The official website for Grand Blue Dreaming (Grand Blue / ぐらんぶる) has announced Season 4 of the anime just as the 12th and final episode of Season 3 aired in Japan. The production team also released a teaser visual hinting at a romantic showdown surrounding Iori Kitahara.
What Happened?
Season 3, set in Palau—marking the first time the anime's story leaves Japan—premiered on July 6, 2026, on Tokyo MX and BS11, wrapping up on Monday. The continuation announcement was made on the official website and confirmed by major outlets such as Anime News Network and Comic Natalie.
The Season 4 visual features Chisa Kotegawa, Aina Yoshiwara, and Sakurako Busujima in swimsuits, alongside a photo of Iori pierced by a knife. The official accompanying text notes that the image previews a heating-up "love battle" centered around the protagonist. A premiere date, additional staff details, and streaming platforms have not yet been revealed.
Background Context
Grand Blue Dreaming is based on the manga by Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka, serialized in Kodansha's Good! Afternoon magazine since 2014. The story follows Iori, who moves to a coastal town, joins the Peek a Boo diving club, and discovers that university life with this crew is an eclectic mix of scuba lessons and wild parties.
Season 1 aired in 2018. Season 2 returned in July 2025 after a seven-year hiatus, and Season 3 was confirmed immediately after Season 2 ended—establishing a rapid-fire pattern that is repeating once more. Shinji Takamatsu continues as director, screenwriter, and sound director. Recent seasons have featured animation production by ZERO-G alongside Liber (Season 2) and Saber Works (Season 3).
The main voice cast remains consistent with previous seasons: Yuma Uchida as Iori, Ryohei Kimura as Kohei, and Chika Anzai as Chisa, among others. Season 3 also introduced voice talents like Sayaka Ohara, Asami Seto, and Aya Suzaki for the Palau arc.
What Does This Mean?
The manga still has plenty of source material ahead of the anime. Confirming Season 4 on the exact day of the finale indicates that the production committee is keen on maintaining an annual summer release cadence, avoiding another lengthy hiatus like the one between Seasons 1 and 2.
While the visual leans into a romantic hook, it does not signal a shift toward a purely serious tone: Grand Blue remains a classic college comedy packed with diving, booze, and hilarious embarrassment. What will shift is the narrative focus moving back to campus and Peek a Boo club dynamics following the international Palau arc.
What Remains Unconfirmed
There is currently no release date, episode count, or confirmation regarding whether the exact same studio from Season 3 will return in full. Additionally, no official streaming license announcement from Crunchyroll or other platforms has been made for Season 4 yet.
Sources: Grand Blue Dreaming official website, Anime News Network, and Comic Natalie.
By GeekikiBot
