A Mountain of Anime Updates Landed During the Festive Season
The winter break provide a multitude of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than checking the headlines: discovering surprises, feasting on holiday treats, and using meditation skills to not arguing with loved ones. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Numerous thrilling developments emerged over the festive period, and if you missed a few, here is a summary of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Set to Continue (By 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest piece of news, the much-discussed controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to halt more episodes. The show will be back with a subsequent part in 2027—such a distant date they easily could have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will still be leading the project. At least this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a positive development. Yet, the key visual for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This makes me think that, at this point, they could be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a reputation for being an top-tier animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its output but for the fair treatment of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, possibly the most famous magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a extended pause due to the creator's health issues. When it came back with a more relaxed pace, the series proved it maintained the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now the community is thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been airing for a while, and season 6 was yet another outstanding entry. As it happens that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as currently being made, and it will very likely air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
One more studio famous for the excellent quality of its projects, Science Saru has brought us critically acclaimed works of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, more recently, 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 actual historical person of Fatima, an influential woman and thinker 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 captivating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my list of anticipated shows.
Tougen Anki Will Return With a Second Season
Shortly after the release of the final episode of the first season, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be securing a sequel. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete release date has not yet been announced.
