Despite featuring stellar animation, several great anime shows fail to secure subsequent seasons, disappointing viewers. Reasons for this range from deviating too far from source material to excessive violence or studio decisions. This article explores recent anime gems that faced cancellation, are awaiting continuation or never got a second season.
14. Another
What is it about? This popular horror anime follows middle school student Koichi Sakakibara as he transferred to Class 3-3 in the Spring of 1998. Here, he finds that his classmates are ignoring one girl, Mei Misaki, a mysterious dark-haired person wearing an eye patch. He grows close to her against his better judgment (and his classmate’s warnings).
Why we love it: By the final episode, there have been some major reveals, plot twists, and many deaths.
Why it was cancelled: In terms of why the show did not get a second season, it resulted from the anime ending, which is similar to the manga. This would mean that there is no more source material, right? But no, Another would not be on this list then. There is a sequel to the novel series, but judging from the time since the original series ended without a peep from the show creators, it is improbable that the sequel will be made into a series.
13. Hyouka
What is it about? The plot of this anime follows high school student Oreki Hotarou, a teenage boy who wants to get through life as effortlessly as possible. However, his sister forces him to join the Classic Lit Club at the school to stop it from being shut down. Three other members also joined him: Chitanda Eru, Satoshi Fukube, and Mayaka Ibara.
Why we love it: They end up solving mysteries, and Oreki and Chitanda’s blooming romance captured the hearts of fans.
Why it was cancelled: The show was not greenlit for a second season because Kyoto Animation felt that the series was not received well in the anime community. Therefore, the studio thought it was best to spend its time, money, and efforts on other long-term projects.
12. Angel Beats!
Anyone who has seen the ending of this anime can probably guess why it did not receive a second season. Well, that’s after they stop ugly crying.
What is it about? Following Yuzuru Otonashi, a boy with amnesia who ends up in the afterlife, the narrative is already set up to be sad. The show is set in a school environment type of Limbo for people with unfinished business or unresolved feelings. All the characters have experienced some form of trauma or hardship in their life and have died young.
Why we love it: At the end of the series, the whole group has found peace. It’s incredibly heartwarming.
Why it was cancelled: Unfortunately, there is not enough source material for a second season because the anime ending and manga ending line up. However, a prequel novel called Heaven’s Door and a retelling called Last Operation could serve as more material, seeing our favourite characters returning.
11. Interspecies Reviewers
What is it about? Set in a medieval fantasy land, the plot follows two adventurers: a human named Stunk and an elf named Zel. The pair enjoys spending time at various brothels, which leads them to write reviews on their experiences at the business. Their reviews are then posted in a local tavern to help others decide which species they want to have sex with, making them a lot of money.
Why we love it: Of course, reading the synopsis of the plot alone tells you that this is a very mature anime that sees some lewd scenes that bring it closer to hentai than some may be comfortable admitting. However, the show has a surprisingly large fanbase despite this. And it came as a surprise to many when Funimation streamed the show.
Why it was cancelled: After a few episodes, they removed the anime from their catalogue as it did not ‘mesh’ with their other content. Not long after, other streaming platforms began removing anime because of its explicit nature. And despite having a censored version, the series was still banned in some countries.
10. Highschool of the Dead
What is it about? It follows a group of high school students and their school nurse as they navigate a sudden outbreak of a zombie apocalypse. The story focuses on their struggle for survival as they face hordes of the undead and conflicts with other survivors.
Why we love it: Despite the unnecessary fan service in this anime, it was a great narrative about a group of high school students trying to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Why it was cancelled: Although the show’s end implied that there was more to come, the manga has been discontinued. Daisuke Sato, the writer and creator of the manga series, sadly passed away in 2017 due to complications from ischemic heart disease. As a result, the chances of there being a second season are slim to none, as there will definitely be no more source material.
9. Ouran High School Host Club
What is it about? This fun slice-of-life romantic comedy follows Haruhi Fujioka, a girl who pretends to be a boy to join the popular host club at Ouran High. Some of the members eventually begin to realise Haruhi is a girl. However, the show focuses on the relationships formed within and outside of the school club.
Why we love it: The series is renowned for its humour, which ranges from slapstick comedy to clever wordplay. The eccentric characters and their interactions often lead to hilarious situations.
Why it was cancelled: Some people believe the show did not get a second season because it was not meant to have one. However, the manga continued, with author Bisco Hatori releasing more chapters. However, the studios never mentioned anything regarding a second season despite there being more material.
8. Yuri! On Ice
What is it about? After 23-year-old Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki suffers a bad loss at the Grand Prix Final, he decides to hang up his skates for good and return to his hometown. After five years abroad, he returns to Hasetsu in Kyushu; he ends up meeting two professional skaters who may be able to reignite his passion for skating.
Why we love it: The anime is celebrated for its groundbreaking representation of LGBTQ+ relationships, particularly in the sports genre. The romance between the two male protagonists, Yuri Katsuki and Victor Nikiforov, is portrayed with sincerity and depth, resonating deeply with viewers.
Why it was cancelled: There have been many issues regarding the show’s second season, with MAPPA Studios announcing they are working on a follow-up film instead: Yuri!!! On Ice The Movie: Ice Adolescence. But then they informed fans that while there is a film in production, no release date is in sight just yet. So this is not a very promising-sounding announcement, but let’s hope fans get to see more from their favourite characters.
7. Yona of the Dawn
What is it about? The plot follows the red-haired Princess Yona, who has lived a sheltered life inside her castle walls, Crimson Dragon Castle. She is protected by her trusty and reliable bodyguard, Hak. However, when someone tries to usurp the throne, she is forced to flee from the castle with Hak. The two go on a journey for a magic artefact that will give her access to the four legendary dragons and, in turn, help her save her kingdom.
