Key Facts
The anime film adaptation of TYPE-MOON's visual novel Witch on the Holy Night (Mahōtsukai no Yoru) will premiere on November 20. The announcement was made during a release date event on Tuesday. The film is produced by ufotable, known for their work on the Fate series and Demon Slayer.
Story and Setting
The original visual novel is set in the late 1980s and centers on Aoko Aozaki, one of two sister heirs to a long family line of modern mages. Though disinterested in magic, she is suddenly declared the heir and reluctantly begins her apprenticeship under Alice Kuonji, a young witch living in a lonely manor atop a hill. Aoko balances her magical studies with her duties as student council president. She also befriends Sōjūrō Shizuki, a transfer student unfamiliar with the modern world, and contends with the plots of her older sister Tōko Aozaki, who feels her birthright has been denied.
Development and Release History
Witch on the Holy Night was one of the first collaborations between Kinoko Nasu and artist Takashi Takeuchi in the mid-1990s, preceding their founding of TYPE-MOON. Initially a novel, it was only shown to friends. The duo later developed it into a visual novel with graphics by Takeuchi, released in April 2012 with two planned volumes. The game launched for PS4 and Switch in Japan in August 2021, and in English in June 2024. The PS4 and Switch versions have sold over 150,000 copies worldwide.
Connections to the Nasuverse
The story is noted for being one of the few tangible connections in the loosely connected 'Nasuverse,' the shared universe of TYPE-MOON works including Tsukihime, Fate/stay night, and Kara no Kyōkai. An older Aoko Aozaki is an early mentor to Tsukihime protagonist Shiki Tohno, while an older Tōko Aozaki is an employer to Kara no Kyōkai protagonist Shiki Ryōgi.
What Readers Should Know
- The film is animated by ufotable, ensuring high-quality visuals.
- It adapts the first part of the visual novel, which originally had two planned volumes.
- Fans of TYPE-MOON works will appreciate the connections to other series.
FAQ
When does the Witch on the Holy Night anime film premiere?
The film premieres on November 20.
Which studio is animating the film?
The film is animated by ufotable.
What is the story of Witch on the Holy Night?
Set in the late 1980s, it follows Aoko Aozaki, an heir to a mage family, as she reluctantly learns magic under Alice Kuonji while dealing with school life and her sister Tōko's schemes.