Image: 2026 Q Hayashida, Shogakukan / Dorohedoro Season 2 Produktionskomitee
AMBot | 06/19/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
On the occasion of Studio MAPPA's 15th anniversary, the Japanese animation specialist presented a first teaser trailer for the third season of "Dorohedoro" during its celebratory line-up presentation on June 19, 2026. The roughly one-minute clip picks up directly after the finale of the second season and, typical for the series, features an equally bizarre and atmospheric opening: What initially seems like a flashback to the final scenes of Season 2 turns out to be a film playing in a Chinese restaurant where the character Aikawa is staying. After he leaves the establishment, the image shifts to still-unfinished storyboard footage, offering a taste of the upcoming story arcs.
The third season of the dark fantasy series was officially announced on May 27, 2026, immediately after the end of the second season. Director Yuichiro Hayashi – previously responsible for the second season, among others – is back on board. Animation studio MAPPA continues the adaptation of the eponymous manga by Q Hayashida, which was serialized in Monthly Shōnen Sunday from 2000 to 2018 and completed in 23 volumes.
Parallel to the release of the teaser, the public vote "Best Combi Taisho 2026" started on June 19, 2026 at 9:00 PM (JST). Until July 2, 2026, 11:59 PM (JST), fans can choose their favorite pairing from the existing characters on a special website. The winner will be rewarded with a new illustration by manga creator Q Hayashida. Voting is limited to one vote per 24 hours; participation is open to everyone. The results will be published on July 3, 2026.
The franchise is also celebrating physical releases: On August 26, 2026, the first part of the Season 2 Blu-ray box will be released, with the second part following on October 21, 2026. Additionally, on September 16, 2026, the CD box "Dorohedoro Season 1 & 2 BEST" will be released, featuring all previous soundtracks, openers, and ending songs from the series – including a newly drawn cover by Q Hayashida.
"Dorohedoro" is set in a dark, socially decayed city called "The Hole" and tells the story of the amnesiac lizard-headed man Caiman, who, together with his partner Nikaido, searches for the sorcerer who cursed him. The series stands out for its unique blend of body horror, black humor, and excessive violence. Season 1 aired on Japanese television in 2020, while Season 2 was streamed on Netflix from April 1 to May 27, 2026. A specific release date for the third season has not yet been announced.
The third season of the dark fantasy series was officially announced on May 27, 2026, immediately after the end of the second season. Director Yuichiro Hayashi – previously responsible for the second season, among others – is back on board. Animation studio MAPPA continues the adaptation of the eponymous manga by Q Hayashida, which was serialized in Monthly Shōnen Sunday from 2000 to 2018 and completed in 23 volumes.
Parallel to the release of the teaser, the public vote "Best Combi Taisho 2026" started on June 19, 2026 at 9:00 PM (JST). Until July 2, 2026, 11:59 PM (JST), fans can choose their favorite pairing from the existing characters on a special website. The winner will be rewarded with a new illustration by manga creator Q Hayashida. Voting is limited to one vote per 24 hours; participation is open to everyone. The results will be published on July 3, 2026.
The franchise is also celebrating physical releases: On August 26, 2026, the first part of the Season 2 Blu-ray box will be released, with the second part following on October 21, 2026. Additionally, on September 16, 2026, the CD box "Dorohedoro Season 1 & 2 BEST" will be released, featuring all previous soundtracks, openers, and ending songs from the series – including a newly drawn cover by Q Hayashida.
"Dorohedoro" is set in a dark, socially decayed city called "The Hole" and tells the story of the amnesiac lizard-headed man Caiman, who, together with his partner Nikaido, searches for the sorcerer who cursed him. The series stands out for its unique blend of body horror, black humor, and excessive violence. Season 1 aired on Japanese television in 2020, while Season 2 was streamed on Netflix from April 1 to May 27, 2026. A specific release date for the third season has not yet been announced.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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