On Wednesday, a dedicated website was unveiled for the highly anticipated anime based on the light novel series "An Archdemon’s Dilemma – How to Love Your Elf Bride" by Fuminori Teshima, along with an exciting video teaser and a captivating promotional image. This teaser introduces not only the main cast but also the talented team behind the production, along with the revelation that the anime will premiere in 2024.
Yūsuke Kobayashi will take on the role of Zagan, a powerful solitary sorcerer, while Kana Ichinose will breathe life into Nephy, a beautiful elf.
The anime will be directed by Hiroshi Ishiodori (known for works like "RIN-NE 3," "Kiss Him, Not Me," and "Shijō Saikyō no Deshi Kenichi") at Brains Base. Keiji Gotoh (known for his work on "In/Spectre" and "Kiddy Grade") will oversee the animation. Aya Yoshinaga (renowned for her contributions to series like "Crest of the Stars," "Project ARMS," and "Kurau: Phantom Memory") will supervise the scripts, while Mina Ōsawa (who worked on projects like "Given," "The Strongest Sage With the Weakest Crest," and "School Babysitters") will handle character design. The musician Yuma Yamaguchi (credited in "Metallic Rouge" and "Undead Murder Farce") will compose the soundtrack.
The light novel series, published by Hobby Japan, began its journey in Japan in February 2017 with the release of the first volume and continued until it reached the 17th volume on August 1. The anime adaptation of this popular work was first announced in October 2022.
J-Novel Club will be responsible for bringing the light novel to English-speaking readers, with the first volume already available since November 2019 and the 15th volume scheduled for release on November 14.
The story's plot introduces us to Zagan, an incredibly powerful sorcerer who, despite his strength, leads a life of isolation. His greatest challenge arises unexpectedly: he becomes entangled in love. Zagan, feared by the masses as an evil sorcerer, is socially awkward, and his vocabulary leaves much to be desired. He spends his days studying sorcery and protecting his domains from intruders. However, one day, he receives an invitation to a mysterious auction, where he encounters Nephy, a slave elf of incomparable beauty. At first sight, Zagan falls head over heels in love, and to win her, he spends his entire fortune to acquire her. However, his social ineptitude hinders him from expressing his feelings properly. Thus begins an awkward relationship between a sorcerer unable to communicate his love and a slave who longs for her master but struggles to reach his heart.
Furthermore, Hako Itagaki adapted the story into a manga version that was serialized in Comic Fire in February 2018. Hobby Japan released the first compiled volume of the manga in August 2018, with the 11th volume set to hit shelves on December 1.
J-Novel Club has already started offering the digital English version of the manga, with the first volume published in July 2021 and the ninth volume available since May 24.
