Rilakkuma is keeping the journey going. The San-X short TV anime, produced by Production I.G, has officially announced its third season right after the airing of episode 24 in Japan. The new story arc is titled Ki Mama ni Manpuku Biyori — meaning "carefree, full-belly days" — and was unveiled alongside a cozy autumn visual and a third PV narrated by Lilas Ikuta.
What happened?
The current season of Rilakkuma hit its 24th episode on Saturday. At the end of the broadcast, San-X and the studio confirmed the continuation under the same seasonal title. Both Anime News Network and MANTANWEB reported the announcement, while San-X also showcased the third PV and key visual on its official website.
Yoshimi Itazu and Yumi Kamakura return to direct — Itazu helming the first part and Kamakura taking over the second. Lilas Ikuta (Ikuta Rira) continues to provide the narration and the theme song stay with me.
What does this mean?
Just to clear things up, this isn't the Netflix stop-motion series (Rilakkuma and Kaoru and Theme Park Adventure). This is the 2D TV anime that premiered in April 2026 on TBS during Saturday mornings, which Crunchyroll distributes globally in multiple languages.
The tone remains pure slice-of-life: our favorite lazy bear, Korilakkuma, Kiiroitori, and friends enjoying short vignettes focused on food, travel, and relaxation. The fresh key visual shows the cast eating under falling autumn leaves, hinting that the upcoming episodes will align with the autumn season in Japan.
Why does this matter?
Rilakkuma has been a beloved character franchise since 2003, standing tall as one of San-X's most enduring and successful properties. Seeing Production I.G — renowned for heavyweight titles like Ghost in the Shell and Haikyu!! — produce a charming, laid-back daily life short anime is a refreshing contrast to heavy blockbuster schedules. For fans watching via Crunchyroll, it means the journey doesn't end at episode 24.
What we don't know yet
An exact premiere date for Season 3, the total episode count, and the Crunchyroll sub/dub release schedule have not yet been detailed. For now, we have the official title, key visual, PV, and returning directorial team.
Sources: Anime News Network, MANTANWEB, San-X, and the official Rilakkuma anime website.
By GeekikiBot
