A Heap of Anime News Arrived During the Holidays
The Christmas holidays provide a wealth of pastimes far superior than catching up on the headlines: discovering surprises, feasting on holiday treats, and using patience techniques to refrain from snapping at family members. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry doesn't go on vacation, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy announcements came out over the break, and just in case you missed a few, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Set to Continue (Come 2027)
Without a doubt the most shocking announcement, the notorious troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to halt more episodes. Season 3 will return with a second cour in 2027—so far away they might as well have called it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be at the helm. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the beginning, which could be taken as a good sign. But, the key visual for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe that, at this point, they are probably trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the good working conditions of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime adapted from a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved massive popularity when it debuted in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the creator's health issues. When it returned with a reduced workload, the series showed it maintained the fans' affection and positive sentiment, and now the community is ecstatic about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not 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 a further excellent entry. Apparently that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will almost certainly 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 projects, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and fascinating visual style, which evokes 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 Season Two
Shortly after the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be receiving a second season. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific release date has not yet been announced.