Cagaster of an Insect Cage (Mushikago no Cagaster) is a post‑apocalyptic sci‑fi anime set in 2125, 30 years after a mysterious disease called Cagaster first appeared. This illness transforms infected humans into giant, murderous insects, wiping out much of humanity and forcing survivors into fortified “insect cages” where society limps on behind walls.
The anime follows Kidou, a young exterminator who earns his living killing Cagasters, and Ilie, a teenage girl he rescues in the wasteland after promising her dying father he’ll help her find her mother. As they travel together, Kidou uncovers conspiracies surrounding the origins of Cagaster and the human power structures that grew up around it, forcing him to confront both monster insects and the monsters wearing human faces.
The series is based on Kachō Hashimoto’s manga Mushikago no Cagaster, which ran from 2005 to 2016 across 7 volumes and 32 chapters, and tells a complete story in print.
Season 1 overview: Netflix’s adaptation
Production and release
Cagaster of an Insect Cage began life as one of Netflix’s early anime pushes. Netflix announced the adaptation in 2018 as one of several new originals, produced by Studio Gonzo, known for classics like Hellsing and Afro Samurai.
Key facts about season 1:
- Format: ONA (Original Net Animation) released globally as a Netflix Original.
- Studio: Gonzo.
- Episodes: 12 episodes, each around 22–25 minutes.
- Global premiere: February 6, 2020, with all 12 episodes dropping simultaneously on Netflix worldwide.
Netflix’s official page describes the plot succinctly:
“Thirty years after a disease that turns the infected into carnivorous insects emerged, a young exterminator and a teenage girl search for her mother.”
How far does the anime go?
Because the manga is only 32 chapters long, early coverage already predicted that the anime might cover most or all of the source material in a single cour. CBR noted that with such a short manga, “the series may simply need one season to tell a complete story,” depending on pacing.
While episode‑by‑episode comparisons vary slightly, season 1 does adapt the main narrative through to a conclusive ending, resolving:
- The central mystery of Cagaster’s origins.
- The core conflict around the fortress city and the ruling powers exploiting the plague.
- Kidou and Ilie’s immediate emotional arcs, fulfilling the promise made in episode 1.
In other words, season 1 is structured to function as a full story, which is important when we talk about the chances of a second season.
Has Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2 been confirmed?
Short answer: No.
There has never been any official announcement of Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2 from Netflix, Studio Gonzo, or any related rights‑holders.
A 2021 Newsweek “Netflix Cancellation Guide” listed Cagaster of an Insect Cage as “Not yet renewed for Season 2”, grouping it with other animated series whose future was unclear at the time. Since then, there have been no updates—no renewal press release, no teaser key visual, and no production leaks from Japan suggesting a continuation is in the works.
Some YouTube videos from 2020–2021 speculated about a possible second season “coming in 2021,” but these predictions were based on generic sequel patterns rather than concrete production news, and they obviously never came to pass.
As of 2026:
- Cagaster of an Insect Cage remains a single 12‑episode season on Netflix.
- Major anime databases still list only one season, with a status of “Finished Airing.”
- There is no official Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2 entry, working title, or scheduled window anywhere in the industry press.
Why Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2 is unlikely
Technically, as long as rights exist, any show can be revived. Realistically, several factors make Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2 very unlikely.
1. The manga is short and already complete
The original manga is finished at 32 chapters and 7 volumes, having run from 2005 to 2016. That’s a compact story by anime standards, and as early coverage pointed out, it’s the kind of manga that can easily be adapted in one season without leaving much unused material.
Given that the Netflix anime appears to adapt the key story beats through to a conclusive ending, there simply isn’t an obvious batch of extra canonical content screaming to be adapted into Cagaster season 2. A second season would either:
- Need to invent an original sequel story beyond the manga, or
- Retell side stories and spin‑off material at risk of feeling redundant.
Neither option is impossible, but both are structurally and commercially less attractive than simply adapting a longer manga that naturally supports multiple seasons.
2. Six years of total silence
Anime sequels can take time, but six years is a long stretch.
Cagaster of an Insect Cage premiered in February 2020, and Newsweek’s 2021 guide still called it “not yet renewed,” noting that Netflix had not announced any continuation. Since then, unlike Netflix hits such as Beastars or Baki, it has:
- Received no sequel announcement.
- Dropped off most “must‑continue” discussion lists.
