Why do so many anime never get sequels? Why do others get sequels that disappoint? The anime sequel problem stems from industry structure. Here’s why.
Production Committee Hell
Most anime are funded by committees—groups of companies sharing costs and profits. Getting everyone to agree on a sequel is harder than the original agreement. One reluctant partner can kill projects.
Advertising Model
Anime primarily exists to advertise source material. Once viewers buy the manga or light novel, the adaptation served its purpose. Sequels add expense without proportional source material sales boost.
Staff Availability
The director, animators, and voice actors who made Season 1 special might be unavailable. Waiting for schedules to align delays projects. Finding replacements risks quality.
Why Some Get Sequels
Ongoing Manga
If the manga keeps selling, animation keeps coming. One Piece, JJK, and Demon Slayer have sequel guarantees because source material continues.
Streaming Deals
Netflix and Crunchyroll fund productions directly. Their commitment can bypass committee politics. Streaming money enables sequels that traditional funding wouldn’t.
Merchandising Power
Shows that sell figures, games, and products earn sequels. Fate’s endless content comes from merchandising revenue. Story is secondary to sales.
Sequel Disappointments
Different Studios
When studios change between seasons, quality often drops. One Punch Man Season 2 (J.C. Staff vs. Madhouse) demonstrated this painfully.
Budget Cuts
First seasons get “pilot” treatment—extra budget to establish audience. Sequels often have reduced resources. Animation quality declines.
Rushing Production
Capitalizing on hype means quick turnarounds. Speed sacrifices quality. Seven Deadly Sins’ later seasons showed degradation.
Shows That Deserve Sequels
- No Game No Life – One season, no continuation
- Bloom Into You – Incomplete adaptation
- The Devil is a Part-Timer – Delayed sequel disappointed
- Spice and Wolf – Finally getting remake/continuation
What Can Change
Streaming platforms funding complete adaptations. Direct fan funding (Kickstarter, crowdfunding). Japanese audience campaigns. The system is changing—slowly—but shows still fall through cracks.