Ascendance of a Bookworm (Japanese: 本好きの下剋上 ~司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません~, Hepburn: Honzuki no Gekokujō: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan o Erandeiraremasen, lit. "Ascendance of a Bookworm: I'll Stop at Nothing to Become a Librarian") is a Japanese light novel series written by Miya Kazuki and illustrated by You Shiina. It was serialized online from September 2013 to March 2017 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by TO Books, who has published thirty-three volumes since January 2015.
Ascendance of a Bookworm | |
本好きの下剋上 ~司書になるためには手段を選んでいられません~ (Honzuki no Gekokujō: Shisho ni Naru Tame ni wa Shudan o Erandeiraremasen) | |
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Genre | Fantasy, isekai |
Novel series | |
Written by | Miya Kazuki |
Published by | Shōsetsuka ni Narō |
Original run | September 23, 2013 – March 12, 2017 |
Light novel | |
Written by | Miya Kazuki |
Illustrated by | You Shiina |
Published by | TO Books |
English publisher | |
Imprint | TO Bunko |
Demographic | Male |
Original run | January 25, 2015 – December 9, 2023 |
Volumes | 33 |
Manga | |
Part 1 | |
Illustrated by | Suzuka |
Published by | TO Books |
English publisher |
|
Imprint | Corona Comics |
Magazine | Comic Corona |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | October 30, 2015 – July 2, 2018 |
Volumes | 7 |
Manga | |
Part 2 | |
Illustrated by | Suzuka |
Published by | TO Books |
English publisher |
|
Imprint | Corona Comics |
Magazine | Comic Corona |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | September 24, 2018 – present |
Volumes | 10 |
Manga | |
Part 3 | |
Illustrated by | Ryo Namino |
Published by | TO Books |
English publisher |
|
Imprint | Corona Comics |
Magazine | Comic Corona |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | April 30, 2018 – present |
Volumes | 7 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Mitsuru Hongo |
Written by | Mariko Kunisawa |
Music by | Michiru |
Studio |
|
Licensed by | Crunchyroll (master license/streaming) Sentai Filmworks (home video; S1–2 only) |
Original network | ABC, Tokyo MX, Wowow, BS Fuji, AT-X |
Original run | October 3, 2019 – present |
Episodes | 36 + 2 OVA |
Manga | |
Part 4 | |
Illustrated by | Hikaru Katsuki |
Published by | TO Books |
Imprint | Corona Comics |
Magazine | Comic Corona |
Demographic | Shōjo |
Original run | December 24, 2020 – present |
Volumes | 7 |
A manga adaptation of the first part with art by Suzuka was serialized online via Niconico Seiga website from October 2015 to July 2018. It was collected in seven tankōbon volumes by TO Books. Both the light novel and manga are published in English by J-Novel Club. An anime television series adaptation produced by Ajia-do Animation Works aired the first part from October to December 2019, and the second part aired from April to June 2020. A two-part OVA episode released in March 2020. A third season aired from April to June 2022. A fourth season produced by Wit Studio has been announced.
The story follows Urano Motosu, a book-loving post-secondary college student and soon-to-be librarian who ends up crushed to death beneath a pile of books at her house during an earthquake. With her dying breath, she wishes to be reincarnated in a world where she can read books forever. Urano awakens in the body of a weak, five-year-old girl named Myne in a world where books are scarce and only available to elites. Myne, retaining her memories from her previous life, decides to create and print her own books so that she can read again.
