No Game No Life’s first season had been a banger. However, there is no official announcement about the second season by the makers. With their hopes high, fans are waiting for word from the producers.
Based on the Japanese light novel by the same name, No Game No Life is one of the most sought-after shows in the present anime scenario. The first season of the anime was aired on the 14th of April, 2014. It comprised 12 episodes. The anime concluded in the same year, in June.
Coming to the Manga, eleven volumes of the No Game No Life light novel series have been published in Japan. Does it mean that season one is not the only season?
Fans are Expecting the Second Season of the Show
Considering its comparison with Manga, fans expect No Game No Life Season 2 in the future. The debut season included the first three volumes of the novel. Interestingly, a movie on the same Manga was also released, which adapted its Volume 6. Thus, there are enough volumes left to be adapted for two or more seasons.
Currently, neither Yuu Kamiya (author) nor Madhouse (Production Company) has officially canceled the production.
Fans are keeping their fingers crossed!
What is the Plot of the Anime?
No Game No Life is an animanga that follows the adventures of step-siblings, Sora and Shiro. They make an undefeated group of gamers ‘Blank’. They are further challenged in the game of chess by Tet from another reality.
If the duo wins, they would be offered to live in a world that centers on games. They accept the challenge, and Tet sends them to reality, Disboard. Here, everything is decided by a game. Their next goal is to conquer the sixteen individual species to challenge Tet in a game.
No Game No Life Season 2: Release Date
No announcement regarding the release of the second season has been made by the makers. Despite the unchallenged popularity of the series, it appears that Madhouse doesn’t have an intention of returning to Disboard for anything but the occasional movie.
This movie debuted in 2017 and followed an adaptation of volume 6 of the original light novel.
Does it mean that Madhouse is a little hesitant about the release of the second season?
There Had Been a Controversy
So, why did the makers or producers not make any official announcement of the second season of No Game No Life Season 2? It may be because of a controversy surrounding the anime manga.
In 2014, a controversy revolving around Yuu Kamiya, the author of the Manga took place. According to The Storify News times, Kamiya had allegedly plagiarized the works of several other artists in designing this manga. The author even went so far as to apologize to the artists and reimburse them for the art he copied.
However, it is merely speculation about the delay in the series. As of now, neither Kamiya nor Madhouse have officially canceled the production. Thus, fans still hope that Madhouse will revive the anime in future.
Hints that No Game No Life Requires a Sequel
Here are some obvious hints that highlight this anime requires a second season.
- Elkia is the name of Imanity’s land. The previous king lost his territory to the War Beats but had a trick up his sleeve so that the next king could win it back. Elikia is in dire straits. But when Sora and Shiro take over, they start the daunting work of rebuilding the territory into a profitable place. The transformation of Elkia has become, but the season ends with the winnings of additional land.
It brings the fans to question – What happens to Imanity? They may get to see this in the second season.
When Shiro and Sora declare their intentions for Imanity, it is also a declaration for all the other races. It is conveying all the powers out there that they will be challenged by the weakest race of Exceeds. It is a vital part of the show and hints at other higher entities keeping a watch on Imanity.
- Jibril shows that it takes enormous power to keep an entity from another world in Disboard. Tet and those of the Old Deus are most likely the only race to keep a pair of siblings grounded in Disboard for a long time.
So, what happens when Tet and Blank complete the game? When the final winner is declared, do they get transported to Tokyo, or does some higher magic allow them to stay in the world they have come to love? These are the questions whose answers are to be found in the second season.
- In the far-off distance, beyond the shores of Disboard, there are giant chess pieces. They border the horizon, and Sora questions their presence. He wants to know more about this world and believes there is a connection between those pieces and the key to challenging Tet.
The anime shows the landscapes of Disboard when the siblings freefall to the ground. One of the first shots that appear is of the far-off chess pieces. It leaves off with the mystery surrounding the landscape and what challenges it would mean for the ultimate goal of Blank.
Who will be in the Cast of Season 2?
As no official announcement has been made about the second season, answering this question will be difficult.
There is no information about the potential cast. It is presumed that the original voice actors for season one would return to reprise their roles in the second season. It includes the main voices of the protagonists, Sora and Shiro – Yoshitsugu Masuoka and Ai Kayano, and their English dub counterparts – Scott Gibbs and Caitlynn French.
- Staphanie Dola – Yoko Hikasa and Sara Ornelas
- Chlammy Zell – Yuka Iguchi
- Kurami – Kara Greenberg
- Fil Nivalem – Mamiko Noto and Christina Stroup
- Jibril – Yukari Tamura and Amelia Fischer
- Tet – Rie Kugimiya
- Ino Hatsuse – Mugihito and John Swasey
- The Foolish King – Josh Morrison
- Aristocrat Pimp Hat – Luke Patterson
- Izuna Hatsuse – Miyuki Sawashiro
Owing to the absence of an official announcement, the identity of the possible newcomers in the show remains a mystery. Just like the release date, the whole situation is reliant upon the word from the makers. Fans keep their fingers crossed and hope their favorite actors stick around for the upcoming season.
