Longest wait between an anime and its sequel

[pianocello]

I've noticed that in recent years, there has been many anime sequels. Some of them are produced almost immediately after the original series finishes. Then also, I often hear people here saying that "there has been many years since the original series was made and therefore, it is unlikely to have a sequel."

I'm wondering: what is the longest amount of time between an anime and its sequel? Please note that remakes, spinoffs, alternate universes do not count - I'm talking about a real sequel where the sequel actually continues from the original anime.

[Victor Lewandowski]

Jubei-Chan Season 1 - Spring 1999
Jubei-Chan Season 2 - Winter 2004

Almost 5 years between seasons. :D

[Serial Experiments Nobue]

I'd probably say Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki is up there with a 9 year gap.

OVA 2 - 1994
OVA 3 - 2003


Also:
Whisper of the Heart - 1995
The Cat Returns - 2002

7 years.

[leongsh]

Do I have a winner here :D

A baseball anime by the name of Captain. 26 episodes and broadcast from 10 January 1983 to 4 July 1983. The direct sequel, entitled Play Ball, comprised 13 episodes and was broadcast from 4 July 2005 to 26 September 2005. So, in summary:

Captain: 10 January 1983 - 4 July 1983
Play Ball: 4 July 2005 - 26 September 2005

Literally and exactly, 22 years from the last date of broadcast of the original in 1983 to the first date of broadcast of the sequel in 2005.

Beat that!

*Challenges all comers* :D

[pianocello]

Do I have a winner here :D

A baseball anime by the name of Captain. 26 episodes and broadcast from 10 January 1983 to 4 July 1983. The direct sequel, entitled Play Ball, comprised 13 episodes and was broadcast from 4 July 2005 to 26 September 2005. So, in summary:

Captain: 10 January 1983 - 4 July 1983
Play Ball: 4 July 2005 - 26 September 2005

Literally and exactly, 22 years from the last date of broadcast of the original in 1983 to the first date of broadcast of the sequel in 2005.

Beat that!

*Challenges all comers* :D


Considering that in Japan, there is the general belief that people (with the exception of the hardcore otaku) usually watch anime when they're young but stop in their adulthood, I wonder how many of the original fans were still around to continue watching the sequel.

[LenMiyata]

Grumble Grumble Grumble

'Vampire Hunter D' OVA series 1985

'Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust' Theatrical movie, 2000

15 years difference...

'Arcadia of My Youth: Endless Orbit SSX' TV series 1983
'Space Pirate Captain Herlock The Endless Odyssey' OVA series with eventual TV broadcast, 2003

20 years difference...

'Galaxy Express 999' TV series 1981
'Space Symphony Maetel Galaxy Express 999 side story' TV series 2004

23 years difference, now the one to beat...

[The Great Bear]

Captain: 10 January 1983 - 4 July 1983
Play Ball: 4 July 2005 - 26 September 2005

Literally and exactly, 22 years from the last date of broadcast of the original in 1983 to the first date of broadcast of the sequel in 2005.

Beat that!

*Challenges all comers* :D


Considering that in Japan, there is the general belief that people (with the exception of the hardcore otaku) usually watch anime when they're young but stop in their adulthood, I wonder how many of the original fans were still around to continue watching the sequel.

Considering the time span, what fans were left of the original series probably animated the sequel. :P

[leongsh]

'Galaxy Express 999' TV series 1981
'Space Symphony Maetel Galaxy Express 999 side story' TV series 2004

23 years difference, now the one to beat...
Unfortunately, it's not a true direct sequel. It's as the title stated, a side story. Technically, it does not count. Considering it's a Leiji Matsumoto series, the continuity is almost always a problem :)

[leongsh]

Considering that in Japan, there is the general belief that people (with the exception of the hardcore otaku) usually watch anime when they're young but stop in their adulthood, I wonder how many of the original fans were still around to continue watching the sequel.
I figure there could be quite a number. The first series, Captain, was broadcast in the 7pm slot (reference (http://www.animated-divots.com/captain.html)) whereas, the direct sequel, Play Ball, was broadcast in the otaku 2am slot (reference (http://www.animated-divots.com/play-ball.html)).

The release of the Captain DVD-Box in 2005 prior to the start of Play Ball sold quite well it seems (reference - re: Captain DVD-Box at the website (http://www.anime-playball.com/html/news/news010.html)).

[leongsh]

Considering the time span, what fans were left of the original series probably animated the sequel. :P
Since you mentioned that, the chief director of the sequel is the same as that of the first series.

[Fencedude]

Koutetsu Jeeg: 1975
Koutetsushin Jeeg (a sequel, not a remake): 2007

Do I win?

[jaylee]

Koutetsu Jeeg: 1975
Koutetsushin Jeeg (a sequel, not a remake): 2007

Do I win?


Wow! That has taken my entire lifetime!(born in '75) :sd:

[Kiggy]

Koutetsu Jeeg: 1975
Koutetsushin Jeeg (a sequel, not a remake): 2007

Do I win?


32 years!!!!!

The numbers don't lie! A winner is you!

[leongsh]

Koutetsu Jeeg: 1975
Koutetsushin Jeeg (a sequel, not a remake): 2007

Do I win?

DAMN! You win. :( Forgot about Koutetsu Jeeg.

