Hai to Gensou no Grimgar is known to us by many names. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash, Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions, but it is more commonly known as Grimgar by the fandom.
Based on a light novel series written by Ao Jumonji and illustrated by Eiri Shirai, this anime has quickly risen by the ranks of the most well-developed isekai of all times.
The smooth animation and heart-wrenching dialogues have roped in fans with an excellent first series.
But despite the loyal fanbase, why hasn’t there been a second season by now? Let’s pick out all the details one by one.
1. Premiere Date
Unlike US shows, anime often have a gap of five years or more between two seasons (Mushishi, Durarara, Hajime no Ippo, since the economics of daytime anime and late-night shows are different.
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Season 2 has not officially been confirmed yet. The premiere date for Part 2 will be sometime in 2022 or 2023 at the earliest.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of this anime.
2. Production Issues
One of the companies that was involved in the production of Grimgar folded recently. Although the novels are licensed and translated very quickly, it is unlikely to get a Second Season by 2022.
The company had given the anime its artistic backgrounds that made the show, so it unfortunate to see it go down.
3. Theory Section
Is Grimgar good? Absolutely!
The anime made its way into the people’s hearts through pure honesty and explores how an ‘isekai’ has consequences on the human psyche.
But that isn’t enough to rake in the popularity. So, let’s see what it would take to make a ‘Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions Season 2.’
I. Popularity of the Franchise
J-Novel Club acquired the rights to publish the original novels in English. There are 18 volumes published so far.
A couple of years after its initial publication, a manga adaptation was first published on April 22, 2015.
Subsequently, Season 1 of Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash premiered on January 11, 2016.
It was an immediate hit among fans of the source material and new viewers alike.
The fans have been waiting in limbo for a sequel for many years now. There are many anime which last only one season like No Game No Life , but the recent popularity of Grimgar says there’s a decent chance it will return.
Let’s see what else the fans have got to say about this realistic anime.
II. Fan Reviews
Grimgar has plenty of action and beautiful artwork, but what really draws the fans’ attention is the surprisingly deep story character development.
It’s a slow burn, so maybe not a show for everyone, but it makes a nice contrast to the heavy undertones of this anime.
The story is about a group of people who find themselves in a fantasy world and need to kill goblins to survive.
It sounds very much like Goblin Slayer, where people group together to slay goblins. It has the same gruesome storyline and graphic action and coincidentally Goblin Slayer Season 2 is in productions now.
But ultimately, Grimgar is different all the same. It portrays a realistic view of what it would be like if someone got transported into another world.
With its slow pace and a story that focuses heavily on character development, Grimgar seems to present actual human emotions and you can relate to the difficulties the characters face.
There is no ‘righteousness’ that protagonists are seemingly motivated by. There is just a simple need to survive and they know it, death looms over them.
First-time watchers of this anime highly recommend watching it just for the unpredictability. It is well-rounded, satisfying, and leaves you wanting for more.
Light novel readers suggest reading the novels as they are even more detailed and filled with content.
Why is the anime getting a sequel announcement after a year?
III. Possibility of a Season 2?
Second seasons are rare for anime, but you need to be patient as long years of hiatus after the first season is not unusual.
With the slow rise to popularity, stunning visuals, and edge gripping story, Grimgar has solidified its place among the fans.
Packed with the growing traction of the light novel series, the sequel should be up and coming by 2022 at the earliest.
Season 1 only adapted the first two Volumes of the novel; there is more than enough material to create four more seasons!
Let’s take a look at the visuals which might be a part of Season 2.
4. Visuals & Trailers
Season 1 of Grimgar: Illusions and Ash only adapted the first two Volumes of the novel. We can speculate that they will adapt the next two for the sequel.
The covers feature Haruhiro, Renji, and Choko; Haruhiro, Merry, and Soma, respectively.
The producers haven’t released any official trailers yet. We will update this article when they do. Now that we have seen everything, what will the next season be about?
5. Expected Plot
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash season 2 would likely draw further inspiration from the novel series.
The party tries to get used to Manato’s death and Merry leaves her past behind.
Season 2 will shed some more light on how the main characters ended up in Grimgar in the first place, while Haruhiro struggles to grow into the leadership role. Let’s analyze the animation production of the anime next.
