Reincarnated as a Sword director Shinji Ishihara has described the central relationship between Fran and Shisou as a father-daughter bond rather than a romantic connection. In an interview with Anime News Network, conducted at Anime NYC, Ishihara and producer Yōsuke Shimada discussed the series’ second season and the creative decisions behind its fantasy adventure.
Ishihara, known for directing Fairy Tail, Edens Zero, and Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy, said the series offers a different take on the reincarnation genre. Instead of giving its protagonist a powerful human body and exceptional abilities, the story follows a character reincarnated as a sword who cannot fight without someone wielding him.
That changes the protagonist’s purpose after meeting Fran, a young catgirl warrior. As Ishihara explained, Shisou’s objective becomes protecting Fran and helping her grow.
Shinji Ishihara Explains Why Shisou and Fran’s Relationship Is Different
Ishihara pushed back on the idea that the pair’s dynamic follows a conventional boy-meets-girl setup. Instead, he described it as a situation where a father gains a daughter, with Shisou initially taking responsibility for Fran’s development as her teacher and protector.
He also explained how the production gives personality to a protagonist who has no human face or mouth. Since Shisou is an inanimate sword, the animation team relies on subtle movements, particularly his eyes, to communicate emotion. The voice performance by Shinichiro Miki is especially important in making the character feel expressive and alive.
According to Ishihara, Fran and Shisou’s relationship gradually changes as she becomes more independent. By the second season, their connection begins moving beyond a traditional teacher-student dynamic and toward friendship.
The director also discussed how his experience working on BL productions, including Super Lovers, Sasaki and Miyano, and Welcome Home, influences his approach to other genres. He explained that he deliberately adjusts his creative approach depending on the intended audience, although some of those experiences may influence his decisions subconsciously.
Ishihara also revealed that he is currently working on another BL project but could not share details because it remains confidential.
His long association with Hiro Mashima’s work was another topic during the conversation. Ishihara discussed how Farmagia developed from a game project into an anime, with the Fairy Tail team becoming involved after Mashima created the original character designs. He also credited his experience working with Mashima’s storytelling style for shaping his own sense of comedic timing.
For Ishihara, fantasy and comedy work particularly well together when serious developments are balanced with lighter moments. He pointed to Fairy Tail as an important influence on that approach.
Reincarnated as a Sword Season 2 Continues the Adventure
Producer Yōsuke Shimada praised Ishihara’s understanding of narrative rhythm and comedy, explaining that their script discussions help the production team identify the elements that make the series appealing.
The second season continues the story with animation production by Studio C2C, with Ishihara returning as director. The official anime website confirms that the new storyline takes Fran and Shisou toward a floating island, where they encounter a dangerous dungeon filled with undead monsters.
The sequel began its Japanese broadcast on October 7, 2026, with HIDIVE handling streaming outside Japan.