TL;DR The Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 release date will be in January 2024. Read more below for a much deeper dive!
The Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 release date is confirmed for January 2024, the Winter 2024 anime season.
The official English title is Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki 2nd STAGE. The 2nd season will have 13 episodes in total.
The Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun Season 2 anime TV series will have the titular character Fumiya Tomozaki challenging the seemingly unbeatable boss queen of high school life.
On January 14, 2022, a new anime project was confirmed to be in production by a new trailer.
The format of the new project initially wasn’t specified, but a 2nd special trailer specified that it is indeed a second TV season rather than more OVA episodes or even a Tomozaki movie.
However, two Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki OVA episodes have already released in 2021. (Please see below for more details.)
On April 16, 2023, a new teaser PV was released:
The finale for the first season, Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Episode 12, was released on March 26, 2021.
This article provides everything that is known about Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 (Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun Season 2) and all related news. As such, this article will be updated over time with news, rumors, and analysis. Meanwhile, let’s delve down into what is known for certain.
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 English dub release date
The first season of the anime series was streaming on FUNimation Now and Netflix Japan (not Netflix U.S.). FUNimation’s Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki dub was eventually announced on its SimulDub schedule.
- Adam Gibbs as Tomozaki
- Faye Mata as Aoi
- Christina Kelly as Mimimi
- Stephen Fu as Mizusawa
- Katelyn Gault as Ms. Kawamura
- Chris Hackney as Nakamura
- Matt Shipman as Takei
- Brittany Lauda as Tomozaki’s Little Sister
FUNimation’s Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki English dub release date happened on March 12, 2021. FUNimation has seen been absorbed into Crunchyroll after a merger. As such, it’s expected that the Crunchyroll dub house will take over the project.
Crunchyroll’s Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 English dub release date hasn’t been announced yet.
Why the Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun Season 2 release date is in 2024
As of the last update, Shogakukan, Square Enix, Project No. 9, or any company related to the production of the anime has not officially confirmed the exact Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 release date. However, the production of a Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki sequel was announced on January 14, 2022. Then it was confirmed that the Jaku-Chara Tomozaki-kun Season 2 release date would be in January 2024.
Once the news is officially confirmed this article will be updated with the relevant information.
After Episode 12 was released, the official Twitter page teased, “(you want to) continue……?” Voice actress Ryouko Maekawa tweeted, “Hope to continue.”
Early on, the editor for the book series was already discussing the potential for a second season. Gagaga Bunko editor Iwaasa-san tweeted out that he “wants to see a second season”. He claimed that if fans send out a “scrapbook of your anime [Blu-Ray disc] purchases as a birthday present” then “that’ll lead to a second season, really, really seriously.”
Unfortunately, the first-week Blu-Ray/DVD sales numbers in Japan were not good. The first volume sold only 726 copies in its first week, while Volume 2 dropped to 540 copies. Volume 3 increased slightly to 565, perhaps due to Mimimi being the cover girl.
How to explain these numbers? Some reviews found the anime to be cringe-worthy while others loved the gamer character-driven plot, which improved over time. Hence the scores started out either very high or low, dropping the total review score to slightly below average at first, but then recovering by the end with a decent average.
If you look at the studio’s history, Project No. 9 has been known for producing “one and done” anime that are not renewed. Their one and only sequel was the 2013 Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS, a lewd comedy about a girls’ basketball team.
It seems like Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki 2 has broken this pattern since a sequel has finally been renewed. But perhaps that’s not too much of a surprise since the overall anime industry has been increasing in worldwide popularity and a rising tide lifts all boats.
The producers probably did not plan out the anime sequel in advance. Since anime projects are booked and scheduled years ahead of the premiere, it’s no surprise that the Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 release date is in 2024.
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki OVA episodes released in 2021
Two Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki OVA episodes were released in 2021.
OVA 1: “Heroine’s costume after the ending is a little different from usual” was bundled with the third Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Blu-Ray/DVD disc volume, which was released on May 7, 2021.
