A Mountain of Japanese Animation Updates Arrived During the Festive Season

The Yuletide season offer a wealth of activities far superior than checking the latest news: opening presents, feasting on holiday treats, and using patience techniques to not arguing with loved ones. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy announcements emerged during the holidays, and should you missed a few, here is a roundup of the most exciting bits.

One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (By 2027)

Truly the most surprising announcement, the widely-criticized disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt further production. Season 3 will come back with a subsequent part in 2027—so far away they might as well have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will continue to be leading the project. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the beginning, which could be taken as a positive development. But, the key visual 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, by now, they must be trolling the fans.

The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its output but for the fair treatment of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga from Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became massive popularity when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a reduced workload, the series showed it maintained the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now the community is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.

The Kingdom Series Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production

Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only recently got an English localization, but the anime has been airing for some time, and season 6 was another stellar entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will almost certainly debut in 2026.

Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime

One more studio famous for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has brought us hit shows of the quality of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and captivating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my watchlist.

Tougen Anki Will Return With a Season Two

Immediately following the release of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki adapts the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific release date has yet to be revealed.