A Scuba Diving Day Reveal
The new visual — released on May 24, officially designated "Scuba Diving Day" in Japan (5=Go, 2=Two, 4=Sea → "Go to Sea!") — depicts seven characters walking through a tropical Palau backdrop with considerably more style than Grand Blue Dreaming fans might expect from a show where half the cast spends most episodes naked and blackout drunk.
Season 3 takes college diver Iori Kitahara and his chaotic circle of friends overseas for the first time in the series, swapping the familiar Izu coastline for the South Pacific. According to Comic Natalie's report, the new arc follows Iori and company as they embark on a "youth story" in Palau — which, given Grand Blue's track record, likely means several international incidents involving alcohol and nudity.
Director Shinji Takamatsu (Gintama, School Rumble) returns in his triple role as director, sound director, and scriptwriter, with animation produced at Zero-G × Saberworks.
FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY'S Sets the Summer Mood
The opening theme "Natsuko" comes from FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY'S, who offered a comment capturing the show's oddly sincere heart beneath all the chaos: "Youth, friendship, full nudity… We made this song with the feeling of going to retrieve a treasure we left behind in some long-ago summer."
The band also shared a lyric snippet — "In the time we have left / how many more times / can we spend this season?" — striking a surprisingly wistful tone for an anime whose episode plots regularly involve drinking games and stripped dignity.
Advance Screening With Cast
A stage-greeting advance screening is set for June 19 at Shinjuku Wald 9 in Tokyo, showing episodes 1 and 2 across two timeslots (6:00 PM and 8:00 PM). Yūma Uchida (Megumi Fushiguro in Jujutsu Kaisen) as Iori Kitahara, Ryōhei Kimura as Kōhei Imamura, and Kana Asumi as Aina Yoshiwara will appear at both showings. Chika Anzai as Chisa Kotegawa joins the 8:00 PM session.
Attendees receive a B2-size poster, with lottery ticket sales opening May 29 at 10:00 AM.
The Full Returning Cast
Season 3 brings back its massive ensemble, with Uchida Maaya as Nanaka Kotegawa, Hiroki Yasumoto as Shinji Tokita, Katsuyuki Konishi as Ryūjirō Kotobuki, Natsuki Hanae as Yū Mitarai, Jun Fukuyama as President Kudō, Nana Mizuki as Kaya Mizuki, and M·A·O as Carina — the Palau local introduced in the Season 3 teaser PV released in March.
The series is based on the manga by Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioka, serialized in Kodansha's good! Afternoon magazine (currently at volume 26).
Looking Ahead
Grand Blue Dreaming Season 3 premieres in July 2026 on TOKYO MX, BS11, and MBS. International streaming partners haven't been announced yet, though Crunchyroll streamed Season 2 — fans outside Japan can likely expect a similar arrangement. The source manga is published in English by Kodansha USA, with volumes available digitally and in print.
The advance screening on June 19 will be the first chance to see Season 3 footage, and ticket lottery registration opens May 29.