Top 5 Forgotten & Buried Anime Sequels in Summer 2023

The anime industry is a vast ocean of content, with new series and sequels released every season, and it is no different for the summer of 2023. Realize it or not, this season offers a ton of sequels from many big anime that have been anticipated and waited for quite some time.

While some sequels manage to capture the essence of their predecessors and even elevate the story like Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War or Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2, unfortunately, there are some other series that fall short or get overshadowed. Here’s a look at the top 5 anime sequels from Summer 2023 that, despite their potential, couldn’t make a significant mark:

The first part of “Shuumatsu no Valkyrie II” (Record of Ragnarok II) was a spectacle, with intense battles between gods and humans, and unpredictable match-ups or results in every round. But, it can’t be denied that ever since the first season, the anime adaptation did not successfully score a homerun due to the poor animation quality that toned down the intensity of the fights.

While that issue might get better in the sequel, the second season is still unable to perfectly ground-break the anime community like the manga. Showcasing rounds 4 to 6 which include anticipated fighters like Jack the Ripper or Buddha, the anime decides to split up the season into two parts. While the story remains intriguing, the bare-to-standard production quality mixed with the pause between the total 15 episodes makes the second season even less immersive and hyped for fans.

Fans eagerly awaited the return of “Hataraku Maou-Sama!” (The Devil is a Part-Timer!) after its successful first season. However, the sequels, especially the third season in this case, face challenges in recapturing the magic of the original. The gap years of the releases and the change in the animation studio became the first two major factors of the downfall before the anime finally aired and disappointed many fans.

While the humor and character dynamics remain, the plot progression feels slower, and some episodes seem to lack direction. The sequels also introduce new characters that don’t resonate as well with the audience, leading to mixed reviews. The charm and uniqueness of the first season set high expectations, which the sequel struggles to meet consistently.

“Kanojo, Okarishimasu” (Rent-a-Girlfriend) started as a quirky romantic comedy that garnered a significant fanbase. The anime took the otaku community by storm, and it might become one of the most viewed and talked about series, especially during the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

However, by its third season, which actually has been indicated from the second season, the series begins to suffer from pacing issues. The relationships, instead of evolving, seem to be stuck in a loop, causing frustration among viewers. The charm of the “rental girlfriend” concept begins to wane, and the series couldn’t introduce compelling new dynamics to keep the audience engaged.

The first season of “Goblin Slayer” was met with a mix of controversy and acclaim, primarily due to its dark themes and graphic content. Many people were shocked yet also thrilled by how gory, dark, and epic the journey of the Goblin Slayer is. From the premiere until the final episode, the first season of this series became a huge discussion among anime fans.

However, the second season seems to lose its edge. The narrative feels more diluted, and the intensity that defined the original is noticeably absent. Additionally, the sequel faces stiff competition from other dark fantasy anime, causing it to be overshadowed and, eventually, forgotten by many.

“Nanatsu no Taizai” (The Seven Deadly Sins) has been a beloved series for years. While the anime adaptation had progressively declined every season, it was nothing compared to its sequel, “Nanatsu no Taizai: Ensa no Edinburgh” (The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh), especially the second part, which seems to completely blow up the momentum and popularity of the iconic series.

The sequel delves into the “next generation” of the existing main characters from the original series, but the narrative often feels disjointed and generic. Additionally, there are concerns about the animation quality, which does not match the plot’s grandeur. The emotional depth that fans expect from the series seems diluted, making this sequel less memorable than its predecessors.

Sequels carry the weight of expectations, and while they have the advantage of an established fanbase, they also face the challenge of living up to the original’s legacy. The listed sequels in this article are chosen as five of them are highly popular series that many people have waited so long for the sequels. Aside from these five, there are many sequels in the Summer of 2023 that either fail or succeed.

The aforementioned sequels, despite their potential, face various issues, from narrative to production quality, causing them to be overshadowed in the bustling Summer 2023 anime season. It’s a reminder that in the world of anime, maintaining consistency and evolving with the audience’s expectations is crucial for sustained success.

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