Ascendance of a Bookworm was originally published by Miya Kazuki as a free-to-read web novel on Shōsetsuka ni Narō in 2013 until it was acquired by TO Books which published the first volume in print in their TO Bunko imprint with illustrations by You Shiina in January 2015. As of December 2023, the series will have accumulated over 33 volumes, divided into five parts. The light novel is published in English by J-Novel Club.[12] In May 2019, J-Novel Club released the first official English translation of Part 1 volume 1.[13]
No. | Title | Original release date | English release date | ||
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1 | Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier Vol.1 Dai Ichi-bu Heishi no Musume Ichi (第一部 兵士の娘I) | January 25, 2015[14] 978-4-86472-342-8 | May 20, 2019 (Digital)[13] September 3, 2019 (Physical)[15] 978-1-7183-5600-9 | ||
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2 | Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier Vol.2 Dai Ichi-bu Heishi no Musume Ni (第一部 兵士の娘II) | February 25, 2015[16] 978-4-86472-347-3 | July 09, 2019 (Digital)[17]
November 5, 2019 (Physical)[18] 978-1-7183-5601-6 | ||
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3 | Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier Vol.3 Dai Ichi-bu Heishi no Musume San (第一部 兵士の娘III) | June 25, 2015[19] 978-4-86472-397-8 | September 03, 2019 (Digital)[20] January 7, 2020 (Physical)[21] 978-1-7183-5602-3 | ||
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4 | Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden Vol.1 Dai Ni-bu Shinden no Miko Minarai Ichi (第二部 神殿の巫女見習いI) | September 25, 2015[22] 978-4-86472-424-1 | November 10, 2019 (Digital)[23] April 7, 2020 (Physical)[24] 978-1-7183-5603-0 | ||
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5 | Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden Vol.2 Dai Ni-bu Shinden no Miko Minarai Ni (第二部 神殿の巫女見習いII) | December 25, 2015[25] 978-4-86472-447-0 | January 20, 2020 (Digital)[26] June 2, 2020 (Physical)[27] 978-1-7183-5604-7 | ||
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6 | Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden Vol.3 Dai Ni-bu Shinden no Miko Minarai San (第二部 神殿の巫女見習いIII) | March 25, 2016[28] 978-4-86472-473-9 | April 20, 2020 (Digital)[29] October 6, 2020 (Physical)[30] 978-1-7183-5605-4 | ||
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7 | Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden Vol.4 Dai Ni-bu Shinden no Miko Minarai Yon (第二部 神殿の巫女見習いIV) | June 10, 2016[31] 978-4-86472-492-0 | June 23, 2020 (Digital)[32] February 2, 2021 (Physical)[33] 978-1-7183-5606-1 | ||
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8 | Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.1 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo Ichi (第三部 領主の養女I) | September 10, 2016[34] 978-4-86472-521-7 | August 12, 2020 (Digital)[35] April 6, 2021 (Physical)[36] 978-1-7183-5607-8 | ||
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9 | Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.2 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo Ni (第三部 領主の養女II) | December 10, 2016[37] 978-4-86472-540-8 | October 19, 2020 (Digital)[38] August 17, 2021 (Physical)[39] 978-1-7183-5608-5 | ||
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10 | Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.3 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo San (第三部 領主の養女III) | March 10, 2017[40] 978-4-86472-562-0 | January 4, 2021 (Digital)[41] December 7, 2021 (Physical)[42] 978-1-7183-5609-2 | ||
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11 | Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.4 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo Yon (第三部 領主の養女IV) | June 10, 2017[43] 978-4-86472-586-6 | March 8, 2021 (Digital)[44] March 15, 2022 (Physical)[45] 978-1-71835-610-8 | ||
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12 | Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke Vol.5 Dai San-bu Ryōshu no Yōjo Go (第三部 領主の養女V) | September 9, 2017[46] 978-4-86472-600-9 | May 6, 2021 (Digital)[47] May 24, 2022 (Physical)[48] 978-1-71834-622-2 | ||
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13 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.1 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Ichi (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員I) | December 9, 2017[49] 978-4-86472-634-4 | June 30, 2021 (Digital)[50] July 19, 2022 (Physical)[51] 978-1-71834-624-6 | ||
