Dragon Striker, the exciting successor to Disney’s Avatar, is set to return for its second season.

Dragon Striker made its debut on Disney Plus in June, and it’s easily one of my top recommendations for the year. Despite minimal marketing aimed at its mainstream audience, this fantasy sports series deserves to be recognized among the finest family animations currently available.

Crafted by Paris-based Chouette Studios, the show masterfully combines Eastern and Western storytelling styles, featuring stunning 2D animation in a coming-of-age fantasy that feels like a blend of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Harry Potter, My Hero Academia, and… a dash of the global soccer craze? It’s perfectly timed for World Cup season.

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to dive in, Disney just provided one. At the 2026 Anime Expo, it was announced that Dragon Striker will return for a second season in early 2027 on Disney XD and Disney Plus, giving this standout original animated series a chance to reach a wider audience.

With enough viewers, Dragon Striker could spark endless debates about whether it qualifies as anime! But honestly, that’s beside the point. Chouette was founded by artists who aspired to create Japanese-style animation, and their passion shines through in every frame. It’s refreshing to see such expressive, imaginative animation from Disney, especially as the company leans heavily into live-action adaptations of its classic works.

The story follows Key Nagatatsu, a farm boy with dreams of attending Kal Asterock, an academy where students compete in gorotama, a magical sport akin to soccer. When Key inadvertently awakens the legendary Dragon tama—a power once held by his late mother—he joins a forgotten team called the Knights, alongside his own version of the Aang Gang. What starts as an underdog sports tale evolves into a grander narrative, revealing ancient conspiracies and unsettling truths about Key’s family. No spoilers for the season one finale.

While Dragon Striker doesn’t aim for the same emotional depth as Avatar, each character’s tama ability is thoughtfully crafted, and the world exudes a cozy yet epic vibe reminiscent of classic RPGs like Chrono Trigger—one of the creators’ inspirations. I’m genuinely thrilled.

It’s like if Kazuya Mishima and his crew were reimagined by late-’90s Cartoon Network.

According to the updates from Anime Expo, season 2 will see the Knights face broken friendships, hidden secrets, and an ancient evil as they strive to reach the Banner’s Helm final. Akshay Kumar, Rebecca LaChance, Yeukayi Ushe, Waylon Jacobs, and Evanna Lynch are all set to return, accompanied by another captivating score from composer Kevin Penkin. If Disney shines a brighter spotlight on the new season than the first, Dragon Striker has all the potential to become the next animated obsession.