Burn the Witch (manga)

Burn the Witch (stylized as BURN ☩HE WITCH) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. It was first published in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump as a one-shot chapter in July 2018. A serialized continuation of the one-shot is being published in the same magazine with a seasonal release schedule. The four-chapter first season was published from August to September 2020. A second season of the manga has been announced. The series' title comes from a 2016 song by the English band Radiohead.[2][3]

Burn the Witch
First tankōbon volume, featuring Ninny Spangcole
GenreAction, fantasy[1]
Manga
One-shot
Written byTite Kubo
Published byShueisha
English publisher
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Jump
English magazine
DemographicShōnen
PublishedJuly 14, 2018
Manga
Written byTite Kubo
Published byShueisha
English publisher
  • NA: Viz Media
ImprintJump Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Jump
DemographicShōnen
Original runAugust 24, 2020 – present
Volumes1
Anime film
Directed byTatsuro Kawano
Written byRyomura Chinatsu
Music byKeiji Inai
StudioStudio Colorido
Licensed by
ReleasedOctober 2, 2020 (2020-10-02)
Runtime63 minutes
Anime television film
Burn the Witch #0.8
Directed byTatsuro Kawano
Written byTaku Kishimoto
Music byHiroaki Tsutsumi
StudioStudio Colorido
Licensed byCrunchyroll
Original networkTV Tokyo
ReleasedDecember 30, 2023 (2023-12-30)
Runtime29 minutes

An anime film produced by Studio Colorido premiered in October 2020. A television film adaptation of the prologue chapter, Burn the Witch #0.8, premiered in December 2023.

Synopsis

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The story of Burn the Witch takes place in the Bleach universe and follows two witches, Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole, working for the Western Branch of Soul Society, located in Reverse London.[4]

Characters

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Ninny Spangcole (ニニー・スパンコール, Ninī Supankōru)
Voiced by: Asami Tano[5] (Japanese); Olivia Hack[6] (English)
Noel Niihashi (新橋 のえる, Niihashi Noeru)
Voiced by: Yuina Yamada[5] (Japanese); Allegra Clark[6] (English)
Macy Baljure (メイシー・バルジャー, Meishī Barujā)
Voiced by: Saori Hayami[5] (Japanese); Brianna Knickerbocker[7] (English)
Balgo Parks (バルゴ・パークス, Barugo Pākusu)
Voiced by: Shimba Tsuchiya[8] (Japanese); Griffin Burns[6] (English)
Bruno Bangnyfe (ブルーノ・バングナイフ, Burūno Bangunaifu)
Voiced by: Chikahiro Kobayashi[9] (Japanese); Sean Chiplock[6] (English)
Billy Banx Jr. (ビリー・バンクス Jr., Birī Bankusu Junia)
Voiced by: Hiroaki Hirata[8] (Japanese); Xander Mobus[10] (English)
Osushi-chan (オスシちゃん)
Voiced by: Rie Hikisaka[8]
Wolfgang Slashhaut (ウルフギャング・スラッシュハウト, Urufugyangu Surasshuhauto)
Voiced by: Mugihito[9] (Japanese); Kyle Hebert (English)
Sullivan Squire (サリバン・スクワイア, Sariban Sukuwaia)
Voiced by: Haruka Shimizu[9] (Japanese); Kira Buckland (English)
Roy B. Dipper (ロイ・B・ディッパー, Roi B Dippā)
Voiced by: Miou Tanaka[9] (Japanese); Zeno Robinson[11] (English)
Shelby (セルビー, Serubī)
Voiced by: Subaru Kimura[12]

Media

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Manga

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Written and illustrated by Tite Kubo, Burn the Witch started as a 62-page one-shot published in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump on July 14, 2018.[13] In March 2020, it was announced that a miniseries would be published in Weekly Shōnen Jump as a companion to the also announced film.[14][15] Burn the Witch's "first season" is a continuation of the one-shot chapter and ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump for four weeks, from August 24 to September 14, 2020.[16][17][18] A "second season" was announced with the release of the first season's final chapter.[18][19][20] Shueisha published the series' first season in a 260-page tankōbon volume that included the one-shot chapter on October 2, 2020.[21][18]

Viz Media published the one-chapter in Weekly Shonen Jump on July 16, 2018.[22] Viz Media simultaneously released the English-language version of the series.[23] In February 2021, Viz Media announced that they would release the first volume of Burn the Witch in English.[24] It was published on October 19, 2021.[25]

No. Title Original release date English release date
1Don't Judge A Book By Its CoverOctober 2, 2020[26]
978-4-08-882428-4
October 19, 2021[25]
978-1-9747-2359-1
  • 0.8. "Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover" (one-shot)
  • 01. "Witches Blow A New Pipe"
  • 02. "Ghillie Suit"
  • 03. "She Makes Me Special"
  • 04. "If A Lion Could Speak, We Couldn't Understand"

