A Ton of Anime Updates Dropped Over the Festive Season

The Christmas holidays present a plethora of pursuits considerably more enjoyable than catching up on the updates: discovering surprises, feasting on delicious food, and using deep breathing to refrain from snapping at loved ones. Hopefully you were able to do all these things and more. However, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Many noteworthy announcements surfaced over the holidays, and should you overlooked a few, here is a summary of the juiciest bits.

One-Punch Man Its Third Season Is Set to Continue (By 2027)

Perhaps the biggest announcement, the much-discussed troubled production that was season 3 of One-Punch Man failed to stop further production. The show will be back with a subsequent part 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 still be in charge. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which could be taken as a hopeful indicator. Yet, the key visual for the continuation is identical to the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This makes me think that, by now, they must be mocking the fans.

The Ruri Dragon Series Is Poised to Be the First Shonen Jump Anime From Kyoto Animation

Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the exceptional quality of its productions but for the fair treatment of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Curiously, until now, it had not adapted an anime adapted from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, possibly the most famous magazine in the business. Ruri Dragon will end that streak, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained widespread acclaim when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the author's health issues. When it resumed publication with a lighter schedule, the series demonstrated it hadn't lost the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now the community is ecstatic about the impending KyoAni adaptation.

Kingdom Season 6 Will Get a Sequel In Production

Kingdom is the top-selling, long-running Shueisha manga that is other than One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only just received an English localization, but the anime has been airing for years, and its sixth season was yet another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been confirmed as in development, and it will probably debut in 2026.

Science Saru Is Bringing A Witch in Mongolia To Anime

Another studio known for the artistic merit of its productions, Science Saru has delivered critically acclaimed works of the quality 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, based on the real historical figure 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 intriguing visual style, which is somewhat reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Debuting in July 2026, this one will absolutely be on my watchlist.

Tougen Anki Is Set to Continue With a Second Season

Shortly after the conclusion of episode 24, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be getting a second season. Based on 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 been disclosed yet.