What Will be the Plot of the Second Season?
If the second season is to be released, fans can expect to see the story continue down the same path as the light novel. The anime stopped its adaptation at the third volume of the light novel. It means there are two more books of untold material between the end of the anime and the beginning of the movie.
In the previous season’s ending, fans see Shiro and Sora defeating the Eastern Federation, creating a pact between it and the Elkian Empire. Afterward, the group summoned great Deus with the intent of challenging them to a game. While the ending didn’t remain entirely faithful to the light novel, it didn’t deviate enough from the plot to bar the second season from getting back on track.
Hence, it is expected that the upcoming season will continue showcasing the shenanigans of Sora and Shiro as they move on to conquer the country of the dhampir and sirens. In a bizarre twist, their challenge involves participating in a romance game of sorts, entering the dream of a Siren Princess, and winning her love.
Characters Fans Loved in Season One
Stephanie Dola
Stephanie is the granddaughter of the Former King of Imanity. She doesn’t like losing and is a proud individual even though she knows that humans (imanity) are the weakest of all races. Regardless of the fact, she thinks they have potential. This character is expressive, kind-hearted, and amiable. She is the opposite of Shiro and one of the best characters on the show. The only weakness of Stephanie is her impulsive personality.
Schwi Dola
Schwi resembles Shiro, and how! Besides looks, she also has a similar personality to the protagonist. Schwi is calculative, expressionless, and much like AI. And after all, these traits make a lot of sense, for she is an ex-machina. Her understanding of the human heart is difficult at the beginning for obvious reasons.
But everything changes when she crosses her paths with a survivor, Riku, and starts living in a colony. She develops her own heart and also understands how love feels.
Jibril
She may appear beautiful and bouncy, but do you know she is over 6000 years old?
Yes, you heard it right! Jibril is the most powerful of the Flugel race. She is an angelic cutie with a hunger for knowledge. Her motto in life is to gain and seek knowledge whenever and wherever she can. She is soft-spoken and polite. At the same time, she can be highly condescending to other races that are ranked below her own.
Somewhere, Jibril can also be sadistic and loves to cherish the good old days before oaths were established and how everything could be solved just by killing. When her past is revealed, the fans realize she used to collect severed heads as trophies and kill others out of boredom with no regard for their lives.
Shiro
The protagonist of the show, Shiro, is an 11-year-old loli. She is a genius who is extremely smart. She speaks 18 various languages. Her quality includes learning a new language in less than 15 minutes. Shiro is also a master of chess and has not been defeated by anyone as of now. She is the best in over 280 games.
Shiro is also a Math fanatic. She can calculate the decision-making of people using her mathematics skills and outsmart most modern computers that go way beyond what is possible in the real world.
Besides the qualities that she has, Shiro is also completely dependent on her brother, Sora, and relies on him to function properly. She may appear expressionless and emotionless most of the time. She also has difficulty understanding the emotions of others which is her biggest weakness as it causes her problems that cannot be solved by her math logic.
Sora
Sora is another protagonist in the show. He is a brilliant NEET and hardcore gamer. Sora is the older brother of Shiro, who adores and cares for his step-sister from the bottom of his heart. Despite being a shut-in NEET, he is highly confident and outgoing. Sora also possesses an ability to manipulate others.
He is a master at reading people’s minds and has a super-genius IQ like Shiro. However, instead of relying on calculations, he relies heavily on his deductive and observational skills. Shiro and Sora together form a team called Blank. Whether up against gods or elves, Blank, the online game username and account shared by the sibling does not lose.
What are the Best Episodes of No Game No Life Season One
The first season has given the fans some finest episodes to cherish. Each of them has different elements, and collectively they take the story ahead. Here are the best episodes of No Games No Life Season one.
Rule Number 10, Episode 12
The sibling duo is driven into a corner by Izuna’s activated Blood Destruction. Izuna believes she won the game; however, is fallen into another of their traps and is left defeated. Later, they are summoned by the leader of the Werebeasts, the Shrine Priestess, who wants a rematch against them for the sake of her people. However, the challenge unexpectedly ends in a draw.
While making preparations for their future battles, Sora and Shiro renew their conviction and unite all the races of Disboard under their rule. They challenge Tet for his title of ‘One True God’.
King Giant, Episode 11
It is another remarkable episode of the show. Sora and Shiro confront Izuna with Jibril’s help. However, they soon realize that the game is rigged to the point that winning has become impossible.
The duo loses hope when Shiro is apparently put under enemy control until Izuna realizes she is falling into a trap laid by the siblings and enjoying the game for the first time in her life. She finally decides to go all out against them.
Fake End, Episode 8
Sora and Shiro visit the Werebeasts’ embassy in Elkia. They expose the tricks they use to outwit their opponents. Sora bets all of Imanity’s remaining territory and the lives of its citizens in an all-or-nothing game against Werebeasts. But, while waiting for their answer, he mysteriously disappears without a trace. Shiro realizes she is the only one who remembers him.