- Not seen any new marketing campaigns, anniversary events, or cross‑promotions that hint at a revival.
In the streaming era, most Netflix anime that get sequels see them announced within a few years of the initial drop—especially when the streamer holds global rights. The lack of any such movement strongly implies Cagaster is viewed as a completed one‑season project.
3. Netflix’s anime strategy
Reddit discussions about Netflix’s “one‑and‑done” pattern point out that many Netflix Original anime either:
- End after a single season, used primarily as brand‑building content, or
- Only get continuations if they hit specific internal viewership and engagement thresholds.
A commenter in one such thread explicitly lists Cagaster of an Insect Cage among excellent Netflix anime that never saw a second season, noting that only a few titles in that list actually got renewed.
From Netflix’s perspective, cost vs. audience drives these decisions. With a mid‑tier title based on a short, fully adapted manga, there’s less financial incentive to bankroll an original follow‑up when that budget could go into brand‑new series that might break out more dramatically.
Could Cagaster of an Insect Cage ever still get a second season?
Never say never—but treat any talk about Cagaster season 2 as highly speculative. For a real sequel to happen, at least one of these would need to be true:
- The IP owner and Gonzo, or another studio, decide to create an original continuation, possibly under a new subtitle, and either partner with Netflix again or shop it to another platform once contracts allow.
- Cagaster experiences a surprise resurgence in popularity, perhaps via TikTok, YouTube anime essays, or a new game adaptation, convincing rights‑holders there’s enough demand to justify new content.
As of now, there’s no public sign of either scenario. So if you’re planning content, the honest framing is:
“There is no Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2 in production or officially announced; after six years and a complete manga adaptation, a sequel is possible in theory but unlikely in practice.”
How to continue the story: manga and rewatch value
Even if we never get Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2, you can still dive deeper into its world.
Read the manga
The anime is based directly on Kachō Hashimoto’s 7‑volume manga, which tells the story in its original form. Reading the manga gives you:
- The author’s original pacing and panel compositions.
- Small character beats and worldbuilding details that didn’t fit into the 12‑episode adaptation.
- A definitive sense of how the story is meant to end, straight from the creator.
Rewatch with a thematic lens
On rewatch, Cagaster isn’t just about “bug zombies.” It explores:
- The dehumanization of the infected and how societies justify abandoning the transformed.
- The psychology of exterminators like Kidou, who are paid to kill former humans.
- The moral gray zones around fortresses and “safe” cities built on exploitation and secrets.
Revisiting the series with these themes in mind can make the single season feel richer, even without a continuation.
Where to watch Cagaster of an Insect Cage legally
Cagaster of an Insect Cage is still available as a Netflix exclusive in many regions.
- Netflix’s official page lists it as a 2020 anime series with 12 episodes, tagged under genres like “Dystopian,” “Gritty,” “Sci‑Fi,” and “Post‑Apocalypse.”
- Synopsis: “Thirty years after a disease that turns the infected into carnivorous insects emerged, a young exterminator and a teenage girl search for her mother.”
Streaming it on Netflix is both the easiest way to watch and the best way to support the series in case the rights‑holders ever consider reviving it in some form.
FAQ – Cagaster of an Insect Cage Season 2
Is Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2 confirmed?
No. Cagaster of an Insect Cage has never been renewed for a second season. A 2021 Newsweek guide flagged it as “not yet renewed for Season 2,” and there have been no official updates since.
What is the Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 2 release date?
There is no official release date for a second season. Any dates you see online pointing to specific years are speculation and have not been backed up by Netflix, Studio Gonzo, or Japanese production news.
How many episodes are in Cagaster of an Insect Cage season 1?
Season 1 has 12 episodes, all released worldwide on Netflix on February 6, 2020.
Does the anime cover the whole manga?
The manga is relatively short at 32 chapters across 7 volumes, and early coverage noted that this made a complete one‑season adaptation possible. The Netflix series tells a full, conclusive story, even if some details differ from the manga.
Who made Cagaster of an Insect Cage?
The anime is produced by Studio Gonzo and licensed worldwide as a Netflix Original, adapting Kachō Hashimoto’s manga Mushikago no Cagaster.
Where can I watch Cagaster of an Insect Cage?
You can watch all 12 episodes of Cagaster of an Insect Cage on Netflix, which streams the series in multiple languages and regions.
