Witch and Mercenary Anime Reveals First PV, Set for 2027 Broadcast with Taito Ban and Saori Hayami, Produced by Eight Bit

The television anime Witch and Mercenary will premiere in 2027. Alongside the announcement, a teaser visual, teaser PV, main character settings, and full staff and cast information were released. Taito Ban voices Zig Crane, while Saori Hayami plays Saoirse. Animation production is handled by Eight Bit.

The story follows a “lonely witch” and a “solitary mercenary,” former enemies who meet in a fierce battle. After their encounter, they begin a journey together in search of a place where they can belong, venturing into an unknown land. The series is a full scale battle and high fantasy tale depicting two contrasting individuals as they carve a path into a world with no return.

Story Overview

On a continent where magic and magical beasts have vanished, witches remain as feared and mysterious beings. Zig Crane, a lone mercenary who joined a subjugation force to hunt witches, encounters the “Silent Witch” Saoirse deep within a forest.

Their brutal battle appears to end with the mercenary’s victory. However, at the conclusion, the witch makes an unexpected request.

She asks him to become her protector and escort her to a place where no one will pursue her.

Thus begins the journey of two outcasts, the lonely witch and the solitary mercenary, as they seek a place to live in a world that has rejected them.

Staff and Production Details

The original work is by Kaeru Chohokiteki, published under the GCN Bunko label by Micro Magazine. Character designs are based on original illustrations by Bench Kanase. The anime is directed by Shinpei Ezaki, with series composition by Daishiro Tanimura and character design by Keita Matsumoto. Music is composed by Rei Ishizuka, with production by Lantis, and animation by Eight Bit.

Cast Comments

■Taito Ban as Zig Crane

My name is Taito Ban, and I will be voicing Zig Crane.

Zig is a mercenary who has traveled across the world, learning to survive through rational means, while Saoirse has lived for many years in isolation, hiding away after being persecuted. The story of these two begins with a brutal battle to the death.

*Witch and Mercenary* is not a tale of heroes, but of two outsiders. It is a dark, weighty story that is quiet yet carries a certain fragility. I hope you will look forward to experiencing this unique world.

■Saori Hayami as Saoirse

I will be voicing Saoirse.

When I first encountered the original work, I was drawn in by its depth, its delicacy, and also its subtle sense of openness. During recording, we spend very intense and detailed time carefully layering each character’s expression.

I plan to approach each moment with focus while also enjoying the process. I would be delighted if you pay close attention to how the relationship between Zig and Saoirse evolves.

Please fully immerse yourself in the world of *Witch and Mercenary* as brought to life through animation.

Source : ORICON NEWS