The highly anticipated final arc of the Golden Kamuy anime is officially slated for a January 2026 debut, promising to conclude the epic tale of gold, survival, and intricate historical intrigue. Before the television broadcast, fans will be treated to a two-part theatrical prologue, Golden Kamuy: Sapporo Beer Kōjō-hen (Golden Kamuy: Sapporo Beer Factory Arc), which will hit Japanese cinemas on October 10 and October 31, 2025.
This announcement marks a significant moment for the anime, which has garnered a massive following for its unique blend of historical adventure, Ainu culture, intense action, and comedic elements. The news comes after the fourth season’s conclusion in June 2023 and a previous announcement in June 2023 that a final season adapting the manga’s concluding arc was in production.
The Road to the Final Arc
Golden Kamuy, based on Satoru Noda’s critically acclaimed manga, has captivated audiences since its first season premiered in April 2018. The series follows Saichi Sugimoto, an “Immortal” veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, and Asirpa, a young Ainu girl, as they search for a vast hidden Ainu gold fortune in the Meiji-era Hokkaido. Their perilous journey is complicated by the ruthless pursuit of various factions, including rogue soldiers and the infamous Shinsengumi leader Toshizō Hijikata.
The anime has seen a shift in production studios, with Brains Base taking over from Geno Studio for the fourth season. Shizutaka Sugahara returned as chief director, with Noboru Takagi overseeing scripts and Takumi Yamakawa handling character designs. The fourth season faced a temporary halt in broadcast in November 2022 due to the passing of a main staff member, restarting in April 2023 and concluding in June of that year.
The Theatrical Prologue: Sapporo Beer Factory Arc
The decision to release two prologue films ahead of the final television arc offers an intriguing lead-in for fans. Titled Golden Kamuy: Sapporo Beer Kōjō-hen, these films are described as constituting the “prologue to the final chapter.” The narrative for these films will see Sugimoto, Asirpa, and Shiraishi heading to Sapporo to continue their search for the gold.
In Sapporo, their path crosses with escaped prisoner Keiji Ueji. Simultaneously, members of the 7th Division, including Tokishige Usami and Warrant Officer Mokutarō Kikuta, along with Toshizō Hijikata’s group, are also in Sapporo, tracking a different escaped prisoner responsible for a series of murders. Sugimoto and Hijikata are reluctantly forced to cooperate, leading them to information about a planned murder at a Sapporo beer factory, setting the stage for an ambush that quickly devolves into chaos with the involvement of the 7th Division and Ueji.
The films’ theme song, “Kogane no Kanata” (Beyond the Gold), will be performed by Awich × ALI. ALI previously performed the fourth season’s opening theme song “NEVER SAY GOODBYE feat. Mummy-D.” Key visuals for the theatrical release have been unveiled, featuring prominent characters such as Saichi Sugimoto, Asirpa, Lieutenant Tsurumi, Hijikata Toshizo, and Hyakunosuke Ogata. Advance movie tickets, featuring original key visuals, went on sale July 18, 2025, with various designs available for single and set tickets. A special stage greeting event in Tokyo, featuring voice actors from the series, is also planned for October 12, 2025.
What to Expect from the Final Arc
While specific plot details for the final television arc remain under wraps, it is understood that this season will bring the long-running narrative to its conclusion, focusing on the resolution of the “Golden Kamuy curse” and Sugimoto’s ultimate quest for peace. Fans can anticipate the culmination of years of character development, intricate plotlines, and the resolution of the various factions’ intertwined goals. The series is known for its meticulous research into Ainu culture, historical events, and the harsh realities of Hokkaido’s wilderness, elements expected to be central to the finale.
The anime has been praised for its faithful adaptation of Satoru Noda’s manga, which itself has garnered significant accolades, including the Manga Taishō in 2016 and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2018. As the Golden Kamuy anime prepares for its grand finale, the two prologue films offer a chance to revisit the series’ unique world and dynamic characters on the big screen before the ultimate conclusion unfolds on television in 2026.
