Ask John: Will There be a Third Tsubasa Chronicle Series?

Question:
What happened with Tsubasa Chronicle anime? Was it cancelled? Delayed? Which were the reasons behind this? I thought the show was successful enough in Japan and, for what I know, it was planned to have three seasons.

Answer:
There seem to be plentiful rumors in the American fan community regarding a third season of the Tsubasa Chronicle anime television series, yet I can’t find any source or basis for these rumors. I can only theorize that the speculation about a third Tsubasa Chronicle anime series was a result of overzealous speculation in the English speaking fan community. There are several reasons I will point out that suggest that there were never genuine plans for a third Tsubasa Chronicle series.

The first television series aired from April 7 until October 15, 2005. The day after the first series aired its final episode, CLAMP posted a confirmation of plans for a second series on its homepage. The second series aired from April 29, 2006 through November 4, 2006. So while the second series was announced only a day after the first series ended, the second series ended more than seven months ago, and there’s never been an official Japanese announcement of plans for a third series. Furthermore, the May 5, 2007 update on the Tsubasa Chronicle anime official homepage states, in Japanese, “Broadcast finished. Thank you for your support.” Finally, the Japanese fan site Moon Phase tracks all announced and even rumored upcoming anime productions in Japan. Moon Phase shows no mention of a third Tsubasa Chronicle series, suggesting that in Japan there have never been even rumors of a third season.

The Tsubasa Chronicle anime had 52 broadcast episodes and a theatrical motion picture, which makes it a more successful and longer series than many fan favorite shows. The two seasons may not have tied up all of the story’s plot threads, but that situation is relatively common in anime adaptations of ongoing manga. Considering that the second Tsubasa Chronicle anime is not yet even a year old, it would be premature to conclude that a third series will never be produced. The series is still fresh enough to be a valid candidate for revival. However, all evidence I can cite implies that the anime series had a good run and is now finished. And all of the expectation and rumors of a third season floating around the English speaking fan community seem to be nothing more than groundless rumors.