EDIT:
Is Koutetsushin Jeeg really a direct sequel and not a remake? When the word shin is in there, it generally smacks of being a remake.

[Fencedude]

Koutetsu Jeeg: 1975
Koutetsushin Jeeg (a sequel, not a remake): 2007

Do I win?

DAMN! You win. :( Forgot about Koutetsu Jeeg.

EDIT:
Is Koutetsushin Jeeg really a direct sequel and not a remake? When the word shin is in there, it generally smacks of being a remake.


Its sort of both.

It messes with the events of the original Jeeg (basically they deleted the second half) but I'd say its closer to a sequel then a remake, since it is a new cast, and contains older versions of characters from the original series.

You can argue it either way I guess.

[LenMiyata]

Grumble Grumble Grumble

And what about ...

'Speed Racer' TV 1967-1968
'Mach Go Go Go' TV incomplete at 37 episodes, 1997

Would this be considered a sequel, remake, or alternate universe???

[littleharlock]

'Galaxy Express 999' TV series 1981
'Space Symphony Maetel Galaxy Express 999 side story' TV series 2004

23 years difference, now the one to beat...
Unfortunately, it's not a true direct sequel. It's as the title stated, a side story. Technically, it does not count. Considering it's a Leiji Matsumoto series, the continuity is almost always a problem :)


And on top of being a side-story it's definitely no sequel but more a prequel story to Maetel. Maybe in some twisted way of Leijiverse continuity one could say it "could" be considered a sequel to Matsumoto's Sennen Joou.
In regards of Ginga Tetsudou 999 anime and wait for a sequel, it has "only" been 17 years inbetween the wait from the 2nd theatrical movie Sayonara Ginga Tetsudou 999 ~ Andromeda Shuuchakueki (1981) and the 3rd and sadly final Ginga Tetsudou 999 ~ Eternal Fantasy movie (1998).

Moreover the Mugen Kidou SSX and Endless Odyssey OVA which has been brought up here as well, doesn't share much sequel relation either. In fact the Space Pirate Captain Herlock ~ Endless Odyssey - Outside Legend OVA that has been released by Madhouse is actually considered (and Matsumoto does state this in the beginning message of each episode) a (sort of) sequel to how director Rintaro imagined a sequel for "his" Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock TV series (from 1978). Of course the reappearance/re-introducing of characters that already were part of the original series does hit hard at those trying to view it as an actual sequel...but that's Matsumoto (and Rintaro) so it's "to hell with actual working continuity" ^_~
Waga Seishun no Arcadia ~ Mugen Kidou SSX is actually a sequel to the theatrical Waga Seishun no Arcadia (aka Arcadia of My Youth)...which furthermore is supposed to be a prequel to the events of Uchuu Kaizoku Captain Herlock aka past Tochirou's death but again with major strikes against a continuity ^_^"

[ohtori_akio]

Saint Seiya Hades arrived 2002 after Saint Seiya finished in 1989! That's 15 years!

[leongsh]

<snipped a whole chunk of info>
The AoD authority on the Leiji Matsumoto universe has pronounced judgement. All rise. :D

Thanks for the details. If anyone here needs to check on the shows based in the Leiji Matsumoto universe, you're the man.

[Mazinkaizer]

Getting outside the box a bit: Lupin III Specials/Movies ! although they're pretty much spin-offs but they're surly the longest link i know to the original show (1971).

Also, should Kentarou Miura decide/allow 2nd Berserk series/sequel someday, which probably won't happen until he finishes the manga, then who knows when will that be :sd:

[tangent]

How about Kimba/Jungle Emperor Leo?

The TV series started in 1965.

With the most recent sequel being the movie Janguru Taitei being released in 1997.

Thats a difference of 32 years!

[Andrew Cunningham]

EDIT:
Is Koutetsushin Jeeg really a direct sequel and not a remake? When the word shin is in there, it generally smacks of being a remake.


Only works if shin comes first, when it (might) mean "new."
In this case it means "god."

[LenMiyata]

How about Kimba/Jungle Emperor Leo?

The TV series started in 1965.

With the most recent sequel being the movie Janguru Taitei being released in 1997.

Thats a difference of 32 years!
That is, if you ignore the 52 episode remake of 'Jungle Emperor Leo TV' that was made in 1989.

[PhilipReuben]

How about Kimba/Jungle Emperor Leo?

The TV series started in 1965.

With the most recent sequel being the movie Janguru Taitei being released in 1997.

Thats a difference of 32 years!

The 1997 movie is (more or less) a remake of the Jungle Taitei: Susume Leo! series that was made the year after the original Jungle Taitei TV series. It could be considered a sequel to the original, but I'm not sure it counts when an earlier sequel already got made.

[Talyn]

Also, should Kentarou Miura decide/allow 2nd Berserk series/sequel someday, which probably won't happen until he finishes the manga, then who knows when will that be :sd:

*sniffles* I really would love to see a sequel to Berserk... There's is just so much more story untapped, and well some of the secondary characters to be brought in damn it. Come Kentarou, hammer out the manga... :sd:

[yatsuhashi]

Well, there was a good gap between Gunbuster. Still the gaps that really pissed me off were the ones between Giant Robo OAV releases, especially 6 and 7.