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conventions ✦

Anime Expo 2025 just wrapped—and as expected, the announcements did not disappoint. From long-awaited sequels to bold new originals, this year’s reveals struck a balance between fan-favorite franchises and experimental storytelling. With studios pulling out all the stops and platforms like Netflix doubling down on anime, the medium’s future looks more expansive—and more ambitious—than ever. Here’s a breakdown of everything worth talking about.

Anime Expo 2025, © Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation 2025. All rights reserved.

Major Sequels and Continuations

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

The return to Night City is official. A new season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is on the way, continuing the legacy of one of the most celebrated anime debuts of the decade. This time, a new director is at the helm, bringing a darker, even more visceral tone to the series. While the original told a contained tragedy, the follow-up promises a new cast, new emotional stakes, and a narrative that’s just as urgent. A teaser shown at Anime Expo set the tone right: David’s story may be over, but the chaos he left behind is still rippling outward. But let’s be real here—we want more David, so bring him back!

Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc (Movie)

Instead of heading straight into a second season, Chainsaw Man is making its theatrical debut. The Reze Arc, one of the manga’s most emotionally layered chapters, is being adapted as a feature-length film. Known for its explosive action and themes of love, identity, and betrayal, this chapter is a natural fit for a cinematic treatment. Fans eager for Denji’s return can expect high stakes, brutal fights, and a love story unlike any the series has shown before.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
The slow-burning fantasy favorite is officially returning in early 2026. Season 2 of Frieren will continue to explore its central themes of memory, grief, and the quiet passage of time. With its painterly visuals and introspective tone, the series remains one of the most emotionally resonant shows in recent memory. Expect more quiet revelations and deceptively powerful character arcs.

Bleach: The Thousand-Year Blood War – The Calamity

The final arc of Bleach’s long-awaited return is titled “The Calamity” and is slated to debut in 2026. This final installment promises to deliver on the scale and emotional payoff that fans have been waiting over a decade for. With Ichigo’s fate hanging in the balance, the series is set to close out one of anime’s most iconic legacies with explosive battles and long-awaited resolutions.

Black Clover Season 2

After a multi-year hiatus, Black Clover is officially back. Season 2 will resume Asta and Yuno’s journey as they edge closer to the title of Wizard King. With more political intrigue, deeper magic lore, and fan-favorite character arcs, this next chapter could be a major turning point for the series.

Re:Zero Season 4

Subaru’s looping, emotionally brutal journey continues with Re:Zero Season 4. While no footage has been revealed, the studio confirmed that this new season will push the series into even darker territory. With the emotional toll rising and major character shifts on the horizon, it’s set to be one of the show’s most intense installments yet.

Record of Ragnarok Season 3

The gods-versus-humans battle royale is back in December 2025. Season 3 of Record of Ragnarok will introduce new combatants, deeper backstories, and even wilder matchups. Netflix confirmed that animation quality is getting a boost after mixed reviews of earlier seasons, aiming for a more polished and cinematic experience.

Beastars Final Season Part 2

Beastars will conclude its story in 2026 with Part 2 of its final season. This last chapter will wrap up Legoshi and Louis’s character arcs, bringing the story’s exploration of identity, violence, and vulnerability to a close. With Studio Orange’s signature CG animation and emotional depth, the finale is expected to hit hard.

Trailers and First Looks

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

Fans were treated to the first teaser of the new Edgerunners, and it didn’t hold back. Tighter visuals, grittier design, and a tagline that teased the haunting aftermath of the first season all point toward a bolder creative direction. The new creative team seems intent on pushing the boundaries of dystopian storytelling in anime, keeping what worked while reshaping the world into something even more intense.

Ghost in the Shell (2026)

A major surprise came with the reveal of a new Ghost in the Shell series, directed by a first-time helmer and backed by a fresh vision. The visuals lean more toward manga-style detailing, signaling a return to the aesthetic that made the original source material iconic. While no full footage has been shown yet, the tone and art direction promise something both faithful and forward-thinking.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Steel Ball Run

A star-studded staff lineup was confirmed, including directors Yasuhiro Kimura & Hideya Takahashi from Golden Wind, composer Yugo Kanno, and david production handling animation—a faithful setup to Part 7’s Western motifs and story

New Projects on the Horizon

Daemons of the Shadow Realm

Hiromu Arakawa’s next big story is getting the adaptation treatment. Daemons of the Shadow Realm—known for its rich mythology and twin protagonists—was confirmed for a TV series debut in 2026. This one’s backed by Studio Bones, which means fans can expect top-tier animation and emotional storytelling from the team that brought Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood to life.

Grotesqqque

Perhaps one of the more intriguing new titles revealed is Grotesqqque, a three-part omnibus film that blends art styles and perspectives across different characters and timelines. Directed by Atsushi Nishigori and backed by major studios like CloverWorks and Wit, this anthology is aimed at audiences looking for something more experimental. With its 2026 release now confirmed, it’s one of the most daring projects announced this year—and one of the most visually unique.

Project M and Gachiakuta

Original anime titles received early visuals: Project M (by CyberAgent) and Gachiakuta, an indie-style series, both are set for deeper reveals in the coming year.

Industry and Studio Highlights

Netflix Goes All-In

Netflix made a splash by revealing that over half of its global subscriber base engages with anime, and its 2025 slate reflects that growth. With high-profile releases like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 and new adaptations like Sakamoto Days, the platform continues to reshape how anime reaches a global audience. Original projects, sequels, and strategic partnerships show a commitment not just to quantity, but to ambitious storytelling.

Science SARU’s Resurgence

One of the most talked-about booths this year belonged to Science SARU, thanks to their involvement in the new Ghost in the Shell series. The studio teased concept art and behind-the-scenes insights, showcasing how they’re approaching cyberpunk in a more grounded, emotionally resonant way. If their past work is anything to go by, this could be one of the most exciting reinterpretations of a classic franchise in years.

Crunchyroll's Merch Drop

Anime Expo isn’t just about shows—it’s also about the culture. Crunchyroll debuted an exclusive merch line this year, featuring high-concept items like Evangelion-inspired jackets, Jujutsu Kaisen streetwear, and collectible Kaiju No. 8 figures. This move highlights just how intertwined anime and fashion have become, especially as fandom continues to evolve into full lifestyle branding.

Final Thoughts

Anime Expo 2025 made one thing clear: anime isn’t slowing down—it’s diversifying. Whether through legacy continuations, cinematic storytelling, or completely original projects, this year’s announcements showed a willingness to take risks while deepening the medium’s emotional and visual appeal.

Sequels like Edgerunners 2 and The Reze Arc aren’t just fan service—they’re bold creative steps that reframe how anime tells stories. Meanwhile, shows like Frieren and Black Clover prove that there’s still an appetite for grounded, emotionally complex fantasy. At the same time, Netflix, Crunchyroll, and rising studios like Science SARU are investing in new ways to reach global audiences—from merch to visual reinvention.

If this year’s slate is any indication, anime’s next phase won’t just be bigger. It’ll be more thoughtful, more daring, and more immersive than ever before.

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