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14 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.2 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Ni (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員II) | March 10, 2018[52] 978-4-86472-669-6 | September 1, 2021 (Digital)[53] September 6, 2022 (Physical)[54] 978-1-71834-626-0 | ||
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15 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.3 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin San (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員III) | June 9, 2018[55] 978-4-86472-686-3 | October 27, 2021 (Digital)[56] November 1, 2022 (Physical)[57] 978-1-71834-628-4 | ||
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16 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.4 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Yon (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員IV) | September 10, 2018[58] 978-4-86472-724-2 | December 22, 2021 (Digital)[59] January 17, 2023 (Physical)[60] 978-1-71834-630-7 | ||
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17 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.5 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Go (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員V) | December 10, 2018[61] 978-4-86472-764-8 | February 16, 2022 (Digital)[62] March 14, 2023 (Physical)[63] 978-1-71834-632-1 | ||
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18 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.6 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Roku (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員VI) | March 9, 2019[64] 978-4-86472-788-4 | April 20, 2022 (Digital)[65] May 16, 2023 (Physical)[66] 978-1-71834-634-5 | ||
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19 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.7 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Nana (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員VII) | June 10, 2019[67] 978-4-86472-814-0 | June 15, 2022 (Digital)[68] July 11, 2023 (Physical)[69] 978-1-71834-636-9 | ||
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20 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.8 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Hachi (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員VIII) | September 10, 2019[70] 978-4-86472-828-7 | August 10, 2022 (Digital)[71] September 12, 2023 (Physical)[72] 978-1-71834-638-3 | ||
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21 | Part 4: Founder of the Royal Academy's So-Called Library Committee Vol.9 Dai Yon-bu Kizoku-in no Jishō Tosho Iin Kyuu (第四部 貴族院の自称図書委員IX) | December 10, 2019[73] 978-4-86472-855-3 | October 5, 2022 (Digital)[74] November 14, 2023 (Physical)[75] 978-1-71834-640-6 | ||
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22 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.1 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Ichi (第五部 女神の化身I) | March 10, 2020[76] 978-4-86472-923-9 | November 30, 2022 (Digital)[77] January 9, 2024 (Physical)[78] 978-1-71834-642-0 | ||
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23 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.2 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Ni (第五部 女神の化身II) | June 10, 2020[79] 978-4-86699-001-9 | January 26, 2023 (Digital)[80] March 11, 2024 (Physical)[81] 978-1-71834-644-4 | ||
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24 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.3 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin San (第五部 女神の化身III) | September 10, 2020[82] 978-4-86699-038-5 | April 5, 2023 (Digital)[83] May 13, 2024 (Physical) | ||
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25 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.4 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Yon (第五部 女神の化身IV) | December 10, 2020[84] 978-4-86699-089-7 | May 31, 2023 (Digital)[85] July 8, 2024 (Physical) | ||
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26 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.5 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Go (第五部 女神の化身V) | April 10, 2021[86] 978-4-86699-133-7 | July 26, 2023 (Digital)[87] | ||
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27 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.6 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Roku (第五部 女神の化身VI) | August 10, 2021[88] 978-4-86699-241-9 | September 20, 2023 (Digital)[89] | ||
