A Mountain of Anime News Arrived Over the Festive Season
The Christmas holidays offer a multitude of activities much better than checking the latest news: opening presents, getting stuffed on festive fare, and using patience techniques to not yelling at loved ones. I hope you were able to enjoy all these things and more. However, the entertainment world doesn't go on vacation, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling announcements surfaced during the holidays, and if you overlooked a few, here is a roundup of the biggest bits.
One-Punch Man Its Third Season Will Continue (Come 2027)
Perhaps the biggest revelation, the notorious controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop further production. The show will return with a second cour in 2027—so far away they might as well have labeled it season 4. More surprisingly, the studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. Thankfully this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which could be taken as a positive development. However, the main art for the second cour is identical to the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, by now, they are probably mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a reputation for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its work but for the fair treatment of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved massive popularity when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a extended pause due to the mangaka's health issues. When it returned with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now the community is overjoyed about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the highly popular, long-running Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been running for years, and its sixth season was yet another outstanding entry. As it happens that was just the initial batch, 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 delivered critically acclaimed works of the ilk 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 actual historical person of Fatima, an prominent woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Judging from the trailer, the anime titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will definitely be on my must-watch list.
Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the release of episode 24, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The second season of the anime will adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a specific air date has not yet been announced.
