Chainsaw Man spoilers follow.
2022 has been a phenomenal year for anime. Between returning shows like Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia to standout debuts from Spy X Family and Ranking of Kings, anime fans keep on winning. But one title sliced through the competition harder — and more grotesquely — than any other.
We are of course referring to Chainsaw Man, Studio MAPPA's extremely gory and extremely addictive breakout smash. Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga was already a hit with readers before the adaptation arrived, but now that season one's come to an end, Chainsaw Man has arguably become the biggest anime success of the year.
But what's in store for the following season one's intense finale? Chainsaw Man hasn't been officially renewed just yet, but there's plenty of source material to cover still and it's hard to imagine a world where Studio MAPPA wouldn't capitalise on all this success.
So with that in mind, here's everything you need to know about Chainsaw Man season two.
Chainsaw Man season 2 potential release date: When will Chainsaw Man season 2 air?
Chainsaw Man debuted on October 12, 2022, which has led fans to speculate that new episodes could arrive in the fall 2023 season. However, Studio MAPPA doesn't always follow a yearly pattern like this, plus rumours reported by AnimeGeek.com suggest that a 2024 return might be more likely.
We'll keep you posted as soon as we hear more, assuming that Chainsaw Man is even renewed, of course.
Chainsaw Man season 2 cast: Who will be back for Chainsaw Man season 2?
If or when Chainsaw Man returns, expect to see the following Japanese and English voice actors reprise their roles for season two:
• Kikunosuke Toya as Denji (Japanese) / Ryan Colt Levy (English)
• Shiori Izawa as Pochita (Japanese) / Lindsay Seidel (English)
• Tomori Kusunoki as Makima (Japanese) / Suzie Yeung (English)
• Shogo Sakata as Aki Hayakawa (Japanese) / Reagan Murdock (English)
• Fairouz Ai as Power (Japanese) / Sarah Wiedenheft (English)
• Karin Takahashi as Kobeni Higashiyama (Japanese) / Bryn Apprill (English)
• Taku Yashiro as Hirokazu Arai (Japanese) / Jarrod Greene (English)
• Kenjirou Tsuda as Kishibe (Japanese) / Jason Douglas (English)
• You Taichi as Akane Sawatari (Japanese) / Emi Lo (English)
• Daiki Hamano as Katana Man (Japanese) / Jason Marnocha as Katana Man (English)
Himeno might not return though, unless flashbacks bring her back in season two. If so, then Mariya Ise and Katelyn Barr will likely reprise the role for the original Japanese cut and the English dub respectively.
And of course, new cast members will also join as more characters are inevitably introduced in season two.
Neither Yō Taichi (in Japanese) nor Emi Lo (in English) will be returning to the role of Akane. The devil hunter was of course killed towards the end of the season by the Snake Devil.
Chainsaw Man season 2 plot: What will happen in Chainsaw Man season 2?
First, a reminder of season one's plot, as summarised by Crunchyroll:
"Denji is a teenage boy living with a Chainsaw Devil named Pochita. Due to the debt his father left behind, he has been living a rock-bottom life while repaying his debt by harvesting devil corpses with Pochita. One day, Denji is betrayed and killed. As his consciousness fades, he makes a contract with Pochita and gets revived as 'Chainsaw Man'– a man with a devil's heart."
The majority of the first season centred around Denji's journey of growth as he took on the role of devil hunter.
Thankfully he had his company to fall back on for support because slaying beasts can be hard work.
Friends Power, Kobeni, Himeno and Aki were along for the ride and together the crew managed went toe-to-toe with the likes of the Ghost Devil, the Bat Devil and the Katana Man whom they captured.
Now you're all up to speed, what's next for Chainsaw Man in season two?
Chainsaw Man's season one finale ended with Denji and his team now closer than ever to finding the Gun Devil following their victory over henchmen named Katana Man and the Snake Devil.
But who was that mysterious dark-haired woman who appeared at the end? Who is she and why is she banging on about a field mouse? – "Between the country mouse and the city mouse, which would you rather be?"
Assuming Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga is adapted again in a second outing, there's plenty more story to be told still. The first 12 episodes which comprised season one have only covered around four arcs to date, which means that the 'Bomb Girl Arc' and perhaps even 'International Assassins' Arc' could both end up on screen next time around.
If you're too impatient to wait for new episodes, read Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga to find out what's coming our way next on screen.
Chainsaw Man season 2 trailer: Any Chainsaw Man season 2 footage yet?
There's no new footage of Chainsaw Man season two just yet, but in the meantime, check out our video that reveals all the biggest shows you need on your radar in 2023.
And when Studio MAPPA does start to release new teasers and trailers, they'll all be here waiting for you at Digital Spy.
Chainsaw Man is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
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