Nearly two years after its Season 3 premiere, Golden Kamuy's fourth season is set to arrive this October in Japan. An adventure series steeped in culture and history, Golden Kamuy has captivated fans right up to the manga's conclusion this April. Masterfully weaving in thoughtful reflections on the effects of war, found family and indigenous rights into its Western-style action-adventure, it's no wonder Golden Kamuy has become a fan favorite. As fans eagerly await the next season, here's everything they need to know about what's happened so far.
Golden Kamuy takes place in the early 20th century following the end of the Russo-Japanese War. War veteran Saichi "Immortal" Sugimoto is panning for gold in order to fulfill a promise to his fallen comrade. His plans change when he suddenly finds himself tangled up in a treasure hunt for Ainu gold and the lives of all those involved. With the help of Asirpa, an Ainu girl seeking vengeance and truth, and joined by an interesting cast of allies, Sugimoto takes on yet another life-changing and death-defying experience.
In order to track down the gold, Sugimoto and Asirpa must first piece together a map comprised of 24 different tattoos on prisoners from Abashiri Prison. Not only do they have to worry about the dangers of tracking down elusive and possibly violent prisoners, but Sugimoto and Asirpa's troubles only continue to grow once it's revealed that the Japanese Army's highly-skilled Seventh Division is also after the gold. Their involvement is further complicated by the fact that the Seventh's leader, Tokushirou Tsurumi, is looking to use the gold to build a military coup and create an independent Hokkaido, and will stop at nothing to do so.
The journey to find the gold finds Sugimoto and Asirpa creating alliances -- temporary or otherwise -- with some of the tattooed prisoners, members of the Seventh and other Ainu individuals. Season 1 uses its 12 episodes to establish Sugimoto and Asirpa's dynamic while also laying out the basics of the hunt for the Ainu gold and the basic motives for every group involved.
Season 2 delves further into Tsurumi's machinations and some of the lengths he's gone to in order to prevent other groups from interfering with his plans. This season also takes a closer look at Asirpa and her father's history now that it's revealed he wasn't killed when the gold was stolen as she had previously thought but is actually the prisoner known as Nopperabo/Wilk, who's still locked inside Abashiri. The second season ends with a prison break to release Nopperabo gone wrong, leaving him and Sugimoto left for dead.
Season 3 picks up with Sugimoto, having miraculously recovered from his shot to the head, working with Tanigaki, Tsukishima and Lieutenant Koitoto to find a way to reunite with Asirpa. This season brings further twists as revelations about Kiroranke's past are revealed. He and Ogata continue to press Asirpa to recall memories with her father in an attempt to find the secret location of the gold, believing it to be known by Asirpa whether she realizes it or not. Kiroranke ultimately plans to use the gold to return to Russia to continue the fight he began with the assassination of Emperor Alexander II all those years earlier.
Asirpa's suspicions of Kiroranke and Ogata come to a head when Sugimoto and his group finally manage to reach her. Asirpa is saved from taking the life of another, with Sugimoto's help, Ogata narrowly escapes death -- again -- and is lost in the wind, and the newly reunited group agrees to continue their quest together.
Though Season 3 ended with a long-awaited and touching reunion, it also leaves plenty of drama for fans to anticipate. What more of Tsurumi's carefully crafted past will be revealed? How will Ogata return and what new disruptions will he cause? The search for the gold has quickly grown to involve many groups across different alliances and countries, with threats of war and revolution looming on the horizon. Golden Kamuy's eagerly-awaited Season 4 should, hopefully, reveal more truths, what fates lie ahead for the Sugimoto and Asirpa, and the repercussions this treasure hunt may have on the country at large.