Get ready, Date A Live fans! A brand new anime project has been announced as part of the series’ 12th-anniversary celebration. With five TV seasons and numerous movies already under its belt since its debut in 2013, the Date A Live franchise is showing no signs of slowing down. Here’s everything we know so far about this exciting new development.
A Series of Celebratory Projects
The 12th-anniversary campaign is inspired by the 12 Spirits featured in the anime, with a total of 12 projects planned. Kadokawa, the company behind Date A Live, unveiled a special visual for the anniversary, depicting the characters in charming summer dresses. So far, a few of these projects have been revealed, with more details to come in the future.
Project 1: Date A Live V Recap Special
The first official project is a special streaming program titled Date A Live V Recap Special, which premiered on April 10, 2025. The program featured voice actors Nobunaga Shimazaki (Shido Itsuka), Marina Inoue (Tohka Yatogami), and Aya Endo (Mio Takamiya). This date is significant as it marks the first anniversary of Date A Live V and ties into Tohka’s name (“Toh” meaning “10” in Japanese). The special included:
- A recap discussion of Date A Live V.
- A Q&A session with the series’ author, Koshi Tachibana.
- A fun variety segment.
- New information and sneak peeks into the remaining anniversary projects.
Project 2: 12th Anniversary Store in Gamers
The second project is a limited-time event called the “12th Anniversary Store in Gamers,” held in Japan from April 12 to April 27. This special event features:
- Newly illustrated goods.
- Exclusive merchandise sales.
- Lottery giveaways.
Project 3: New Anime Project
The third announcement is the new anime project, with a teaser visual revealed. While details are still scarce, the visual offers a glimpse of what’s to come, leaving fans eager for more information. Eagle-eyed fans have spotted cherry tree branches in the background, possibly referencing an illustration from the final volume of the light novel.
What Could the New Anime Project Be?
At this point, the exact nature of the new anime project remains a mystery. It could be:
- A new season of the main anime series.
- An adaptation of a spin-off novel, such as Date A Live Fragment: Date A Bullet.
- An original movie.
- A series of OVAs (Original Video Animations).
Fans are actively speculating about the possibilities, and the anticipation is building.
About Date A Live
Date A Live began as a light novel series written by Koshi Tachibana and illustrated by Tsunako, serialized by Fujimi Shobo from 2012 to 2020, with a total of 22 volumes. The story follows Shido Itsuka, an ordinary high school boy who discovers a mysterious girl at the epicenter of a spacequake. He learns that she is one of the Spirits, mystical creatures responsible for these disasters.
Shido is recruited by his sister Kotori to “seal” the Spirits, ending their threat to mankind. The catch? The only way to seal a Spirit is to make her fall in love with him.
The light novel series has been adapted into a successful anime franchise, with multiple seasons animated by different studios, including AIC PLUS+, Production IMS, J.C. Staff, and GEEKTOYS. The anime has been streamed by Crunchyroll and, formerly, Funimation, with English dubs available.
Seasons
- Season 1 (2013): Animated by AIC PLUS+.
- Season 2 (2014): Animated by Production IMS.
- Movie: Date A Live: Mayuri Judgement (2015).
- Season 3 (2019): Animated by J.C. Staff.
- Season 4 (2022): Animated by Geek Toys.
- Season 5 (2024): Animated by Geek Toys.
Other Anniversary Events
In addition to the new anime project and the Gamers store event, there are other events planned for the 12th anniversary:
- Volks Akihabara Hobby Paradise Event: An event will be held on the sixth floor of Volks Akihabara Hobby Paradise from April 24 to May 11.
- Don Quijote Collaboration: A collaboration event with Don Quijote stores is also in the works.
Where to Watch
All five seasons of Date A Live, as well as the two OVAs, are currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Impact
Date A Live has garnered a significant following over the years, with fans drawn to its unique blend of action, romance, and supernatural elements. The series has been praised for its engaging characters, compelling storyline, and high-quality animation. The announcement of a new anime project has sparked excitement within the fan community, with many eager to see what the future holds for Shido and the Spirits.
Date A Live V was a major success, winning several awards in the Spring 2024 season, including:
- Best Opening Theme Song
- Best Ending Theme Song
- Best Ship or Couple
- Best Boy
- Main Seiyuu Awards
Kurumi Tokisaki was voted Best Girl of Spring 2024, with Tohka Yatogami in 7th place.
Stay Tuned
As the 12th-anniversary celebration progresses, more details about the new anime project and other planned events will be revealed. Be sure to stay tuned for updates as they become available. With so much in store, it’s an exciting time to be a Date A Live fan!
