It has been nearly 14 years since the original airing of Deadman Wonderland in Japan, and despite the significant gap, Manglobe, the animation studio behind it, has yet to unveil a sequel. This has left many devoted fans yearning for more adventures featuring Ganta Igarashi and the captivating world they originally fell in love with.
With no official announcements regarding a sequel or new projects in the pipeline, enthusiasm has dwindled among fans. However, anticipation has shifted towards an upcoming anime titled Tougen Anki, set to debut in the Summer 2025 anime season. This new series, while not directly related to the original Deadman Wonderland, shares key elements that have piqued the interest of long-time followers.
What Excites Deadman Wonderland Fans About Tougen Anki?
One of the primary reasons for the excitement surrounding Tougen Anki stems from its incorporation of a similar power system. Fans of Deadman Wonderland will recall Ganta Igarashi’s unique ability to manipulate his blood into weapons, a skill that distinguished him among the “Deadmen”—a group of inmates possessing special abilities known as the Branches of Sin. This power not only influenced Ganta’s character arc but also led him into the brutal death matches known as Carnival Corpse.
Similarly, the protagonist of Tougen Anki, Shiki Ichinose, wields the ability to manipulate his blood, drawing on his Oni heritage. His journey focuses on mastering this unique power to confront those descended from the legendary Momotarou, providing a thrilling narrative that resonates with fans of the genre.
Fan Reactions to Tougen Anki’s Announcement
The reveal of Tougen Anki has elicited a humorous yet nostalgic response from many fans, who jested about its striking resemblance to Deadman Wonderland. Many welcomed the comforting familiarity after a long wait for new content. Some fans even synthesized elements from both Deadman Wonderland and Blue Exorcist, noting the rarity of series that focus on blood magic.
“Close enough. Welcome back, Deadman Wonderland!,”one fan shared.
“This feels like a mix of Deadman Wonderland and Ao no Exorcist. Lol, I love it, because there’s almost no series that has blood magic as their main power system,”another fan commented.
“So this is what? A sequel to Deadman Wonderland?,”another fan queried.
“Am I the only one hearing Isagi’s voice from Blue Lock? I’m ready to watch the show; it looks good,”another fan noted.
Interestingly, some fans were momentarily confused by the trailer, mistakenly believing it functioned as a sequel to their beloved series. Although both anime share thematic elements, there is no direct connection between them. Additionally, a fan of Blue Lock spotted the shared voice actor between Shiki Ichinose and Yoichi Isagi, further fueling their excitement for the new series.
As followers await the premiere of Tougen Anki, the blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling promises to attract both old and new fans alike, potentially carving a new niche in the anime landscape.