While some fandoms have grown quite accustomed to a one-year waiting period between seasons, others have had their dedication tested over the years as the gap between release dates extends with every passing day. Bleach got the ball rolling with its epic, long-awaited revival in the 2022 Fall period after a decade of inactivity, and several celebrated anime renewals are thankfully following suit.
Although several highly anticipated come-backs are expected to bless fans with their presence in 2023, the focus will be aimed at long-running anime series with a significant waiting period between their seasons, while the popularity of each show is also taken into account.
9 Bungo Stray Dogs, Season 4
- Release date: 4 January 2023
The orphaned teen, Atsushi Nakajima, adds a unique twist to the supernatural mystery genre after he suddenly gets thrust into a quest to find the rogue tiger that has been tormenting the locals. Forming an unlikely friendship with the self-sabotaging detective, Osamu Dazai, and his partner, Doppo Kunikida, the boy is eventually persuaded to join the ranks of the Armed Detective Agency, where Atsushi learns the intricacies of paranormal crime fighting.
Fans had only a moment to catch their breath between the first two seasons of Bungo Stray Dogs, which were both released in 2016. After that point, the anime ran out of momentum and took three years to complete the third installment, followed by almost four years for the fourth addition to air.
8 Vinland Saga, Season 2
- Release date: 10 January 2023
Thorfinn's (aka Karlsefni) vengeful story is not for the faint-hearted, as this honorable Viking faces one tragedy after the next, but refuses to give up on his mission, regardless. While the notorious Askeladd has a deadly target on his head, the cunning Canute takes advantage of the political turmoil to claim the thrones of Denmark and England, subsequently inserting himself into the conflict in the process.
Season 1, which debuted in 2019, rewarded viewers with multiple action-packed sequences, which have tapered off considerably with Season 2's initial slower pace. Many expectations have reached sky-high proportions during this four-year waiting period, and the drastic change in storytelling has disappointed numerous fans; however, knowledgeable manga enthusiasts implore viewers to have patience; it will be well worth their efforts!
7 Attack on Titan, Final Season: Part 3
- Release date: 4 March 2023
Humanity effectively separated itself from the deadly Titans for a whole century until Colossal Titan found a weak spot, and all hell broke loose. From the few survivors, Eren Yeager, his sister, Mikasa Ackerman, and bestie, Mikasa Ackerman, narrowly evaded death before eventually joining the Survey Corps to embark on missions beyond the wall's temperamental safety. Now it's time for the Titans to fear death, as Erin pledges to destroy every last one of them!
Although fans have only had to wait just since January 2022 for Part 3 to air, the ironically named Final Season began in 2020 (never mind the fact that the anime debuted a full decade ago). Furthermore, this is only the first part of the final installment; Attack on Titan is not over yet!
6 KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World!
- Release date: Spring 2023
Kazuma Satou first took the world by storm with his hilarious Isekai antics in 2016, as he attempts to get his incredibly powerful yet easily-distracted (harem of) ducks in a row and survive this cruel new world while simultaneously trying to find a way to defeat the tyrannous Demon King (with the most ridiculous methods imaginable).
Despite Aqua arguably fulfilling the lead female role in KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!, the fire-wielding Mage, Megumin, stole the show and earned her own spin-off series six years after her last anime performance. Megumin's story is set in a time before Kazuma enters the scene and focuses on the eccentric girl's training days at the Red Prison Academy; a canon, stand-alone series.
5 Blue Exorcist, Season 3
- Release date: TBA
Rin Okumura has been raised amongst Demon Hunters alongside his fraternal twins, Yukio; however, upon discovering his Satanic lineage, things become a lot more complicated for the aspiring exorcist. With the admirable Shiro Fujimoto guiding them, the brothers must prove themselves worthy. Rin also has the added burden of learning to control his distinctive blue flames, somehow earn everyone's trust, and escape from the depths of Yukio's overachieving shadow.
Blue Exorcist (which first aired in 2011) has an astonishing six-year gap between each season, and will likely receive plenty of last-minute binge-watchers aiming to refresh their memories before Season 3's release.
4 THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls U149 and The IDOLM@STER Million Live!
- Release date: Spring 2023
The Asian Idol phenomenon has eventually become an international sensation as K-Pop groups such as BTS and BlackPink gain global recognition. On the other hand, The anime industry has had its finger in that pie for some time now, with THE IDOLM@STER franchise adding its own unique flair to this subgenre. The relatable and so-very charming Cinderella Girls' road to stardom is far from smooth and gets encompassed in a selection of spin-off series (and games), the last of which was released in 2015.
IDOLM@STER anime enthusiasts will be happy to discover that there are two separate series to look forward to in 2023! Eight years after the first batch of Cinderella Girls stole hearts, the time has come for a younger group of motivated teens to shine, who all happen to be quite short, too. The other new addition to the franchise will follow up on the Theater Days sensational storyline and is due to join the Fall lineup.
3 The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Season 2
- Release date: 6 April 2023
When a girl-next-door type finds the love of her life, who just happens to be a potent Demonic Mage, best believe a tonne of supernatural action and romantic drama is in store. Chise Hatori meets the Demon of her dreams after being talked off the edge of suicide and convinced to sell herself into slavery instead, with surprisingly fortunate results. Chise and Elias Ainsworth embark on an informative journey as they teach one another their ways, and the realms of humanity and magic collide in the most glorious manner.
Ancient Magnus Bride fans have been anxiously awaiting this perfect pair's return for the past six years, after first laying eyes on the unlikely lovebirds back in 2017. Season 1 covered all the available manga volumes (and more!), so the extended delay was necessary to gather enough content for a second adaptation.
2 In Another World With My Smartphone, Season 2
- Release date: Spring 2023
Updating the standard isekai trope by adding a Smartphone (and way too many offensive comments and undertones) did not bode well for many viewers. However, enough fans have enjoyed Touya Mochizuki's exploits since the adaptation aired in 2017 that J.C.Staff is willing to take another stab at things six years afterProduction Reed got the ball rolling.
As to be expected of most Isekai protagonists, Touya is unnaturally gifted with an exceptionally high magical aptitude (as an apology gift from God, for the unfortunate lightning incident.) It doesn't take long for Touya's talents to attract a bevy of babes, who all compete for his attention while he tries to make the best of his high-tech advantage during their exploits. Season 2 is expected to add even more technological advancements to the mix to help the show stand out from its cliched tropes.
1 Goblin Slayer Season 2
- Release date: TBA
Unfortunately, Goblin Slayer faced controversy upon its debut, causing Crunchyroll to release an official apology when it premiered in 2018, but thankfully, things calmed down enough for the anime to gather its wits. This dark fantasy centers around a young ill-equipped Priestess who joins an Adventurers Guild alongside her knight-in-shining-armor as they embark on a brutal Goblin killing journey, RPG style.
After such a rough start, it took White Fox a while to commit to a second season, which was announced in 2021 and is due for release five years after the first season's unsettling debut. Goblin Slayer is not all debauchery and disgrace; just significantly more violent than most viewers are used to.