So I’m a Spider, So What? (also known as Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?) is a popular anime that premiered in January 2021. Adapted from the well-loved light novel series by Okina Baba, the anime was brought to life by the studio Millepensee, which is also known for its work on Berserk. Despite having a relatively small portfolio of projects, So I’m a Spider, So What? presented Millepensee with the perfect opportunity to showcase their animation prowess.
Licensed by Crunchyroll, the anime aired across multiple local Japanese networks, including AT-X, Tokyo MX, BS11, KBS, SUN, and TVA, between January 8, 2021, and July 3, 2021. Although the series faced a delay for its final episode, it successfully wrapped up, leaving fans eagerly anticipating a potential second season. In 2025, at the time of writing, the wait is still ongoing for a second season of So I’m a Spider, So What?. Let’s delve into what details revealed so far.
What is the plotline of the anime?
In a world where the hero and the demon king are locked in an endless battle, a powerful magic surge from their conflict reaches across worlds, resulting in an explosion in a high school classroom. The students who died in the blast are reincarnated into a new world. The main character, known for her poor reputation, finds herself reborn as a spider. Despite the dire circumstances, she quickly adapts and fights to survive in this unfamiliar and dangerous world.
The anime’s first season faced criticism for its heavy use of 3D CGI, which some fans found jarring. Additionally, the story shifts away from the main character at times, focusing on other plotlines. While this approach might be familiar to light novel readers, anime fans may prefer a more character-focused narrative in the second season. The anime also provides only limited insight into the human-demon conflict, a major theme explored in greater depth in the light novels. For viewers eager to dive deeper into this universe, we recommend checking out the original light novel series.
Will There Be a Second Season of ‘So I’m a Spider, So What?’
The first season finale of So I’m a Spider, So What? was delayed and aired on July 3, 2021. However, as of January 11, 2025, a renewal for a second season has yet to be confirmed. Studio Millepensee and manga publisher Fujimi Shobo have remained silent on the matter. The key to a potential second season lies in the anime’s source material availability and popularity, as is often the case. While there is a lack of official information about the So I’m a Spider, So What?’s second season. Several factors could determine whether a second season will happen in the future.
Source Material
As mentioned earlier, So I’m a Spider, So What? is based on a light novel series written by Okina Baba, with illustrations by Tsukasa Kiryu. The series was first published in Japan by Fujimi Shobo on December 10, 2015, and concluded on January 28, 2022, with a total of 18 volumes. Although the conclusion of the main novel series may reduce promotional efforts and potentially lower the likelihood of a second season, the ongoing manga still exists, providing an opportunity to maintain momentum for the franchise with some other updates that we will touch later in this article.
So far, 5 volumes have been adapted into the anime, leaving a substantial amount of source material uncovered. The anime is generally considered to be faithful to the light novel, but less than half of the material has been adapted. This suggests there is ample content remaining, making a second season a plausible possibility.
Disc Sales and Popularity
Though disc sales have declined in recent years due to changes in viewing habits, they still provide valuable financial insight for the potential of a second season. So I’m a Spider, So What? sold a total of 6 volumes, with the first volume selling 960 copies. Generally, an anime is expected to sell around 4,000 units per volume on average to warrant a renewal. In comparison, anime like SK8 the Infinity and Yurucamp Season 2 sold 8,928 and 6,250 units, respectively. With relatively low disc sales, a second season may seem unlikely based on this factor alone.
When it comes to anime renewals, popularity often weighs more than disc sales. With streaming revenue now playing a bigger role in an anime’s financial success, So I’m a Spider, So What? still enjoys a dedicated fan base. The official Japanese X account for the anime has 22,000 followers. However, when it comes to actual viewership, it’s hard to say everything is going smoothly. Since its release in 2021, the anime has seen a notable decline in popularity, making it harder for a new season to be greenlit.
On the other hand, in June 2024, CTW Inc. announced a new dungeon crawler RPG inspired by So I’m a Spider, So What?, titled So I’m a Spider, So What? Labyrinth Ruler. Access to the game is now possible and players will control a reincarnated spider mob, gather allies, and battle powerful monsters in a labyrinth with the goal of becoming its ruler. If this news brings a surge in interest, the possibility of a second season could be revived. Additionally, Crunchyroll recently reintroduced the anime with a new cover, potentially sparking new interest in the series and raising hopes for a second season. However, the anime’s current popularity hasn’t increased significantly, and there isn’t yet a clear development to strengthen the chances of a second season.
