Every year, dozens of popular manga or light novels are adapted into anime by Japanese animation studios. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord, which is in the comedy and fantasy genre and includes harem elements, was one of the successful adaptations of 2018. Adapted from Yukiya Murasaki’s light novel published in 2014, the anime delighted its fans with its second season, ‘How Not to Summon a Demon Lord Ω‘.
The second season of the anime was directed by Satoshi Kuwabara. In season 2, the anime, adapted by Tezuka Productions, known from Adachi and Shimamura, and a fairly new studio, Okuruto Noboru, was licensed by Crunchyroll and Funimation. In Japan, it was originally broadcast by JNN from April 9, 2021, to June 11, 2021. The 10-episode second season was enough to get fans excited for a new season. So will there be a third season?
What is the plotline of the anime?
In MMORPG Cross Reverie, Sakamoto Takuma boasted that he had enough overwhelming power to have other players call him the Demon King. One day, he was summoned to another world by his appearance in the game. There were two girls here who insisted “I am the true summoning master.”. Takuma eats the slave transformation spell used by the girls to summon monsters on himself. However, the strange ability “Magic Reflection” activates! It is the girls who become slaves!
Takuma is surprised. He was the strongest mage but had no social skills. The first words that came out of his mouth in panic were that he played the role of the Demon King in the game. “You say I’m great? Of course. I am Diablo… the one feared as the Demon King!”
Will there be a third season of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord?
The second season of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord wrapped up on June 11, 2021. Despite this, as of January 18, 2025, neither Tezuka Productions, Okuruto Noboru, nor light novel publisher Kodansha have confirmed a third season. Given that the second season was announced about two years after the first, there is still a chance for a new season, even though it has been nearly three years since the last one aired. Anime renewals typically depend on several key factors, such as the availability of source material, popularity, and disc sales. Although no official updates have been made, it’s possible to assess the potential for a third season based on these elements. So does ‘How Not to Summon a Demon Lord’ give hope for a third season?
Light novel
The light novel series How Not to Summon a Demon Lord, written by Yukiya Murasaki and illustrated by Takahiro Tsurusaki, was first published on December 2, 2014, by Kodansha. As of now, the series has released 14 volumes and is still ongoing, making it a significant source for the anime adaptation. The anime has adapted the first 8 volumes across its two seasons, with the remaining 6 volumes still available for potential future seasons. Given that the light novel is ongoing and there is ample material left to adapt, this creates a promising outlook for a possible third season. The continuation of the source material suggests that the anime could easily progress further, offering fans a chance to see more of the story unfold on screen.
Disc sales and popularity
Disc sales are a key indicator when evaluating the potential for new anime seasons. Looking at the first season of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord, we see it sold 1,636 units on average across 3 volumes. Despite relatively low sales, this was enough for the anime to secure a second season. In contrast, the second season sold only 1,145 units on average, which fell below expectations. However, it’s important to note that disc sales have generally been declining in recent years, so these figures are not the sole factor in determining a new season.
Now, let’s consider the overall popularity of the anime. On Google, How Not to Summon a Demon Lord has maintained a solid search volume, especially following the release of its second season, which has contributed to an increase in interest. If this search volume remains strong over the coming months, it could bode well for the possibility of a third season. On Twitter, the anime has around 40.6k followers, which is modest compared to other popular series. For example, No Game No Life boasts 124k followers, and The Misfit of Demon King Academy, which premiered in 2020 and is confirmed for a second season, has 91k followers.
While the lack of additional content like smartphone games or live-action adaptations might limit the show’s visibility, the continued success of the manga series could still be a good sign for its future. For now, the best way to support the anime is by recommending it to friends and fellow fans.
When is the third season of the anime?
Although there has been no official announcement regarding a third season of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord, we estimate the likelihood at around 40%. The anime’s second season, which aired three years after the first, was well-received, maintaining fan interest. A key factor for hope is Okuruto Noboru, the relatively new studio involved in the project, which is likely eager to prove itself in the anime industry. This could make the studio more open to continuing the series. If a renewal occurs soon, there’s potential for a new season to air around 2026. However, Okuruto Noboru’s busy production schedule, including upcoming projects such as Even Given the Worthless “Appraiser” Class, I’m Actually the Strongest (January 9, 2025), could influence the timeline for a third season of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for something similar to How Not to Summon a Demon Lord, we recommend checking out Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid or Nekopara, both of which fall within similar genres. These series can offer a comparable blend of comedy and fantasy while you wait for news on a potential third season.