6. Music and Animation
I. Animation Quality
The series was produced by A-1 Pictures, who also worked on Sword Art Online, Dr. Stone, and more.
The slow pace of the anime is revitalized with the backgrounds with the touch of fantasy. The episodes are filled with a unique art style and executed brilliantly.
The visuals invoke a slice-of-life feeling with the tranquil settings, but the conflicting action scenes bring the viewers back to reality.
II. Theme Songs
(K)NoW_NAME performed both the opening, Knew Day, and the ending song, Harvest.
When Toho Animation streamed the series for a rebroadcast, they also featured insert songs, Seeds, and Brave Storm by (K)NoW_NAME.
The OST is deceptively good and gives a feeling of relief. They perfectly convey the mood and story in an enjoyable way.
It makes it easy for the fans to watch through this angst-filled anime.
7. Fan Expectations
Since the company that did the backgrounds for the anime went down, the hopes of fans for a sequel have diminished by a bit. Considering how much the visuals affected the attraction to the anime, it could be true.
But other fans are not weakened by this thought as the light novel series continues to rank high in popularity.
Grimgar is loved by all for its plot and is one of the best goblin slaying anime out there. A goblin slayer before the Goblin Slayer.
The fans pursue their goals by helping the novel rank up so that it would give the series enough boost to get Season 2.
Let’s recollect what exactly this anime is about.
8. Recap
The story of Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash revolves around Haruhiro. He and some other people suddenly found themselves in another world.
With no memories except their names and the fact that they emerged from the darkness. They found themselves plunged into a world that seemed like it is from a video game.
With no other options, they are quickly pressed into service as Trainee Volunteer Soldiers. With survival on their mind, everyone forms a party.
Haruhiro also joins a party and takes his first steps in the world of Grimgar. It’s the story of an adventure born from ashes.
The season ends with the surviving heroes coming to terms with the life and death nature of their time in Grimgar.
9. Cast & Staff
The following will most probably return as the cast and staff members for Grimgar Season 2:
I. Staff
| Position | Staff | Famous Works |
| Director | Ryosuke Nakamura | Aoi Bungaku Series, Psychic School Wars |
| Series Composition | Ryosuke Nakamura | Aiura, Battery |
| Character Design | Mieko Hosoi | Aiura, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju |
| Studio | A-1 Pictures | The Promised Neverland, Your Lie in April |
II. Cast
| Character | Voice Actor | Famous Works |
| Yume | Komatsu Mikako | Neko (K), Izumi (Ajin) |
| Merry | Anzai Chika | Reina (Hibike! Euphonium), Suzu (Akuma no Riddle) |
| Haruhiro | Hosoya Yoshimasa | Asahi (Haikyu), Hyuuga Jinpei (Kuroko’s Basketball) |
| Manato | Shimazaki Nobunaga | Yuno (Black Clover), Nanase Haruka (Free) |
| Ranta | Yoshino Hiroyuki | Iwaizumi Hajime (Haikyu), Kimblee (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood) |
| Shihoru | Terui Haruka | Sayo (Idol Jihen), Georgette (Brave Witches) |
| Moguzo | Ochiai Fukushi | Sanou (Beastars), Masaru (Walking Meat) |
10. About Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ash
Fear, survival, instinct. Thrown into a foreign land with nothing but hazy memories and the knowledge of their name, they can feel only these three emotions resonating deep within their souls.
In Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ash a.k.a. Grimgar Ashes And Illusions, a group of strangers is given no other choice than to accept the only paying job of a soldier and eliminate anything that threatens the peace in their new world, Grimgar.
It is now up to this ragtag group of unlikely fighters to survive together in a world where life and death are separated only by a fine line—but first, they’ll have to choose their guild, class, and special abilities.
10. About Grimgar
Fear, survival, instinct. Thrown into a foreign land with nothing but hazy memories and the knowledge of their name, they can feel only these three emotions resonating deep within their souls.
A group of strangers is given no other choice than to accept the only paying job of a soldier and eliminate anything that threatens the peace in their new world, Grimgar.
It is now up to this ragtag group of unlikely fighters to survive together in a world where life and death are separated only by a fine line—but first, they’ll have to choose their guild, class, and special abilities.
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