A Mountain of Anime Updates Arrived During the Holidays
The Yuletide season present a multitude of pursuits much better than scanning the headlines: opening presents, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and harnessing patience techniques to refrain from arguing with loved ones. I hope you were able to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy news items surfaced during the holidays, and should you missed any, here is a summary of the most exciting bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (In 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest revelation, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt the series' continuation. The show will be back with a second cour in 2027—a date so remote they could have labeled it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which might be a positive development. However, the promotional image for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, by now, they are probably mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its output but for the ethical practices of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a reduced workload, the series proved it maintained the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now everyone is overjoyed about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been airing for some time, and season 6 was a further outstanding entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the ilk 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 intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Set to premiere in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my watchlist.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Return With a Season Two
Immediately following the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has not been disclosed yet.
