A Ton of Anime Updates Dropped Over the Holidays
The winter break offer a wealth of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than checking the updates: discovering surprises, feasting on holiday treats, and using patience techniques to avoid snapping at relatives. I hope you were able to accomplish all these things and more. However, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling developments emerged during the festive period, and if you missed some of them, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Will Continue (By 2027)
Perhaps the most shocking announcement, the much-discussed disaster that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to deter further production. Season 3 will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they might as well have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which might be a hopeful indicator. However, the key visual for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, at this point, they could be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Set to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not produced an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the field. 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 few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' support and positive sentiment, and now fans are ecstatic about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up In Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, epic Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English localization, but the anime has been airing for a while, and season 6 was another stellar entry. As it happens that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as currently being made, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has delivered hit shows of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, 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 influential woman and intellectual 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 fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my list of anticipated shows.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Second Season
Immediately following the release of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a follow-up. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm air date has not been disclosed yet.
