Hit-Monkey is officially returning for a second season on Hulu. The animated series is one of the few Marvel Television shows to survive the division being folded into Marvel Studios.
Hit-Monkey season 1 premiered on Hulu in November 2021 to generally positive reviews. Based on the Marvel comic of the same name, Hit-Monkey follows a Japanese macaque whose tribe is slaughtered. He joins forces with his mentor, the ghost of an American assassin named Bryce Fowler, and they seek revenge against those who murdered Fowler and Hit-Monkey's fellow macaques.
Hulu announced Hit-Monkey was renewed for a second season set in New York with a short 25-second video, though a release date was not provided. Leslie Jones joins a cast that includes returning actors Olivia Munn, Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, Ally Maki, and Fred Tatasciore. The announcement video opens with Hit-Monkey donning his suit and shades before growling. Haruka, an honest cop intent on fighting injustice in Tokyo, asks if the growl means Hit-Monkey "is in." Akiko Yokohama, voiced by Munn, responds in the affirmative, prompting Fowler's ghost to ask Hit-Monkey to tell them he's "in too." A series of action scenes ensue in which Hit-Monkey takes down his enemies with his sword.
Hit-Mokney will no longer include "Marvel" in the title for season 2 because the Marvel Television production company no longer exists. It was folded in Marvel Studios when MCU boss Kevin Feige became the Chief Creative Officer at Marvel, meaning he now oversees the company's television and publishing divisions. However, the Marvel logo will still be attached to Hit-Monkey in "other ways" (via The Hollywood Reporter) even though 20th Television Animation is now the studio behind the show. Hit-Monkey co-creators Josh Gordon and Will Speck will continue to serve as executive producers.
After one season, Patton Oswalt's MODOK series was canceled by Hulu. So fans are probably thrilled Hit-Monkey will return. Still, both are lucky to have produced at all, considering Howard the Duck and Tigra & Dazzler were scrapped altogether after Marvel Television folded, ending plans for a crossover series with all four shows titled The Offenders.
A Hit-Monkey renewal was not considered likely after MODOK was cancelled, but Hulu thought otherwise. The news will be welcomed by fans who appreciate this relatively darker and violent corner of Marvel content.
Hit-Monkey season 1 is available on Hulu.
Source: Hit-Monkey/Twitter