A Heap of Japanese Animation News Dropped During the Festive Season

The Yuletide season present a multitude of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the latest news: unwrapping gifts, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using patience techniques to avoid yelling at relatives. I hope you were able to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many thrilling developments surfaced during the festive period, and should you overlooked any, here is a roundup of the biggest bits.

The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Moving Forward (In 2027)

Without a doubt the most surprising revelation, the widely-criticized disaster that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop more episodes. The show will come back with a second cour in 2027—so far away they could have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be in charge. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the outset, which is seen as a positive development. However, the main art for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, nowadays, they are probably mocking the fans.

The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has established a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the high caliber of its output but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it launched in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the author's health issues. When it returned with a lighter schedule, the series showed it still retained the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now the community is overjoyed about the impending KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 Has a Sequel Now in the Works

Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been running for years, and its sixth season was yet another outstanding entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in development, and it will probably debut in 2026.

Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series

Another studio famous for the artistic merit of its productions, Science Saru has delivered masterpieces of the quality of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling 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 scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.

Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season

Immediately following the release of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has yet to be revealed.