The winter break provide a wealth of pastimes far superior than checking the updates: unwrapping gifts, getting stuffed on holiday treats, and using patience techniques to not arguing with relatives. It is wished you managed to accomplish all these things and more. That said, the world of entertainment doesn't go on vacation, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Many exciting developments came out during the holidays, and should you missed some of them, here is a compilation of the biggest bits.
Without a doubt the most shocking piece of news, the widely-criticized disaster that was the third season of One-Punch Man proved insufficient to deter the series' continuation. The show will return with a second cour in 2027—so far away they might as well have called it season 4. More surprisingly, animation studio J.C. Staff will remain at the helm. At least this time, director Shinpei Nagai is attached to direct from the outset, which could be taken as a positive development. Yet, the key visual for the second cour is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with characters Saitama and Garou oriented differently. This suggests that, nowadays, they could be mocking the fans.
Kyoto Animation has forged a name for being an prestigious animation studio, setting itself apart not just for the high caliber of its output but for the ethical practices of its employees—a sadly unusual standard in the industry. Surprisingly, until now, it had never worked on an anime based on a manga published in Shonen Jump, possibly the best-known magazine in the field. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a great choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo achieved widespread acclaim when it launched in 2022 after just a few chapters, but then went into a two-year hiatus due to the mangaka's health issues. When it returned with a reduced workload, the series demonstrated it maintained the fans' appreciation and enthusiasm, and now fans are ecstatic about the forthcoming KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom is the highly popular, epic Shueisha manga that is aside from One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only just received an English release, but the anime has been going on for a while, and its sixth season was another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the initial batch, because a "sequel" has been announced as currently being made, and it will probably air in 2026.
A further studio known for the excellent quality of its work, Science Saru has delivered hit shows of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, lastly, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be taking on the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, which is based on the actual historical person of Fatima, an powerful woman and intellectual in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime called Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia will have a highly unique and fascinating visual style, which reminds me a bit of Ranking of Kings. Scheduled to launch in July 2026, this one will without a doubt be on my watchlist.
Immediately following the conclusion of its twenty-fourth episode, it was confirmed that Tougen Anki will be securing a sequel. Adapted from the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki brings to life the manga by Yura Urushibara. The upcoming season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a concrete premiere date has yet to be revealed.
