The Witch on the Holy Night (Mahoutsukai no Yoru) visual novel franchise is about to expand its reach with a new literary adaptation. The official announcement confirms that the work will get a manga version, bringing a fresh visual perspective to Kinoko Nasu's classic story of Aoko Aozaki.
Publication Details and Art
The 49th issue of Weekly Shonen Magazine, published by Kodansha, revealed that the Witch on the Holy Night manga will begin serialization on November 11. Keigo Maki, the manga creator who gained international fame with the hit Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie (Kawaii dake ja Nai Shikimori-san), will be in charge of the art.
Maki's selection for the project sparked surprise and excitement within the community, given that the author is known for his delicate and expressive art style in romantic comedies. Now, he will face the challenge of adapting the denser, supernatural tone characteristic of TYPE-MOON works. Kodansha is expected to release the first previews of the promotional art on the magazine's official channels in the coming days.
Connection to the ufotable Film
This release comes at a strategic time for the franchise. In addition to the manga, Witch on the Holy Night has an anime feature film in production by renowned studio ufotable, the same studio behind Demon Slayer and various adaptations of the Fate/stay night series. Although the film was announced a while ago, the new manga adaptation helps keep public interest high.
The manga adaptation allows for a more detailed exploration of the internal monologues and world-building that visual novels offer, something that often needs to be condensed in film productions. For fans, it will be an opportunity to see Keigo Maki's take on iconic magical combat scenes and interactions between the main characters.
More About Witch on the Holy Night
Originally released as a visual novel in 2012 by TYPE-MOON, Witch on the Holy Night is one of Kinoko Nasu's seminal works. Set in the late 1980s in Misaki City, the story follows young Aoko Aozaki, who is forced into the world of mages after being unexpectedly chosen as the successor to her family's magical heritage.
Aoko begins living and training with Alice Kuonji, a witch of an ancient lineage residing in a secluded hilltop mansion. Their routine is disrupted by the arrival of Soujuuro Shizuki, a transfer student from the countryside who, by a twist of fate, witnesses the two young women using magic. As the laws of the hidden world forbid civilians from knowing about the existence of magic, the three end up forced to live under the same roof, developing a complex relationship while facing supernatural threats surrounding the city.
Source: Anime New
