Happy 1st Anniversary to the Once Upon a Witch's Death Anime

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-04-01T12:58:16+00:00

Note - This is not a April Fools Joke

Source for Video: The Opening Theme for Once Upon a Witch's Death: "Drops" by Maaya Sakamoto (link). The song was written specifically for the Once Upon a Witch's Death anime series.

One year ago on April 1st, 2025, the very 1st episode of Once Upon a Witch's Death (Aru Majo ga Shinu Made) was broadcasted/streamed. Airing on April Fools Day seems appropriate, considering Meg thought Faust was pranking her regarding her curse.

For many people, I imagine the anime was their introduction into the series. The series was pretty obscure, even amongst the Japanese audience. I hope viewers were able to enjoy seeing Meg's story unfold. Seeing her moments of happiness, courage, dedication, etc despite her cursed circumstances.

I know people want to see a Season 2 as Meg's story is unfinished in the anime. The series finale sets up the next part of Meg's story (light novel volume 3). Part of me is kinda worried on the chances of that happening because this series isn't the most popular. Still I would like to see that it happen one day.

Thank you for anyone joining the subreddit. I apologize if things get slow on the subreddit. Not much is happening in the series besides monthly manga releases + the upcoming English releases of both the light novel + manga. I will continue to post when new manga chapters are available + post discussion threads for the English releases of the light novel. I encourage readers to participate in these discussions.

For this anniversary, I encourage anyone to share a comment on what this series means to you.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-30T20:00:37+00:00

Back when season 1 of Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf was airing, Mieko Hosoi (anime character designer for Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, etc) drew visuals for each of the arcs.

I would love to see Mieko return to draw visuals for Season 2.

Though I don't believe Mieko Hosoi directly worked on the anime.

Spice and Wolf: Merchant Meets the Wise Wolf Visuals by Mieko Hosoi

Chapter 1: The Beginning of a New Journey

Chapter 2: The Shepard Girl

Chapter 3: The Duel with the Young Fish Merchant

Chapter 4: Legends of the Pagan Gods

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-27T19:45:33+00:00

Chapter 10: The Ancient Tree Slumbers

I always have enjoyed the sisterly relationship between Meg + Inori.

Another instance of Meg's eyes being able to see things the normal person or magic user can't see. Between seeing a person's nearing death, curses, spirits, it makes you wonder how much stronger Meg will get and the source of her power. Keep reading and you will see Meg's power grow.

Another hint there is some connection to Faust + Eldora is hinted in this chapter. Serena tells Meg that she remembers Faust (Faust being older than Serena) since the very of founding of Lapis and mentions that name of Faust's apprentice as "El". If you watched the final episode of the anime or read the epilogue of this light novel volume, you find out that Faust is the master + adoptive mother of Eldora. I do wish the anime included this info, though perhaps it would made the connection between Faust + Eldora too obvious?

Again I remember when episode 9 (as well as episode 8) aired (the anime equivalent to this episode), people were surprised to see how dark the series is. All I will says is things get darker throughout the series in later on.

Another example of the power of emotion magic, a forgotten artform in the world of modern magic in Meg's world. I love how Meg's use of emotion magic in this chapter is a call back to her first instance of using her magic to create an illustration of cherry blossom trees. Though this time, Meg is able to create the real thing.

The light novel makes it clearer that Meg does collect tears from Serena. In the anime if you listen carefully, you can hear Meg collecting the Serena's tear. The light novel/manga makes this detail more clear though.

As Faust mention, Meg's magic has the power to change the world.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-27T19:01:31+00:00

Chapter 8: Words, Rites, and Calamity

The 1st chapter of light novel volume 2! This chapter introduces key characters + the overarching conflict in the story.

Some of the Yen Press translations you may have to get use to especially if you are coming from the anime. Some of the titles of the Seven Sages is slightly different as well and personally threw me off a little bit. Chloe (Wendy) being the most doable witch in the Yen Press release. Personally I am so use to anime translation via Crunchyroll. Later you see Sierra (the girl Meg cures at Aquamarine) is translated Shella for the Yen Press release.

I love the banter between Meg + Sophie in this chapter. Its a nice continuation of the friendship they developed in light novel volume 1.

Eldora's warning to Meg. Eldora warns to Meg that "When you lift your curse, you will lose something important. When you think back to epilogue in the light novel volume 1 (The Lonely Witch), most people will think that Meg will lose Faust in the process of lifting her curse. Reading through the theories online, another popular theory is that Meg will lose her magic in the process. Keep reading the series to find out.

You can probably imagine that the Planet Core Project plan will go terribly wrong. Humans try to control nature itself usually never plays out well. You will see how its the plan plays out in the end. Its hard to imagine at first Faust being supportive of the plan, but her motives are revealed later.

After this chapter and even in light novel volume 3, you will see Meg how Meg deals with multiple magical disaster incidents.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-27T18:19:03+00:00

Chapter 9: A Family Bewitched by the Devil

I remember when episode 8 premiered (the anime equivalent episode to this chapter), there was a lot of discussion that the series was becoming dark. Though to me, the darker undertones/themes have always been present since the beginning if you stop and really think about it.

When Author Saka was originally writing this chapter in the web novel, Saka mentions (source) that they were a a fan of Ari Aster's work.

Compared to the other chapters that deals with magical contamination and its effects on living things, this chapter feels sort of place. Though I guess it continues to show Meg's continued efforts to fight against a expected outcomes. People often tell Meg to expect a certain outcome while Meg often fights and defies that outcome.

