Higehiro, officially titled Higehiro: After Being Rejected, I Shaved and Took in a High School Runaway, is a romantic comedy anime that debuted in the spring of 2021. The romantic comedy genre, a favorite in Japan, has spawned countless successful manga, light novels, and anime adaptations. Among them, Higehiro stands out as a unique blend of heartfelt storytelling and humor. The anime is an adaptation of a light novel series written by Shimesaba, featuring illustrations by booota. Produced by the renowned animation studio Project No.9, known for titles such as Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun and High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even In Another World, Higehiro aired its 13-episode run from April 5, 2021, to June 28, 2021. Fans across the globe were able to enjoy the series, thanks to Crunchyroll, which streamed the anime with English subtitles. With its engaging narrative and emotional depth, Higehiro quickly captured the hearts of many. Now, fans eagerly await news about a second season. Will this touching story continue? Let’s explore the current status and the likelihood of a second season.
What is the plotline of Higehiro?
Higehiro centers around Yoshida, a diligent office worker, and Sayu, a runaway high school student. Yoshida harbors unrequited feelings for his co-worker, Airi Gotou, whom he has admired for five years. After finally confessing his feelings, he faces rejection, leaving him heartbroken. On his way home, drowning his sorrows in alcohol, Yoshida encounters Sayu sitting alone under a streetlamp on a quiet road.
Initially, Yoshida advises Sayu to return home. However, Sayu, with nowhere else to go, pleads for shelter. Although she attempts to seduce Yoshida in exchange for a place to stay, he rejects her advances. Instead, Yoshida allows her to stay under the condition that she helps with household chores and returns to school.
Thus begins a heartfelt and unconventional bond between a disillusioned adult and a vulnerable teenager. Together, they navigate their personal struggles, offering each other solace and growth in this emotionally charged narrative.
Will there be a second season of Higehiro?
As of November 29, 2024, neither Project No.9, Kadokawa, nor any related company has officially renewed Higehiro for a second season. While some anime series announce new seasons during their finales, Higehiro did not follow this trend. Unfortunately, no official updates or hints have been provided since the first season concluded.
Despite the lack of news, the anime continues to hold a solid fanbase. Compared to other anime released during the same period, Higehiro performed well in viewership. But viewership is not the only parameter for a second season. Renewals in the anime industry depend on several factors, including the availability of source material, disc sales, overall popularity, and exclusive distributor involvement.
Based on these factors we see that the new season possibility is quite slim for Higehiro. In the following sections, we’ll explore these critical aspects to better understand why a second season seems unlikely, despite the series’ good viewerships.
Higehiro: Light Novel
Like many anime, Higehiro is adapted from a light novel. The original series was written by Shimesaba and illustrated by booota, with publishing handled by Kadokawa Shoten. It debuted on February 1, 2018, and quickly gained popularity, with over 2 million copies in circulation. The series comprises 5 volumes and 1 short story, all of which were completed by June 1, 2021. Unfortunately, this means the light novel will no longer continue, limiting the available source material for the anime.
Notably, all volumes of the light novel were fully adapted into the first season of the anime, leaving little room for further adaptation. However, a new side-story light novel was released on June 28, 2021. According to Shimesaba, this story explores events that occurred several years before Sayu and Yoshida’s reunion. While intriguing, it doesn’t provide enough content to support a new anime season on its own.
Unless a sequel to the light novel is announced in the future, the chances of a second season remain slim due to a lack of source material to be adapted.
Disc Sales and the Popularity of the Series
Higehiro quickly became one of the standout anime of spring 2021, garnering a substantial fan base both in Japan and internationally. Despite being a relatively new series, it amassed over 100k followers on its official X account. For comparison, another hit from the same season, The Misfit of Demon King Academy, garnered 91k followers.
The series also displayed a strong search volume on Google, surpassing many anime licensed by Funimation or Crunchyroll during that period. While Tokyo Revengers dominated as the season’s top anime, Higehiro followed closely behind. Its popularity is reflected in MyAnimeList rankings.
However, disc sales told a different story. While the decline in disc sales is a trend across the industry due to the rise of streaming platforms, physical sales remain an important metric. Tokyo Revengers averaged 3,207 units per volume, whereas Higehiro averaged 1,977 units for its first two volumes. Although not disastrous, these figures fall short of the industry benchmark for greenlighting a new season. Both series underperformed compared to traditional expectations but still reflect a shift toward digital consumption.
Season 2: In Conclusion
While Higehiro has enjoyed considerable popularity, the chances of a second season appear slim. The primary hurdle is the lack of source material, as the original light novel series has been completed and fully adapted into the first season. Despite a promising fanbase and decent popularity, the series’ disc sales were underwhelming, further complicating the likelihood of renewal.
The side-story light novels could have offered additional content, but they are unlikely to provide enough material for a full-fledged second season. However, if new developments or official announcements arise, we will be sure to update you.
In the meantime, fans of the romantic comedy genre might enjoy other noteworthy titles. We recommend checking out The Quintessential Quintuplets or Eromanga Sensei, two charming series that offer a similar blend of humor and heartfelt moments.