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28 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.7 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Nana (第五部 女神の化身VII) | December 10, 2021[90] 978-4-86699-380-5 | November 15, 2023 (Digital)[91] | ||
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29 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.8 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Hachi (第五部 女神の化身VIII) | April 9, 2022[92] 978-4-86699-413-0 | January 10, 2024 (Digital)[93] | ||
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30 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.9 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Kyuu (第五部 女神の化身IX) | August 10, 2022[94] 978-4-86699-520-5 | March 20, 2024 (Digital)[95] | ||
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31 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.10 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Jyuu (第五部 女神の化身X) | December 10, 2022[96] 978-4-86699-718-6 | May 15, 2024 (Digital)[97] | ||
32 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.11 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Jyuu-ichi (第五部 女神の化身XI) | May 10, 2023[98] 978-4-86699-836-7 | — | ||
33 | Part 5: Avatar of a Goddess Vol.12 Dai Go-bu Megami no Keshin Jyuu-ni (第五部 女神の化身XII) | December 9, 2023[99] 978-4-86794-022-8 | — |
A manga adaptation was published by TO Books and follows similar format as the novels. Part 1, subtitled If there aren't any books, I'll just have to make some! (本がないなら作ればいい!, Hon ga nainara tsukureba ī!), was illustrated by Suzuka, serialized in Comic Corona from October 2015 to July 2018, and was compiled into a total of seven volumes. Suzuka continued to illustrate Part 2 subtitled I'll even join the temple to read books! (本のためなら巫女になる!, Hon no tamenara miko ni naru!) which began serialization in Comic Corona on September 24, 2018 and currently has a total of ten volumes. Part 3 subtitled Let's spread books through the duchy! (領地に本を広げよう!, Ryōchi ni hon o hirogeyou!) is illustrated by Ryo Namino and began serialization in Comic Corona despite Part 1 still being ongoing at the time. Part 3 currently has seven volumes. Part 4 is illustrated by Hikaru Katsuki and began serialization on December 24, 2020 also in Comic Corona and currently has a total of seven volumes. The manga adaptation is also published in English by J-Novel Club.[12]
No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
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1 | June 25, 2016[100] | 978-4-86472-495-1 | June 18, 2019[101] | 978-1-7183-3800-5 | ||
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2 | July 10, 2016[102] | 978-4-86472-499-9 | December 3, 2019[103] | 978-1-7183-3802-9 | ||
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3 | November 10, 2016[104] | 978-4-86472-533-0 | March 25, 2020[105] | 978-1-7183-3804-3 | ||
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4 | February 25, 2017[106] | 978-4-86472-554-5 | May 13, 2020[107] | 978-1-7183-3806-7 | ||
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5 | August 1, 2017[108] | 978-4-86472-602-3 | August 12, 2020[109] | 978-1-71833-808-1 | ||
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6 | February 24, 2018[110] | 978-4-86472-664-1 | February 10, 2021[111] | 978-1-71833-810-4 | ||
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7 | August 1, 2018[112] | 978-4-86472-720-4 | May 12, 2021[113] | 978-1-71833-812-8 | ||
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No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
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1 | April 25, 2019[114] | 978-4-86472-801-0 | July 7, 2021[115] | 978-1-71833-814-2 | ||
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2 | October 5, 2019[116] | 978-4-86472-853-9 | September 1, 2021[117] | 978-1-71833-816-6 | ||
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3 | April 1, 2020[118] | 978-4-86472-941-3 | November 10, 2021[119] | 978-1-71837-259-7 | ||
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4 | October 1, 2020[120] | 978-4-86699-056-9 | March 16, 2022[121] | 978-1-71833-820-3 | ||
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5 | April 15, 2021[122] | 978-4-86699-203-7 | May 4, 2022[123] | 978-1-71833-822-7 | ||
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6 | October 15, 2021[124] | 978-4-86699-346-1 | August 17, 2022[125] | 978-1-71833-824-1 | ||