OVA 2: “Weird spell names usually have an unknown origin” released with the fourth Blu-Ray/DVD volume, which came out on June 2, 2021.
A Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki OVA trailer was released along with the announcement.
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki manga/light novel compared to the anime
The story for the anime series is based on the Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki light novel series by writer Yuuki Yaku and illustrator Fly. Published by Shogakukan’s Gagaga Bunko imprint since May 2016, the book series is up to Volume 11 as of January 18, 2024.
The last three books all came out in January of their respective years. Thus, it’s possible that Volume 12 is already planned out for January 2025.
The official English translation of the book series is being published in North America by Yen Press. As of June 20, 2023, the English version was up to Volume 10.
The original author teamed up with manga artist Eight Chida in late 2017 to begin serializing the Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki manga series in Square Enix’s Monthly Gangan Joker. As of April 22, 2021, the manga had ended.
In February 2021, the manga announced that it had ended its second part. The magazine didn’t list the manga for the next month, but the final page of the newest chapter teased readers by stating, “Stage Clear & Continue.” But no continuation has been announced of 2023.
A spin-off manga by Bana Yoshida focused on Minami Nanami called Minami Nanami Wants to Shine (Nanami Minami wa Kagayakitai) launched in July 2018 and it’s only up to Volume 3 as of January 19, 2023.
Unfortunately, no North American publisher has announced an English translation for the main series. However, the spin-off began receiving an English version beginning on March 22, 2022.
The thematic premise of the anime probably hits a little too close home for some audiences. In the span of only 6 episodes, Tomozaki transforms from a gloomy gamer who hated the garbage life game to a relatively self-confident young man surrounded by (mostly female) friends who can share their own insecurities and doubts with him.
While such a premise may seem like wish-fulfillment akin to the isekai genre’s OP protagonist trope, the Tomozaki anime at least makes such a prospect seem reasonable. And although Tomozaki was leading an unhealthy lifestyle at first it readily becomes apparent he has the healthier mindset of all his friends.
Coming from a place of hopelessness, Tomozaki manages to embrace self-improvement while retaining his authenticity. By contrast, Aoi hides her natural personality and uses manipulation to feed her unhealthy obsession with not letting anyone beat her at anything. In turn, Aoi’s potential imposter syndrome feeds into Mimimi’s inferiority complex by making her suffer from 2nd place syndrome. Tama has dependency issues, whereas many of the others fake their beliefs and feelings in return for social acceptance.
The voice actor does a great job in depicting this incremental transition but the changes still come at anime audiences fast enough to cause whiplash. Such drastic changes to anyone’s personality feels unrealistic, but at least his progress is balanced with struggles and failures.
And it’s nice for once to watch a dynamic cast rather than static characters who barely shift an inch in their attitudes and motivations by the end of a single season. It’s made even more enjoyable by the fact that the characters are genuine platonic friends with no romantic interest, which is a stark contrast to the many anime with a readymade harem throwing itself at the protagonist’s feet in a contrived manner intended to pander to the very demographic the Tomozaki books criticize.
(Aaaaand a certain demographic reading this news story probably just felt a giant animated arrow stab them in the back. Oof!)
Of course, such rapid character development is almost inevitable when adapting 3 to 5 books per cour is the industry standard. In this case, Episodes 1 through 4 adapted the first light novel Volume and manga chapters 1 through 11.
The first episode skipped the ED and the OP for the conclusion, giving more space for the introduction to breathe. But the progression still seems rushed since after Episode 1 the inner monologues from the books are condensed and certain scenes were skipped for lack of time.
Episodes 5 through 8 adapted the story arcs for Mimimi and the Student Council Election Arc of light novel Volume 2 and manga chapters 12 through 21. One of the biggest omissions was a scene where Tomozaki told Mimimi that Aoi is very good at playing Attack Families/AtaFami/TackFam.
