Fans of From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman (Japanese title: Katainaka no Ossan, Kensei ni Naru) were in for a surprise on Sunday as the season finale dropped more than just a climactic Episode 12 it ended with a special video teasing a confirmed second season set to premiere in 2026.
The announcement came with brand-new, never-before-seen footage, sending excitement through the anime community. Voice actor Hiroaki Hirata, who stars as the humble swordsman Beryl Gardinant, shared his own celebratory video, adding a personal touch to the hype.
The first Blu-ray volume (Episodes 1–6) will release on December 3, followed by the second volume (Episodes 7–12) on January 9, 2026. These aren’t just standard releases each set includes:
- Exclusive cover art by character designer Satsuki Hayasaka
- A bonus booklet with a new original story by Shigeru Sagazaki
- An original soundtrack CD to relive the anime’s most powerful moments
The anime began streaming globally on Amazon Prime Video starting April 5, quickly earning a loyal fanbase with its mix of old-school fantasy, emotional storytelling, and charismatic characters.
The series features a diverse and talented voice cast:
- Nao Tōyama as Allucia Citrus
- Hitomi Ueda as Surena Lysandra
- Yūki Hirose as Curuni Crueciel
- Hinaki Yano as Ficelle Harbeller
- Chiwa Saitō as Lucy Diamond
- Kaito Ishikawa as Henblitz Drout
- Arisa Nakada as Myui Flare
- Ryōta Ōsaka as Spur
- Ai Kayano as Rose Marblehart
- Hidenobu Kiuchi as Gatoga Lazorne
The first season was helmed by Akio Kazumi (Loner Life in Another World, Fist of the Blue Sky Regenesis) at Passione and Hayabusa Film. The script was supervised by Kunihiko Okada (The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy), while Satsuki Hayasaka pulled double duty as character designer and chief animation director. Music composition was handled by Yasuharu Takanashi, known for hits like Fairy Tail and Baki Hanma vs. Kengan Ashura.
From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman originally began as a web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in November 2020. Square Enix publishes the light novels with illustrations by Tetsuhiro Nabeshima.
J-Novel Club licensed the English translation and describes the story as follows:
Beryl Gardinant is a former glory-seeking swordsman turned rural dojo master. Long past his prime or so he thinks his peaceful life is interrupted when a famous former pupil arrives with shocking news: Beryl has been selected to train the elite knights of the Liberion Order.
As he’s pulled back into a world of magic, battles, and prestige, Beryl reconnects with his old students now powerful knights, adventurers, and mages who surprisingly still seek his guidance. But why? And can a so-called “has-been” really lead the next generation of heroes?
The manga version, illustrated by Kazuki Satō, debuted in Akita Shoten’s Dokodemo Young Champion in August 2021. English readers can enjoy the series thanks to Yen Press, which publishes the manga internationally.
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