A Heap of Anime News Dropped During the Festive Season

The winter break provide a plethora of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the latest news: opening presents, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using meditation skills to avoid arguing with loved ones. I hope you were able to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the entertainment world doesn't take a break, and this is notably true for the realm of anime. A slew of exciting announcements surfaced over the festive period, and just in case you missed a few, here is a summary of the biggest bits.

The One-Punch Man Series Season 3 Is Moving Forward (Come 2027)

Perhaps the biggest piece of news, the widely-criticized troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to halt further production. The show will return with a follow-up batch of episodes in 2027—such a distant date they easily could have dubbed it season 4. Even more shocking, the studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. On a positive note this time, director Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the outset, which might be a good sign. But, the key visual for the second cour is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou looking opposite ways. This leads one to believe 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 forged a reputation for being an elite animation studio, distinguishing itself not just for the high caliber of its work but for the fair treatment of its employees—a uncommon practice in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had not produced an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, possibly the best-known magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will break that tradition, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained a huge following when it first appeared 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 lighter schedule, the series showed it hadn't lost the fans' affection and goodwill, and now the community is overjoyed about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel Currently in Production

Kingdom is the top-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 running for some time, and season 6 was yet another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will probably air in 2026.

Science Saru Will Adapt A Witch in Mongolia Into an Anime Series

A further studio known for the excellent quality of its work, Science Saru has brought us hit shows 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 true story of Fatima, an influential woman and intellectual 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 captivating 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 Is Set to Continue With a Season Two

Right after the airing of episode 24, it was revealed that Tougen Anki will be securing a follow-up. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has not yet been announced.