It's True: An Unexpected Anime Is Preparing to Become One of the Industry's Longest to Date
When Cardfight!! Vanguard first debuted in Japan back in 2011, few could have guessed it would one day become one of the longest-running anime series ever made. However, during the Bushiroad New Year's Announcement 2025 event on January 13, it was revealed that Cardfight!! Vanguard is now aiming for a major milestone: 700 episodes produced.
Created by Bushiroad, Cardfight!! Vanguard is a massive multimedia franchise—a blend of Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!—centered around its immensely popular collectible trading card game. Beyond the cards and anime, the franchise has spawned a wide range of merchandise, including video games, manga, figures, and even live-action movies.
Cardfight!! Vanguard Is Joining the Ranks of Naruto: Shippuden and One Piece
On the Road to Episode #700
Currently, the Cardfight!! Vanguard anime series—some parts of which have been dubbed into English and screened worldwide—has reached 582 episodes. This means fans still have a ways to go before hitting the 700-episode mark.
Even when it achieves this milestone, Cardfight!! Vanguard won’t claim the title of the longest-running anime series. That distinction belongs to the family comedy series Sazae-san, which is currently at 2,771 episodes and counting. Still, Cardfight!! Vanguard will rank alongside other iconic long-running anime series, such as Naruto: Shippuden (500 episodes) and One Piece (1,122 episodes).
AI Make the Rules in the New Cardfight!! Vanguard
Top Talent Recruited for Latest Series
The latest entry in the franchise, Cardfight!! Vanguard DivineZ Deluxe Arc, began airing in Japan on January 11. Set after the conclusion of the Destined Showdown, Cardfight!! Vanguard DivineZ Deluxe Arc follows the main character Akina and the other Vanguard fighters as they enjoy a brief respite. However, their peace is interrupted by an invitation to “Deluxe,” a prestigious new tournament orchestrated by an artificial intelligence named Gui. As old allies and new rivals emerge, Akina faces a pivotal question posed by his mentor: “What is your reason for playing the game?”
Cardfight!! Vanguard DivineZ Deluxe Arc features impressive talent behind the scenes, including character designs by CLAMP (Cardcaptor Sakura and XXXHolic) and animation by Kinema Citrus (The Rising of the Shield Hero). With such an impressive milestone approaching for Cardfight!! Vanguard, there is no better time than now to get into the franchise.
Source: Comic Natalie