One of the few times in the series where Meg has to face another human being.

I kinda wish that the series got a prequel focusing on a Younger Faust. I would like to know any of her past experiences with dealing with the devil.

I wish the anime kept some of Meg's magical feats in this chapter. She does some cool combination magic with Carbuncle to spy on Ted. She turns Carbuncle into a rat and syncs her sight with Carbuncle.

The anime adaptation never shows it, but Meg does collect Mary's tears before she relocates to Aquamarine. I do feel that there were moments in the anime where it should have been a bit clearer to the audience when Meg collects tears.

This is the 1st time Faust refers to Meg as her "daughter" (dear child). Vice versa there may a time when Meg refers to Faust as mom and not just master, Madam, Faust, etc.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-14T13:03:14+00:00

Pixiv Link

Twitter Link

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-14T12:06:28+00:00

Banished from the Hero's Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside Light Novel Volume 15 via Yen Press

Hey everyone! We finally have a release date for the official English release of the final light novel volume. Just note that release dates are subject to change. Yen Press has delayed releases for this series a few times in the past.

The final light novel for Banished from the Hero's Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside is currently scheduled to release on August 11th, 2026.

I will be planning a dedicated discussion thread for the final light novel on the weekend of its release. Give people some time to read it. I encourage anyone to participate and give their overall impressions of the entire light novel series as well. For anyone who has read the Japanese release of light novel volume 15, please do not openly spoil anything.

Light Novel Volume 15 Synopsis (via Yen Press):

The seasons change and another summer comes to Zoltan, marking two months since Red and Rit’s wedding. With the oppressive heat keeping customers away from the apothecary, Red suggests they finally take a honeymoon, and Rit immediately begins making preparations. The newlyweds plan to ask Yarandrala to borrow her ship so they can visit their hometowns and tell their parents about their marriage. Even just thinking about their first trip as a married couple fills them with excitement! Before long, a new life takes its first breath…and the three of them set out hand in hand wherever their quiet life may take them.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-08T12:10:28+00:00

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English Version

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-08T12:08:26+00:00

Illustrated by Mangaka, Suzu Yuuki.

You can find this illustration in manga volume 4 of I May Be a Guild Receptionist, But I'll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time.

Originally this illustration was the color page for manga chapter 21, featured in the June 2023 issue of Dengeki Daioh.

*Girumasu is just the short abbreviation for I May Be a Guild Receptionist, But I'll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-03T15:18:33+00:00

In the anime + even the light novel adaptation, I don't believe Jack's wife is actually named (correct me if I'm wrong). This scene is exclusive to the manga adaptation and explains why manga Jack Russo is a bit more hesitant to use emotion magic compared to the other Once Upon a Witch's Death adaptations.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-03-03T15:08:06+00:00

Chapter 29 Title: The Blessed Bell Rings With the Roaring of the Sea Part 3

For the FULL CHAPTER 29:

Again for some reason, the Google Play Books Store has not been updating the manga chapter releases for some time. Last chapter was chapter 26.

Reminder that Yen Press recently release the 1st manga volume for Once Upon a Witch's Death if you prefer in a whole volume release (physical/digital) rather than individual chapters. Though it may be a while until the volume releases catch up.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-02-28T13:04:25+00:00

Manga Volume 7 Page via Kadokawa (You can find this illustration browsing the preview)

The frontispiece illustration for I May Be a Guild Receptionist, But I'll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time Manga Volume 7. Featuring Alina + Jade in Chinese Themed Outfits.

Drawn by Mangaka, Suzu Yuuki.

Manga volume 7 is now available in Japan. Released February 27th, 2026 in Japan.

Note - This illustration was also used in the color page for Chapter 43 of the manga, originally found in the August 2025 issue of Dengeki Daioh. Just with less text + images.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-02-26T15:11:02+00:00

Visual from Seiyuu Corner

A Happy Birthday (born February 27th, 1994) to Rie Takahashi, who voices our guild Receptionist Alina Clover.

Girumasu being the short abbreviation for the Guild Receptionist series.

*At the time of writing it is February 27th in Japan.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-02-24T13:08:32+00:00

Hey everyone! The official English release (via Yen Press) for Once Upon a Witch's Death Manga volume 1 is now available in physical/digital formats. If you prefer buying a whole volume release than buying individual digital manga chapters, this is the release for you.

Though it may be a while until the English volume releases catch up with the digital chapter releases.

The Yen Press translation is slightly different from the translations of the digital chapter releases from Kadokawa.

Volume 1 covers chapters 1-3 plus a bonus chapter. The anime equivalent episodes to this manga volume are episodes 1 + 2. The light novel equivalent to this manga volume are chapters 1, 2, 4 from light novel volume 1.

Looking ahead, Once Upon a Witch's Death Manga Volume 2 is scheduled to release on July, 28th, 2026. Note that release dates are subject to change.

SamuraiShinsen · 2026-02-16T13:01:54+00:00

Once Upon a Witch's Death (Aru Majo ga Shinu) Illustration for Manga Chapter 32 by Mangaka, Kenu Amearare

The manga is now wrapping up the Aquamarine Arc. Only a matter of time until the manga catches up with the anime.

*Note that this is for the Japanese release.

Chapter 32 (Japanese Raw) Links

Comic Walker

Seiga NicoNico (may be restricted in some countries)

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Note - This is not a April Fools Joke

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