Sacrifice, Episode 7
Intending to challenge the Werebeasts, the siblings discover that it is hard to plan a strategy to defeat the latter. It is because the memories regarding the games are erased from their challenges. But the episode introduces a twist when Stephanie entrusts Sora with a key left by the former king. It then leads to his secret research on how to outwit them.
Sky Walk, Episode 9
While figuring out the trust about her brother’s disappearance, Shiro recalls that Sora is having a high-stakes game of Othello with Clammy in which they are betting on their own existence and memories. With Sora in a dire position and unable to continue with the game, Shiro assumes his place according to the rules and wins.
The siblings not only earn Clammy’s allegiance and Feel Nilvalen’s support, but by sharing his memories with her, Sora wins her trust.
Challenger, Episode 2
Tet abandons the siblings in another world where all war is forbidden, and everything is determined by the games whose rules are further determined by Ten Pledges established by Tet. They find themselves in the country of humanity, the weakest of all the 16 races in this new world. Their reaction to the challenges they face while dealing with this world makes this episode one of the best ones to watch.
Reasons to Watch No Game No Life
We will not give you one, but many reasons why you should watch this anime.
The Characters and Their Portrayal
First things first! The portrayal of the characters in this anime is phenomenal, especially when it comes to the protagonists. Besides their infallible trust in each other, Shiro and Sora team are clever. It would be fair to say that they have genius-level smartness. In each episode, they win at games using their unchallenged logic and forward-thinking. Their intellect takes all their enemies by surprise.
Unlike mystery anime, this one is not just one of those fantasy action shows relying on explosions and magic power. The show and characters have smartness which is highly impressive.
Incredible Drawing Style
The drawing skill of the animators in this anime deserves an individual mention. The anime is produced by Madhouse, which is also responsible for creating some masterpieces such as Hellsing Ultimate, Death Note, and Monster. No Game No Life features high-level drawing skills.
It also includes comedic timing and how they show certain concepts. The polished drawing style of the makers in creating this show is yet another reason to add it to your watchlist.
Amazing Fantasy World
The ability to stick the viewers to their world is one of the best qualities of any anime, and No Game No Life successfully does so. In this show, the characters are sucked into a fantasy world governed by ten rules. Seeing how they use these rules to their advantage and find ways to win at games highlights the amount of thought put into each aspect.
As the main characters are from the real world, the cross-thinking of the modern and fantasy world often makes for a good dose of comedy. The show leaves all its viewers deeply indulged and engrossed in the fantasy world.
The Emotional Bond Between Characters
The emotional bond between characters is another reason you must watch this show. They rely on each other 100 percent in every game, and trust becomes the winning factor for most of them.
This anime builds the relationship between the two. You will feel sad when you watch them forcing apart in certain instances.
Pop Culture References
This anime also includes pop culture references to media such as Steins, Gate, JoJo’s Bizare Adventure, Persona 4, and more. It has funny humor and timing, making it another reason for you to watch it until the second season arrives.
Online Reactions for No Game No Life Season 2
Fans and users often discuss gossip, trivia, and other stuff related to No Game No Life. If rumors are to be believed, the manga’s author, Yuu Kamiya has been undergoing some health issues, however, nothing out of the ordinary.
The prequel movie of the anime, No Game, gave the franchise a much-needed boost in both fame as well as funds. It also kept the anime alive in the hearts of fans everywhere. The engagement and reaction of the audience regarding the anime remain intact.
When it comes to its reception, around 22.8 percent of users on IMDb gave the show a solid rating of 10/10. Around 25.6 percent of viewers gave it a steady 8/10 rating. 19.4 percent of users gave it a 9/10 rating. It can be said that the anime won millions of hearts.
How Did the No Game No Life Movie Fare at the Box Office
The movie, No Game No Life Zero was released in 2017. Fans of the franchise were aware it was going to make it past the finish. This movie was directed by Atsuko Ishizuka and received a positive response from movie fanatics. It earned over $6.5 million, which is an impressive figure.
The movie version of the popular manga sold over 40,000 Blu-Ray copies in Japan. It saw an immense profit margin. In short, the movie became as successful as the series.
No Game No Life has Merchandise Too
Action figures are touted as the best merchandise when it comes to anime rich in characters. You will be glad to know that No Game No Life has 45 merchandise to its name. You can explore various designs on some of the most popular characters on the show – Sora, Shiro, Schwi, Jibril, Izuna, and Stephanie.
As a fan, you can grab your hands on merchandise such as shirts, mugs, towels, and tapestries based on the show cover. The sales of these merchandise have been whopping so far.
Is No Game No Life Popular?
This anime is one of the most popular shows by all means. No Game No Life has received love from millions of fans worldwide.
The anime has 120k followers on Twitter alone and the users keep on engaging in certain discussions regarding the show which highlights its immense popularity among them. The Google trends and Google searches of the show also highlight its popularity and how much the fans are waiting for updates on the upcoming season. The global Google searches of this anime have exceeded 54k within the past few months.
Where Can I Watch No Game No Life Season One?
You can stream all the episodes of No Game No Life Season one on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu, etc.
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