Magical Girl Raising Project Returns to Anime After 10 Years
The ten-year silence is over for fans of Magical Girl Raising Project. In an interview published on August 24, 2026, Anime News Network announced that first season director Hiroyuki Hashimoto is returning to Asari Endō's dark magical girl story. According to the report, the lack of news about a continuation for years after the anime aired in 2016 had worried fans; but the long-awaited development has finally happened.
The series, also known as Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaku, is based on a light novel universe written by Asari Endō. Adapted into an anime by Lerche studio in 2016, the production told the story of 16 magical girls gathered in a smartphone game being dragged into a deadly survival battle. With a tone considerably harsher and darker than innocent magical girl stories, the series quickly rose to cult status among fans of the genre.
When the first season aired, it was completed with 12 episodes and its narrative was largely structured to put an end to an era. Nevertheless, the original light novel universe has continued to expand to this day with different story arcs, side characters, and a new generation of magical girls. Director Hiroyuki Hashimoto's return indicates that this expanding world will receive a new adaptation. Although which story arc will be covered has not yet been announced, having a name familiar with the project's spirit in the director's chair gives fans confidence.
This announcement is a major event, especially for viewers who love the dark magical girl genre. Over the past ten years, the genre's popularity has increased, but Magical Girl Raising Project had maintained its place in memories as one of the most beloved dark works of its format. The scope, format, studio, and voice cast of the new anime project have not yet been announced. Official announcements in the coming days will clarify the details and release date of the sequel adaptation.
