation, the much-discussed controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt further production. Season 3 will return with a second cour in 2027—a date so remote they might as well have labeled it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be in charge. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the beginning, which is seen as a good sign. But, the key visual for the new episodes is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, at this point, they are probably teasing the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an prestigious animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the good working conditions of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, possibly the most famous magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a extended pause due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a reduced workload, the series proved it maintained the fans' affection and goodwill, and now the community is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only recently got an English translation, but the anime has been running for years, and its sixth season was another excellent entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio famous for the artistic merit of its work, Science Saru has brought us critically acclaimed works of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime titled 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 watchlist.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Right after the airing of episode 24, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a follow-up. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has not yet been announced.
