From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman is coming back, and it's bringing its return stateside first. Season 2 gets a world premiere at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4, days before its July 8 Japan broadcast — a release order that puts the English-speaking audience at the front of the line.
Quick answer
From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman Season 2 premieres in Japan on July 8, 2026 at 11:45 p.m. JST on TV Asahi and affiliates (also AT-X and BS Asahi) in the "IMAnimation W" block. A world premiere screens at Anime Expo 2026 on July 4 at 12:00 p.m. PDT at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with director Kazumi Akio and producer Hino Ryo on the panel. It's animated by hayabusa film, adapting Shigeru Sagazaki's light novels (Square Enix). According to SenpaiRanks, the first season landed in the mid-tier of its isekai cohort — a solid base for a sequel to build on.
The setup
The pitch is in the title: an aging countryside man who turns out to be a quietly overpowered swordsman. It's comfort-watch isekai — low-stakes, competence-fantasy energy — and Season 1 earned enough of a following to justify a quick turnaround. hayabusa film returns to animate, keeping continuity intact.
When you can watch it
Japan gets it July 8 at 11:45 p.m. on TV Asahi, with AT-X and BS Asahi carrying it as well. The Anime Expo world premiere on July 4 means the first look happens in Los Angeles — a notable choice for a series of this size, and a sign the production is leaning into its overseas fanbase. A streaming partner for the new season hadn't been named at announcement; check the show's SenpaiRanks page for the confirmed platform.
How to read it
Sequels are where the dual-axis ranking earns its keep: a returning show has to prove it still deserves the slot, not just that people remember Season 1. Per SenpaiRanks, Season 1 sat mid-tier — so Season 2's real test is whether its Quality score climbs as the story deepens. If you watched the first season, rate it on SenpaiRanks; that's how the board reflects where the sequel actually lands instead of riding nostalgia.
For the wider season, see our summer 2026 watchlist and the summer 2026 isekai ranking. Frontier Lord is another July isekai premiere worth tracking. You can also follow it on its summer 2026 calendar page, or the full catalog entry.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When does From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman Season 2 premiere?
A: July 8, 2026 at 11:45 p.m. JST on TV Asahi, with a July 4 world premiere at Anime Expo 2026.
Q: Where can I watch Season 2?
A: It airs on TV Asahi, AT-X, and BS Asahi in Japan. A streaming partner wasn't named at announcement — check its SenpaiRanks page for updates.
Q: Who is making Season 2?
A: hayabusa film, directed by Kazumi Akio, with producer Hino Ryo, adapting Shigeru Sagazaki's light novels.
Q: What is the Anime Expo world premiere?
A: A first-look screening on July 4 at 12:00 p.m. PDT at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with the director and producer on a panel.
Q: Where does From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman rank?
A: SenpaiRanks placed Season 1 in the mid-tier of its isekai cohort on both the Consensus and Quality axes.