A wealth of anime updates emerged during the holiday season.
The Christmas holidays offer a ton of fun activities that are way more enjoyable than scrolling through the news: unwrapping presents, indulging in delicious food, and practicing your meditation skills to keep your cool around family. I hope you managed to do all that and more. But the entertainment scene doesn’t take a break, especially in the world of anime. A bunch of exciting announcements dropped over the holidays, so here’s a roundup of the most noteworthy updates.
In a surprising twist, despite the mixed reception of season 3 of One-Punch Man, the anime is set to continue with a second cour in 2027. That’s so far off it might as well be labeled season 4! Even more surprising is that J.C. Staff will still be in charge of the animation. On a positive note, Shinpei Nagai will be directing from the beginning this time, which could bode well for the series. However, the key visual for the second cour is just a rehash of the one from season 3, with Saitama and Garou facing different directions, leading me to wonder if they’re just having a bit of fun at the fans’ expense.
Kyoto Animation has earned its stripes as a top-tier studio, known not only for its stunning productions but also for treating its employees well—something that’s sadly uncommon in the industry. Until now, they hadn’t adapted any manga from Shonen Jump, the most renowned magazine in the field. That’s about to change with Ruri Dragon, a fantastic choice considering the manga by Masaoki Shindo skyrocketed in popularity after its 2022 debut, despite a two-year hiatus due to the author’s health. Now that it’s back with a lighter schedule, fans are thrilled about the upcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom, the best-selling manga from Shueisha that isn’t One Piece, has only recently made its way into English localization, but the anime has been running for a while, with season 6 being another solid installment. It turns out that was just the first cour, as a sequel has been announced and is currently in production, likely set to air in 2026.
Science Saru, known for its high-quality productions like Space Dandy and Devilman Crybaby, is taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup’s manga A Witch’s Life in Mongol. This series is based on the real historical figure Fatima, a significant woman and intellectual in the 13th-century Mongol Empire. The trailer for the anime, titled Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia, showcases a unique and captivating visual style reminiscent of Ranking of Kings. Set to debut in July 2026, this one is definitely on my must-watch list.
Following the release of episode 24, the finale of the first season, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be getting a sequel. Based on the Japanese legend of Momotaro, this adaptation of Yura Urushibara’s manga will cover the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, though a release date has yet to be announced.
