darwins game second season

Darwin’s Game Season 2 Release Date, Renewed or Cancelled?

Darwin’s Game is a standout science fiction anime that made waves in 2020. Adapted from the manga written and illustrated by FLIPFLOPs in 2012, the anime was brought to life by the renowned Nexus studio. Premiering on January 3, 2020, Nexus proved its creative prowess with this series, cementing its reputation as a studio capable of delivering high-quality productions. Fans may also recognize Nexus for its work on the beloved anime Chivalry of a Failed Knight. The first season of Darwin’s Game consists of 11 thrilling episodes and is accessible through major streaming platforms, including Crunchyroll and Hulu TV. Additionally, Aniplex of America licensed the series, ensuring it reached a global audience. This widespread availability has allowed the anime to gain a devoted fanbase worldwide. More than a year has passed since its debut, fans eagerly await news of a second season. Will Darwin’s Game return to our screens for another round of intense action and intrigue? Let’s delve into that in this article.

Season 1 Recap and What to Expect in Season 2

“Darwin’s Game” is a psychological action-thriller anime following Kaname Sudou, a high school student who is unexpectedly thrust into a deadly mobile app game. The game grants players unique powers, called Sigils, and forces them to fight for survival. Kaname initially struggles but quickly adapts, forming the Sunset Ravens, a clan dedicated to maintaining a no-kill zone. Throughout the first season, Kaname and his allies survive several brutal challenges, uncovering the truth behind the game while challenging its oppressive rules. The season ends with Kaname’s clan establishing dominance, signaling a rebellion against the game’s orchestrators.

Looking ahead, Season 2 is expected to deepen the story as Kaname and the Sunset Ravens expand their influence and confront even deadlier challenges. New characters and alliances will likely emerge, with some opposing Kaname’s no-kill stance. The game’s mysteries, particularly the identity of its creators, will be further explored. Kaname’s growth into a more powerful leader and the development of his relationship with Shuka is also anticipated. Fans can expect more intense battles, psychological tension, and a deeper look at the game’s origins.

Darwin's Game Anime Scene
Image credit: ©Crunchyroll Collection

Will There Be a Second Season of Darwin’s Game?

While some sources have claimed that Darwin’s Game has been renewed for a second season, these reports are unfortunately false. As of December 25, 2024, there has been no official announcement regarding the renewal of the anime. However, the series has not been canceled, and the possibility of a second season remains open.

Neither Studio Nexus, manga publisher Akita Shoten, nor FLIPFLOPs (the creators) have commented on the future of the anime, leaving fans in suspense. There was no news on the official anime website either. While an official update is still pending, it’s important to note that several key factors influence whether an anime gets renewed for another season. Let’s explore these critical parameters that might determine the future of Darwin’s Game.

Manga status

The anime is adapted from a manga written and illustrated by FLIPFLOPs, as mentioned in the beginning. The manga started airing on December 12, 2012, and it was announced last year that the serialization of the manga had been completed. For the manga published in Bessatsu Shōnen Champion magazine, with the final volume, 30 volumes, and 125 chapters have been published, and the latest volume was published on January 5, 2024.

Anime is very faithful to manga for its story and drawings. The first season covers 30 chapters of the manga. It is approximately the eighth volume. It is good news because the manga can provide sufficient source material for at least another season. There is already stock material available for at least more 2 seasons.

32%
Manga adaptation rate

While the fact that the manga provides sufficient source material increases the chances for a new season, the completion of the manga’s serialization is a negative factor for hopes of a new season. Typically, completed manga and light novel series reduce promotional efforts, and for anime with strong promotional material, the hopes for a new season decrease in the same direction.

Moreover, the manga adaptation of “Darwin’s Game” has been highly successful, with FLIPFLOPs’ manga surpassing 10 million copies in circulation as of January 2024. This indicates a strong and growing fanbase, which could influence the decision to produce additional seasons of the anime.

The Popularity of Darwin’s Game

Darwin’s Game has gained a solid following as a manga series, consistently ranking among Japan’s best-selling titles. The anime adaptation, available worldwide through platforms like Funimation and Crunchyroll, has helped maintain the popularity of the franchise. However, despite its international reach, the success of an anime season often depends on its popularity in Japan.

As of December 2024, Darwin’s Game ranks 393th on MyAnimeList, which is considered an above-average position. While the anime has a respectable fanbase, including 36,000 followers on its official X account, this number falls short of what is typically required for a new season renewal. Successful anime that get renewed often have over 100,000 followers on social media. From this standpoint, Darwin’s Game still has some ground to cover in terms of fan engagement.

What About the Disc Sales?

Disc sales play a crucial role in determining whether an anime will receive a new season, as they directly contribute to the profitability of the series. For an anime to secure a renewal, it typically needs to sell around 4,000 copies per volume. Unfortunately, Darwin’s Game struggled in this area. The anime only sold 734 copies during its first week of release, and sales did not increase significantly in the following weeks. This weak sales performance raises concerns about the chances of a second season, as low disc sales can often discourage the production committee from moving forward with a renewal. On the other hand, the series is available on multiple popular streaming platforms. These platforms have made the series accessible to a wide audience, potentially increasing its viewership and fan engagement.

darwins game second season
2nd Season Chance of Darwin's Game
Popularity on Mynanimelist
85
Popularity on Social Media
66
Popularity on Google Searches
53
Success in Disc Sales
58
Reader Rating1 Votes
100
Positives
Above-Average Reviews (7.21 on MA, 7.3 on IMDb)
Big Distributor such as Hulu TV
Sufficent Manga Source Material Availability
Good Manga Sales (10+ million copies in print)
Negatives
No Success on Disc Sales
Below-Average Popularity
Only One Season
No Renewal Since 2020
Manga Ended
30
Renewal Possibility

Darwin’s Game Season 2 Release Date

While Darwin’s Game has a dedicated fanbase and substantial source material, the combination of modest streaming popularity and low disc sales presents challenges for the production of a second season. Without official statements from the production committee or related companies, it remains uncertain whether the series will continue. As of December 25, 2024, at the time of writing, anime has not yet been renewed for a second season. It is not yet clear whether Nexus has any work on this issue; it has not yet shared any anime plan for 2025 or beyond. But it looks like Darwin’s Game seems to be one of the most profitable products in the studio despite low disc sales. Since there is no renewal yet, if we see a renewal soon, it is not possible to see a new season somewhere in 2026 considering production times.