Kakegurui xx

Kakegurui xx serves as the second season of the anime adaptation based on the high-stakes gambling manga by Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura. Produced by the studio MAPPA and released in 2019, the series continues the story of Yumeko Jabami as she navigates the cutthroat hierarchy of Hyakkaou Private Academy. The season was directed by Yuichiro Hayashi and Kiyoshi Matsuda, who aimed to amplify the series' signature psychological tension and surreal visual aesthetic, following the studio's successful establishment of the series' tone in its first installment.

The production sought to lean heavily into the chaotic, high-contrast character designs and intense facial expressions that define the source material. By maintaining a focus on the physiological and psychological responses of the characters during their gambling duels, the creative team aimed to heighten the sense of dread and excitement unique to the franchise. Upon its release, the series was received as a continuation of the brand’s provocative style, garnering attention for its bold animation choices and its commitment to the original manga's dark, competitive atmosphere.