A Heap of Japanese Animation News Dropped During the Festive Season

The winter break present a wealth of pursuits far superior than scanning the headlines: opening presents, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using meditation skills to refrain from arguing with relatives. It is wished you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy news items emerged during the holidays, and if you overlooked any, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.

The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (By 2027)

Without a doubt the biggest piece of news, the much-discussed controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt the series' continuation. Season 3 will be back with a second cour in 2027—a date so remote they easily could have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will still be in charge. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the beginning, which is seen as a good sign. However, the key visual for the second cour is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This suggests that, at this point, they must be teasing the fans.

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

Kyoto Animation has forged a reputation for being an prestigious animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime adapted from a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the author's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series proved it maintained the fans' affection and positive sentiment, and now fans are overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 Has a Sequel In Production

Kingdom is the highly popular, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is aside from 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 going on for a while, and its sixth season was a further outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as currently being made, and it will very likely debut in 2026.

Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime

Another studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has given us hit shows of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most 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 intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and captivating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my list of anticipated shows.

The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Season Two

Immediately following the airing of episode 24, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a follow-up. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has yet to be revealed.