Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the most critically acclaimed shows that animation has to offer, and left some pretty big shoes to fill once it concluded. Years later Avatar received a follow-up in the form of The Legend of Korra, featuring a new cast and a brand-new Avatar to inhabit the world that’s evolved since the Hundred-Year War.
While The Legend of Korra has been enjoyed and praised by fans, for one reason or another it wasn’t as universally beloved as Avatar was and has divided the fanbase to some degree. For viewers who are looking for that exciting spark from a sequel series that expands a previously established fictional world and characters, plenty of anime has that covered.
10 Digimon Tamers Opened The Door Of Infinite Possibilities For The Franchise
While Digimon has had many seasons over the years, most of them aren’t direct sequels, instead opting for multiple continuities. The first of these was Digimon Tamers, sporting a new cast and a more mature tone than the previous iteration while also opening the door for the series to go just about anywhere.
In a world where the Digimon franchise is wildly popular, Takato Matsuda wakes up to a surprise when his own fan-made Digimon sketch actually comes to life one day. Soon after, Takato discovers that Guilmon isn’t the only Digimon that’s entered the real world as he and his fellow Tamers team up to protect it from vicious enemies.
9 SSSS.Dynazenon Is A Worthy Follow-up To SSSS.Gridman
SSSS.Dynazenon is a worthy sequel to SSSS.Gridman that keeps the fun of the monster-of-the-week template while adding a more focused and layered main cast and continuing the theme of facing one’s problems rather than running from them.
Yomogi Asanaka’s ordinary life completely changes with the arrival of a rampaging kaiju. To combat it, a mysterious man named Gauma summons a giant robot called Dynazenon which ends up bringing wildly different people, including Yomogi and others. Together, Dynazenon will battle these monsters all while its pilots overcome their own emotional hurdles.
8 Re:Zero II Develops Its Cast Further Than The Previous Season
Re:Zero’s long-awaited sequel season continues to expand the world in new and terrifying ways while also developing its cast, new and old, even further than before. By the season’s end, what viewers may think they understood about some characters will be turned on its head.
After saving Emilia and stopping Betelgeuse once and for all, Subaru doesn’t have too much time to rest as he discovers that Rem was attacked by more Sin Archbishops, with everyone’s memory of her erased. What’s worse is more threats seem to be making their way towards the sanctuary in the forest where a great trial awaits him and Emilia and where the only way forward is to overcome the past.
7 Joe’s Glory Days Are Over In Megalo Box 2: Nomad
While the first Megalo Box was a typical sports drama, Megalo Box 2: Nomad takes that feel-good underdog story ending and decides to tell a story about Joe being back at rock bottom. With that starting point in mind, this season takes on a sadder tone with even more drama and emotional gut punches that don’t hold back.
In a world where boxing has evolved with the assistance of metal frames called “gear,” the no-name and gearless boxer Joe took the champion title in the first-ever Megalonia tournament. However, after a devastating loss, Joe vanished, spending the next seven years in a downward spiral while haunted by his past.
6 Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Sees The Universal Century In Chaos Again
Taking place after Char’s Counterattack, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn is another entry of the Universal Century timeline, where there is no good or evil, just moral grays. Combining stunning mecha action with Gundam’s most famous themes on the horrors of war, Unicorn shows how fragile peace always is in the Universal Century.
The year is 0096 of the Universal Century, and just as war seemed like a distant fantasy, Neo Zeon clashes with the Earth Federation and conflict erupts once again. The ordinary Banagher Links finds soon finds himself caught in the middle of it all after rescuing a girl named Audrey Burne and being given the key to a special Mobile Suit, the RX-0 Unicorn Gundam.
5 Demon Slayer Was Followed Up By Both A Movie & A New Season
In a stunning move, Demon Slayer not only got a movie that picked up where the first season left off, but the series also got a sequel season as well that continued on from that. Demon Slayer’s beautiful animation and heart-pounding action continued to impress with both the Mugen Train Arc and the Entertainment District Arc while expanding the world and characters further.
After recovering from their battles on Mount Natagumo, Tanjiro and company board a train to investigate the mysterious disappearance and to meet with the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. Things soon get dangerous as it’s revealed one of the Twelve Kizuki is onboard and has sinister machinations for the train’s passengers.
4 Part 1 & Part 2 Of Attack On Titan’s Final Season Is Vastly Different From Before
Attack on Titan started out as an apocalyptic war between man and monster. However, the timeskip shows just how different the series has become, not only with where the characters are now but with its themes of moral ambiguity. The world of Attack on Titan was always heavy, but its Final Season doubles down more than ever before.
Four years after the island of Paradis discovered the truth about their world and history, Eren Yeager launches a vicious attack on Marley. Beginning a deadly whirlwind of vengeance, chaos, and betrayal that rocks all sides of the conflict, the world is about to experience a horrifying rumbling like no other.
3 Part 3 & Onward Of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Has Been Nothing Short Of The Series’ Best
The first season of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure featured the first two parts of the series, which were much different from Part 3, as it continued to follow more protagonists and focused on Stand Users. As a result, Stardust Crusaders and onward created some of JoJo’s most memorable and unique moments, characters, and battles — many of which were the series’ best.
Jonathan Joestar and Dio Brando’s rivalry came to an end when they sunk to the bottom of the ocean. For a time, that was the end of it, until 1983 when Dio’s casket was discovered, beginning his reign of terror once again. Members of the Joestar bloodline will rise to stop him along with a new and powerful element that enters the mix, Stands.
2 Dragon Ball Z Is A Sequel That Became A Household Name
While the original Dragon Ball was an action and adventure comedy with some treasure-hunting elements, Dragon Ball Z doubled down on the action while expanding the franchise’s universe and creating boatloads of characters and moments that have become iconic for the anime medium.
Years after Goku and Piccolo’s climactic duel, Goku and Chichi now live a quieter life along with their son, Gohan. However, this peace is soon interrupted by the arrival of Raditz, who reveals that both he and Goku are of an alien race of warriors called Saiyans. Determined to protect his adopted homeworld, Goku and his friends will face the incoming Saiyans and anyone else that threatens Earth.
1 Naruto Shippuden Is Naruto At Its Best
Many things changed in the timeskip between Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, as characters have grown and the tone has become more intense, yet Naruto himself still has that child-like energy. With improved animation and some of the franchise’s best arcs and battles, viewers will see just how far Naruto and his friends have come.
After Sasuke left Konoha to pursue his mission of vengeance, Naruto went to train with Jiraiya the Toad Sage in order to become stronger. Two and a half years later, Naruto returns home with his resolve and dreams of becoming the Hokage stronger than ever. He’ll need that strong will, too, because the sinister Akatsuki’s plans will put the whole ninja world in danger.
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