Grand Blue Dreaming is back, and this time it is going overseas. On May 24, 2026 — perfectly timed for Japan’s “Go to Sea” Scuba Diving Day — the official Grand Blue accounts dropped a stunning new key visual and confirmed that FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S will perform the opening theme song, titled “Natsuko.” If you thought the diving comedy could not get any more unhinged, Season 3 is about to prove you wrong by taking Iori, Kohei, and the entire Peanuts gang to Palau for their wildest trip yet.
The Season 3 Key Visual: Palau Awaits
The new key visual showcases the stunning coastal backdrop of Palau, a real-world island nation in the western Pacific known for its crystal-clear waters and world-class diving spots. This marks the first time the Grand Blue anime will venture outside Japan, matching the manga’s own Palau arc that sent readers into absolute chaos when it was first serialized.
Director Shinji Takamatsu returns for Season 3, bringing his signature comedic timing that made Grand Blue one of the most quotable anime of the 2018 season. Animation studios ZERO-G and Liber are handling the production, with Hideoki Kusama on character design and Yoichi Ueda as chief animation director. The art direction is overseen by Reiko Kasuga, and Yukari Hashimoto is back to compose the soundtrack.
FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S Performs “Natsuko” — The Perfect Summer Anthem
The opening song for Grand Blue Season 3 is “Natsuko,” performed by Japanese band FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S. Known for their energetic, emotionally charged rock sound, the band has a cult following that perfectly aligns with Grand Blue’s chaotic college-energy vibe. The title “Natsuko” evokes the warmth of summer, fitting for a show that thrives on sunburned skin, cold beer, and terrible decisions made by people who should know better.
This is not the first time Grand Blue has partnered with standout musical acts. Season 2 featured “Seishun Toha” by Shonan no Kaze featuring Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders, which became a massive hit. Season 3 is clearly aiming to match that energy with “Natsuko” — and if FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S’ track record is anything to go by, fans are in for a treat.
New Cast Members Join the Chaos
Season 3 has also revealed three new voice cast additions who will bring the Palau arc to life:
- Sayaka Ohara as Sayaka Kotegawa — expanding the Kotegawa family drama that fans love to hate
- Asami Seto as Chief — bringing her powerhouse vocal range to what promises to be a memorable role
- Aya Suzaki as Maki — adding another layer to the already chaotic social dynamics
The core cast returns with Yuma Uchida as Iori Kitahara, Ryohei Kimura as Kohei Imamura, and Chika Anzai as Chisa Kotegawa reprising their beloved roles. The chemistry between these actors has always been a huge part of what makes Grand Blue so addictive to watch.
What Is Grand Blue About?
For those new to the series, Grand Blue Dreaming follows Iori Kitahara, a college freshman who moves to the coastal town of Izu and expects a peaceful diving lifestyle. Instead, he finds himself trapped in the diving club room of his uncle’s shop, surrounded by muscular upperclassmen who care more about drinking and stripping naked than actual scuba diving.
Created by writer Kenji Inoue and illustrator Kimitake Yoshioka, the manga has been running in Kodansha’s Good! Afternoon magazine since April 2014. It received its first anime adaptation in 2018, a live-action film in 2020, and now, after a six-year gap, we are finally getting Season 3. The Season 2 announcement came immediately after the Season 1 finale aired, and Season 3 was announced right after Season 2 ended — proving that the franchise is in full swing.
Why This Matters for Summer 2026 Anime
With a July 2026 premiere, Grand Blue Season 3 lands squarely in the middle of one of the most competitive anime seasons in recent memory. It joins a crowded summer lineup that includes highly anticipated shows like Bleach, Black Torch, and more, as well as returning hits like Wistoria: Wand and Sword Season 2. But Grand Blue has something most of them do not: an established fanbase that knows exactly what they are getting into, and a track record of delivering comedy gold that stands shoulder to shoulder with series like Gintama and Konosuba.
The Palau setting alone is a game-changer. New locations mean new characters, new conflicts, and new opportunities for the show’s signature brand of physical comedy to shine. Add in a fresh opening song by FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S and the return of Shinji Takamatsu’s razor-sharp direction, and you have a recipe for one of the standout anime of Summer 2026.
If you are curious about what else is dominating the seasonal charts right now, check out our breakdown of the Solo Leveling Season 3 update and why fans cannot stop talking about the latest Akane-Banashi phenomenon.
What Do You Think?
Are you hyped for Grand Blue Season 3 heading to Palau? Do you think FUNKY MONKEY BΛBY’S’s “Natsuko” will become the next iconic anime opening, or are you still riding for “Seishun Toha”? And most importantly — is the Peanuts diving club finally going to actually dive, or are we in for another season of drinking and chaos?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below. We want to hear your wildest Grand Blue theories and favorite moments from Seasons 1 and 2!
