A Heap of Anime News Arrived Over the Holidays
The Christmas holidays offer a wealth of pastimes far superior than scanning the headlines: discovering surprises, indulging in delicious food, and harnessing deep breathing to refrain from yelling at loved ones. I hope you succeeded in 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. Many thrilling developments emerged during the break, and should you didn't see some of them, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Moving Forward (In 2027)
Truly the most surprising announcement, the widely-criticized troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to stop the series' continuation. Season 3 will come back with a second cour in 2027—a date so remote they could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which is seen as a hopeful indicator. Yet, the promotional image for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, by now, they are probably teasing the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the fair treatment of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not produced an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, possibly the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it launched in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' affection and positive sentiment, and now everyone is thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up In Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been going on for years, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. It turns out that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as currently being made, and it will very likely debut in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the excellent quality of its productions, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the caliber 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, which is based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an influential woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Right after the release of the final episode of the first season, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be securing a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific air date has not been disclosed yet.
