A Ton of Anime Updates Dropped Over the Holidays
The Christmas holidays provide a multitude of activities much better than catching up on the latest news: discovering surprises, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and employing patience techniques to avoid snapping at family members. I hope you were able to enjoy all these things and more. Nevertheless, the world of entertainment doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. A slew of exciting developments came out during the break, and just in case you missed a few, here is a roundup of the juiciest bits.
One-Punch Man Season 3 Is Moving Forward (By 2027)
Perhaps the most surprising piece of news, the much-discussed disaster that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to halt the series' continuation. Season 3 will be back with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—so far away they could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be in charge. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the start, which might be a hopeful indicator. However, the promotional image for the continuation is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This suggests that, by now, they must be trolling the fans.
Ruri Dragon Is Poised to Be the Premiere Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation
Kyoto Animation has established a name for being an elite animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the superb artistry of its productions but for the good working conditions of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not produced an anime stemming from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, perhaps the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo became widespread acclaim when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a lengthy break due to the author's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series showed it maintained the fans' support and goodwill, and now the community is thrilled about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
The Kingdom Series Season 6 Is Getting a Follow-Up Currently in Production
Kingdom is the top-selling, epic Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've are unfamiliar with it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English translation, but the anime has been going on for some time, and its sixth season was yet another excellent entry. As it happens that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in production, and it will almost certainly air in 2026.
Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series
A further studio known for the excellent quality of its work, 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 handling the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the true story of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual 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 fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my watchlist.
The Tougen Anki Series Will Continue With a Season Two
Shortly after the airing of its twenty-fourth episode, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be receiving 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 adapt the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm release date has yet to be revealed.