Why we love it: Along the way, the two form a romance that many fans were excited to see continue in a second season.
Why it was cancelled: Unfortunately, while there is material for a second sequel, the anime did not see an increase in manga sales. And because of this, the studios decided to drop the show as there was not much profit being made.
6. Beelzebub
What is it about? This anime classic took the world by storm when it was first released (even making our list of the best comedy anime of all time), its first few episodes breaking the fourth wall. The series follows high school delinquent Tatsumi as he is chosen to raise the son of a demon named Beelzebub. From here, the two engage in some crazy, wacky antics. With a 60-episode long run, the show ended with an episode titled ‘I Won’t Say Goodbye’.
Why we love it: The anime is known for its uproarious humour and comedic antics. The absurd situations that the characters find themselves in, often involving the demon baby, provide endless entertainment.
Why it was cancelled: Unfortunately, despite the manga continuing, the author eventually discontinued the manga. A clear reason was not stated, but it is rumoured to be due to an issue regarding the writing of the manga. As a result, a second season for the show was now out of the question. Any production plans that were made for a second season were now cancelled, which really is a pity.
5. Deadman Wonderland
Of all the anime that never got a second season, this is one we are most sad about.
What is it about? With some cool character animations and designs, the plot follows a middle school student, Ganta, who is accused of murdering his entire class. Of course, he is wrongfully accused but still gets taken to a strange prison where they have their prisoners endure weird and perverse torture games. Upon arriving, he discovers that he has a rare superhuman ability and becomes the target of multiple people in prison.
Why we love it: By the end of the series, we find out Shiro is the Red Man and are finally about to get a glimpse of Ganta’s true power. We also get a proper look at the ultimate badass of Deadman Wonderland, Mockingbird.
Why it was cancelled: Not only did the show’s ending somewhat stray from the original source material, but the studio that created the show went bankrupt. Of course, this means that the chances of us seeing a second season are very slim. However, the manga has reached its end, so there is that to go on, at least.
4. No Game No Life
Due to the declining health of the anime’s mangaka, it is very unlikely that this anime will see a second season. Similar to the problem with Hunter x Hunter, the author has to repeatedly take hiatuses due to their health issues. However, the anime has seen a huge fanbase who still want a second season.
What is it about? The plot follows pro-gamer siblings Sora and Shiro (known as Blank) as they are sent to a world where games settle everything after beating God himself in a game of chess. The series concludes with Blank winning a game and taking control of the Eastern Federation (Warbeast) territories.
Why we love it: The series features intense and strategic battles between characters, where victory depends on wit, intelligence, and cunning tactics rather than physical strength.
Why it was cancelled: Madhouse Studios has not confirmed a second season, but they have not confirmed that it has been cancelled either. This means there might still be hope for fans of the series after all.
3. Kabenari of the Iron Fortress
This dark-fantasy post-apocalyptic anime has a huge and loyal fanbase that has been patiently awaiting the announcement of a second season.
What is it about? Following Ikoma, a steamsmith who lost his sister years prior, the anime is set in a world where everything is overrun by aggressive creatures known as Kabane. A group of survivors are travelling by train, trying to find shelter from the monstrous creatures. However, as the world is in the middle of an industrial revolution, a giant monster appears that can only be killed by piercing its heart. Unfortunately, its heart is surrounded by an Iron Fortress.
Why we love it: The anime delivers intense and adrenaline-pumping action sequences, particularly in its battles against zombie-like creatures.
Why it was cancelled: Because this is an anime original series (meaning there is no material it is based on), the chances of a second-season renewal are very slim. And considering it’s been seven years since its release, the chances are looking non-existent.
2. Talentless Nana
You can’t talk about good anime that never got a second season without mentioning Talentless Nana.
What is it about? Nanao Nakajima deals with the seemingly endless taunting of his bullies because he lacks superhuman abilities and is considered ‘talentless’. That is, until a boy named Kyōya Onodera and an upbeat girl named Nana transfer into his class. The class becomes a united front to fight back against the enemies of humanity, scary creatures that just appeared fifty years prior. But then, students from the class begin to disappear, shaking the class’ entire foundation.
Why we love it: From shocking character deaths to dramatic betrayals, the anime is filled with unexpected plot twists and revelations that subvert expectations and keep viewers guessing.
Why it was cancelled: Unfortunately, the show’s creators and producers have yet to acknowledge whether it will receive another season. As it stands, it is not looking very likely, but fans can hope.
1. Claymore
This anime deserves the top spot for one of the best anime that never got a second season. In fact, it should be a crime that this series has not yet been rebooted or renewed for more seasons.
What is it about? The story follows our protagonist, Clare, one of the weakest members of the Claymore. They are a group of half-human, half-demons known as Yomas. They are tasked with fighting full-bred Yomas, who are ruthless monsters that prey on humanity. The great thing about the anime is that the Claymores are all women, as men cannot become Claymores and instead end up as this blood-thirsty, full-bred Yoma upon trying.
Why we love it: Claymore has a dark and atmospheric tone that sets it apart from other anime in the fantasy genre. The bleak landscapes, grim themes, and moral ambiguity create a sense of tension and foreboding that immerses viewers in the world.
Why it was cancelled: Unfortunately, the show would not be able to receive a second season despite its popularity because there is not enough source material to back it up. The story has been on a 13-year hiatus, and despite being popular enough to receive another season, the chances of that happening are very unlikely at this rate.
What great anime do you think deserves a second season? Also, check out our list of the best superhero anime of all time.