Anime

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In March 2020, it was announced that the series would receive an anime film adaptation by Studio Colorido, directed by Tatsuro Kawano.[27] The film is distributed by Shochiku and premiered on October 2, 2020, in Japan.[28][29] The theme song for the film is "Blowing", performed by Nil.[30][31] The film also streamed in other territories outside Asia, with a different version from the Japanese theatrical release.[8] Crunchyroll streamed the film in a three-episode format on October 1, 2020.[32][33] Viz Media released the series on home video on October 18, 2022.[34][35] In Southeast Asia and South Asia, Muse Communication has licensed the film and released it on YouTube.[36]

In September 2023, it was announced that the prologue chapter, "Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover", would receive an anime adaptation.[37] It premiered on TV Tokyo and worldwide on December 30, 2023.[12][38][a] It was streamed by Crunchyroll.[40]

Other media

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In October 2020, the series collaborated with the mobile game Bleach: Brave Souls, featuring Ninny and Noel as playable characters. Brave Souls x Burn the Witch collaboration merchandise was also given out to 150 random people who interacted with the game's Twitter account.[41] A year later, a second round of the collaboration debuted, introducing Bruno Bangnyfe as a new character, with the previous two returning; it was followed by a third round.[42] The series had a crossover event with Oasis' mobile game Bleach: Immortal Soul in May 2022, featuring Ninny and Noel as characters.[43][44]

Reception

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Burn the Witch's first volume sold 86,066 print copies in its first week and 68,810 print copies in its second week.[45][46]

Skyler Allen of The Fandom Post wrote that despite lacking the same "spark" as Bleach's beginning, the Burn the Witch one-shot is still enjoyable and has plenty of potential for growth in a full serialization, but too much time is spent on its setup to work as a standalone story. He had strong praise for Kubo's art and memorable character designs, but criticized the one-shot as "unfocused" for ideas that did not get properly fleshed out.[47]

Notes

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  1. ^ TV Tokyo listed the premiere date on December 29 at 25:00, which is effectively December 30 at 1:00 a.m. JST.[39]

