[Immediately reprinted upon release!] Kodansha Ranobe Bunko's unique authentic fantasy novel is creating a buzz through word-of-mouth!
Kodansha Ranobe Bunko's new award-winning work, 'The Witch Who Burned the World Laughs,' released on April 2, 2026, has been decided for a reprint in less than a month after its release. This authentic fantasy novel about a boy and a witch in a post-apocalyptic world is gaining buzz through word-of-mouth.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 03:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 18:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 27, 2026 at 20:05 (1h 33m after Collected)
The novel 'The Witch Who Burned the World Laughs,' released by Kodansha Ranobe Bunko on April 2, 2026, has been decided for a reprint less than a month after its release.
This book is an expanded and revised version of 'As the Scientific Witch Says' (title at the time of submission), which received an Honorable Mention in the 20th Kodansha Ranobe Bunko Newcomer Award, and is the debut work of author Jinkai Nari. The story of a boy and a witch spun in a post-apocalyptic world has garnered a great response, leading to this reprint decision.
■ Synopsis
On the day the witch burned down the country. Abel, a boy living a poor but happy life, lost his family before his eyes, and just as the witch was about to take his life. The one who saved him was also a beautiful witch, Noah, scorned as 'nameless.'
Nine years later, Abel, who had lived fiercely, is 19 years old. In a dangerous wasteland, as his life hangs in the balance, Noah, still looking like a young girl from that day, appears before him again.
'N-no, I wasn't stalking you, you know?'
Witches burned down countries, witches killed families. Witches lead humanity to its end. But the clumsy, lonely girl before Abel doesn't seem to wish for destruction—.
The boy and the witch join hands, forging a tomorrow in the wasteland together. A post-apocalyptic fantasy that won the 20th Kodansha Ranobe Bunko Newcomer Award!
Noah, the Witch of the Wasteland
Abel, the Bodyguard of the Wasteland
The two sometimes clash but come to understand each other...
Illustration by LOWRISE
■ Comment from Sensei Jinkai Nari!
The range that one person can oversee is only a small part of a vast world, and when one feels something is missing, or when one feels it is painful to be here, what one truly desires and where one belongs might be beyond the scenery visible from here.
...Then let's go on a journey! For now, let's dive into this nice little path that I pass every day but have never entered!
Such thoughts were the trigger for me to write this story.
A boy who has run a harsh life to a dead end starts walking at his own pace. I would be happy if many people could witness 'the truly important things' he found during his leisurely walk down the 'little path.'
■ Author Information
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Received an Honorable Mention in the 20th Kodansha Ranobe Bunko Newcomer Award with 'The Witch Who Burned the World Laughs' (original title 'As the Scientific Witch Says') and debuted from Kodansha Ranobe Bunko.
■ Illustrator Information
Freelance illustrator from Kansai. Active mainly in commercial projects such as books, music, and games. Works published in 'Eshi 100-nin Ten,' 'ILLUSTRATION,' 'VISIONS,' etc.
■ Publication Information
'The Witch Who Burned the World Laughs'
Author: Jinkai Nari
Illustration: LOWRISE
Release Date: April 2, 2026
ISBN: 9784065411605
Format: A6
Price: 880 yen (main: 800 yen + tax)
Series: Kodansha Ranobe Bunko
■ Product Page
https://www.kodansha.co.jp/comic/products/0000419176
■ SNS Information
Kodansha Ranobe Bunko Official Website
https://lanove.kodansha.co.jp/
X / Kodansha Ranobe Bunko (@K_lanove_bunko)
https://x.com/K_lanove_bunko
Instagram / Kodansha Light Novel Editorial Department (@kodansha_lightnovel)
https://www.instagram.com/kodansha_lightnovel/
This book is an expanded and revised version of 'As the Scientific Witch Says' (title at the time of submission), which received an Honorable Mention in the 20th Kodansha Ranobe Bunko Newcomer Award, and is the debut work of author Jinkai Nari. The story of a boy and a witch spun in a post-apocalyptic world has garnered a great response, leading to this reprint decision.
■ Synopsis
On the day the witch burned down the country. Abel, a boy living a poor but happy life, lost his family before his eyes, and just as the witch was about to take his life. The one who saved him was also a beautiful witch, Noah, scorned as 'nameless.'
Nine years later, Abel, who had lived fiercely, is 19 years old. In a dangerous wasteland, as his life hangs in the balance, Noah, still looking like a young girl from that day, appears before him again.
'N-no, I wasn't stalking you, you know?'
Witches burned down countries, witches killed families. Witches lead humanity to its end. But the clumsy, lonely girl before Abel doesn't seem to wish for destruction—.
The boy and the witch join hands, forging a tomorrow in the wasteland together. A post-apocalyptic fantasy that won the 20th Kodansha Ranobe Bunko Newcomer Award!
Noah, the Witch of the Wasteland
Abel, the Bodyguard of the Wasteland
The two sometimes clash but come to understand each other...
Illustration by LOWRISE
■ Comment from Sensei Jinkai Nari!
The range that one person can oversee is only a small part of a vast world, and when one feels something is missing, or when one feels it is painful to be here, what one truly desires and where one belongs might be beyond the scenery visible from here.
...Then let's go on a journey! For now, let's dive into this nice little path that I pass every day but have never entered!
Such thoughts were the trigger for me to write this story.
A boy who has run a harsh life to a dead end starts walking at his own pace. I would be happy if many people could witness 'the truly important things' he found during his leisurely walk down the 'little path.'
■ Author Information
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. Received an Honorable Mention in the 20th Kodansha Ranobe Bunko Newcomer Award with 'The Witch Who Burned the World Laughs' (original title 'As the Scientific Witch Says') and debuted from Kodansha Ranobe Bunko.
■ Illustrator Information
Freelance illustrator from Kansai. Active mainly in commercial projects such as books, music, and games. Works published in 'Eshi 100-nin Ten,' 'ILLUSTRATION,' 'VISIONS,' etc.
■ Publication Information
'The Witch Who Burned the World Laughs'
Author: Jinkai Nari
Illustration: LOWRISE
Release Date: April 2, 2026
ISBN: 9784065411605
Format: A6
Price: 880 yen (main: 800 yen + tax)
Series: Kodansha Ranobe Bunko
■ Product Page
https://www.kodansha.co.jp/comic/products/0000419176
■ SNS Information
Kodansha Ranobe Bunko Official Website
https://lanove.kodansha.co.jp/
X / Kodansha Ranobe Bunko (@K_lanove_bunko)
https://x.com/K_lanove_bunko
Instagram / Kodansha Light Novel Editorial Department (@kodansha_lightnovel)
https://www.instagram.com/kodansha_lightnovel/