Will Hai to Gensou no Grimgar (Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash) Be Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained

Will Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash be canceled or axed in the future? Some readers are concerned about the series due to several ongoing issues.

In this article, we break down the main factors that could affect Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash’s future.

Was Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Anime Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained

Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is still ongoing, but there has been no official news regarding a second anime season since the first season aired in 2016.

 

For that reason, even though the novel is still being serialized, it seems highly unlikely that there will be a second season of the anime.

 

⇒Watch the anime “Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” on Amazon Prime Video

The anime airing at the same time is just too good

I think one reason *Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash* was overshadowed is that the anime series airing around the same time—such as *KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!*—were all highly acclaimed works.

 

Series that aired during the same period—*KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!*, *Assassination Classroom*, *GATE: JGSDF in the West*, and *But Still*—have all received anime sequels,
and there are also *The Town Where Only I Am Missing*, *The Weakest Invincible Divine Armor Dragon*, and *Arpeggio of Blue Steel: Ars Nova*—all of which are highly acclaimed or left a strong impression.

 

As a result, *Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash* may have been overshadowed, lost out on popularity, and consequently never received an anime sequel.

The plot isn't well-suited for an anime adaptation

“Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” is a story that gets more interesting the further you read, but it may not have been well-suited for an anime with a limited number of episodes.

 

For example, “KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!,” which aired around the same time—albeit in a different genre—is very well-suited for anime because it packs a strong punch right from the first episode and keeps viewers entertained.

 

In contrast, with “Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash,” where the story gets more interesting as it progresses, the anime may have run out of episodes before reaching that point, failing to fully convey its appeal.

 

That’s why fans are probably eagerly anticipating a sequel, since the original manga really starts to get interesting starting from the second volume onward.

Because it didn't sell

After all, producing a second season requires the project to be financially viable, so it seems likely that the sales following the broadcast of the first season of “KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!” were not strong enough.

 

Whether a second season can be aired profitably depends not only on TV ratings but also on sales of Blu-rays, CDs, and other related merchandise.

 

Looking at the big picture, it seems that since the first season didn’t generate enough revenue, the production team concluded that a second season wasn’t a viable prospect…

Was Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash Manga Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained

The manga adaptation of Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash appears to have been canceled before it could fully adapt the original story.

 

The manga adaptation of *Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash* was serialized in *Monthly Gangan JOKER* from the May 2015 issue through the July 2016 issue.

 

Suspicions that the anime was canceled due to low ratings

The manga adaptation of *Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash* may have been canceled because it was deemed unprofitable due to the anime’s lack of popularity.

 

The manga was published just before the anime began airing and was canceled after the anime aired.

 

With the manga being published and the anime series greenlit, it seems likely that the media mix expansion was ramped up around this time.

 

However, since sales didn’t increase significantly as a result of the media mix expansion, it’s reasonable to expect that the manga will be canceled at the same time as the anime.

Rumors That the Manga Is Unpopular, Too

“Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” is a story that gets more interesting the further you read, so it’s likely that the manga was canceled before it reached its peak popularity.

 

Much like the reason why there hasn’t been a sequel to the anime, this is a work where it’s difficult to fully convey the story’s true value early on.

 

For that reason, while the novel version—which allows readers to slowly immerse themselves in the world and connect with the characters—is highly regarded, the anime and manga formats, with their limited number of episodes, may not have been the best fit for boosting sales.

Exploring the Popularity and Appeal of *Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash* That Have Dispelled Concerns About Its Cancellation

A realistic and serious isekai survival story without any cheat abilities

The main reason “Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” has completely dispelled negative rumors—such as those about its cancellation—and garnered such strong, enduring support lies in its realistic and brutal depiction of survival, which thoroughly avoids the overpowered, “invincible” storylines often associated with cheat abilities.

 

This work takes a direction completely opposite to the “I’m so OP!” thrill commonly found in typical isekai reincarnation stories, instead depicting ordinary young people who have lost their memories as they confront an extreme, harsh reality.

 

The protagonists, now adventurers, must fight for their lives even when facing a single goblin—considered the weakest monster—and are forced to live constantly on the brink of death.

 

The battles for survival are filled with intense tension, and the weight of life and the true sorrow of losing comrades are depicted so vividly that they grip the reader’s heart.

 

This harsh world where survival is impossible through mere idealism alone, paradoxically, lends the story overwhelming credibility as a fantasy.

 

It was precisely this thorough pursuit of realism and the raw suspense—which depicted life-and-death struggles without sugarcoating them—that served as the primary factor in making so many readers feel they were experiencing a “true alternate world.”

A fantastical worldview that delicately depicts art reminiscent of watercolor paintings and the sense of living

The reason so many people are deeply captivated by the story of *Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash*—and find themselves wanting to reread it time and again—lies in its soft, fantastical background art, reminiscent of watercolor paintings, and the beautiful atmosphere that permeates it.

 

The landscapes of the alternate world “Grimgar” are depicted with breathtaking elegance, and when the series was adapted into an anime, its overwhelming visual quality was so outstanding that it is still talked about to this day.

 

The story doesn’t merely depict brutal battles; it also portrays everyday life—such as modest meals shared with companions and fleeting moments of rest—with remarkable detail.

 

Although set in the fantastical, otherworldly realm of “Grimgar,” the story gives readers a genuine sense that the characters are truly breathing and living in that world.

 

The beautiful, somewhat melancholic cityscapes and natural scenery further accentuate the story’s poignancy, dramatically enhancing the artistic value of the work as a whole.

 

It was precisely because of this beautiful world-building—which appealed to all five senses—that readers were able to sense a deep sense of wanderlust and nostalgia within the work, transcending mere entertainment.

Bonds that deepen and character growth achieved by overcoming down-to-earth, relatable struggles

One of the major strengths of *Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash*—which has transcended genre boundaries to capture the hearts of countless fans—lies in its down-to-earth coming-of-age story, in which the unreliable members of the group, led by the protagonist Haruhiro, steadily move forward.

 

The characters aren’t blessed with special talents from the start; they are introduced as immature boys and girls who are clumsy and burdened with human frailties.

 

Rather than relying on flashy, dramatic plot twists, the story is woven with astonishing care, depicting the process by which they come to accept one another while overcoming small daily conflicts and struggles, gradually deepening their strong bonds as a team.

 

The psychological portrayal of Haruhiro—who struggles and grows as a leader while bearing the pain of loss—is incredibly profound, possessing a magnetic pull that allows readers to empathize as if it were their own experience.

 

The psychological transformations of each individual and the subtle shifts in the dynamics between the characters lend the story a rich depth through its portrayal of human relationships.

 

It was precisely because of the meticulous care taken in depicting their gritty, step-by-step journey that the emotion felt in the moments when they achieved small victories became something truly special and unparalleled.

How far does the final episode of the *Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash* anime cover? Where does the original manga pick up?

The “Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” anime has been adapted up to Volume 2, Episode .

 

So, if you want to follow the story after the anime, you can just start with Volume 3.

⇒Watch the anime “Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” on Amazon Prime Video

Final Thoughts on Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash

In conclusion, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash has not been canceled, and there are currently no strong signs of it ending early.

Overall, the series appears to be continuing without major issues.

 

The story may be better suited to a novel format, as it becomes more engaging over time. The anime had only a limited number of episodes, and it also faced strong competition from other series released around the same period.

However, Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash continues to be highly regarded, as shown by the strong demand for a second anime season. It is also an easy series to recommend to readers who want to continue the story through the novels.

 

It may still be worth checking out for yourself.

⇒Watch the anime “Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” on Amazon Prime Video