Check it out! We’re coming down to the end of the Fall 2023 anime season, so let’s have a look at the health of these two shows and see how likely they will be renewed.

---

Now that we’re reaching the end of the Fall 2023 anime season, now might be a good time to take a look at the likelihood of some shows continuing on into the next season or sometime further down the road. We can’t possibly look at EVERY show for the purpose of this article, but I’ll pick up the two main shows that I’ve been watching this season and share some impressions that I’ve discovered online.

In particular, this discussion comes from the News Chishiki (Information) website, which discusses anime titles from an otaku perspective. They might not provide the most detailed statistics, but I think it does a good job of giving a general outlook given the shows popularity and profitability, two aspects that are absolutely necessary for a show to continue.

The following is a machine translation and additional manual edits of the comments on the News Information website.

---

The Rising of the Shield Hero:
Prospects of a 4th Season

Prospects for a 4th Season: ★★★★☆　approximately 80%
DVD/BD Sales: △　Modest, below 1000 discs in the second period
Distribution Popularity: ★　Top ranking on each distribution site!
Popular Overseas: ★　Leading in English-speaking countries!
Original Sales: ★　Cumulative total exceeding 12 million copies!
Goods Collaboration: ★　Pachislot version!
Continuation of the Anime: ◯　Light novel in stock

▶︎ Reason 1: The Anime’s Popularity

The potential for a 4th season of Shield Hero is significant due to the anime’s immense popularity, both domestically and internationally. Even in its 3rd season, the show continues to maintain high rankings on various streaming platforms, securing the 6th spot on d Anime Store and the 9th position on U-NEXT.

The substantial viewership on streaming platforms directly contributes to the anticipation for the next season. Internationally, it holds an impressive 7th position out of 57 works for the current Fall 2023 season.

Despite lower DVD/BD sales in the first two seasons, the 3rd season’s production suggests profitability through distribution. Notably, KADOKAWA’s financial report for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 2023 identifies Shield Hero as a cornerstone in their imaging business. You can check out the details in KADOKAWA’s financial report here.

▶︎ Reason 2: Top Sales of the Original Work

The original work of Shield Hero, the light novel series, boasts outstanding sales, surpassing 12 million copies sold as of September 2023. This places it among the highest-selling light novels of all time, further increasing the likelihood of a sequel.

▶︎ Additional Factors Supporting a 4th Season

Shield Hero‘s success extends beyond its core mediums. Collaborations with social games and adaptation into a pachislot game contribute to its profitability, often playing a pivotal role in supporting the production of sequels.

▶︎ Conclusion / Summary of the Likelihood of a 4th Season

In summary, The Rising of the Shield Hero is a powerhouse in both anime and its original light novel form, securing its status as KADOKAWA’s flagship work. The lucrative venture into pachislots further solidifies the prospects for a 4th season.

---

The Kingdoms of Ruin:
2nd Season Prospects & Potential Air Date

As of November 2023, the likelihood of a second season for The Kingdoms of Ruin appears to be low, with no official announcement to date. The decision hinges on the work’s sales, and an analysis of various media platforms sheds light on the current situation.

Prospects for a 2nd Season: ★★☆☆☆　approximately 40%
DVD/BD Sales: △　anticipated to be modest, with pre-order rankings below 5000
Distribution Popularity: △　ranking 16th on d Anime Store and 17th on U-NEXT
Overseas Popularity: △　ranking 20th out of 57 on international sites
Original Sales: ◯　exceeding 1 million copies
Manga Availability: ◯　up to volume 9

While DVD/BD sales are yet unknown, nor has a physical release been announced at this time, low pre-order rankings suggest potentially modest sales. Rankings on streaming sites and international platforms, though decent, may not be sufficient for an immediate continuation.

The original work’s success, with over 1 million copies sold by volume 9, positions it as Mag Garden’s flagship manga. Despite the anime facing challenges in sales and popularity, the strong foundation of the source material leaves room for a 40% expectation of a second season.

▶︎ Potential Air Date for 2nd Season: After January 2027

Considering the current low likelihood of a second season and the typical year-long gap between anime seasons, the earliest broadcast for The Kingdoms of Ruin is expected to be after January 2027. The delay is in line with industry norms, especially for less certain projects. For those eager to know which volume the second season will cover, it is anticipated to continue from volume 7 of the original manga.

▶︎ Final Thoughts:

The storyline takes a challenging turn, particularly with Doroka facing blindness due to White Rabbit. The emotional impact resonates deeply, creating a mix of cheerful moments and underlying anxiety, making the narrative both engaging and poignant.

---

So, even though these are unofficial statistics, I think we can gauge the health and future prospects of these shows well enough. We should hear more definitive news by the end of the season, which will be the end of this week for these two shows.

I think Shield Hero has a good chance to be renewed for a 4th season, but it might not air until next fall. And regarding The Kingdoms of Ruin, I may not be surprised if we don’t get a 2nd season, but I will still be pretty disappointed. I agree with the writer on the above website that it gets really difficult to watch certain scenes simply because of how cruel the violence can become…

Welp! Here’s to hearing good news, nonetheless!