Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid anime series premiered on January 12, 2017, as an adaptation of Coolkyousinnjya’s manga first published in 2013. The anime in fantasy comedy and slice-of-life genres is both entertaining and peaceful. The anime was animated by Kyoto Animation, which actively produced animations recently. We also know the studio from popular anime series such as Violet Evergarden. Another famous anime owned by the studio, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, had previously been renewed for the second season and delighted its fans. With a sequel, “Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S“, the anime managed to maintain its quality in the first season, and many viewers even evaluated the second season as better than the first season. The second season, licensed by the Chinese giant streamer Bilibili, met with the audience also on Funimation. The second season aired from July 8, 2021, to September 23, 2021, and fans are now excited for the third season. So, has the anime been renewed for a new season? Let’s remember the anime and see what we know about the third season together.
What is the Plotline of the Anime?
What would happen if you encountered a dragon during a drunken night out? Even more intriguing: What if that dragon could transform into a woman? And to top it off, what if that dragon-woman became your servant? This is just a glimpse of the bizarre and humorous story that unfolds in Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid.
The series centers around Kobayashi, a 25-year-old computer programmer leading a dull and repetitive life. Her daily routine consists of tedious work tasks assigned by a boss who fails to recognize her contributions. At work, her only meaningful connection is with Makoto, a colleague and close friend. One evening, after a night of drinking with Makoto, Kobayashi’s life takes a dramatic turn.
Kobayashi, known for losing herself when intoxicated, finds herself in an unusual situation that changes her life forever. After an evening of fun, Kobayashi misses her stop on the train ride home and ends up wandering through a dense forest on a mountain. While navigating through the trees, she encounters a wounded dragon with vibrant green scales. The dragon, initially wary of Kobayashi, is angered when she rushes to embrace it.
Kobayashi notices a sword lodged in the dragon’s back and, despite the dragon’s warnings of danger, stubbornly climbs onto its back to remove it. Unfazed by the risks, Kobayashi successfully extracts the sword, which sparks a shift in the dragon’s feelings toward her. Grateful for her help, the dragon transforms into a half-human form, and the two begin to bond over drinks. In the midst of a heated drunken argument, Kobayashi, ever the enthusiast for servants, offers the dragon a place to stay, asking her to live with her.
The dragon, named Tohru, is overjoyed by this offer and eagerly agrees to Kobayashi’s request. But the night doesn’t end there—Kobayashi, still drunk, casually mentions her obsession with having a servant. Without hesitation, Tohru agrees to become her servant. The night concludes with Kobayashi waking up the next morning on the train, unsure if the entire experience was merely a dream. To her surprise, everything she encountered was very real!
The story of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid revolves around the unusual and heartwarming relationship that forms between Kobayashi and Tohru. It combines elements of fantasy, comedy, and slice-of-life to create an engaging tale of friendship and the unexpected bonds that can form between humans and mythical creatures.
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid Movie is Confirmed!
Fans of the heartwarming anime series Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid have something to look forward to in 2025. The upcoming movie, titled Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved, is set to bring back the enchanting world of dragons and quirky humans. Here’s what we know so far about this exciting film from Kyoto Animation.
The new movie focuses on a self-contained story arc from the manga, with a spotlight on Kanna, the lovable and mischievous dragon. While specifics of the plot remain under wraps, the film’s title, A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved, hints at a heartwarming exploration of belonging and emotional connection. True to the spirit of the series, fans can expect plenty of laughs, tender moments, and beautifully animated scenes. Although the movie is a continuation of the anime series, it’s designed to stand alone, making it accessible to both long-time fans and newcomers. It will follow the events of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S but without relying heavily on prior knowledge of the series.
Release Date of the Movie
The film is slated for release on June 27, 2025, with production led by Kyoto Animation, renowned for its top-tier animation quality. Fans will be delighted to know that Tatsuya Ishihara, who directed the second season, is returning to helm this project. This continuity ensures that the charm and visual excellence of the series will carry over into the film. The official teaser has already been released, further building excitement with stunning visuals and a glimpse of what’s to come. The cast has also been revealed, featuring key voice actors reprising their roles, much to the excitement of long-time fans. While international distribution details are still being finalized, streaming platforms like Crunchyroll, which currently hosts the anime series, are potential candidates for future distribution.
Will There Be a Third Season of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid?
The anime has already been renewed for a second season and a movie. The second season, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S, concluded with its 12th episode on September 23, 2021, followed by an OVA on January 19, 2022. However, as of November 24, 2024, there has been no official announcement from Kyoto Animation or any affiliated companies regarding a third season. While season finales are often used to reveal continuation plans, no such announcement accompanied the conclusion of the second season. Fans eagerly await updates from official channels, but the process for new-season confirmations often takes time. For example, there was a four-year gap between the first and second seasons.
Adding to the anticipation, the upcoming movie, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid: A Lonely Dragon Wants to Be Loved, set for a 2025 release, indicates that the franchise is still active. The decision to focus on a standalone story for Kanna suggests Kyoto Animation’s confidence in the series’ enduring popularity. Historically, successful anime films often reignite discussions around future seasons, as seen with similar franchises. If the movie performs well, it could serve as a precursor to a third season announcement.
Manga as a Key Indicator
Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is based on the manga series by Coolkyousinnjya, which began serialization in 2013 and remains ongoing. To date, 15 volumes have been published. The anime has been largely faithful to its source material, adapting chapters 1–30 in the first season and up to chapter 48 in the second season (Volume 5 in Manga). With ten volumes yet to be adapted, there is ample material for future seasons. The anime has only covered approximately 1/3 of the available content, suggesting plenty of room for further storytelling.
Disc Sales and Popularity
Although disc sales are no longer the primary driver for new-season decisions, they remain a strong indicator of an anime’s reception. The second season’s average volume sales of 3,447 copies were consistent with the first season’s performance. The total revenue from disc sales for the second season amounted to approximately ¥113,980,000, ranking it fifth among anime released during Summer 2021. Additionally, the anime’s strong social media presence, with over 220,000 Twitter followers, showcases its popularity. Historically, anime with similar or fewer followers, such as Mob Psycho 100 or Given, have received new season confirmations.
When is the third season of the anime?
The ongoing manga, strong popularity, and consistent revenue streams create a promising outlook for a third season of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid. The performance of the upcoming movie could be a key factor in securing the series’ future. If Kyoto Animation capitalizes on the film’s success, fans might hear news about Season 3 soon after its release.
While no official renewal has been announced yet, the factors outlined above make the prospect of a third season highly likely. However, predicting a release date remains challenging. Based on the four-year gap between the first two seasons and the studio’s current commitments, a new season may not arrive before 2026.
We will continue to monitor official announcements and update this article as new information becomes available. Stay tuned!