A Ton of Anime News Arrived During the Festive Season
The Christmas holidays present a plethora of pursuits much better than catching up on the latest news: opening presents, getting stuffed on delicious food, and harnessing deep breathing to not snapping at family members. I hope you were able to do all these things and more. However, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy news items emerged over the break, and should you overlooked some of them, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Set to Continue (Come 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising revelation, the widely-criticized controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt the series' continuation. The show will be back with a second cour in 2027—so far away they might as well have called it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which might be a hopeful indicator. However, the main art for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, nowadays, they are probably mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the good working conditions of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a reduced workload, the series showed it maintained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now fans are overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel In Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been going on for years, and its sixth season was a further excellent entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will very likely debut in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio famous for the excellent quality of its projects, Science Saru has given us critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, 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 real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Shortly after the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. 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 release date has not been disclosed yet.