The Dawn of the Witch
The Dawn of the Witch is a Japanese fantasy light novel series written by Kakeru Kobashiri and illustrated by Takashi Iwasaki, with partial character designs by Yoshinori Shizuma, and a spinoff sequel of Kobashiri's earlier series Grimoire of Zero. Kodansha have published six volumes since August 2018 under their Kodansha Ranobe Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Tatsuwo was serialized in Kodansha's manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Sirius from July 2019 to May 2023. It was collected in seven volumes. The light novel and manga are licensed in North America by Kodansha USA. An anime television series adaptation by Tezuka Productions aired from April to July 2022.
Premise
Following the global chaos caused by the Grimoire of Zero and a subsequent great calamity, a fragile peace exists in the realm of Wenias, where Headmaster Albus strives for human-witch coexistence. As part of these efforts, the amnesiac and failing student Saybil is sent on a special training program to a remote witches' village, escorted by the witch Loux Krystas and other students, including the honor student Holt.Their journey is immediately imperiled by an attack from fiends, during which Holt is revealed to be a collaborator. In the ensuing confrontation, Holt ultimately turns on the fiends, and Saybil unlocks a latent power within Loux's staff to save them. The group survives this betrayal and attack, and continues its fraught journey toward the village.
Characters
Main
;Saybil the Abyss Sorcerer;Professor Loux Krystas Laos the Dawn Witch
;Holt the Deer Beastfallen Witch
;Kudo the Lizard Beastfallen Sorcerer
Recurring
;Zero the Mud-Black Witch;Mercenary the Tiger Beastfallen
;Shinpu the Blind Priest
;Albus the Mooncaller Witch
;Holdem the Wolf Beastfallen
;Lilly the Mouse Beastfallen
Supporting
;Laios;Uls
;Kady
;Ms. Heartful
Production
Kodansha Ranobe Bunko imprint sent their invitation to Kakeru Kobashiri for writing a sequel of Grimoire of Zero around November to December in 2017, and the publishment was confirmed in February 2018. It was announced in her blog in March 2018. She finished writing Volume 1 and revealed the synopsis of the sequel at that time. Although some main characters in Grimoire of Zero would be included, the protagonist would be someone else.Media
Light novels
The light novel series is written by Kakeru Kobashiri and illustrated by Takashi Iwasaki, with partial character designs by Yoshinori Shizuma. Kodansha have published six volumes since August 2018 under their Kodansha Ranobe Bunko imprint. In March 2022, Kodansha USA announced they licensed the novels for English publication.Manga
A manga adaptation with art by Tatsuwo was serialized in Kodansha's manga magazine Monthly Shōnen Sirius from July 26, 2019, to May 25, 2023. Its chapters were collected in seven volumes, released from January 9, 2020, to July 7, 2023. The manga is licensed in North America by Kodansha USA.Anime
In April 2021, an anime television series adaptation was announced. It is produced by Tezuka Productions and directed by Satoshi Kuwabara, who will also handle the series' scripts. Kakeru Kobashiri, the original writer, and Mayumi Morita are credited for literature, while character designs are provided by Reina Iwasaki. Tatsuhiko Saiki is composing the music. It aired from April 8 to July 1, 2022, on TBS and BS11. The opening theme song is "Dawn of Infinity" by fripSide, while the ending theme song is "Imprinting" by ▽▲TRiNITY▲▽. Crunchyroll streamed the series outside of Asia. Muse Communication licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia.On April 11, 2022, Crunchyroll announced that the series will receive an English dub, which premiered on April 21.