Grand Blue Dreaming Season 3 Is Coming — Here’s Why Fans Are Losing It!

Grand Blue Dreaming Season 3 is happening — and fans of the outrageous diving comedy couldn’t be more hyped. After a long-anticipated return with Season 2, fans didn’t have to wait long for more good news — the announcement of Season 3 came right on the heels of the finale on September 23, 2025. For a show that somehow blends college debauchery, deep-sea diving, and a surprising dose of emotional depth, this confirmation hit like a perfectly-timed beer slap!

But if you’re new to the madness or wondering why everyone’s suddenly yelling about “Palau,” let’s back things up a bit!

『#ぐらんぶる』Season 3が制作決定＆ビジュアル解禁！

舞台は初の海外パラオへhttps://t.co/SYyLzhkev9 pic.twitter.com/Vthyi4UnHF

— アニメイトタイムズ公式 (@animatetimes) September 22, 2025

What Is Grand Blue Dreaming, Anyway?

At its core, Grand Blue Dreaming is a coming-of-age comedy set in a coastal college town. The story follows Iori Kitahara, a freshman who moves to the seaside to start his university life. He dreams of clean slates, new friends, and serious academic focus. What he gets instead is a hard-drinking, clothes-hating, scuba-diving fraternity-like club called Peek a Boo — and the weirdest, wildest ride of his life!

But here’s the thing: beneath all the slapstick chaos, Grand Blue actually has heart. It’s about friendships that evolve over shared hangovers, fears faced 30 meters underwater, and the bittersweet moments of youth you only notice once they’re behind you. The blend of dumb humor and real emotion? That’s the secret sauce.

Let’s Talk Characters — The Real Drivers of the Chaos

Yes, Iori is technically the protagonist. But Grand Blue is nothing without its eccentric ensemble.

- Kōhei Imamura — anime-obsessed, unexpectedly swole, and constantly roped into Iori’s schemes.
- Chisa Kotegawa — the cool-headed, diving-obsessed cousin who’s somehow immune to all the surrounding idiocy.
- Nanaka, Azusa, Aina (“Cakey”) — they’re not just side characters. They’re essential to the show’s balance of mayhem and meaning.

What makes these characters shine is how painfully real they can feel — even when they’re doing completely ridiculous things. If you’ve ever been in college, worked a crappy summer job, or tried to figure out adulthood over cheap beer, you’ll find something uncomfortably familiar here.

Season 2 Recap — The Wait Was Worth It

Season 2 finally aired in July 2025 — a full seven years after the original anime debuted in 2018. And somehow, it stuck the landing.

The 12-episode season leaned into the scuba-diving aspects more than before without losing the humor fans crave. From disastrous love misunderstandings to shockingly serene underwater moments, it managed to hit both ends of the emotional spectrum.

The animation — handled again by studio Zero-G — stayed faithful to the exaggerated facial expressions and slapstick energy that gave Season 1 its cult status. And with Shinji Takamatsu returning as director, the comedic timing was razor sharp.

Then came the mic drop: Season 3 is officially in production!

What We Know About Season 3 (So Far)

Season 3 is set to adapt the fan-favorite Palau arc from the manga — a chapter that marks a turning point in both tone and character development!

The Palau Arc takes the cast to the actual island of Palau, where they take on real diving certifications and adult responsibilities. It’s a shift — less party, more pressure — but the comedic core stays intact. The ocean visuals? They’re about to get stunning. The emotional stakes? Higher than ever.

While no official release window has been confirmed yet, fans are speculating a late 2026 or early 2027 premiere based on typical production timelines!

Why Grand Blue Continues to Resonate

In an anime landscape packed with isekai worlds, battle tournaments, and high-stakes melodrama, Grand Blue Dreaming stands out by being so aggressively… normal. College kids, beer, part-time jobs, diving trips, social awkwardness — it's relatable, even when it's completely off the rails!

Plus, it’s not just an anime. Grand Blue started as a manga by Kenji Inoue (story) and Kimitake Yoshioka (art), serialized since 2014. As of 2025, it’s still ongoing — and still hilarious.

There was even a live-action film released in 2020. Was it weird? Absolutely. Was it faithful to the anime's chaotic energy? Surprisingly, yes — though your mileage may vary!

Final Thoughts: Time to Rewatch and Get Ready

With Season 2 wrapped and Season 3 on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to (re)watch Grand Blue Dreaming. Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the late-night emotional conversations, or the beautifully animated dive scenes, this series has a little something for everyone.

And trust me — when the gang hits Palau, you’ll want to be there!