noragami season 3

Noragami Season 3: Will It Finally Arrive After a Decade?

Noragami is a still highly popular anime series even though it first aired in 2014, blending action and supernatural elements. While the anime adaptation brought Noragami worldwide recognition, it is originally based on the manga by Adachitoka, which has been serialized since 2010. The anime was produced by the renowned studio Bones, also known for its work on other acclaimed anime such as Kekkai Sensen and Mob Psycho 100. The second season of Noragami, which followed the success of the first season, aired between October 2 and December 25, 2015, on major Japanese TV networks like Tokyo MX and MBS. Licensed by Funimation, the series gained a global fanbase. However, despite the series’ popularity, a third season has yet to be aired. So, what happened so far, and is there hope for a third season of Noragami’s new seasons?

What is the plotline of the anime?

Noragami is an anime deeply rooted in Shintoism, Japan’s indigenous religion, which believes in the existence of over 8 million gods. This rich mythology provides the backdrop for the series. The story follows Yato, a stray god who seeks recognition. In this world, souls that linger between the real world and the afterlife serve the gods, while others become Ayakashi—spirits that meddle in human affairs. Yato’s role is to banish these restless spirits by granting people’s wishes for just 5 yen. His ultimate goal is to save enough money to build a temple and gain the respect he desperately desires. However, things don’t go as planned, especially after he loses his sacred weapon (Shinki), the weapon he used to battle Ayakashi, leaving him defenseless and constantly on the run from the spirits.

The story also follows Hiyori Iki, a spirited middle school girl. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she crosses paths with Yato during his search for a missing cat. In an attempt to save Yato, Hiyori is involved in an accident that leaves her in a half-human, half-Ayakashi state. Desperate to return to her original form, she pleads with Yato for help, setting the stage for their next adventure together. Hiyori’s wish is granted, and the duo embarks on a journey filled with trials and personal growth.

noragami
The picture from @ Madman Anime / YouTube – Trailer

Will there be a third season of Noragami?

It has been over nine years since the second season of Noragami, and fans are still eagerly awaiting news of a third season. As of December 28, 2024, neither Bones Studio nor the manga publisher Kodansha nor the official website of Noragami has confirmed the renewal. While the long gap between seasons may diminish the likelihood of a new season, there is still hope, especially considering that the Noragami manga has just been concluded. Historically, some anime series surprise their audiences with a revival after long waits, so there remains a chance. Let’s explore the latest developments and what fans can expect moving forward.

The announcement made for Anime Expo 2024 regarding Noragami’s 10th anniversary sparked excitement, with many fans eagerly anticipating news of a third season. However, when the announcement turned out to be centered around special anniversary projects, including a commemorative Blu-ray box set and exclusive visuals, disappointment was inevitable. The absence of a season 3 renewal left fans longing for more of Yato and the gang, hoping that one day their wait would be rewarded with the continuation of this beloved series.

Several factors contribute to the decision to renew an anime for a new season. One such consideration is the source material, which in Noragami‘s case is still available in sufficient quantity for further adaptation. However, the situation surrounding the anime’s renewal might have been different. In season two, the series included Islamic prayer words as part of a song, which sparked significant backlash from the Islamic community. While the production team issued an apology, this controversy led to speculation that it may have impacted the renewal decision.

However, with time passing and the controversy becoming less prominent, it seems unlikely that this issue would hinder a potential third season. Let’s speculate about a potential third season under some key parameters.

Manga Status of the Anime

The original Noragami manga series, written and illustrated by Adachitoka, has been published by Kodansha since December 6, 2010. Fans can also read it in English, thanks to Kodansha USA. As of December 2024, the manga has concluded, with a total of 27 volumes, including 3 special “Stray Stories” volumes. Typically, the period when a manga is just completed is an ideal time for announcing a new anime season, as anime adaptations serve as a significant promotional tool for the manga. However, this possibility diminishes over time, as promotional efforts for completed mangas are generally more limited.

The first two seasons of Noragami adapted the first 9 volumes of the manga, with an average of 4-5 volumes typically adapted per season. Given that there are still enough volumes available for adaptation, the source material is not a limiting factor for a potential third season. However, while the manga’s conclusion provides ample content for the series, other factors, such as production schedules and fan interest, also play a crucial role in determining whether the third season will happen.

33%
Manga adaptation rate

Popularity and Disc-Sales

The disc sales for Noragami fell short of expectations. On average, it sold just 1,821 units across six volumes, which is far below the typical 4,000 units expected for a new season renewal. This decline is partly due to the growing trend of online streaming, which has reduced physical disc sales in recent years. Despite this, considering the time period in which Noragami was released, the sales figures still had some level of success. For comparison, Kekkai Sensen, another anime by the same studio, sold 17,254 units impressively, and Osomatsu-san achieved 66,770 units in the same timeframe. Given the relatively low disc sales, a new season based on these figures alone seems unlikely. But the viewerships on the streaming platforms are more crucial nowadays.

Popularity beyond disc sales paints a much more optimistic picture. According to MyAnimeList, Noragami ranks as the 27th most popular anime of all time, which is quite remarkable. In addition, Google search data indicates strong ongoing interest even today. Furthermore, the Noragami X page boasts over 114k followers and remains actively updated. This level of engagement highlights that a large fanbase is eagerly awaiting a new season.

noragami season 3
3rd Season Chance of Noragami
Popularity on Mynanimelist
98
Popularity on Social Media
82
Popularity on Google Searches
74
Success in Disc Sales
67
Reader Rating1 Votes
95
Positives
Above Average Reviews (7.94 on MA, 7.9 on IMDb)
Above-Average Popularity
Big Distributors Worldwide
Sufficent Manga Source Material Availability
Good Manga Sales (8+ million copies in print)
Multi-season continuity
Additional Income from Side Projects
Negatives
No Renewal Since 2015
No Success in Disc Sales
50
Renewal Possibility

When Is the Third Season of Noragami Coming?

As of now, there has been no official confirmation for a third season of the Noragami anime. However, the situation isn’t entirely bleak. While the disc sales for the second season were not as high as expected, the series still boasts a dedicated fanbase and considerable popularity. Additionally, the Noragami manga concluded its serialization in 2024, providing ample source material for a potential new season—or even more.

Although Noragami is not currently listed in Bones studio’s plans for 2025 or beyond, it’s unlikely that they will completely rule out the project. After all, Noragami remains one of their most beloved and successful works. If a third season is greenlit soon, it’s possible we could see the new episodes by 2026, but it is difficult to be earlier than this considering also production period.

In the meantime, if you can’t wait for the anime, you can continue the story through the ongoing manga series (starting from volume 10). Alternatively, for fans of similar themes, we recommend checking out Kekkai Sensen, another anime from Bones Studio. Stay tuned for updates!