A Ton of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Holidays

The winter break provide a plethora of pursuits far superior than catching up on the latest news: discovering surprises, getting stuffed on delicious food, and using meditation skills to not arguing with loved ones. It is wished you were able to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry never sleeps, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling news items surfaced during the holidays, and should you didn't see a few, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.

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

Without a doubt the most surprising revelation, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to stop the series' continuation. The show will return with a second cour in 2027—so far away they could have called it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the beginning, which might be a positive development. But, the key visual for the continuation 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 could be mocking the fans.

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

Kyoto Animation has established a standing for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime adapted from a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a excellent choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became 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 still retained the fans' support and goodwill, and now fans are overjoyed about the impending KyoAni adaptation.

The Kingdom Series Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Now in the Works

Kingdom is the highly popular, long-running Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only recently got an English release, but the anime has been going on for some time, and its sixth season was another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as currently being made, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.

Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series

A further studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its work, Science Saru has given 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, based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and intriguing visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my list of anticipated shows.

Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Season Two

Shortly after the airing of its twenty-fourth episode, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving 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 cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has yet to be revealed.