At first, Mimimi interprets the admission as Tomozaki helping her to gain revenge for Aoi beating him at his specialty, so she’s surprised to learn that he’s the better player, although he still keeps his status as the top Tackfam player in Japan a secret out of embarrassment (never mind the life lessons).
“Thing is, she’s crushing me at life,” Tomozaki said in the book to Mimimi. “I can’t win no matter what I do–I can’t even imagine it. Meanwhile, Aoi Hinami is the one person I respect as an Atafami player, and life is her favorite stage. … And as a gamer, I want to try playing her on her stage, too. But I know I can’t beat her yet…”
Episode 9 began adapting the co-ed sleepover camp story arc that began with light novel Volume 3 and manga Volume 5: Chapter 22.
It’s notable that the anime’s finale briefly introduced a new character, Tsugumi Narita aka Gumi-chan, with Japanese voice actress Fujita Akane playing the role. That’s another hopeful sign for Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2.
All in all, the finale, Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Episode 12, found a stopping point corresponding to the ending of light novel Volume 3.
It’s the best stopping point since Tomozaki has come full circle in his relationship with Aoi, challenging her belief that true desires don’t exist. Now, Tomozaki is both the student and the master, but it remains to be seen if he can pry off her carefully contrived mask.
The bad news is that the manga series ended in the middle of the summer vacation story arc from light novel Volume 3. Even if the manga had continued, readers would probably need to have waited until at least manga Volume 8 for the manga to surpass the anime’s ending.
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 studio and staff
Japanese animation studio Project No. 9 is returning to make the 2nd season. The studio has also been known for making the 2019 CHOYOYU!: High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World! anime, and the Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! anime. In 2021, they also produced the I Shaved. Then I Brought a High School Girl Home anime adaptation.
The project was helmed by director Shinsuke Yanagi, whose history as a lead director is mostly tied to Project No. 9. For the studio he’s directed Tenshi no 3P!, Momo Kyun Sword, and the aforementioned CHOYOYU! anime.
Writer Fumihiko Shimo handled the series composition. Artist Akane Yano was the character designer. Composer Hiromi Mizutani created the music.
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 OP and ED music
The Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 OP (opening) and ED (ending) theme song music hasn’t been announced yet.
For the first season, the Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki OP “Life Easy?” and ED “Ayafuwa Asterisk” were both performed by DIALOGUE+.
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 anime TV spoilers (plot summary/synopsis)
Tomozaki may have won the summer round in the game of life, but now he faces a new challenge in the upcoming fall school semester. He’s challenged by Aoi Hinami to influence Erika Konno, the scary, blonde mean girl that he confronted in Episode 4 when she dared belittle his beloved TackFam.
The first event of the new semester is a ball game, but the self-declared queen of the school claims that the school sports tournament isn’t “cool” enough and is dragging down the school spirit. By observing the class, Tomozaki is on the lookout for a “weapon” he can use against Erika in this new boss battle.
What’s more, Yuzu Izumi and Shuuji Nakamura finally get together as boyfriend and girlfriend.
The next challenge is to mentor Tama in dealing with a bully. After an unexpected incident in the classroom, Tomozaki becomes master to this A-tier character, but the problem is that his own ways of approaching problems are different from hers. Worse, Tomozaki’s own master Hinami believes Tama shouldn’t need to change and refuses to help.
Preparations for the fall cultural festival and a school play begin in November and life has mostly returned to normal. The curtain rises on a new stage in his life when Hinami seriously asks, “Who do you like?”
It’s an unavoidable question but he’s been avoiding thinking about the long-term goal of having a girlfriend by the end of the third year. Deep in his heart, Tomozaki still feels that he’s a weak character who’s not supposed to be chosen, so it feels even more awkward to choose someone else as a girlfriend.
Unfortunately, anime fans will have to wait until the Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Season 2 release date to watch what happens next. Stay tuned!
- Updated October 30, 2023: Added premiere time frame and key visual.
- Updated January 14, 2022: Anime sequel confirmed!
- Updated May 12, 2021: Added Blu-Ray/DVD sales numbers.