A sequel to the GATE anime, officially titled GATE 2: Tides of Conflict, has been announced, confirming it will be based on the “Season 2” novels of the popular series. This announcement comes over 10 years after the initial anime adaptation first aired in 2015.
The new anime will delve into a fresh storyline centered on the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), shifting the focus to sea-based operations and political drama within the Special Region. The original GATE series, which gained popularity for its unique blend of military fantasy, followed the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) as they established diplomatic and exploratory missions in a parallel world accessed through a mysterious gate in Tokyo.
Takumi Yanai, the author of the GATE light novel series, which has sold over 7.3 million copies, expressed his honor regarding the anime adaptation of GATE 2: Tides of Conflict. The “Season 2” novel series, titled Jieitai Kano Umi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri (Thus the Japanese Self-Defense Force Fought in Their Sea), began publication in 2017 and is currently ongoing. This sequel novel series specifically focuses on the maritime branch of the SDF.
Studio M2, known for its work on PLUTO, will be handling the animation production for GATE 2: Tides of Conflict. Toru Takahashi is slated to direct the new season, while Tatsuhiko Urahata, who worked on the first GATE anime, will return as the series composer and scriptwriter. Shigeru Fujita is credited with character design.
The announcement was made in partnership with Oshi, a platform that allows anime fans to directly support production. Oshi describes the plot of the “Season 2” novels: following the reopening of the Gate, the JSDF continues its missions in the Special Region. The new narrative arc will feature an elite Japanese Maritime unit embarking on a high-stakes rescue mission after an American journalist is kidnapped in the Special Region’s troubled seas.
While no specific release date has been announced yet, concept designs for new characters, including Hajime Tokushima, have been unveiled. The original GATE anime was licensed by Sentai Filmworks in North America and streamed on Crunchyroll.
