by Hopes are high for a disturbing ending.
It’s already been a month since the spring 2024 anime season, which was said to be a “bumper harvest,” ended. While many viewers are sad to see it end, there are also many works for which the production of sequels was announced, and viewers expressed their joy.
*This article contains spoilers for “Dungeon Meshi,” “Kaiju No. 8,” and “Sentai Daishikkaku.”
“Dungeon Meshi” Based on the manga of the same name (written by Ryouko Kui ) that was serialized in the manga magazine “Harta” (KADOKAWA), “Dungeon Meshi” is a fantasy work in which adventurer “Raios Toden (CV: Kentaro Kumagai)” challenges the dungeon to rescue his sister “Farin (CV: Saori Hayami).” It will be broadcast in two consecutive seasons from the winter of 2023. The comical style centered on the elf “Marsil (CV: Senbongi Ayaka)” and the delicious dishes using local ingredients such as monster meat have been featured, and the “food terrorism” element has become a hot topic. In the second season, Farin, who was rescued from the stomach of the red dragon, is taken away by the mad magician “Sisulu (CV: Kobayashi Yuu),” and they go deep into the dungeon again to get Farin back. In the final episode, Laios and his friends find hope to save Farin, but the usual adventure is depicted, and the curtain closes.
The work itself has been highly rated, but live streaming on Nico Nico Douga was not possible at the time of the final episode’s broadcast due to KADOKAWA’s server, and some people have said, “I wanted to watch it with the comments.” A one-off broadcast on Nico Nico Douga is also expected during the second season.
“Kaiju No. 8” “Kaiju No. 8” is based on the manga of the same name (written by Matsumoto Naoya) currently being serialized in “Shonen Jump + (Plus).” The protagonist, Hibino Kafka (CV: Fukunishi Katsuya), who once gave up on joining the Japan Defense Forces after repeatedly failing the recruitment exam with a promise he made as a child in his heart, gets the power of a monster and becomes “Monster No. 8” just as he stands up for his dream again. At the end of the story, Kafka’s true identity is revealed, and he is captured by the Defense Forces Headquarters, which considers him a threat.
Even in such a situation, Kafka fights against the Defense Forces’ chief, Shinomiya Isao (CV: Genda Tessho ), to prove he is human. Although it is ultimately concluded that Kafka is a monster, his comrades’ feelings for him may have been conveyed, and the punishment is withheld. While Kafka’s comrades in the same unit cheer at the result of his punishment, the story ends with his sworn enemy, Monster No. 9 (CV: Yoshino Hiroyuki), who he has fought many times, making a new move.
Afterward, the announcement video for the second season was aired, raising expectations with comments such as “The story was completed with original content, and I’m looking forward to the sequel” and “The ending was a risky one that reminds us of a new climax.” Sentai Daishikkaku is based on the manga of the same name (by Haruba Negi) currently being serialized in “Weekly Shonen Magazine.”
The story is about a battle between the righteous hero “Dragon Keeper” (commonly known as the Dai Sentai) and the evil monster army that has become a mere formality every week, and the story of “Combatant D (CV: Kobayashi Yusuke )” who is fed up with the battle and rises in rebellion against the world. With the help of “Sakurama Hibiki (CV: Kajita Daitsugu ),” who is a trainee but wants to correct the Dai Sentai, D infiltrates the Dai Sentai by taking its place and takes the exam to become a regular member. As the battle escalates into chaos, a duel ensues between D and the Blue Keeper, Shogo Aoshima (CV: Tsuyoshi Inoue).
The battle is ultimately decided with the loss of Blue Keeper’s life, bringing an unpredictable ending for D. While expectations are high for D’s performance as a regular member, the final episode ends on an ominous note. It has been revealed that the second season will air in 2025, and many are looking forward to the sequel, saying, “I’m glad there’s a sequel because there are still mysteries remaining,” and “I feel like the real action is about to begin, so I’m looking forward to it.”
