Top 10 Anime That Deserved a Second Season But Never Got One

In recent years, as the anime industry expands and attracts more viewers with varying tastes, some outstanding series can get overshadowed by others for various reasons. Despite a surge in popularity and an increase in the number of series produced annually, not all productions receive equal attention from studios due to their focus on specific genres, such as shonen. This concentration on certain genres often leads to popular action series like “Jujutsu Kaisen,” “Demon Slayer,” and “Solo Leveling” garnering global acclaim, causing fans to stick to these genres and potentially overlook other worthy series.

Sequels for many TV series are often announced shortly after a season concludes. Unfortunately, for less popular shows, the animation studios may take several years to produce another season – and quite frequently they just don’t. Fans of some of these shows have been waiting patiently for over a decade now, hoping for a second season.

Barakamon

In essence: Known calligrapher Sei Handa, striving for recognition through competition wins, lived much of his life honing his craft. Yet, when the director steals his award-winning work, Handa reacts impulsively, striking the older man in anger. This outburst prompts his father to send him to a secluded island for self-improvement and contemplation. Unbeknownst to Handa, this isolation would lead to a transformation of his life as he discovers an original art style all his own.

Barakamon embarks on a charming and amusing journey of personal growth as he adapts to rural living alongside the villagers. The initial season of this anime debuted in 2014, taking inspiration from Satsuki Yoshino’s manga. However, it omitted some scenes along the way and didn’t fully encompass the complete narrative. Regrettably, the tale remains incomplete within its 12 episodes. The manga eventually concluded in 2023 with a total of 150 chapters spanning across 20 volumes.

Yona of the Dawn

In a world blending history and fantasy, a heartwarming tale unfolds – a dream come true for shojo enthusiasts. The narrative of “Yona of the Dawn” revolves around Princess Yona and her loyal guard, Hak, as they flee their castle following King Il’s untimely death. Tragically, the perpetrator is none other than their childhood friend and Yona’s cousin, Soo-Won. With her last blood relative dead and forced out of the castle, this sheltered princess embarks on a journey to improve her kingdom without the benefits of royalty.

Accompanied by Hak, the famed Four Dragon Warriors, and a brilliant youngster named Yoon, the team embarks on a journey throughout the realm to banish evil and oppression. The first season premiered in 2014 with 24 episodes. On the other hand, the manga is nearing its conclusion, chronicling the adventures of Yona and her companions. Although the anime primarily follows the early stages of the manga, the true tale unfolds when Yona unites all four Dragon Warriors. Unfortunately, it may be quite some time before we see Yona’s grand saga brought to life on screen.

Flying Witch

Shows with calming narratives, stunning visuals, and especially tranquil soundtracks are sometimes overlooked, but Flying Witch is one such series that didn’t get enough recognition for Studio J.C. to produce a second season. This anime was released in 2016, four years after the manga’s initial publication. The plot revolves around Makoto Kowata, a 15-year-old girl who leaves her parents’ home to start living as a fully-fledged witch. According to witches’ customs, an apprentice must depart from their family residence and establish independence at the age of 15.

Accompanied by her feline friend Chito, a cat familar, Makoto settles in Aomori – a region renowned among witches for its magical inclinations. Despite appearing like an average high school student, Makoto’s peculiarities and witchcraft lend an extraordinary twist to her daily existence.

Hyouka

2012 saw the debut of Hyouka, a series that boasts a devoted fanbase due to its high ratings and favorable reviews. Yet, despite its popularity, the intriguing plotline of Hyouka never led to an anime sequel. The narrative revolves around Hōtarō Oreki, a freshman in high school who prefers to conserve his energy, which essentially means he’s quite lazy and tries to avoid exerting effort whenever possible.

Though reluctantly coerced by my sister to enroll in our school’s ancient Classic Literature Club, I soon find myself entangled in a whirlwind of mysteries. At first, I had no desire to unravel the enigmas that seemed to surround us, but Eru Chitanda’s relentless inquisitiveness, a fellow club member, proved impossible to ignore.

Blue Period

In my view, “Blue Period” stands out as one of those captivating anime series that offers a unique blend of art’s enchanting beauty and the hardships artists encounter, diverging from the usual shonen genre. The narrative revolves around Yatora Yaguchi, a second-year high school student with impressive academic records but lacking in motivation, who finds his true purpose in life when he gazes upon the vivid panorama of Shibuya. Inspired, Yatora decides to express his thoughts through painting, picking up a paintbrush for the first time.

