In/Spectre (Invented Inference), also known as Kyokou Suiri, is a captivating romantic fantasy anime that masterfully blends action and comedy. Directed by Keiji Gotoh (Kiddy Grade, Endride) and written by Noboru Takagi (Durarara!!, Golden Kamuy, Kuroko’s Basketball), adapted from the manga written by Kyo Shirodaira.
The anime first premiered on January 11, 2020, and was renewed for a highly anticipated second season, which began airing on January 9, 2023. With weekly broadcasts in Japan and global streaming with English subtitles afterward, the second season concluded on March 27, 2023 in Japan. Animated by the renowned Brain’s Base studio—famous for works like My Little Monster—the series has left fans eagerly awaiting news of a third season. Has In/Spectre been renewed for a third season, and when can fans expect its release? Let’s explore the details in our article.
In Spectre Recap: What We’ve Seen So Far
In/Spectre introduced us to the fascinating world of Kotoko Iwanaga, a sharp-witted young woman who acts as the “Goddess of Wisdom” for supernatural beings. With her extraordinary psychic abilities, Kotoko resolves conflicts and mysteries in the spirit world while navigating her growing affection for the enigmatic Kurou Sakuragawa. Together, they tackled thrilling challenges, including the iconic Steel Lady Nanase case—a gripping confrontation that tested both their wits and courage. The blend of supernatural intrigue, action, and budding romance between Kotoko and Kurou made the first season an unforgettable experience.
Picking up from where the first season left off, In/Spectre Season 2 delved deeper into Kotoko and Kurou’s relationship while introducing new supernatural threats and mysteries. With Rikka Sakuragawa, Kurou’s cunning cousin, looming as a persistent danger, the season expanded the stakes significantly. Kotoko’s resourcefulness and Kurou’s resilience were put to the test as they unraveled complex cases, further exploring the delicate balance between their personal lives and their roles in the spirit world. Season 2 concluded with an enthralling showdown, offering closure to some plotlines while leaving tantalizing questions unanswered.
What to Expect from Season 3?
Fans are eagerly speculating on the direction In/Spectre will take in its anticipated third season. With Kotoko and Kurou’s relationship now firmly established, Season 3 is expected to delve deeper into their dynamic as they face new mysteries and adversaries. Rikka’s whereabouts remain unknown, setting the stage for a potential climactic confrontation. Furthermore, the introduction of fresh characters from the manga and unexplored arcs promises to bring more intense battles, intellectual duels, and emotional depth to the series
Will there be a third season of In/Spectre?
In/Spectre concluded its second season on March 27, 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the anime has not yet been officially renewed for a third season. Neither the manga publisher Kodansha, the animation studio Brain’s Base, nor any other related parties have made an official announcement regarding the future of the series. However, fans can take comfort in the fact that there has been no indication of cancellation.
Anime renewals often take time, and it’s worth noting that there was a three-year gap between the first and second seasons. The renewal of an anime largely depends on several key factors, such as popularity, source material availability, and financial success. Based on these parameters, we can make plausible guesses about the likelihood of a new season.
While we await an official announcement, the following sections of this article will analyze these factors and provide speculation on what the future might hold for In/Spectre.
Manga Status and Source Material Availability
As previously mentioned, In/Spectre is a manga adaptation, written by Kyo Shirodaira and illustrated by Chashiba Katase. The manga debuted in 2011 and has been steadily serialized since then. To date, the series has been compiled into 22 volumes, with new chapters continuing to be published. This ongoing development ensures that fans have a consistent flow of content to enjoy. Does the manga provide enough material for a third season of the anime?
The answer is a resounding yes. The first season of the anime adapted content from the first six volumes of the manga, while the second season utilized material from volumes 7 to 11. This leaves a significant amount of untapped source material available for adaptation. These 11 remaining volumes offer more than enough content to create a third season, and potentially even a fourth, depending on the pacing and scope of the adaptation. Moreover, the manga’s ongoing publication means there could be even more material available in the future, further solidifying the possibility of additional seasons.
Popularity
In/Spectre (also known as Kyokou Suiri) currently ranks 473rd on MyAnimeList’s popularity rankings. While this ranking might seem decent, it doesn’t fully reflect the anime’s current standing. Looking at its recent search volume and fan interest, the excitement surrounding the second season seems to have diminished relatively quickly. This decline in popularity could raise concerns for the decision-making committee about whether producing another season would be financially viable.
On social media, the anime has amassed 52,000 followers on its official X page. While this is a respectable figure, it falls short compared to many anime series that secure renewals, which often boast follower counts exceeding 100,000. This discrepancy may indicate a limited ability to generate widespread fan engagement.
In terms of physical disc sales, which, although less influential in recent years, still provide valuable insight, the numbers are below expectations. The anime’s first season has sold an average of 859 copies per volume. To put this into perspective, Magia Record, another anime released in the same 2020 Winter season, managed to sell 7,426 copies—a significant margin. These figures suggest that In/Spectre may struggle to compete with similar titles when it comes to profitability.
When assessing the overall popularity of In/Spectre, it’s clear that the series faces challenges. While it has maintained a loyal fan base, its broader appeal seems limited. Without a significant resurgence in popularity or a strategic boost in marketing, these factors could hinder the likelihood of a new season.
When is the Release Date of Season 3?
While the series concluded its second season in March 2023 and generated some buzz, In/Spectre has not yet been renewed for another season. Although the anime has a dedicated fanbase, its recent drop in popularity and relatively low sales figures may cause hesitation among production committees. Given these facts, the possibility of a new season for the anime remains uncertain, as we’ve speculated above. However, In/Spectre was not a highly anticipated anime and still received approval for a second season. As long as the manga continues and there is enough source material, there is still a chance for a third season.
Brain’s Base, the studio behind In/Spectre, is known for more popular works like To Your Eternity and My Little Monster, which may result in In/Spectre staying in the background. Typically, anime seasons take about a year to produce, so we may see a new season around 2026, but an early renewal decision would be needed soon for that to happen. Keep an eye on updates from us. If you’re curious about the continuation of the story, we recommend starting from volume 11 of the manga to go back to In/Spectre’s world.