A Heap of Japanese Animation News Landed During the Festive Season

The Christmas holidays provide a wealth of pastimes far superior than checking the headlines: opening presents, feasting on delicious food, and employing meditation skills to not yelling at loved ones. It is wished you were able to do all these things and more. However, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling news items emerged during the holidays, and just in case you didn't see any, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.

The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Set to Continue (By 2027)

Perhaps the biggest announcement, the widely-criticized disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to halt more episodes. Season 3 will come back with a second cour in 2027—such a distant date they could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will still be leading the project. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the start, which might be a hopeful indicator. Yet, the promotional image for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This suggests that, by now, they could be mocking the fans.

Ruri Dragon Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has forged a standing for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a lengthy break due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it maintained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now fans are ecstatic about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel In Production

Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is not 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 going on for a while, and its sixth season was yet another stellar 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

One more studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, which is based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful 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 distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my must-watch list.

Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season

Immediately following the airing of episode 24, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be securing a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific premiere date has not yet been announced.