Review: HOLY CORPSE RISING

Of course, there are plenty of sexy witches in manga too.  Some of them have more effort put into them than others, such as this title.

HOLY CORPSE RISING (Seigai no Majo), by Hosana Tanaka.  First published in 2014 and first published in North America in 2016.

PLOT:

Warfare has broken out between the Holy See and witches on the streets and dark corners of 15th century Rome.  Caught up in the midst of it is a young archivist named Nikola Eskalibur.  He has been tasked by the Pontifex herself to use his knowledge of heretical texts to find and resurrect an ancient witch to use as a weapon.  This witch, Aethevald, is cruel and powerful but for the price of Nikola's pure tears of emotion she is all too happy to cut down any witch who crosses her path.

Review: THE DAWN OF THE WITCH

Of course, most witches in modern light novel adaptations are closer in quality (and tolerability) to this title.

THE DAWN OF THE WITCH (Mahotsukai Reimeiki), based on the light novels by Kakeru Kobayashi and character designs by Takashi Iwasaki with art by Tatsuwo.  First published in 2019 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

Saybel doesn't remember much before he was taken in as a student at the magic academy.  All he knows is that he's grateful to the woman who saved him.  That woman is Loux Krysta, who tiny stature and youthful looks bely her true age (even if Saybel doesn't clearly remember it).  Unfortunately, Saybel is on the verge of failing and losing his memories yet again so Loux is supervising him on a trip to the outside world for a special practical course. Along for the ride is Hort, a star student with a personality as bouncy as her chest, as well as the grumpy lizard-man Kudo.  They're going to need all the skills they can muster when they become the targets of an unscrupulous witch hunter.

Review: THE ELEGANT COURTLY LIFE OF THE TEA WITCH

Of course, the world of light-novel-based fantasy has its own share of witches including this one.

THE ELEGANT COURTY LIFE OF THE TEA WITCH (Kocha no Majo no Yuganaru Kyutei Seikatsu: Cheat wo Hita Kakusu Saijaku Madoushi no Madogiwa Life), based on the light novels by Ameko Kaeruda with art by Yorifuji.  First published in 2022 and first published in North America in 2024.

PLOT:

The land of Shtora was once the site of a fierce war waged by armies of opposing court mages.  The land has been peaceful for years, but priority is still given within the court to the mages with the flashiest and most battle-ready powers...and that's precisely how Remy likes it to be.

Remy is the court tea witch, perfectly content to do nothing but hang around the castle gardens and provide the perfect cup of tea from her magic teacup.  That becomes much harder to do when the crown princess decides that Remy should be her new best friend, to say nothing of the assassins gathering in the shadows trying to destabilize the kingdom's fragile peace.

Review: SPELL OF DESIRE

This October I want to look at some manga about some decidedly un-wicked witches, such as this josei romance title. 

SPELL OF DESIRE (Majo no Biyaku), by Tomu Ohmi.  First published in 2011 and first published in North America in 2014.

PLOT:

Ever since her grandmother died, Kaoruko has spent her time running her grandmother's herbalist shop, fending off both pests and the attention of other men.  Her quiet days come to an end when Kaname Hibiki steps through her door with some stunning revelations.  Kaoruko is the latest in a long line of witches, and not only is Kaoruko's long-absent mother still alive, but a witch queen.  Kaoruko possess the same magic potential as her mother, but that same power makes her enticing to both strange men and strange creatures.  Her only defense is Kaname, a magical knight who can defend her from all threats and seal her runaway magic with a kiss.