A Ton of Japanese Animation News Dropped Over the Holidays

The Christmas holidays present a plethora of activities much better than checking the latest news: discovering surprises, indulging in delicious food, and employing meditation skills to avoid yelling at relatives. It is wished you were able to do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is especially true for the realm of anime. A slew of thrilling developments came out during the festive period, and just in case you didn't see some of them, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.

One-Punch Man Its Third Season Will Continue (By 2027)

Perhaps the most shocking revelation, the widely-criticized controversial season that was the third season of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop the series' continuation. The show will be back with a second cour in 2027—such a distant date they could have dubbed it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will still be at the helm. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which could be taken as a good sign. Yet, the key visual for the new episodes is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This makes me think that, nowadays, they must be teasing the fans.

The Ruri Dragon Series Will Be the First Shonen Jump Anime By Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has built a standing for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the good working conditions of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not adapted an anime based on a manga from Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became a huge following when it debuted in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the author's health issues. When it came back with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it still retained the fans' support and goodwill, and now the community is thrilled about the impending KyoAni adaptation.

The Kingdom Series Season 6 Has a Sequel Currently in Production

Kingdom is the best-selling, long-running 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 airing for years, and its sixth season was yet another stellar entry. It turns out that was just the first cour, because a "sequel" has been announced as in development, and it will probably air in 2026.

Science Saru Is Adapting A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series

Another studio known for the superior craftsmanship of its projects, Science Saru has brought us critically acclaimed works of the ilk of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most 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 powerful woman and scholar in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a distinctly fresh and fascinating visual style, which evokes Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my list of anticipated shows.

The Tougen Anki Series Will Continue With a Second Season

Right after the airing of its twenty-fourth episode, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a second season. Inspired by 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 firm air date has not yet been announced.