Asobi Asobase: Workshop of Fun is a beloved anime series in the surreal comedy genre released in 2018. The anime is based on a manga series written and illustrated by Rin Suzukawa. With its first season, the anime series licensed by Crunchyroll originally aired on AT-X, Tokyo MX, KBS, BS11, Sun TV, TVA local broadcasters. The anime, which was first released on July 8, 2018, aired three episodes per week and completed its first season in September 2018. Two OVA episodes, which will delight their fans, met with the audience in December of the same year. Directed by Seiji Kishi, director of Kengan Ashura, the series was created by the Lerche studio. The studio’s popular anime in recent years, Classroom of the Elite, was also directed by Seiji Kishi and won the audience’s appreciation. It is wondering whether Asobi Asobase will still have a second season after three years.
What is the plotline of the series?
Hanako is an athletically successful student with a wooden head and awkward fashion sense. She plays a game with the American transfer student Olivia. But their enthusiasm annoys Kasumi, who doesn’t like to play games because her sister always makes fun of him for being bad at games. With the unexpected vents, it is realized that Hanako is lousy in English. So she asks her foreign friend Olivia to help her, but Olivia, who was born and raised in a foreign family in Japan, actually doesn’t speak English at all! This is a girls’ surreal school-life comedy.
Will there be a second season of Asobi Asobase?
Lerche or any related company has not yet renewed the series for a second season. There’s no need to worry yet because anime can take years to get a new season approval for some reason. We watched the last OVA episodes of the series in December 2018 and nearly two years have passed. We could not get a clue about the new season from official channels or official Twitter account of the anime during this time. We will speculate about the new season, evaluating some key factors. Our parameters in this speculation will be source material adequacy, popularity, and financial conditions.
The second season possibility in terms of manga status
The manga by Rin Suzukawa was first published in June 2015 in the internet magazine Young Animal Densi. Then it switched to Hakusensha’s Manga Park eBook portal. In August 2020, it was compiled in tankobon format. The manga series consists of 11 volumes with its new volume in February 2021. The anime series is generally loyal to the manga series. Although there are chapters that are partially skipped, the first 5 volumes of the manga were adapted in the first season. Currently, 6 volumes remain. Sufficient source material for a new season of the anime has recently appeared. In this respect, there is no obstacle for a new season. Also, those who do not want to wait for the new season of the anime series can read the manga from volume 5.
How was the disc sales of the anime?
BluRay and DVD sales are very important for the anime production committee to profit. Generally, an anime must sell at least 4,000 discs to make a profit. When it is below this number, it is very difficult to see a second season. Asobi Asobase’s sales figures are not very heartwarming. It sold 1267 units in total, which is well below the targets. From this point of view, it seems quite risky to have a second season financially.
When is the second season of Asobi Asobase?
The anime has not yet been renewed for a second season, but a second season seems quite difficult as a result of our review. However, although the disc sales seemed unsuccessful, the popularity increased after the series was released. The series, which is discovered by new viewers every day, is now very popular on online platforms and has a popularity score of 81.5% according to our metrics. This score could get the producers back in motion for a second season. The series uses manga as its source material, and enough source material for a second season has just been completed. There is a renewal to wait for now. The production period will also take at least one year. If a renewal comes, we can see a new season of the series in mid-2022. However, this possibility is low due to disc sales, and if you do not want to wait, we recommend you to read the manga.