The Anime Industry: The Challenge of Sequels
In the anime industry, it is quite common for new seasons of series to be introduced. However, not every successful series gets a sequel, leaving fans waiting for years without any results. This is the case for “No Game No Life,” “Majo no Tabitabi (Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina),” and “Accel World,” three popular anime that have yet to receive new seasons.
“No Game No Life,” based on the light novel of the same name by Yuu Kamiya, first aired in 2014 and quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase. The story follows siblings Sora and Shiro, who enter a fantasy world where conflicts are resolved through games.
Despite the success of the anime series and its film adaptation released in 2017, a sequel has yet to be confirmed. Author Yuu Kamiya has expressed his confusion on social media regarding the ongoing demand for a sequel, suggesting that the “exceptional quality” of the first season may be a barrier to producing a second.
Another notable example is “Majo no Tabitabi,” based on the light novel by Jougi Shiraishi. The story revolves around the witch Elaina as she journeys through various towns, encountering different situations. Although the anime has received positive acclaim and the source material continues with 23 volumes scheduled for release by October 2024, there has been no news about a sequel. Author Shiraishi has expressed a desire for an anime continuation, urging fans to support the potential for a sequel.
Lastly, “Accel World,” based on the light novel by Reki Kawahara, also finds itself in a similar situation. The show premiered in 2012, focusing on Haruyuki, a middle school student who escapes his harsh reality through a virtual reality game. While the source material continues to be published, with 27 volumes expected by August 2024, the story’s progression is slow, making the prospect of a second season increasingly uncertain.
While some anime like “Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You” have successfully launched sequels years after their initial airing, not all series are as fortunate.
The interest in new productions, changing trends, and the challenges of maintaining viewer engagement all contribute to the difficulty of securing sequels. Nonetheless, fans remain hopeful that their beloved series will one day return to the screen.
Some have suggested: “Ultimately, anime is produced to promote the associated light novels or manga, and if a work has too many volumes, it becomes challenging to attract new fans. Even if someone wants to read the original material, it can be difficult to start if the volumes are sold in bulk. Although the anime is quite popular, the era of selling Blu-rays is over, making it hard for anime to regenerate, which complicates the production of sequels.”
“I always think that publishers tend to adapt light novels into anime to increase revenue in a rather desperate way, so I believe that they prefer ‘new works’ over sequels,” added another individual.
Fans have voiced their opinions: “In the case of ‘No Game No Life,’ the author cannot continue writing due to the intricate plot, making it difficult for the anime to progress. Regarding ‘Accel World,’ the author has been criticized for needing to revise many parts of the content, which can hinder the story’s development. Moreover, the original voice actors’ commitments can also complicate the continuation of adaptations.”
