A Mountain of Anime Updates Dropped Over the Holidays
The winter break present a plethora of pastimes much better than catching up on the headlines: unwrapping gifts, feasting on holiday treats, and harnessing patience techniques to not snapping at loved ones. I hope you succeeded in do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the entertainment world never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting developments surfaced over the break, and just in case you didn't see some of them, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.
The One-Punch Man Series Its Third Season Is Moving Forward (Come 2027)
Without a doubt the most surprising piece of news, the notorious troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt the series' continuation. The show will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they might as well have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the beginning, which is seen as a good sign. Yet, the main art for the second cour is the same image the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, nowadays, they must be trolling the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Set to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an prestigious animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the superb artistry of its output but for the fair treatment of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime stemming from a manga published in 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 gained massive popularity when it launched 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 more relaxed pace, the series proved it maintained the fans' support and enthusiasm, and now everyone is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English translation, but the anime has been airing for some time, and its sixth season was yet another stellar entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been revealed as in development, and it will very likely premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
Another studio renowned for the superior craftsmanship of its productions, Science Saru has brought us critically acclaimed works of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, inspired by the true story of Fatima, an prominent woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and intriguing visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my watchlist.
The Tougen Anki Series Is Set to Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the release of episode 24, it was confirmed 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 second season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has not been disclosed yet.
