A Ton of Japanese Animation News Landed Over the Holidays

The Yuletide season present a multitude of activities considerably more enjoyable than scanning the updates: opening presents, feasting on holiday treats, and using meditation skills to not snapping at loved ones. It is wished you managed to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy developments came out over the holidays, and if you missed a few, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.

One-Punch Man Its Third Season Will Continue (By 2027)

Perhaps the most shocking announcement, the much-discussed disaster that was the third season of One-Punch Man failed to deter the series' continuation. The show will return with a second cour in 2027—a date so remote they could have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be at the helm. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which might be a good sign. However, the promotional image for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they are probably trolling the fans.

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

Kyoto Animation has forged a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, making its mark not just for the high caliber of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it first appeared 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 lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' affection and goodwill, and now everyone is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up Now in the Works

Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only recently got an English translation, but the anime has been running for years, and season 6 was another excellent entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in production, and it will probably premiere in 2026.

Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime

Another studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has brought us critically acclaimed works 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, which is based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique 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 list of anticipated shows.

The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Season Two

Right after the release of the final episode of the first season, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a second season. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has not been disclosed yet.