“Brand New Animal” (BNA) is an action and fantasy anime created by Kakuzi Nakashima and produced by Studio Trigger, a renowned Japanese animation studio celebrated for its beloved anime series, “Little Witch Academia.” The series made its debut on April 8, 2020, with the episode titled “Runaway Raccoon,” which aired on Netflix.
Unlike most anime, “BNA” is an original creation and not an adaptation of a manga or light novel. Kakuzi Nakashima himself penned the script for the anime. The 12th and final episode of the first season was titled “Anima City.”
“BNA” was widely acclaimed and recognized as one of the best anime series of 2020 on Netflix. Its dedicated fan base eagerly awaited news of a potential second season and the anticipated release date.
Plotline:
The story unfolds in the 21st Century, a time when anthropomorphic animals, known as Beastmen, have not previously been seen in the world. Suddenly, these Beastmen emerge, leading to unexpected consequences. Michiru Kagemori, an ordinary high school student, undergoes a transformation into a Beastman, drawing the attention of monster hunters. Seeking refuge, she journeys to Anima City, a metropolis where Beastmen live in harmony.
In Anima City, Michiru encounters Shirou Ogami, a wolf Beastman, and together, they embark on a quest to unravel the mystery behind their metamorphosis and the enigmatic origins of Anima City.
Possibility of Season 2:
As of June 2022, there has been no official announcement from Netflix or any associated company regarding the renewal of “BNA” for a second season. Despite being one of the most successful anime series on Netflix in 2020, the fate of a sequel remains uncertain, as there has been neither confirmation nor cancellation news.
The prospect of a second season depends on various factors, particularly the show’s financial standing. Although details regarding the anime’s financial status have been undisclosed, fans eagerly await an official statement from Netflix.
Disc Sales and Popularity:
The popularity of an anime in Japan is often gauged by its disc sales. “BNA” sold an average of 436 discs and ranked 86th among the 109 animes released during the same period. However, the anime industry has experienced a global decline in disc sales due to the rise of digital platforms. A typical anime requires approximately 4,000 disc sales to secure a new season.
While “BNA” gained international popularity through Netflix, it remains relatively underrated in Japan. The anime’s Twitter account in Japan has 37k followers, below the required threshold of +100k followers, and its Myanimelist popularity rank stands at 621st. On Google searches, “BNA” has a popularity rating of 68%.
Given that “BNA” is not based on a manga, source materials do not play a major role in determining a new season. Instead, popularity becomes the primary factor. Netflix’s silence regarding the show’s cancellation raises hopes for a continuation of the series. Considering the usual timeframe of preparing an average anime series, fans anticipate a potential second season release in 2023.
Characters in Season 2:
In the hoped-for second season, fans expect to see familiar characters from the first season, such as Michiru Kagemori, Shirou Ogami, Nazuna Hiwatashi, Alan Sylvasta, Marie Itami, Barbara Rose, Kuro, and Giuliano Flip.