A Mountain of Anime News Landed During the Holidays
The Yuletide season offer a multitude of pursuits far superior than scanning the headlines: unwrapping gifts, indulging in delicious food, and employing patience techniques to not arguing with relatives. Hopefully you managed to do all these things and more. However, the showbiz industry doesn't go on vacation, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Many exciting news items emerged over the holidays, and if 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 (In 2027)
Without a doubt the biggest revelation, the much-discussed disaster that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt more episodes. Season 3 will come back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—a date so remote they might as well have labeled it season 4. Adding to the surprise, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain leading the project. Thankfully this time, director Shinpei Nagai is on board to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. However, the main art for the new episodes is the same image the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This suggests that, at this point, they could be mocking the fans.
The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime Produced By Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has forged a standing for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, arguably the best-known magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the mangaka's health issues. When it returned with a more relaxed pace, the series demonstrated it maintained the fans' support and goodwill, and now fans are thrilled about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom Its Sixth Season Has a Sequel Currently in Production
Kingdom is the best-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've haven't come across it before, it's because it only just received an English release, but the anime has been going on for years, and its sixth season was another outstanding entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in development, 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 masterpieces of the caliber 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, inspired by the actual historical person of Fatima, an prominent woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. Based on the trailer, the anime named Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and captivating visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my watchlist.
Tougen Anki Will Continue With a Second Season
Right after the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be getting a follow-up. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has yet to be revealed.
