Chained Soldier Season 2 Update
If you watched Chained Soldier (Mato Seihei no Slave) Season 1 and felt good, good news: the anime returns. Season 2 is officially happening, the first trailer is out, the studio/staff have changed, and the show now has a confirmed January 2026 premiere window. Below I break down everything we actually know, what the teaser reveals, how the production change might affect the show’s look and tone, and what to do if you want to be ready when the new episodes drop.
The first Season 2 trailer gives fans two big takeaways: 1) the scale is increasing — we see more high-rank Anti-Demon Corps commanders and larger set-pieces and 2) the production is leaning into new characters the manga introduces later (notably Ren Yamashiro and Mira Kamiunten). That means Season 2 is moving past the introductory beats and into the “big politics / commander election / squad rivalry” portion of the story. The trailer also confirms the January 2026 broadcast window.
Season 2 moves from Seven Arcs (Season 1) to Passione × Hayabusa Film, with Masafumi Tamura as director and Keiya Nakano as character designer. Staff changes like this can alter animation style, pacing, and color/shot composition — sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically.
- Passione’s recent work shows they can deliver crisp action and stylized character animation; co-producing with Hayabusa Film gives them more hands on deck for action sequences.
- Keiya Nakano (character designer) will put their stamp on faces and expressions — expect some redesigns from Season 1’s look (not a total overhaul, but a noticeable polish).
Season 1 introduced Kyouka, Yuuki, and the Mabotai system; Season 2’s visuals and the addition of Ren / new commanders strongly suggest the anime will adapt the commander election / higher-rank conflict material next — the heavier “Anti-Demon Corps politics” and larger squad fights from later volumes. The trailer’s character focus (and the fact the show is moving into a 2026 run) means the production is comfortable tackling larger, denser arcs. The production committee has signaled they’re leaning into the manga’s escalation rather than padding original filler.
Season 1 sparked heated debate because of its fan-service framing and the ethically fraught “reward” mechanics. The move to bigger arcs (commander politics, squad battles) gives the studio room to emphasize action and plot over the more controversial ecchi beats — but the manga itself keeps both elements. Expect a similar mixed tone: more large-scale action, continued moral friction, and likely some continued fan-service moments, depending on how the production chooses to balance fidelity vs. broader audience sensitivity.
If you liked the first season for its action and want more: get excited. Season 2 promises bigger fights, more commanders, and the tonal escalation the manga builds toward. If Season 1’s fan-service elements bothered you, keep expectations cautious: the show will continue to walk that line. Either way, the studio swap and notable cast/crew additions mean Season 2 will look and feel different — in a good way for many viewers.
Image Credit Passione, Hayabusa Film
