An undeniable fact in entertainment is that a successful property will likely lead to a sequel, and this is just as true in the anime industry. There's a cyclical nature to anime, just like other forms of programming, and audiences tend to prefer established properties over new ideas. It can be bittersweet when an anime series soldiers ahead for hundreds of episodes and inevitably reaches its conclusion.
A satisfying ending is important for any story, but anime tends to return to these rich worlds and see what else can be done. There is an abundance of anime sequels that miss the point of the original or actively weaken its message, but there are also examples of sequels that find a satisfying second act for their characters.
Updated on February 21st, 2023 by Chelsea Steele: If there's one thing anime fans love, it's getting the chance to revisit a beloved older franchise. Even after an anime reaches its conclusion, it doesn't always mean the story is over, and many series have come back with a fresh new coat of paint for fans to enjoy all over again. Nowadays, it seems like more anime are getting sequels than ever, and while not all of them have been a success, there are plenty that capture the essence of the original perfectly.
15 Avatar: The Legend Of Korra
Many Avatar fans might argue that The Legend of Korra is hardly a successful sequel to the original series. In fact, even years after its conclusion, the fandom is still torn on whether or not it matches up to The Last Airbender's greatness. Though Korra has its flaws, it's just as good as its predecessor, just in different ways.
The series takes fans back to the beloved world of Avatar and transforms it in ways no one thought possible, introducing many groundbreaking concepts that took the franchise to the next level. With a darker, more mature storyline and older characters, it's like the series grew up with the original fans who loved it as a kid, making it even easier for long-time fans to connect with.
14 Chihayafuru 3
Chihayafuru is one of the most unique sports anime out there. Combining typical sports anime tropes with elements of shojo and josei, it's a special breed within the genre. Since the 2010s, it has captured the hearts of fans everywhere, and after its second season ended, many longed to see it make a return.
However, Chihayafuru's latest season only came out just a few short years ago, surprising everyone with its sudden return. Though there's a gap of six years between the second and third seasons, it almost feels like no time has passed at all. The newest season picks up where the anime left off with ease, giving fans a seamless transition that few other anime have been able to pull off before.
13 Naruto Shippuden
It may not seem like it, but Naruto Shippuden is actually a sequel to the original Naruto series. The original series ended with Sasuke's betrayal, leaving viewers to wonder what would become of Konoha and Team 7. In Shippuden, fans get these answers and more as they rejoin Naruto and the gang three years after Sasuke's departure from the village.
In that time, Naruto's become stronger than ever, and he's determined to bring back his old friend no matter what. This is when the story really amps up, introducing more incredible characters, complex plotlines, and fearsome villains unlike anything the cast has ever faced.
12 Black Butler: Book Of Circus
The Black Butler anime adaptation was a hit at first, but it soon fell off with the addition of its anime-only second season. Luckily, the next sequel to come out of the franchise would soon fix these mistakes. Black Butler: Book of Circus continues the story, faithfully following the manga's storyline where it left off in season one.
This new season reignited interest in the series, bringing it back to life after its near-failures with Black Butler II. To this day, many fans feel it saved the anime, bringing back what made the story so good in the first place. Though its popularity has since waned again, Book of Circus remains a favorite among fans and is considered the best adaptation of the manga.
11 Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World Season 2
The first season of Re:Zero was a big hit with anime fans, and even those who normally dislike isekai couldn't help but love it. Naturally, everyone was dying for a new season to be released. Unfortunately, fans would have to wait for years for its arrival.
However, it was well worth the wait. Re:Zero season two took everything fans loved about the original and made it even better. With deeper storylines and greater character development, the series has improved in ways many didn't expect. This incredible sequel is one of the best to come out in recent years, and it's got fans hyped for the next installment.
10 Digimon Adventure 02
There are now nine separate series in the growing Digimon universe, many of which are set in unique timelines. However, the original Digimon Adventure is followed up with Digimon Adventure 02, which is very much a sequel, albeit one that introduces a new cast of Digidestined characters.
Digimon Adventure 02 has the same playful energy as its predecessor, but its villains go to darker places, and there's a heavier emphasis on serialization. There's a vocal part of the Digimon community who prefers Digimon Adventure 02 over the original, and hopefully, the upcoming Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning movie won't let these fans down.
9 Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Mobile Suit Gundam remains a massive mecha property that's practically synonymous with giant robot battles. There are dozens of Gundam anime, but the original Universal Century timeline tells a powerful story across several series.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam is the direct sequel to the original series, and it beautifully digs deeper into heavy themes that explore the cost of war and its corruption of youth. Zeta Gundam turns to Kamille Bidan as its lead Gundam savant, although Amuro Ray is still around as a supporting character. Zeta Gundam's conflicts and casualties bring forward a darker sequel that's instrumental in what's possible in this universe moving forward.
