Burn the Witch (manga) explained

Burn the Witch
Genre:Action, fantasy[1]
Type:manga
Author:Tite Kubo
Publisher:Shueisha
Magazine:Weekly Shōnen Jump
Published:July 14, 2018
Type:manga
Author:Tite Kubo
Publisher:Shueisha
Imprint:Jump Comics
Magazine:Weekly Shōnen Jump
First:August 24, 2020
Volumes:1
Type:film
Director:Tatsuro Kawano
Music:Keiji Inai
Studio:Studio Colorido
Runtime:63 minutes
Type:tv film
Burn the Witch #0.8
Director:Tatsuro Kawano
Music:Hiroaki Tsutsumi
Studio:Studio Colorido
Network:TV Tokyo
Runtime:29 minutes
Licensee:Crunchyroll

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]

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

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]

Media

Manga

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.[5] In March 2020, it was announced that a miniseries would be published in Weekly Shōnen Jump as a companion to the also announced film.[6] [7] Burn the Witchs "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.[8] [9] [10] A "second season" was announced with the release of the first season's final chapter.[10] [11] [12] Shueisha published the series' first season in a 260-page volume that included the one-shot chapter on October 2, 2020.[13] [10]

Viz Media published the one-chapter in Weekly Shonen Jump on July 16, 2018.[14] Viz Media simultaneously released the English-language version of the series.[15] In February 2021, Viz Media announced that they would release the first volume of Burn the Witch in English.[16] It was published on October 19, 2021.

Anime

In March 2020, it was announced that the series would receive an anime film adaptation by Studio Colorido, directed by Tatsuro Kawano.[17] The film is distributed by Shochiku and premiered on October 2, 2020, in Japan.[18] [19] The theme song for the film is "Blowing", performed by Nil.[20] [21] The film also streamed in other territories outside Asia, with a different version from the Japanese theatrical release.[22] Crunchyroll streamed the film in a three-episode format on October 1, 2020.[23] [24] Viz Media released the series on home video on October 18, 2022.[25] [26] In Southeast Asia and South Asia, Muse Communication has licensed the film and released it on YouTube.[27]

In September 2023, it was announced that the prologue chapter, "Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover", would receive an anime adaptation.[28] It premiered on TV Tokyo and worldwide on December 30, 2023.[29] [30] It was streamed by Crunchyroll.[31]

Other media

In October 2020, the series collaborated with the mobile game , 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.[32] 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.[33] The series had a crossover event with Oasis' mobile game Bleach: Immortal Soul in May 2022, featuring Ninny and Noel as characters.[34] [35]

Reception

Burn the Witchs first volume sold 86,066 print copies in its first week and 68,810 print copies in its second week.[36] [37]

