One-season anime series often face the unfortunate circumstance of not receiving a follow-up season, primarily due to low ratings or lukewarm reception. This has significant implications for both the anime series and their dedicated fandoms, resulting in ongoing discussions about them even today.
Additionally, many one-season anime are quite remarkable yet fail to secure a second season, often due to inadequate marketing or a limited cultural reach. However, the following nine series genuinely deserve a sequel, but sadly, no continuation has been announced.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the series mentioned here.
9 One-Season Anime That Deserve a Sequel
1) No Game No Life
One of the most infamous examples of a one-season anime that truly deserved a sequel is No Game No Life. Even the series’ author, Yu Kamiya, is frequently asked about a new season. The first season aired in 2014 with 12 episodes, yet no sequel has been announced.
The plot follows Sora and Shiro, two highly skilled gamers who receive an email challenging them to a chess game, which they win. Their victory transports them to Disboard, a reality where games are employed to resolve disputes, and violence is strictly forbidden.
2) Terror in Resonance
Produced by Studio MAPPA, known for major battle shonen adaptations, Terror in Resonance (2014) is a brilliant one-season anime that contributed to the studio’s acclaimed legacy. Directed by the iconic Shinichirō Watanabe, famed for Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, the series presents an intriguing narrative.
In an alternate timeline, two teens, Nine and Twelve, discover a prototype atomic bomb and utilize it to manipulate the Japanese government. They are survivors of a secret experiment aimed at turning orphans with savant syndrome into weapons, and soon a girl named Lisa becomes entangled in their conflict.
3) Yona of the Dawn
Yona of the Dawn is hailed as one of the finest shojo series, with its manga, which began in 2009 and is still ongoing, receiving widespread acclaim. However, its anime adaptation ran for only 24 episodes and 3 OVAs from 2014 to 2015 and did not perform particularly well in ratings, leaving fans yearning for more.
The story revolves around Yona, the sole princess of the Kouka Kingdom, whose life shatters when she learns her father was slain by her childhood friend, Su-won. With the help of her lifelong friend Hak, she escapes and embarks on a journey, discovering she is the reincarnation of the Crimson Dragon God, destined to summon four dragon warriors to fight alongside her.
4) Saint Seiya: Lost Canvas
The Saint Seiya franchise boasts numerous spinoffs, but few have made as significant an impact as Lost Canvas, which ran from 2006 to 2011 and was written by Shiori Teshirogi. This adaptation revitalized the franchise, introducing fresh concepts while honoring classic elements like the Gold Saints, and many fans consider it superior to the original manga by Masami Kurumada.
Set in the 18th century, the story follows Tenma, the previous Pegasus Saint, friendship with Athena of his era, Sasha, and the body of Hades’ current incarnation, Alone. Their conflict leads to a tragic Holy War involving immense losses, with Tenma grappling with the need to kill his best friend. Despite its 26 episodes, the adaptation left a wealth of 25 manga volumes unadapted, with many fans hoping for a continuation.
5) Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland aired in 2011 with 11 episodes, adapted from the first 21 chapters of its manga, which extends to 13 volumes from 2007 to 2013. It has emerged as an underrated gem within the dystopian genre.
The narrative centers on Ganta Igarashi, a middle school student surviving a catastrophic earthquake. His life is irrevocably changed when a mysterious masked assassin slaughters his classmates, sparing him and implanting a red crystal shard in his chest. Wrongfully accused of the massacre, he finds himself imprisoned in Deadman Wonderland.
6) Sk8 the Infinity
SK8 the Infinity is one of those one-season anime that appears to be in a perpetual state of limbo. The series, which debuted in early 2021, has yet to receive any updates from Studio Bones regarding its future.
Set in Okinawa, the story features an underground skating competition called “S”, where rivalries often flare. The protagonist, Reki, is a high school student who befriends Langa and introduces him to the world of skating and underground competitions.
7) Highschool of the Dead
Madhouse is known for producing some small projects that don’t receive a second season, and Highschool of the Dead is one peculiar case. Although the 12-episode series, which premiered in 2010, didn’t achieve stellar ratings, it has since attained a cult following, especially during the Western zombie resurgence.
In modern-day Japan, a devastating pandemic turns civilians into zombies, compelling a group of high school students to fight for survival amidst the chaos as they adapt to their harrowing circumstances.
8) Blue Period
Blue Period presents a straightforward premise (a young man’s quest to enter art school) yet captivates a wide audience of anime fans. While it received positive reviews, it remains a one-season anime with only 12 episodes, airing in 2021.
The protagonist, Yatora Yaguchi, excels academically but lacks enthusiasm for life until he discovers his passion for painting, leading him to pursue it as a career. However, he soon realizes that sheer passion isn’t enough for success.
9) Princess Jellyfish
Princess Jellyfish is unique in having more live-action adaptations than anime episodes, which is quite rare. The story primarily focuses on an apartment in Tokyo named Amamizukan, home to a group of women, with Tsukimi Kurashita, an illustrator with social anxiety, at the forefront.
Throughout the series, Tsukimi faces her challenges while navigating relationships with the eclectic characters residing in the apartment.
Final Thoughts
While many other one-season anime deserve more attention, these stand out as some of the most notable examples. This highlights the often-overlooked quality in the seasonal anime market, causing devoted fandoms to wait years, sometimes over a decade, for a new season.
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