The highly anticipated final arc of the Golden Kamuy anime adaptation is officially slated to begin airing in January 2026. Prior to the television debut of the concluding storyline, fans will be treated to two prologue anime films, Golden Kamuy: Sapporo Beer Kōjō-hen (Golden Kamuy: Sapporo Beer Factory Arc), which are set to open in Japanese theaters on October 10 and October 31 of this year. The theme song for these prologue films, titled “Kogane no Kanata” (Beyond the Gold), will be performed by Awich × ALI.
The Road to the Climax: A New Chapter Unfolds in January 2026
The anime, based on Satoru Noda’s acclaimed manga, will enter its ultimate phase in January 2026, bringing to a close the epic treasure hunt across Hokkaido. The final arc is widely known among manga readers as the “Hakodate Arc,” encompassing chapters 280 to 314 of the original manga. This segment promises to deliver the long-awaited resolution to the various factional conflicts and character journeys that have defined the series, all converging on the elusive Ainu gold treasure.
The announcement of the final arc follows the conclusion of the fourth season, which aired from October 2022 to June 2023. Production for this concluding chapter was greenlit shortly after, promising a grand finale to Sugimoto, Asirpa, and their allies’ enthralling quest.
Prologue Films to Bridge the Gap: “Sapporo Beer Factory Arc”
Before the main final arc hits television screens, two special anime films, Golden Kamuy: Sapporo Beer Kōjō-hen, will serve as a crucial prelude. These films will be released theatrically in Japan on October 10 and October 31, 2025. The Sapporo Beer Factory Arc films are designed to adapt the “penultimate arc” of the manga, setting the stage for the climactic final war for the gold.
The plot for these prologue films will see protagonists Sugimoto, Asirpa, and Shiraishi heading to Sapporo to continue their search for the gold, specifically tracking an escaped prisoner named Keiji Ueji. Simultaneously, other key players like the 7th Division’s Tokishige Usami and Warrant Officer Mokutarō Kikuta, along with Toshizō Hijikata’s group, are also in Sapporo pursuing another escaped convict involved in a series of murders. Circumstances force Sugimoto and Hijikata into an uneasy alliance to capture the prisoner, leading them to a planned ambush at a Sapporo beer factory, where chaos inevitably erupts with multiple factions converging.
Awich × ALI to Provide the Opening Anthem
The musical landscape of Golden Kamuy has always been a significant part of its appeal, and the final stages of the anime will be no different. Hip-hop artist Awich and the eclectic band ALI have collaborated to perform the theme song for the upcoming prologue films. Titled “Kogane no Kanata” (Beyond the Gold), the track is expected to encapsulate the high stakes and adventurous spirit of the series as it approaches its conclusion.
ALI has previously contributed to the Golden Kamuy anime, having performed the opening theme “NEVER SAY GOODBYE feat. Mummy-D” for the fourth season. This return collaboration with Awich for the prologue films’ theme song further solidifies the artistic connection between the musicians and the historical adventure series.
A Legacy of Adaptation
The Golden Kamuy anime began its broadcast in 2018, with initial seasons produced by Geno Studio before Brain’s Base took over for the fourth season. The series has been lauded for its blend of historical action, dark comedy, and intricate plot revolving around Saichi Sugimoto, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, and the young Ainu hunter Asirpa, as they search for a hidden treasure. The manga itself concluded in April 2022, accumulating over 29 million copies in circulation by July 2024.
Fans eagerly awaiting the conclusion can catch up on previous seasons, which are available for streaming on platforms like Crunchyroll. The final arc’s January 2026 debut, coupled with the October 2025 prologue films, promises an epic and fitting end to the beloved series.
