Tokyo Ravens started as a light novel in 2010 and quickly expanded into a manga series published in the same year. Shounen Ace, a well-known shounen magazine, began serializing the manga on a monthly basis. Written by Kōhei Azano, the light novel was later adapted into an anime by Eight Bit. The anime, licensed by Funimation, was produced by the same studio behind Star Align Season 2 and aired across multiple local networks, including Tokyo MX, Sun TV, KBS, tvk, TV Aichi, AT-X, and BS11. The anime premiered on October 9, 2013, and concluded on March 26, 2014, spanning a total of 24 episodes. Although several years have passed since its original run, fans of Tokyo Ravens continue to hope for a second season. This supernatural action anime, known for its captivating visuals rich blend of natural beauty, and vibrant animation, still sparks interest. Will there ever be a second season? Let’s revisit the series and take a look at the latest updates regarding its potential continuation.
What is the Plotline of Tokyo Ravens?
After a failed ritual in Tokyo, the city is plunged into chaos as it is attacked by demonic spirits. The Onmyoujis, individuals with the unique ability to see spirits and control their spiritual energy, are called upon to cleanse the city of these malevolent beings. In response to this growing threat, schools are established to train the next generation of Onmyoujis.
Our protagonist, Tsuchimikado Harutora, hails from a long line of Onmyoujis but is unable to perceive spiritual energy. As a result, he enjoys a carefree life in the countryside, far removed from the chaos of the city. Despite his friends’ urging, Harutora refuses to follow in his family’s footsteps and become an Onmyouji. He is also childhood friends with Natsume, the heir to the prestigious Tsuchimikado family. Though Harutora made a promise to Natsume as a child, he struggles to keep it due to his lack of spiritual talent.
On the other hand, Natsume is a gifted Onmyouji and widely regarded as a prodigy. She carries the weight of her family’s legacy and moves to Tokyo to further her training. Despite his initial reluctance, Harutora’s fate takes a turn, and he finds himself compelled to face his destiny. After losing a cherished friend and remembering his promise to Natsume, Harutora decides to enroll in a prestigious Onmyouji school in Tokyo. There, he teams up with Natsume to train and prepare for the ultimate confrontation with the 12 Heaven Generals who rule over Tokyo.
Will There Be a Second Season of Tokyo Ravens?
As of December 20, 2024, the official website of the anime, Eight Bit Studio, and the publishers of the Tokyo Ravens light novel and manga have yet to renew the anime for a second season. While the time that has passed since the anime’s initial airing in 2013 certainly reduces the likelihood of a new season, it is important to remember that some anime series have experienced renewals even after long gaps.
The creative studio behind Tokyo Ravens, Eight Bit, remains active in the anime industry. Most notably, they recently secured approval for a new season of the anime That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, based on the light novel written by Fuse and also for The Irregular at Magic High School based on web novel series by Tsutomu Satō. This shows that Eight Bit continues to be a key player in the anime world, potentially keeping the door open for future projects like Tokyo Ravens.
When it comes to anime renewals, several key factors influence the decision. Disc sales, for example, are a critical metric, as they indicate the financial success of a show. Additionally, the popularity of the series and the availability of source material from the light novel play significant roles. While Tokyo Ravens has a dedicated fanbase, these factors need to align for a renewal.
Light Novel
The Tokyo Ravens light novel series, written by Kōhei Azano and illustrated by Sumihei, ran from May 20, 2010, to October 20, 2018. Unfortunately, the series has since concluded, with a total of 16 main volumes and 4 additional volumes. The first 9 volumes were adapted into the anime’s initial season, which aired in 2013. This leaves 7 volumes of source material still available for potential future adaptations.
Although there may not be enough material for a full 24-episode season, there is sufficient content for a potential 12-episode season. However, the fact that the light novel series concluded several years ago could hinder the promotional efforts for a second season. Additionally, the completed nature of the series diminishes the incentive to renew the anime purely to boost light novel sales.
Popularity
Tokyo Ravens‘s disc sales during the fall season of 2013 averaged 2,247 units per volume. For a new season to be approved, anime generally needs to sell at least 4,000 units on average. In the years following the anime’s release, disc sales have significantly decreased due to changing viewing habits, with physical media sales dropping overall. While Tokyo Ravens remains fairly popular and ranked #473 on MyAnimeList, its current popularity is insufficient for a renewal. Notably, Google search volume for the anime has declined over the years, indicating waning interest.
The anime’s Twitter following, with only 26k fans, is also comparatively low when compared to other major series, further reducing the likelihood of a second season. Given these factors, a renewal for Tokyo Ravens seems highly unlikely.
Season 2: Conclusion
Although the current popularity of Tokyo Ravens is not enough to guarantee a second season, it’s important to remember that anime renewals can sometimes happen unexpectedly. The anime industry is full of surprises, and a revival could still be possible. Fortunately, the light novel has enough source material to support a new 12-episode season, but for that to happen, a renewal decision is necessary.
If the series were to be renewed, a new season could potentially arrive around 2027. However, given the low probability of renewal, fans will need to remain patient for any official announcements. In the meantime, we highly recommend checking out other popular anime series such as Noragami and The God of High School, which share similar themes and storytelling.
Stay tuned for further updates — we’ll keep this article updated with any official news regarding Tokyo Ravens.