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7 | April 15, 2022[126] | 978-4-86699-416-1 | February 6, 2023[127] | 978-1-71833-826-5 | ||
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8 | December 1, 2022[128] | 978-4-86699-689-9 | January 24, 2024[129] | 978-1-71833-827-2 | ||
9 | June 1, 2023[130] | 978-4-86699-855-8 | — | — | ||
10 | December 15, 2023[131] | 978-4-86794-029-7 | — | — |
No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
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1 | February 1, 2019[132] | 978-4-86472-784-6 | June 7, 2023[133] | 978-1-71833-801-2 |
2 | December 14, 2019[134] | 978-4-86472-881-2 | October 11, 2023[135] | 978-1-71833-803-6 |
3 | June 15, 2020[136] | 978-4-86699-003-3 | — | — |
4 | May 15, 2021[137] | 978-4-86699-220-4 | — | — |
5 | March 15, 2022[138] | 978-4-86699-415-4 | — | — |
6 | February 15, 2023[139] | 978-4-86699-768-1 | — | — |
7 | September 15, 2023[140] | 978-4-86699-946-3 | — | — |
No. | Release date | ISBN |
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1 | March 15, 2021[141] | 978-4-86699-132-0 |
2 | July 15, 2021[142] | 978-4-86699-249-5 |
3 | November 25, 2021[143] | 978-4-86699-350-8 |
4 | May 14, 2022[144] | 978-4-86699-512-0 |
5 | November 15, 2022[145] | 978-4-86699-690-5 |
6 | May 15, 2023[146] | 978-4-86699-847-3 |
7 | November 15, 2023[147] | 978-4-86794-001-3 |
8 | May 15, 2024[148] | 978-4-86794-177-5 |
An anime television series adaptation was announced on March 7, 2019. The series is animated by Ajia-do Animation Works and directed by Mitsuru Hongo, with Mariko Kunisawa handling series composition, Yoshiaki Yanagida and Toshihisa Kaiya designing the characters, and Michiru composing the series' music.[1]
The first part ran for 14 episodes,[149] which aired from October 3 to December 26, 2019, on ABC, Tokyo MX, Wowow, and BS Fuji,[4][a] and covers Part 1: Daughter of a Soldier of the light novel. Sumire Morohoshi performed the series' opening theme song "Mashiro" (真っ白), while Megumi Nakajima performed the series' ending theme song "Kamikazari no Tenshi" (髪飾りの天使).[4][150] A two-part OVA series (numbered collectively as episode 14.5, both airing on March 9, 2020) consisted of two parts titled "Eustachius's Incognito Operation Downtown" and "Visiting Missus Corinna".[151][152]
The second part ran for 12 episodes, which aired from April 5 to June 21, 2020, and covers Volumes 1 and 2 of Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden of the light novel.[153][154] Sumire Morohoshi also performed the second part's opening theme song "Tsumujikaze" (旋風) (Commotion), while Minori Suzuki performs the ending theme "Ephemera wo Atsumete".
The production of a third season was announced on July 12, 2020,[155][156] which ran for 10 episodes and aired from April 12 to June 14, 2022 on ytv,[157][158][b] and covers Volumes 3 and 4 of Part 2: Apprentice Shrine Maiden of the light novel. Nao Tōyama performed the third season's opening theme song "Ano Hi no Kotoba" (あの日のことば), while Maaya Sakamoto performed the ending theme song "Kotoba ni Dekinai" (言葉にできない).[159][160]
A fourth season by Wit Studio covering Part 3: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke of the light novel was announced on December 6, 2023.[161][162]
Crunchyroll licensed the series[163] and has partnered with Sentai Filmworks for distribution in North America.[164]
Seven fanbooks were published by TO Books and released on December 20, 2016,[165] December 9, 2017,[166] November 10, 2018,[167] November 9, 2019,[168] November 10, 2020,[169] November 10, 2021,[170] and November 10, 2022.[171] TO Books also published nine Drama CDs released on September 9, 2017,[172] June 9, 2018,[173] June 10, 2019,[174] December 10, 2019,[175] September 10, 2020,[176] August 10, 2021,[177] April 9, 2022,[178] August 10, 2022,[179] and May 10, 2023.[180]
The series has sold over 8 million copies across physical and digital sales combined as of October 31, 2022.[181] The series ranked fifth in 2017, first in 2018 and 2019, second in 2020 and 2021, third in 2022 and first in 2023, before being added to Hall of Fame in Takarajimasha's annual light novel guide book Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, in the tankōbon category.[182][183][184][185][186][187]
In 2017, the manga adaptation was ranked seventh at the third Next Manga Awards in the web category.[188]
The 2nd season of anime was nominated for "Best Fantasy" in 2021's Crunchyroll Anime Awards.[189]