8 Dragon Ball Super
Akira Toriyama's ongoing Dragon Ball series continues to turn out new content after three decades. There are several Dragon Ball sequels, whether it's the transition from the original series to Dragon Ball Z or the controversial events of Dragon Ball GT. The jump from Dragon Ball Z to Dragon Ball Super comes across as the most successful with the least tonal inconsistencies.
Dragon Ball Super begins not long after the defeat of Kid Buu, and it taps into the same action-forward storytelling that defined Dragon Ball Z. The return of many fan-favorite Dragon Ball Z characters, like Future Trunks and Android 17, also doesn't hurt.
7 Osomatsu-San
Osomatsu-kun is an absurdist slice-of-life comedy that follows the exploits of the Matsuno sextuplets that had an anime in both the 1960s and '80s. 2015's Osomatsu-san could be viewed as a reboot. Still, the fact that it ages the Matsuno sextuplets into their late teens indicates that it's actually more of a sequel series (albeit one that's aimed at an older demographic).
Osomatsu-san has the same unpredictable energy as the original, but its humor evolves in ambitious ways that would have previously been impossible. Osomatsu-san fully embraces the extremes of the gag comedy genre, and it's turned Osomatsu into a modern comedy hit.
6 Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX is the sequel to the monster duel extravaganza series. Set 10 years after the original and following Judai Yuki and a new generation of duelists, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX has both compelling new characters, expansions on the series' lore, and a satisfying look into the original anime's cast.
There have been diminishing returns on many of the subsequent Yu-Gi-Oh! sequels and how far removed they've become from the original premise. Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, much like its predecessor, has a highly-censored English dub courtesy of 4Kids. However, the dub's odd decisions have helped this version find a passionate cult audience.
5 Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card
Cardcaptor Sakura is one of the signature magical girl shojo series that's right up there with Sailor Moon. The original Cardcaptor Sakura is a classic and its sequel, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, is a worthy extension.
Sakura is now in junior high, and she's forced to tackle unprecedented dangers after her Sakura Cards turn blank, and she encounters mysterious transparent cards. Admittedly, the Clear Card anime adaptation is only 22 episodes and, therefore, can only capture the events of the first two dozen chapters of the superior manga. However, there's still a lot to appreciate in this energetic sequel series.
4 Eureka Seven: AO
Eureka Seven is an entertaining 2000s-era mecha anime that puts a bashful young teen in the pilot of a giant robot that has the power to shape the world. Eureka Seven doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it tells a complete story that thrives through its character dynamics.
Eureka Seven: AO adopts a similar structure when the young Ao becomes the pilot of the prolific Nirvash mecha, but there's added emotional and narrative weight since he's the son of Eureka from the original series. Eureka Seven: AO expands upon the original and recreates its highlights through a new generation of heroes.
3 Higurashi: When They Cry - Gou
Higurashi: When They Cry is a sprawling, complicated murder mystery saga that spanned visual novels, video games, manga, and anime. Several Higurashi anime series build upon the franchise's nihilistic energy, and 2020's Higurashi: When They Cry - Gou is one of the best executions of the series' mystery and horror.
Initially advertised as a remake under the title When They Cry - New, the second episode cleverly changes the name and reveals the true intentions behind this stealth sequel series. When They Cry - Gou leans into the idea of remakes and legacy sequels only to turn itself into a dark meditation on time loops and alternate realities.
2 Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon
Rumiko Takahashi's Inuyasha is an effective shonen series that was still able to resonate with a large female audience due to its prominent romance between Inuyasha and Kagome. Inuyasha proved to be a reliable source of fantasy action. Still, its recent sequel has helped bring this fun universe back into the spotlight and celebrates what made Inuyasha so much fun.
Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon follows Towa, Setsuna, and Moroha, the children of Inutasha's biggest characters, as they prepare for their own adventures. There's a casual quality to its initial entries, but Yashahime increases its stakes in its second season.
1 Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
Tite Kubo's Bleach was one of the biggest shonen series during the 2000s, but the anime met an unceremonious end after 376 episodes and no proper conclusion to the manga's story. The original Bleach faced constant issues with extraneous filler and pacing, which proved to ultimately be a greater danger than any hollow.
More than a decade after the conclusion of the Bleach anime, a proper sequel series, Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, has emerged to redeem the franchise. This modern Bleach sequel adapts the manga's final story arc, and it's proving to be a satisfying return to form that won't suffer from the same pitfalls as the original.