Reincarnated as a Sword
Reincarnated as a Sword, also known as I Became the Sword by Transmigrating or, is a Japanese light novel series written by Yuu Tanaka and illustrated by Llo. It started as a web novel on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in October 2015. It was later published as a light novel by Micro Magazine, who released the first volume in July 2016. The series has received a manga adaptation by Tomowo Maruyama, published by Gentosha, as well as a spin-off manga by Hinako Inoue, published by Micro Magazine. Both the light novels and manga were licensed for North American release by Seven Seas Entertainment, as well as the spin-off. An anime television series adaptation by C2C aired from October to December 2022. A second season is set to premiere in Q4 2026.
Critical reaction has been generally positive, with its visuals, voice acting, action scenes and chemistry between the two leads being praised; however critics also lamented its writing and lack of originality.
Plot
After dying in a car accident, an unnamed man finds himself reincarnated in another world as a sentient sword with powerful abilities and no recollection of his name, though he remembers everything else from his previous life. Accepting his fate as a sword, he begins to seek someone to become his wielder, fighting and gaining powers. He discovers a caravan of slave traders under attack by a two-headed bear. A young catgirl slave, Fran, discovers the sword, and uses him to kill the bear. After being freed from slavery, she names the sword "Teacher", and the two embark on an adventure together.Characters
;Teacher;Fran
;Amanda
;Klimt
;Donadrond
;Nell
;Gallus
;Randell
;Lily
;Crull
;Eustace
;August
;Gyruan
;Count Holmes
;Cruise Riouselle
;Rig
;Eizelle
;Krad
;Balz
;Victor
;Gennel
;Frion
;Urushi
;Kinan and Flamia
;Jean Du Vix
Media
Light novel
Yuu Tanaka started the series as a web novel hosted on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in October 2015 and ended it in February 2024. Micro Magazine acquired and published the light novel series under their GC Novels imprint, with illustrations by Llo. 20 volumes have been published as of October 2025. The fifth volume's limited edition was bundled with a drama CD, telling an original story. Seven Seas Entertainment announced their acquisition of the light novels, and began releasing from August 6, 2019.Manga
A manga adaptation by Tomowo Maruyamawa was serialized in Gentosha's Denshi Birz magazine from December 9, 2016, to January 15, 2018. After the magazine stopped, it resumed publishing on Comic Boost. The series is collected in 18 tankōbon volumes, with the first volume released in April 2017. Seven Seas Entertainment also licensed the manga for North American release, with the first volume releasing on December 17, 2019. A spin-off manga written by Tanaka and illustrated by Hinako Inoue was serialized in Micro Magazine's Comic Ride website from June 1, 2020, to January 30, 2023. The spin-off manga is also licensed by Seven Seas.Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced in the twelfth volume of the light novel on September 24, 2021. The series is produced by C2C and directed by Shinji Ishihira, with Takahiro Nagano writing and supervising the scripts, Atsuki Saitō designing the characters and serving as chief animation director, and Yasuharu Takanashi composing the music. It aired from October 5 to December 21, 2022, on Tokyo MX, ABC, and BS Asahi. The opening theme song is "Tensei Shitara Ken Deshita" by Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets, while the ending theme song is "More Strongly" by Maon Kurosaki. At Anime Expo 2022, Sentai Filmworks announced that they licensed the series outside of Asia. This was followed by an English dub as announced at Anime Weekend Atlanta on October 28, 2022.After the airing of the final episode, a second season was announced. The staff and cast from the first season are reprising their roles. The season is set to premiere in Q4 2026.