Written by: Nicole Castro
Published on: September 7, 2021 at 17:00 PHT (GMT+8)
We all look forward to an anime show getting a second, third, fourth, etc. season. The more we hype up a show and support its franchise, the bigger the chances the production studio and its staff will have the resources to make a sequel.
Here are five anime series in no particular order that deserve a sequel because of their potential. As of writing this article, there is no confirmed news whether these shows are actually getting a next season, but who knows? Maybe someday. We keep our fingers crossed.
Warning: This article contains minor spoilers. Readers are advised to proceed with caution.
1. Death Parade
Death Parade focuses on Decim, an arbiter of the afterlife. His job is to judge the fate of the souls who enter his bar, the Quindecim. By making these souls play bar games such as bowling, darts, billiards, etc., he is able to assess their true nature and whether they deserve to be reincarnated or banished into oblivion. The 12-episode series features a different set of characters awaiting judgment, each with their own set of circumstances.
This was one of those anime shows that shocked us with an intense first episode. Even though there were a different set of souls to be judged each time, each episode was able to portray the complex nature of human beings and the joys and tragedies of their judgment.
But we argue the most important development in the story is the evolution of Decim's character, especially how he is changed by the last person he judges in the series. Arbiters are not humans, and they are not supposed to get attached to humans either or else they will lose their impartiality. We seriously wish we could see more of this changed Decim, as well as the movements of his superiors who observe the delicate balance of the afterlife from the shadows.
2. Given
Fans will definitely agree that Given needs a next season to develop the romantic relationships between the bandmates (Mafuyu and Ritsuka, Haruki and Akihiko). In the first season, we saw the characters struggling with the early phases of their feelings towards each other (especially Mafuyu), while in Given Movie, we got to see Akihiko resolve unfinished business.
If we ever get a next season, we're hoping to see more fluff to warm our hearts, as well as the evolution of the band's music.
3. Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun (Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun)
Not only was this anime series a hilarious and absolutely enjoyable parody of the shoujo manga genre, but it also made us extremely invested in the romantic relationship between Chiyo Sakura and Umetarou Nozaki…but wait, ARE THEY EVEN CLOSE TO BECOMING AN OFFICIAL COUPLE??? We need closure. We definitely do.
4. Love and Lies (Koi to Uso)
Love and Lies is one of those anime series that portrays the complexity of love triangles. The story is set in a futuristic version of Japan, where the government has implemented a system called "The Red Threads of Science" that calculates relationship compatibility. The goal is to encourage successful marriages and combat increasingly low birthrates. Protagonist Yukari Nejima finds himself torn between his long-time crush Misaki Takasaki, and his official assigned partner, Ririna Sanada. The choice between the two women is made even more complex when Ririna learns of Misaki's and Yukari's feelings, which motivate her to find ways to make the two end up together.
Obviously, the crucial question here is who Yukari will choose in the end. But with love, friendship, and feelings-somewhere-in-between on the line, the choice proves harder than anyone could imagine. The manga is ongoing as of 2021, and we're hoping it reaches its rightful conclusion so the anime can too.
5. Beautiful Bones -Sakurako's Investigation- (Sakurako-san no Ashimoto ni wa Shitai ga Umatteiru)
Beautiful Bones -Sakurako's Investigation- revolves around Sakurako Koujou, an osteologist, and Shoutarou Tatewaki, a high school boy/Sakurako's assistant. The police often request for their assistance to solve crimes such as unsolved murders. The show progresses with Sakurako solving a variety of crimes using her expert knowledge of bones, but by the end of the season, it is hinted that the main antagonist has yet to truly reveal themselves.
Since this series is a mystery thriller, we're still waiting in suspense for the main antagonist to make their appearance. For now, it's hinted that they are someone who can rival Sakurako in terms of intelligence, enough for her to fear that Shoutarou may be put in danger. If given a next season, we're hoping not just for an exciting showdown between Sakurako and the main antagonist, but also for a deeper bond between Sakurako and Shoutarou, who struggle with issues concerning life, death, and grief.
Digest by AniradioPlus
