A Mountain of Anime Updates Dropped During the Holidays
The Yuletide season present a wealth of pastimes far superior than checking the headlines: unwrapping gifts, feasting on holiday treats, and using deep breathing to not arguing with relatives. I hope you managed to do all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment never sleeps, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. Numerous noteworthy announcements came out over the break, and should you overlooked some of them, here is a compilation of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (Come 2027)
Without a doubt the most surprising revelation, the widely-criticized troubled production that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt further production. The show will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—such a distant date they could have dubbed it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will still be in charge. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the beginning, which is seen as a good sign. However, the key visual for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This leads one to believe that, by now, they must be mocking the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has built a name for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the exceptional quality of its output but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had never worked on an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most iconic magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a handful of installments, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a more relaxed pace, the series proved it maintained the fans' appreciation and positive sentiment, and now everyone is ecstatic about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Will Get a Sequel Now in the Works
Kingdom is the top-selling, 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 localization, but the anime has been going on for some time, and season 6 was another excellent entry. It turns out that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in development, and it will almost certainly premiere in 2026.
Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia To Anime
Another studio famous for the excellent quality of its work, Science Saru has delivered hit shows of the quality of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a truly original and captivating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season
Immediately following the conclusion of the final episode of the first season, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be receiving a second season. 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 firm air date has not been disclosed yet.