References

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  1. ^ 久保帯人原作の劇場アニメ「BURN THE WITCH」の上映・配信日明らかに、PVも公開. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  2. ^ Romero, Pedro (October 11, 2020). "With Burn the Witch, Bleach's Tite Kubo Doubles Down on His Alt-Rock Love". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022. Mangaka Tite Kubo, aside from the fact that he created the famous manga/anime series Bleach, is also known for incorporating an endless amount of references into his body of work. And in continuing this trend, Kubo named Burn The Witch, his Bleach one-shot-turned spinoff miniseries, after the 2016 song of the same name by alternative rock band Radiohead.
  3. ^ Kubo, Tite (December 5, 2018). "Talk vol. 5: About Burn the Witch". BLEACHイラスト集 JET [BLEACH Illustrations Book: JET] (in Japanese). Shueisha. ISBN 978-4-08-792525-8. —『BURN THE WITCH』というタイトルは Radioheadの曲からですか?
    久保/そうです。元々のタイトルをきい て、響きがよかったので。曲の内容と話の内容は全然関係ないんですけど。
    [—Is the title "Burn the Witch" from a Radiohead song?
    Kubo: That's right. After hearing the original title, I thought it had a nice ring to it. The content of the song and the content of the story are completely unrelated though.]
  4. ^ "Bleach anime is coming back!". Viz Media. March 20, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 6, 2020). "Saori Hayami Joins Cast of Burn the Witch Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 6, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d Cardine, Kyle (February 8, 2021). "Crunchyroll Announces So I'm a Spider, So What?, Burn The Witch, and More Winter 2021 Season Dubs!". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  7. ^ Knickerbocker, Brianna [@briannanoellek] (March 15, 2021). "Super excited to announce I voice Macy in #BurnTheWitch Now on @Crunchyroll I'm obsessed with the story and animation, and this character was especially fun to play~can not wait for you all to see whyCorazón negro @BurnTheWitch_EN" (Tweet). Retrieved March 16, 2021 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ a b c d Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 23, 2020). "Burn the Witch Theatrical Anime Reveals More Cast, October 2 Streaming Debut Worldwide". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 30, 2020). "Burn the Witch Anime Reveals 4 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  10. ^ Mobus, Xander [@XanderMobusVO] (April 19, 2021). "So it turns out I completely missed this, this announcement is embarrassingly late and probably no one cares at this point! BUT! I am still excited for it! I got to play Billy Banx Jr in Burn the Witch! I loved getting to play in this world! I hope y'all enjoyed how it came out!" (Tweet). Retrieved March 29, 2022 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Robinson, Zeno [@childishgamzeno] (March 16, 2021). "GRATEFUL TO GOD ALWAYS!!! The dub of Burn the Witch is live on Crunchyroll and you can hear me as "Roy B Dipper" along with a bunch of extras scattered throughout. Thank you Studiopolis and Kirsten for the opportunity and direction! 🙏🏾" (Tweet). Retrieved March 29, 2022 – via Twitter.
  12. ^ a b 「BURN THE WITCH #0.8」12月29日に全世界配信&地上波放送、木村昴も出演. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 23, 2023. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  13. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 27, 2018). "Bleach's Tite Kubo Unveils 'Burn the Witch' 1-Shot Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  14. ^ Martinez, Phillip (March 18, 2020). "'BLEACH' ANIME TO RETURN IN 2021; 'BURN THE WITCH' GETS SERIALIZATION AND ANIME". Newsweek. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  15. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 20, 2020). "Bleach's Tite Kubo Turns 'Burn the Witch' 1-Shot Into Full Serialization". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  16. ^ 久保帯人「BURN THE WITCH」連載スタート、魔女と竜を描くアクション. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  17. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 10, 2020). "Tite Kubo's 4-Chapter Burn the Witch Manga Debuts on August 24". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  18. ^ a b c Sherman, Jennifer (September 13, 2020). "Tite Kubo to Draw Burn the Witch 'Season 2' Sequel Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  19. ^ 久保帯人「BURN THE WITCH」単行本の発売&Season2の制作が決定. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. September 14, 2020. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  20. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 13, 2020). "Bleach's Tite Kubo Unveils Draft Pages for Burn the Witch 'Season 2' Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  21. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (August 23, 2020). "Tite Kubo's Burn the Witch Manga Listed With 'Volume 1' Release on October 2". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  22. ^ Ressler, Karen (July 6, 2018). "Viz's Shonen Jump to Publish 'Burn the Witch' 1-Shot by Bleach's Tite Kubo". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  23. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 23, 2020). "Viz Media to Publish Tite Kubo's Burn the Witch Manga Simultaneously in English". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  24. ^ Mateo, Alex (February 19, 2021). "Viz to Release Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Mao, Rozen Blood, Burn the Witch, Animal Crossing, More Manga in Fall". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Burn the Witch, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  26. ^ BURN THE WITCH 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  27. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 20, 2020). "Tite Kubo's 1-Shot 'Burn The Witch' Gets Theatrical Anime This Year". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  28. ^ BURN THE WITCH (in Japanese). Shochiku. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  29. ^ 久保帯人の新作アニメ「BURN THE WITCH」10月2日に世界配信&イベント上映スタート!. animeanime.jp (in Japanese). August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  30. ^ Harding, Daryl (September 14, 2020). "BURN THE WITCH Anime Previews Magical Theme from NiL in New Trailer". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  31. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 14, 2020). "Burn the Witch Anime's New Promo Video Previews Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  32. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 23, 2020). "Burn the Witch Anime Trailer Streamed With English Subtitles". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  33. ^ Mateo, Alex (September 18, 2020). "Crunchyroll Streams Burn the Witch Anime on October 1". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  34. ^ "Crunchyroll and VIZ Media to Bring BURN THE WITCH, Tower of God, JUJUTSU KAISEN, and More to Home Video". Crunchyroll News. March 30, 2021. Archived from the original on March 30, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  35. ^ Mateo, Alex (October 18, 2022). "North American Anime, Manga Releases, October 16–22". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  36. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 21, 2020). "Muse Asia Licenses Burn the Witch, Love Live! Nijigasaki Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  37. ^ Loo, Egan (September 16, 2023). "Burn the Witch #0.8 Manga Prologue Gets Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  38. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (October 23, 2023). "Burn the Witch #0.8 Anime's New Video Reveals December 29 Global Debut, More Staff & Cast, NiL Theme Song". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  39. ^ 今期アニメ一覧『2023冬アニメ』2023年12月~2024年2月(新作のみ). Animage+ (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. December 29, 2023. Archived from the original on December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  40. ^ Mateo, Alex (December 13, 2023). "Crunchyroll Announces Release Schedule for Winter 2024 Anime Season". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  41. ^ ""Bleach: Brave Souls" x Burn the Witch Collaboration Event Begins! Chances to Win Original Collab Merch!". KLab. October 16, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  42. ^ "Burn the Witch Collaboration Site Round 2". Bleach: Brave Souls. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
  43. ^ Bleach: Immortal Soul [@bleachimmortal] (April 27, 2022). "In 2020, "BLEACH" author Tite Kubo unveils his newest story to the world.The protagonists of the story are witch duo Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole. Their mission is to protect and manage the dragons within London on behalf of the people" (Tweet). Retrieved June 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Bleach: Immortal Soul [@bleachimmortal] (May 5, 2022). "BURN THE WITCH x BLEACH: IMMORTAL SOUL COLLAB has started!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ 週間 コミックランキング 2020年10月12日付 (2020年09月28日~2020年10月04日). Oricon (in Japanese). October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  46. ^ 週間 コミックランキング 2020年10月19日付 (2020年10月05日~2020年10月11日). Oricon (in Japanese). October 19, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  47. ^ "Burn the Witch One-Shot Manga Review". The Fandom Post. March 22, 2020. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2020.

Further reading

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