Eighteen months after its inaugural season, Jigokuraku has made a return with its highly anticipated sequel. Originally intended to be either a split or a continuous two-cour series, the production faced significant challenges, a situation not uncommon for the studio MAPPA in previous years. This anime falls within the ever-expanding universe created by Fujimoto Tatsuki, as Kaku Yuji, one of his numerous apprentices, finds his own success as a creator. The original manga spanned thirteen volumes, meaning that fitting the entire storyline into the new season will necessitate some editorial adjustments.
As the series resumes, viewers will notice a brief recap that helps to refresh their memories, reminding them of key details and events from the first season. The plot begins with two new characters, Shugen and Jikka Yamada, who meet with the Shogunate to embark on a quest to Shinsenkyou for the elixir and to investigate the fate of their silent predecessors.
Meanwhile, on the island, Sagiri and her team are on a quest to find Gabimaru and his companions. Gabimaru, suffering from amnesia, encounters the Aza brothers, leading to intense confrontations. Despite some talk of collaboration, the character Choubi is fiercely independent, driven by his perceived mastery of Tao, which he believes makes him invincible. As the combatants engage in brutal clashes, their supporting characters also find themselves in their own struggles.
Overall, the series seems to pick up where it left off, maintaining its characteristic brutality and dark themes. While there’s uncertainty about how this season will unfold, Jigokuraku has proven itself capable of delivering gripping storytelling in the past, leaving room for optimism about its future. As the season progresses, both the level of engagement from viewers and the competition from other series will become clearer, but for now, Jigokuraku is a promising addition to the anime lineup.