It’s been a decade. More than that, actually. For years, fans of Trigger and Hiroyuki Imaishi were left clutching that infamous "Ghost" cliffhanger like a life raft in a sea of silence. But now that Studio Trigger has officially snatched the rights back from Gainax and New Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt is a reality, everyone is obsessing over the panty and stocking season 2 characters and how they’ve aged—or haven't. Honestly, if you expected a normal continuation, you haven't been paying attention to how this studio operates.
The Anarchy Sisters Are Back (With a Twist)
Panty is still Panty. She is the blonde, sex-obsessed, gun-toting fallen angel we all remember. Her design in the promotional teasers for the new season shows that the signature art style—that thick-lined, Western-cartoon-on-acid look—is staying intact. She still transforms her lingerie into the Backlace pistols. However, the dynamic has shifted because of the "Panty is actually a ghost" reveal that ended the first run.
Stocking, on the other hand, is where things get messy. Remember when she revealed she was a demon all along? Or at least, she betrayed her sister for the sake of a plot twist? In the previews for the new season, we see Stocking sporting a slightly updated look, though she’s still carrying her Shinty swords. The core tension of the panty and stocking season 2 characters is going to be this sibling rivalry turned up to eleven. It’s not just about hunting Ghosts in Daten City anymore; it’s about whatever psychological game Stocking is playing.
The relationship between the two has always been the heart of the show’s chaos. It’s vulgar. It’s loud. It’s frequently violent. But with the new season, there’s a sense that the stakes are higher. Trigger isn't just rehashing the old monster-of-the-week formula. They are leaning into the "New" part of the title.
Garterbelt and the Support Crew
Garterbelt is still the middleman between the heavens and the sisters. He’s still the leather-clad priest with a penchant for BDSM and a very short fuse. But interestingly, his role seems more pivotal this time around. In the original series, he was mostly there to give missions and scream at the girls for being incompetent. This time, there are hints that his past—which we saw snippets of in the first season—might play a larger role in how he manages the anarchy.
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Then there’s Brief. Geek boy. "Geeky F@ck," as Panty lovingly calls him. Brief’s role as the resident supernatural investigator/love interest/punching bag is confirmed. He’s seen in the trailers looking just as stressed as ever. What’s fascinating is that the fandom is divided on whether Brief will actually get a win this season or if he’s destined to be the eternal beta.
Chuck, the invisible-dog-thing that resembles GIR from Invader Zim, is also present. He still gets flattened, blown up, and tortured for comedic effect. It wouldn't be the same show without him being a physical gag.
The Villains: Scanty and Kneesocks
You cannot talk about panty and stocking season 2 characters without mentioning the Demon Sisters. Scanty and Kneesocks were the perfect foils—orderly, rule-abiding, and equally stylish. Their return is one of the most anticipated aspects of the revival.
- Scanty: The older sister who prioritizes "Rules" above all else.
- Kneesocks: The younger sister with the iconic scythe-glasses.
Their presence suggests that Hell isn't finished with Daten City. In the PVs, we see glimpses of new transformation sequences. If you thought the first season's pole-dancing-inspired transformations were over-the-top, Trigger is clearly trying to outdo themselves. The animation looks crisper, more fluid, but it retains that gritty, experimental edge that made the original a cult classic.
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New Faces and the Ghost Problem
Here is where we get into the "What We Know vs. What We Suspect" territory. Studio Trigger has been notoriously tight-lipped about the specifics of the new cast members. However, the subtitle "New" implies more than just a returning cast. We’ve seen flashes of silhouette characters in the background of Daten City that don’t match the old Ghost designs.
There’s a theory circulating among the community—specifically on boards like Sakugabooru and Reddit—that we might see "Heavenly" counterparts to the girls who aren't as disgraced as Panty. Whether these are new protagonists or just temporary rivals remains to be seen. What we do know is that the scale of the "Ghosts" has changed. They aren't just manifestations of human desire anymore; they seem to be more integrated into the corporate structure of the city.
The "Red Panty" seen in the teaser art has sparked a thousand theories. Is it a clone? A reincarnation? A side effect of the split at the end of Season 1? This mystery character is the biggest wildcard in the panty and stocking season 2 characters lineup.
Why the Animation Change Matters
Let's talk about the look. Hiroyuki Imaishi is the king of "Limited Animation" used for maximum effect. In the first season, the characters would switch from "Western Style" to "Anime Style" during high-action moments. In the new season, this stylistic fluidness is being pushed further.
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The characters feel more expressive. When Panty gets angry, the lines get jagged and thick. When Stocking is indulging in sweets, the colors get softer. This isn't just an aesthetic choice; it’s a storytelling device. The characters' physical forms are as unstable as their personalities.
Actionable Insights for the Return
If you are looking to dive back into the world of Daten City, you need to prepare for a different rhythm. This isn't a 2010 anime anymore. It’s a 2020s production by a studio that has since given us Promare and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.
- Rewatch the "Help! We Are Angels" episode. It sets the tone for the weird meta-humor that Trigger is doubling down on.
- Track the "Ghost" count. The original series ended with a literal countdown. Keep an eye on the background art in Season 2 for similar hidden clues.
- Ignore the "Canon" from the manga. The Panty & Stocking manga went in some very different directions. Trigger has historically stuck to their own internal logic for their TV productions.
- Watch the OST updates. TeddyLoid is back, and the music is just as much a character as the girls themselves. The beats often dictate the pacing of the character movements.
The evolution of the panty and stocking season 2 characters reflects a studio that has finally come home. For years, this IP was trapped in legal limbo. Seeing these characters back in the hands of their original creators means we are going to get the unfiltered, uncensored, and utterly chaotic version of the story that was always intended. Don't expect them to have learned any lessons. If anything, they've gotten worse—and that’s exactly why we’re watching.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep your eyes on the official Studio Trigger Twitter (X) account and their Patreon updates. They often drop character sheets and "Work in Progress" sketches that reveal more about the new designs than the actual trailers do. Also, pay attention to the "Little Ghost" cameos. Trigger loves to hide characters from their other works—like Kill la Kill or Space Patrol Luluco—in the background of the crowds. Finding these easter eggs is half the fun of being a fan of this specific circle of creators. Get ready for the messiest reunion in anime history.