Skyler Allen of The Fandom Post wrote that despite lacking the same "spark" as Bleachs 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.[38]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ja: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. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/393280. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. August 23, 2020. ja. August 24, 2020. August 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200823151405/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/393280. live.
  2. Web site: With Burn the Witch, Bleach's Tite Kubo Doubles Down on His Alt-Rock Love. Romero. Pedro. October 11, 2020. Comic Book Resources. 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.. November 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221123202349/https://www.cbr.com/burn-the-witch-bleach-tite-kubo-radiohead-reference/. live.
  3. Book: Kubo, Tite. Tite Kubo. ja:BLEACHイラスト集 JET. BLEACH Illustrations Book: JET. December 5, 2018. Shueisha. 978-4-08-792525-8. ja. Talk vol. 5: About Burn the Witch. Japanese: —『BURN THE WITCH』というタイトルは Radioheadの曲からですか? <br>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?<br>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. Web site: Bleach anime is coming back!. Viz Media. March 26, 2020. March 20, 2020. October 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201031232249/https://www.viz.com/blog/posts/bleach-anime-is-coming-back. live.
  5. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Bleach's Tite Kubo Unveils 'Burn the Witch' 1-Shot Manga. Anime News Network. March 18, 2020. June 27, 2018. March 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200321005854/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-06-27/bleach-tite-kubo-unveils-burn-the-witch-1-shot-manga/.133493. live.
  6. Web site: Martinez. Phillip. 'BLEACH' ANIME TO RETURN IN 2021; 'BURN THE WITCH' GETS SERIALIZATION AND ANIME. Newsweek. March 18, 2020. March 18, 2020. March 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200319194709/https://www.newsweek.com/bleach-anime-returns-2021-thousand-year-blood-war-season-1493047. live.
  7. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Bleach's Tite Kubo Turns 'Burn the Witch' 1-Shot Into Full Serialization. Anime News Network. March 21, 2020. March 20, 2020. March 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200321005844/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-03-20/bleach-tite-kubo-turns-burn-the-witch-1-shot-into-full-serialization/.157680. live.
  8. Web site: ja: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. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/393305. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. August 25, 2020. ja. August 24, 2020. November 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211129175245/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/393305. live.
  9. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Tite Kubo's 4-Chapter Burn the Witch Manga Debuts on August 24. Anime News Network. August 10, 2020. August 10, 2020. August 31, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200831132127/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-10/tite-kubo-4-chapter-burn-the-witch-manga-debuts-on-august-24/.162724. live.
  10. Web site: Sherman. Jennifer. Tite Kubo to Draw Burn the Witch 'Season 2' Sequel Manga. Anime News Network. September 13, 2020. September 13, 2020. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114942/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-13/tite-kubo-to-draw-burn-the-witch-season-2-sequel-manga/.163937. live.
  11. Web site: ja:久保帯人「BURN THE WITCH」単行本の発売&Season2の制作が決定. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/396268. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. September 14, 2020. ja. September 14, 2020. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914013750/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/396268. live.
  12. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Bleach's Tite Kubo Unveils Draft Pages for Burn the Witch 'Season 2' Manga. Anime News Network. September 14, 2020. September 13, 2020. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914140541/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-13/bleach-tite-kubo-unveils-draft-pages-for-burn-the-witch-season-2-manga/.163987. live.
  13. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Tite Kubo's Burn the Witch Manga Listed With 'Volume 1' Release on October 2. Anime News Network. August 23, 2020. August 23, 2020. August 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200824225118/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2020-08-23/tite-kubo-burn-the-witch-manga-listed-with-volume-1-release-on-october-2/.163195. live.
  14. Web site: Ressler. Karen. Viz's Shonen Jump to Publish 'Burn the Witch' 1-Shot by Bleach's Tite Kubo. Anime News Network. March 18, 2020. July 6, 2018. March 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200321005854/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-07-06/viz-shonen-jump-to-publish-burn-the-witch-1-shot-by-bleach-tite-kubo/.133943. live.
  15. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Viz Media to Publish Tite Kubo's Burn the Witch Manga Simultaneously in English. Anime News Network. March 23, 2020. March 23, 2020. March 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200323072647/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-03-23/viz-media-to-publish-tite-kubo-burn-the-witch-manga-simultaneously-in-english/.157836. live.
  16. Web site: Mateo. Alex. Viz to Release Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Mao, Rozen Blood, Burn the Witch, Animal Crossing, More Manga in Fall. Anime News Network. February 19, 2021. February 19, 2021. February 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210219200314/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-02-19/viz-to-release-frieren-beyond-journey-end-mao-rozen-blood-burn-the-witch-animal-crossing-more-manga-in-fall/.169708. live.
  17. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Tite Kubo's 1-Shot 'Burn The Witch' Gets Theatrical Anime This Year. Anime News Network. March 21, 2020. March 20, 2020. May 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210528095224/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-03-20/tite-kubo-1-shot-burn-the-witch-gets-theatrical-anime-this-fall/.157679. live.
  18. Web site: ja:BURN THE WITCH. https://www.shochiku.co.jp/cinema/lineup/burn-the-witch-anime/. Shochiku. September 6, 2020. ja. October 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201003071411/https://www.shochiku.co.jp/cinema/lineup/burn-the-witch-anime/. live.
