Meet the Verdeapis Mercenaries
Four new voice actors are stepping into the world of From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman for its second season, Oricon News reported. All four play members of the Verdeapis Mercenary Company, a group that factors into Season 2's story.
Takashi Kondō (Suigetsu Hōzuki in Naruto Shippūden) takes on Hanoi Cressa, while veteran Hiroshi Yanaka (Naraku in InuYasha) voices the enigmatic Maurice Pashushka. Hiromu Mineta plays Kuriu Raibark, and Mami Uchida rounds out the squad as Prim. Uchida previously voiced Alusia's mother in Season 1, making this her second role in the franchise.
A newly released special action video from the anime's staff features the mercenaries in action, offering a first look at how the squad fits into the season.
Kondō noted in a cast comment that Hanoi is a character the original creator holds especially dear. He called the role "a performer's greatest reward" but warned fans that Hanoi will be "confronting the old man crew with quite an insolent attitude." Yanaka kept his comment equally cryptic, matching his character: "Maurice Pashushka... who are you? What do you want? It's nothing but mystery."
Beryl Heads Back to the Classroom
The Season 2 premiere, titled "The Country Bumpkin Heads to a New Workplace" (episode 13 overall), picks up several months after Beryl's appointment as special instructor for the knights. He has settled into capital life when Lucy and Fissel show up with a request: they want him to serve as a temporary lecturer at the Magic Academy.
Beryl tentatively agrees and sits in on Fissel's class in the Sword Magic Department, where his student Myui also studies. When a student's question calls for a practical demonstration, Beryl ends up sparring with Fissel.
The series follows Beryl Gardinant, a modest sword instructor running a dojo in a rural village. He long ago gave up on his dreams of greatness, only to discover that his former students have risen to elite status and refuse to let the world overlook his talent. The manga is written by Shigeru Sagasaki with art by Tetsuhiro Nabeshima and published by Square Enix.
Looking Ahead
From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman Season 2 premieres July 8, 2026, on TV Asahi's IMAnimation W programming block (Wednesdays at 11:45 PM). Prime Video will stream the series exclusively worldwide starting July 9, with new episodes arriving every Thursday at 12:15 AM JST. Season 1 is currently available on Prime Video.
The anime is produced by Passione and Hayabusa Film, with director Akio Shikatsumi and the full Season 1 production staff returning.