Goblin Slayer Season 2 - What We Know So Far

The dark isekai anime series Goblin Slayer is based on a light novel series (for young adults, usually) written by Kumo Kagyu and illustrated by Noboru Kannatsuki. It became quite controversial during its first season in 2018, thanks to initially being mislabeled as appropriate for PG audiences by Crunchyroll when it became available for streaming — and because of its unusually graphic nature, which becomes clear within the first 10 minutes. We're not just talking brutal violence, but also sexual assault (not completely revealed on-screen, but seen and heard) and later, the killing of children (goblins, but still).

The sexual assault is an integral part of how the goblins procreate in this world, so it's part and parcel of the story, creating a sexualized framework for its female characters that didn't sit well with some viewers. Understandably, this type of visual trauma caused backlash among those who didn't know the source material and thought the show would be a bit more friendly for younger viewers. Screen Rant notes that Goblin Slayer's use of sexual assault as a narrative shortcut bungled a sensitive subject in a way that caused a long-lasting backlash. 

Yet, for viewers who can stomach the violence and gratuitous revealing shots of women, the show offers some epic adventure, compelling storylines, and good characterizations. Initially, it looks like a more lighthearted anime in which a young teenage priestess joins a group of three adventurers on an urgent quest to rescue girls from some goblins. Her party is quickly decimated, though, and she is rescued by the Goblin Hunter, whose only goal is to horribly kill as many goblins as possible — and starts forming his own goblin-fighting squad to do it. 

Here's what we know about a second season to this interesting, adventurous, not-for-everyone, RPG-inspired anime TV show.

The original cast of Goblin Slayer includes prolific voice talent such as Yuichiro Umehara as the Goblin Slayer, Yui Ogura as the Priestess, Nao Tôyama as the High Elf Archer, Yûichi Nakamura as the Dwarf Shaman, Tomokazu Sugita as the Lizard Priest, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as the Spear Man, Yuka Iguchi as the Cow Girl, and Yôko Hikasa as the Witch. If you're not familiar with the series yet, you'll see that the characters don't have actual names — they're simply referred to as their archetype. 

There's an English dub, naturally. Actors taking on the Americanized roles in Season 1 include Brad Hawkins as the Goblin Slayer, Hayden Daviau as the Priestess, Mallorie Rodak as the High Elf Archer, Barry Yandell as the Dwarf Shaman, Joshua Bangle as the Lizardman Priest, Kyle Igneczi as the Spear Man, Brittany Lauda as the Cow Girl, and Amanda R. Gish as the Witch. 

These actors are mostly expected to return to their roles in this fantasy anime in Season 2. New characters will also be introduced, if the series follows the plot of the novels, so additional actors should be incorporated as well.