is a Japanese light novel series written by Kaeru Chōhōkiteki and illustrated by Bench Kanase. It began serialization on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in June 2021. It was later acquired by Micro Magazine, which began publishing it under their GCN Bunko imprint in May 2023. A manga adaptation illustrated by Makoto Miyagi began serialization on Kodansha's Magazine Pocket manga website in January 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Eight Bit is set to premiere in April 2027.
Synopsis On the Old Continent, witches are regarded as magic-wielding symbols of fear and hunted. Mercenary Zig Crane agrees to join one of these witch hunts. However, after fighting said witch, Saoirse, to a stalemate, they end up bonding upon realizing that they are the same: people forced to become killers by their environment. Agreeing that they have no future in this land, Saoirse hires Zig to escort her to the New Continent, where magic is common. Unfortunately, upon arriving, they learn that this peaceful country ostracizes mercenaries rather than witches, as it does not need them. Will Zig and Saoirse be able to adapt to this new home where their dynamics are reversed?
Characters
Media Light novel Written by Kaeru Chōhōkiteki, Witch and Mercenary began serialization on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on June 9, 2021. It was later acquired by Micro Magazine who began publishing it with illustrations by Bench Kanase under their GCN Bunko light novel imprint on May 19, 2023. Eight volumes have been released as of September 2026. The series is licensed in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
Manga A manga adaptation illustrated by Makoto Miyagi began serialization on Kodansha's Magazine Pocket manga website on January 28, 2024. The manga's chapters have been compiled into nine volumes as of August 2026. The manga's chapters are simultaneously published in English on Kodansha's K Manga app under the title The Witch and the Mercenary. During their panel at Anime NYC 2026, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they had also licensed the manga adaptation for English publication.
Anime An anime television series adaptation was announced on April 15, 2026. The series will be produced by Eight Bit and directed by Shinpei Ezaki, with Taishirou Tanimura handling series composition, Keita Matsumoto designing the characters, and Rei Ishizuka composing the music. It is set to premiere in April 2027 on Nippon TV and its affiliates.
Reception The series was ranked fifth in the category at the 2023 Next Light Novel Awards. The series was ranked second in the same category in the 2024 edition.
The manga adaptation was nominated for the 11th Next Manga Awards in the print category in 2025, and was ranked thirteenth and won the U-Next Award.
See also Tsuihō Sareta Shōnin wa Kin no Chikara de Sekai o Sukū, another light novel illustrated by Bench Kanase
Notes
References
Further reading
External links at Shōsetsuka ni Narō