  19. Web site: ja: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!. https://animeanime.jp/article/2020/08/24/55851.html. animeanime.jp. September 6, 2020. ja. August 24, 2020. August 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200830200025/https://animeanime.jp/article/2020/08/24/55851.html. live.
  20. Web site: Harding. Daryl. BURN THE WITCH Anime Previews Magical Theme from NiL in New Trailer. Crunchyroll. September 14, 2020. September 14, 2020. September 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200914114840/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2020/09/13/burn-the-witch-anime-previews-magical-theme-from-nil-in-new-trailer. live.
  21. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Burn the Witch Anime's New Promo Video Previews Theme Song. Anime News Network. September 14, 2020. September 14, 2020. September 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200916031125/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-14/burn-the-witch-anime-new-promo-video-previews-theme-song/.163948. live.
  22. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Burn the Witch Theatrical Anime Reveals More Cast, October 2 Streaming Debut Worldwide. Anime News Network. August 23, 2020. August 23, 2020. August 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200823152655/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-23/burn-the-witch-theatrical-anime-reveals-more-cast-october-2-streaming-debut-worldwide/.163196. live.
  23. Web site: Pineda. Rafael Antonio. Burn the Witch Anime Trailer Streamed With English Subtitles. Anime News Network. August 24, 2020. August 23, 2020. September 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230916171717/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-08-23/burn-the-witch-anime-trailer-streamed-with-english-subtitles/.163220. live.
  24. Web site: Mateo. Alex. Crunchyroll Streams Burn the Witch Anime on October 1. Anime News Network. September 18, 2020. September 18, 2020. October 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201003172730/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-18/crunchyroll-streams-burn-the-witch-anime-on-october-1/.164215. live.
  25. Web site: Crunchyroll and VIZ Media to Bring BURN THE WITCH, Tower of God, JUJUTSU KAISEN, and More to Home Video. Crunchyroll News. March 30, 2021. March 30, 2021. March 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210330162452/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2021/03/30/crunchyroll-and-viz-media-to-bring-burn-the-witch-tower-of-god-jujutsu-kaisen-and-more-to-home-video. live.
  26. Web site: Mateo. Alex. North American Anime, Manga Releases, October 16–22. Anime News Network. December 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230925195946/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-10-18/north-american-anime-manga-releases-october-16-22/.190963. September 25, 2023. October 18, 2022. live.
  27. Web site: Muse Asia Licenses Burn the Witch, Love Live! Nijigasaki Anime. Rafael Antonio. Pineda. Anime News Network. September 21, 2020. September 21, 2020. October 2, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201002041703/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-21/muse-asia-licenses-burn-the-witch-love-live-nijigasaki-anime/.164268. live.
  28. Web site: Loo. Egan. Burn the Witch #0.8 Manga Prologue Gets Anime. Anime News Network. September 16, 2023. September 16, 2023. September 16, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230916171604/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-09-16/burn-the-witch-no.0.8-manga-prologue-gets-anime/.202456. live.
  29. Web site: ja:「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. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/546202. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. October 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231023114653/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/546202. October 23, 2023. ja. October 23, 2023. live.
  30. Web site: Cayanan. Joanna. Burn the Witch #0.8 Anime's New Video Reveals December 29 Global Debut, More Staff & Cast, NiL Theme Song. Anime News Network. October 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231023143541/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-10-23/burn-the-witch-no.0.8-anime-new-video-reveals-december-29-global-debut-more-staff-and-cast-nil-/.203719. October 23, 2023. October 23, 2023. live.
  31. Web site: Mateo. Alex. Crunchyroll Announces Release Schedule for Winter 2024 Anime Season. Anime News Network. December 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231221060505/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-13/crunchyroll-announces-release-schedule-for-winter-2024-anime-season/.205460. December 21, 2023. December 13, 2023. live.
  32. Web site: "Bleach: Brave Souls" x Burn the Witch Collaboration Event Begins! Chances to Win Original Collab Merch!. KLab. October 8, 2021. October 16, 2020. October 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211008203725/https://www.klab.com/en/press/release/2020/1016/bleach_brave_souls_burn_the_witch.html. live.
  33. Web site: Burn the Witch Collaboration Site Round 2. Bleach: Brave Souls. October 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211213170713/https://www.bleach-bravesouls.com/en/campaign/btw/. December 13, 2021.
  34. Bleach: Immortal Soul. 1519285234331758592. bleachimmortal. 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.. April 27, 2022. June 12, 2022.
  35. Bleach: Immortal Soul. 1522093742945013762. bleachimmortal. BURN THE WITCH x BLEACH: IMMORTAL SOUL COLLAB has started!. May 5, 2022. June 12, 2022.
  36. Web site: ja: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). https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2020-10-12/. Oricon. December 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201009084859/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2020-10-12/. October 9, 2020. ja. October 12, 2020.
  37. Web site: ja: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). https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2020-10-19/. Oricon. December 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101010309/https://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2020-10-19/. November 1, 2020. ja. October 19, 2020.
  38. Web site: Burn the Witch One-Shot Manga Review. The Fandom Post. March 22, 2020. December 16, 2020. January 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210116080444/https://www.fandompost.com/2020/03/22/burn-the-witch-one-shot-manga-review/. live.