RWBY: Ice Queendom has now finished airing, so fans might already be wondering what happens next. Will this be the end of the self-described "canon-adjacent" adventure, or can we expect more of the animated show's Japanese version? For those wondering if there will be a RWBY: Ice Queendom Season 2, here's what we think.
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Where Did RWBY: Ice Queendom Conclude?
Those who waited for the end of the original run before picking up the show and are now wondering if RWBY: Ice Queendom is a reboot might want to know that the new RWBY show by Studio Shaft doesn't negate the canon, nor does it expand it significantly.
The first three episodes are essentially a recap of Season 1 of the original RWBY show.
Though Weiss and Blake's backstories, their initial rivalry, and their motivations for enrolling in Beacon Academy are explored in more detail.
The anime then moves on to a nightmarish eight-episode-long adventure. This is beautifully animated and founded on an imaginative, fun concept, but it gets a bit repetitive and overly symbolic after a couple of episodes.
Moreover, this adventure doesn't end up having a significant impact on the main plot, which was to be expected to avoid straying from the story's canon.
As such, the show ends up not affecting the fans' understanding of the story very much, with the final episode partly being a reflection and a recreation of early RWBY Volume 2.
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Will There Be a RWBY: Ice Queendom Season 2?
As of late September 2022, RWBY: Ice Queendom Season 2 has not yet been announced. It's also unclear whether one will be planned in the future.
For now, we expect that CRWBY efforts will be concentrated on the original anime, particularly RWBY Volume 9, which will come out in early 2023.
Of course, this doesn't mean that additional RWBY spin-offs or similar extra adventures are out of the question.
For the time being, fans have to wait and see if and when the team will come up with anything outside of the main series.
RWBY: Ice Queendom Reception and Renewal Chances
While we cannot be completely sure, we would predict that RWBY: Ice Queendom will not be renewed.
With a 6.55 rating on MyAnimeList, it's not the best-received RWBY story. This is not to say that it is bad.
However, fans tend to be stricter when they rate any anime that even partly feels like a recap, as they naturally seek media that will further enrich their viewing experience.
Moreover, the parts of RWBY: Ice Queendom that were fresh and original took place in a dream realm with little consequence to the real world of Ruby and her friends.
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This adventure took place between RWBY Volume 1 and 2 (there are now eight volumes with RWBY Volume 9 coming soon). Therefore, the stakes didn't feel real to those already familiar with the original series, as it's spoiled by the very format that the characters will make it.
Once again, none of the above necessarily reflect on the show's quality; they're merely factors that made it hard for it to succeed.
Reception aside, RWBY: Ice Queendom tells a much smaller-scale story than the main series, and, unless the creators find another self-contained idea to build on, it wouldn't make sense to create another season with more of the same.
Of course, there are plenty of areas in the RWBY universe that could theoretically be expanded, so another story that fills in the gaps in some underexplored adventure can't be excluded in the future.
RWBY: Ice Queendom Season 2 Release Date Predictions
As RWBY: Ice Queendom told a self-contained (and largely already told) story that didn't leave loose ends, what we would say for other series isn't applicable here.
Many anime that are based on manga end up getting renewed within days or months after their original run, with new seasons coming out in 1-2 years after the original.
Such a schedule, however, wouldn't necessarily apply to RWBY: Ice Queendom.
While more stories in the same universe are possible, we now expect the focus to shift to the original Rooster Teeth production, at least for the time being.
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