Brand New Animal, shortly known as BNA, is an action and fantasy anime series that was first published in 2020. The anime, created by the Japanese animation studio Studio Trigger, has completed its first season. We also know the studio from the beloved anime series Little Witch Academia. The series, also broadcast by Netflix, met with the audience on April 8, 2020, with the episode “Runaway Raccoon”. After 12 episodes aired, it completed its first season with the episode “Anima-City”. Fans wonder about the series’ season 2 renewal status, whether it will be a new season and other details. The anime series, directed by Yoh Yoshinari, comes from Kazuki Nakashima’s pen. The script, specially prepared for the anime, was later turned into a manga and a light novel. Unless we are used to it, it doesn’t get the anime script from manga or a light novel. On the other hand, the series BNA was one of the best anime series released in 2020 on Netflix.
What is the plotline of the anime: BNA?
The story takes place in the 21st century. It is based on a period in which anthropomorphic (such as human) animals that have never been seen in the world before, called Beastmen, came to light. Michiru Kagemori, an ordinary high school student, suddenly turns into a tanuki Beastman one day. A high school student in trouble with monster hunters travels to the city of Anima.
The city of Anima is a place where creatures like themselves can live in peace. Michiru, who meets the wolf Beastman named Shirou Ogami, wants to uncover this transformation’s secret. The two young people begin to investigate the mystery behind this sudden event and even the deep secrets that lie behind the city’s origin.
Will there be a second season of BNA?
As of June 4, 2022, Netflix or any related company with the anime has not yet renewed the series for a second season. However, there is no cancellation yet. It was one of the most successful series of 2020 on Netflix. Expectations are still that there will be a second season.
It is not known if the studio is currently working on a sequel. There is no information they have published on this subject yet. Although some people liked the series quite a lot, everything is moving on finance. It seems that there are not many open topics left about the script right now. There may be a continuation sign for the series of the script is expanded, but the priority is not the scenario but the financial reasons. For this reason, eyes have turned to a statement that can come from Netflix.
Disc Sales and Popularity of BNA
Disc sales are important for anime, although not as important as they used to be with the rise of exclusive distributors and online streamers in recent years; it is still good data to see the popularity in Japan. Generally, the anime is expected to sell an average of 4,000 copies to get a new season confirmation. However, BNA’s disc sales were well below this target. BNA, which sold 436 discs on average, ranked 80th among 109 anime that went on sale in the same period. Although it has gained global popularity on Netflix, disc sales show that anime is highly underrated in Japan. The fact that only 37k people follow the anime’s Twitter page in Japan confirms the result we have derived from disc sales. On the other hand, the anime ranked 621st on Myanimelist based on popularity and this ranking seems risky when evaluated together with the disc sales.
Since anime is not a manga adaptation, source material adequacy will not be a problem for a new season. In this case, popularity is the most critical data to see a new season. The fact that there has not been a cancellation announcement from Netflix so far increases the chances of seeing the series’s second season. Considering that it takes one year to prepare an average anime series, we think we can see a possible second season of the series somewhere in 2023.
Characters of possible season 2 of BNA
Michiru Kagemori: She was a high school student before he turned into a monster. Michiru is affectionate, brave and energetic. She has a humanist personality. She tries to protect people by compromising himself. She reacts to unjust violence.
Shirou Ogami: A wolf is the Beastman. Shirou, who does not like people, fights against people by the Beastmans. With a rebellious nature, Shirou is a wolf monster that appeared about a thousand years ago in the city of monsters called Nirvasyl.
Nazuna Hiwatashi: Michiru is Kagemori’s best friend. She used to be a high school student. She likes to hang out and listen to music with Michiru. One of their favorite songs is Night Running.
Alan Sylvasta: Former CEO of Sylvasta Pharmaceuticals. Alan’s managerial personality, which has a calm structure, is at the forefront. Alan’s words also carry a lot of weight among his employees.
Marie Itami: She is a Mink Beastman. Attached to her society and traditions, Marie has an insidious and self-interested personality. She does not do unrequited favors. She always receives rewards for her good deeds.
Barbara Rose: She is the mayor and founder of Anima City. Barbara, a mole rat Beastman, has a gentle nature that she hides under her smart and serious appearance.
Kuro: Kuro is Shirou Ogami’s pet. It is a crow.
Giuliano Flip: He is a Beluga Monster. He has a brutal judge personality. His attitude can make his friends nervous.