Without delay, he chooses to apply to Tokyo University of the Arts, an exceptionally tough institution that admits just one out of every two hundred candidates. Far from presenting a romanticized portrayal of an artistic voyage, this anime concentrates on sleepless nights, creative droughts, exhaustion, rejection, vulnerability, and the arduous quest to express oneself authentically. The initial season of the anime debuted in 2021, garnering acclaim from both fans and critics. Regrettably, the animation studio didn’t renew it for a second season.

Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun

In the realm of romantic comedies, particularly those targeted at young women, it’s hard to find a series that rivals the charm of “Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-Kun.” As an observer, I found myself immersed in its unique high school setting filled with quirky characters. The narrative unfolds around these eccentric students, with Chiyo Sakura being one of them. In a comical twist, she confesses her feelings for Umetaro Nozaki, only to mistakenly label herself as his ‘fan.’

Without warning, Nozaki gives her his autograph, leaving the girl puzzled until she recognizes him as manga artist Sakiko Yumeno, a well-known shojo mangaka using a pen name. This surprising twist leads her to work for him as an assistant. As time goes on, Chiyo makes friends with many of Nozaki’s eccentric companions, transforming even the most ordinary moments into a hilarious journey. The anime debuted in 2014 and remains popular despite not having a follow-up series.

Sirius the Jaeger

Original animated shows seldom grab public attention as they don’t typically have an established fanbase like those based on manga, novels, or video games. However, the first season of Sirius the Jaeger, launched in 2018, was exceptionally captivating, boasting a gripping storyline and outstanding animation. This series is set in 1930s Japan and revolves around a young werewolf named Yuliy, who belongs to a vampire-hunting squad known as the Jaegers.

In their latest endeavor, the Jaegers find themselves in Japan, pursuing a band of vampires seeking the “Ark of Sirius,” an old artifact rumored to bestow tremendous power upon its possessor. However, Yuliy harbors a deep-seated animosity towards these vampires, as they were responsible for the destruction of his native land. As the chase unfolds, Yuliy starts to unearth disturbing truths about his own past and the true essence of the artifact.

Children of the Whales

Another J.C. Staff production that captivated viewers since its initial airing but failed to secure a follow-up season, despite its strong foundation based on Abi Umeda’s manga. This anime premiered in 2017 and was highly acclaimed for its innovative world-design and stunning visuals. The narrative unfolds within a post-apocalyptic landscape dominated by an endless expanse of sand, focusing on inhabitants residing on a colossal floating island known as the Mud Whale. The Mud Whale houses two distinct groups: marked and unmarked individuals.

In this fictional setting, those who bear a certain mark possess unique abilities known as thymia, yet their lives are cut shorter. Those without the mark live ordinary existences. However, when the Mud Whale, their isolated home, is threatened by outsiders, these citizens gain an unsettling insight into the harsh realities of the world they inhabit. As the narrative unfolds, a series of shocking truths about the islands, and particularly the Mud Whale, are gradually revealed.

Ghost Hunt

The lesser-known yet captivating anime titled “Ghost Hunt” offers an enticing mix of humor, chills, and suspense. This show made its debut in 2006, structuring the 25 episodes around eight standalone cases centered on ghosts and individuals with psychic powers. Regrettably, the anime skips over some narrative details and fails to tie up all loose ends like its manga counterpart. A second season could have provided a satisfying resolution for this remarkable series.

16-year-old Mai Taniyama is featured in various intriguing instances where she works part-time at Shibuya Psychic Research, a business overseen by 17-year-old Kazuya Shibuya. These cases delve into genuine life events and narratives, such as the chilling story of Elizabeth Bathory, Bram Stoker’s Dracula novel, among others.

Hinamatsuri

In a delightful, lesser-known gem, humor and poignant family themes intertwine in an unexpected blend. The story follows Yoshifumi Nitta, a yakuza member, whose ordinary existence is flipped on its head when a peculiar metal orb lands in his residence. Inside this orb dwells Hina, a girl devoid of emotions who possesses telekinetic abilities yet lacks understanding of everyday life.

Rather than leaving the girl on her own, Nitta reluctantly consents to let her stay with him. Over time, they develop an indissoluble connection, with Nitta serving as a father figure for the girl. Each day brings fresh surprises due to Hina’s unique abilities, and despite his tranquil life being disrupted, Nitta couldn’t feel more content.

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2025-04-14 22:12