The Yuletide season provide a plethora of activities far superior than checking the headlines: opening presents, getting stuffed on delicious food, and using patience techniques to avoid snapping at family members. It is wished you were able to do all these things and more. Nevertheless, the showbiz industry doesn't take a break, and this is particularly true for the realm of anime. Numerous exciting developments emerged during the holidays, and should you missed any, here is a compilation of the most exciting bits.
Truly the most shocking announcement, the much-discussed controversial season that was season 3 of One-Punch Man wasn't enough to stop further production. The show will come back with a second cour in 2027—so far away they might as well have called it season 4. Adding to the surprise, the studio J.C. Staff will continue to be in charge. On a positive note this time, helmer Shinpei Nagai is set to direct from the start, which might be a positive development. However, the key visual for the new episodes is a mirror of the one used for season 3, just with protagonists Saitama and Garou facing different directions. This makes me think that, by now, they are probably mocking the fans.
Kyoto Animation has forged a standing for being an elite animation studio, making its mark not just for the superb artistry of its work but for the fair treatment of its employees—a rarity in the industry. Unexpectedly, until now, it had not adapted an anime stemming from a manga serialized in Shonen Jump, arguably the most famous magazine in the industry. Ruri Dragon will change that, and what a superb choice it is. The manga by Masaoki Shindo gained widespread acclaim when it first appeared in 2022 after just a small number of issues, but then went into a lengthy break due to the mangaka's health issues. When it resumed publication with a more relaxed pace, the series showed it still retained the fans' appreciation and goodwill, and now everyone is ecstatic about the impending KyoAni adaptation.
Kingdom is the top-selling, decades-spanning Shueisha manga that is not One Piece. If you've never heard of it before, it's because it only fairly recently obtained an English translation, but the anime has been going on for years, and season 6 was another stellar entry. Apparently that was just the first half, because a "sequel" has been announced as in production, and it will probably air in 2026.
Another studio famous for the excellent quality of its productions, Science Saru has brought us masterpieces of the caliber of Space Dandy, Devilman Crybaby, and, most recently, Dandadan. This time, the studio will be producing the adaptation of Tomato Soup's manga A Witch's Life in Mongol, based on the real historical figure of Fatima, an powerful woman and thinker in the Mongol Empire in the 13th century. From the trailer, the anime called 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 without a doubt be on my watchlist.
Right after the release of the final episode of the first season, it was announced that Tougen Anki will be securing a second season. Inspired by the Japanese legend of Momotaro, Tougen Anki is based on the manga by Yura Urushibara. The new season of the anime will delve into the Nikko Kegon Falls Arc, but a firm premiere date has not been disclosed yet.
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