The Saga of Tanya the Evil, known in Japan as Yōjo Senki (幼女戦記, lit. "The Military Chronicles of a Little Girl"), is a Japanese light novel series written by Carlo Zen and illustrated by Shinobu Shinotsuki. It began serialization online in 2010, on the user-generated novel publishing website Arcadia. Enterbrain acquired the series in October 2013 and has published twelve volumes by February 2020. A manga adaptation with art by Chika Tōjō began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Comp Ace magazine from April 2016.
The series focuses on a salaryman whose reincarnation as the titular character living in an alternate version of World War I leaves her to be trapped in an endless cycle of reincarnation. Willing to avoid being killed whilst dying of natural causes, Tanya must take it upon herself to don a bloodthirsty, sadist ego in hopes of joining the ranks of the Empire’s Mage Corps as part of her plan to become a seemingly indestructible foe.
An anime television series adaptation by NUT was broadcast on Japanese television from January to March 2017, and was licensed by Funimation, Crunchyroll and Medialink. Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Movie, a theatrical film taking place after the events of the anime series, was released in Japan in February 2019. A second season has been announced.
Synopsis[]
Tanya Degurechaff is a soldier who has the appearance of an innocent young girl. But behind her cute facade lies the soul of a ruthless salaryman who challenged "Being X"—the self-proclaimed God who reincarnated the man into an industrial world of magic. By doing this, Being X hopes to prove that, if the situation were dire enough, even a non-believer like this man would pray for God's help.
Opposing Being X's desires to make her suffer, Tanya enlists in the military with the hope of living a peaceful life. She manages to impress the higher-ups with her aptitude for war, swiftly rising through the ranks. However, her country soon participates in the ongoing world war, quickly crushing her dream. In an attempt to return to her calm she starts using any merciless means to obliterate her opponents. Thus begins the saga of Tanya the Evil and the Empire as they seek world domination.
List of Published Books[]
Light Novels[]
The novel series is written by Carlo Zen and was initially serialized on the web novel hosting website Arcadia, before Enterbrain's acquisition. It was subsequently published as light novels with illustrations by Shinobu Shinotsuki. The first volume was released on October 31, 2013, and as of February 20, 2020, twelve volumes have been released. A drama CD was released with the third volume. It was licensed by Yen Press.
| No. | Title | Original release date | English release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deus lo Vult | October 31, 2013 978-4-04-729173-7 |
December 19, 2017 978-0-316-51244-2 |
| 2 | Plus Ultra | May 31, 2014 978-4-04-729569-8 |
March 20, 2018 978-0-316-51246-6 |
| 3 | The Finest Hour | November 29, 2014 978-4-04-730037-8 |
July 31, 2018 978-0-316-51248-0 |
| 4 | Dabit Deus His Quoque Finem | June 29, 2015 978-4-04-730474-1 |
November 27, 2018 978-0-316-56062-7 |
| 5 | Abyssus Abyssum Invocat | January 30, 2016 978-4-04-730902-9 |
March 26, 2019 978-0-31-656069-6 |
| 6 | Nil Admirari | July 30, 2016 978-4-04-734210-1 |
July 30, 2019 978-0-31-656071-9 |
| 7 | Ut Sementem Feceris, ita Metes | December 28, 2016 978-4-04-734407-5 |
June 23, 2020 978-0-31-656074-0 |
| 8 | In Omnia Paratus | June 30, 2017 978-4-04-734655-0 |
December 22, 2020 978-1-97-531049-3 |
| 9 | Omnes una Manet Nox | January 12, 2018 978-4-047348-77-6 |
January 18, 2022 978-1-97-531086-8 |
| 10 | Viribus Unitis | September 29, 2018 978-4-047353-26-8 |
May 24, 2022 978-1-975310-52-3 |
| 11 | Alea Iacta Est | February 20, 2019 978-4-04-735496-8 |
December 20, 2022 978-1-975310-54-7 |
| 12 | Mundus Vult Decipi, Ergo Decipiatur | February 20, 2020 978-4-04-735734-1 |
September 19, 2023 978-1-97-532352-3 |
| 13 | Dum spiro, spero (Jō) | August 30, 2023 978-4-04-736819-4 |
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Audiobooks[]
On the 16th of November 2021, YenPress released an audiobook of the first light novel, read by the English voice actress for Tanya, Monica Rial.
Manga[]
A manga adaptation with art by Chika Tōjō began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's Comp Ace magazine from April 26, 2016, and twenty seven volumes have been released.
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 10, 2016 | 978-4-0410-5125-2 | February 6, 2018 | 978-0-316-44404-0 |
| 2 | December 26, 2016 | 978-4-0410-5126-9 | May 22, 2018 | 978-0-316-44408-8 |
| 3 | January 26, 2017 | 978-4-0410-5127-6 | July 24, 2018 | 978-1-975-35337-7 |
| 4 | April 10, 2017 | 978-4-0410-5533-5 | October 30, 2018 | 978-1-975-35374-2 |
| 5 | May 10, 2017 | 978-4-0410-5534-2 | January 22, 2019 | 978-1-975-35375-9 |
| 6 | June 9, 2017 | 978-4-0410-5766-7 | April 30, 2019 | 978-1-975-30413-3 |
| 7 | November 10, 2017 (Special Edition) November 25, 2017 (Regular Edition) |
978-4-0410-5767-4 | July 23, 2019 | 978-1-975-35778-8 |
| 8 | February 26, 2018 | 978-4-0410-6544-0 | October 29, 2019 | 978-1-975-35781-8 |
| 9 | April 26, 2018 | 978-4-0410-6943-1 | January 21, 2020 | 978-1-975-35784-9 |
| 10 | September 25, 2018 | 978-4-04-106944-8 | June 23, 2020 | 978-1-975-31088-2 |
| 11 | November 24, 2018 | 978-4-0410-6945-5 | September 22, 2020 | 978-1-975-31091-2 |
| 12 | January 25, 2019 | 978-4-0410-6946-2 | December 15, 2020 | 978-1-975-31094-3 |
| 13 | April 25, 2019 | 978-4-0410-8117-4 | February 23, 2021 | 978-1-975-31097-4 |
| 14 | May 24, 2019 | 978-4-0410-8118-1 | June 8, 2021 | 978-1-975-31100-1 |
| 15 | July 25, 2019 | 978-4-0410-8119-8 | November 30, 2021 | 978-1-975-31103-2 |
| 16 | October 25, 2019 | 978-4-0410-8120-4 | May 10, 2022 | 978-1-9753-4258-6 |
| 17 | January 23, 2020 | 978-4-0410-9035-0 | July 19, 2022 | 978-1-9753-4260-9 |
| 18 | April 25, 2020 | 978-4-0410-9330-6 | January 17, 2023 | 978-1-9753-4262-3 |
| 19 | July 21, 2020 | 978-4-0410-9331-3 | April 18, 2023 | 978-1-9753-4264-7 |
| 20 | December 26, 2020 | 978-4-0410-9991-9 | August 22, 2023 | 978-1-9753-4266-1 |
| 21 | May 26, 2021 | 978-4-04-111352-3 | November 21, 2023 | 978-1-9753-4268-5 |
| 22 | June 25, 2021 | 978-4-04-111449-0 | — | — |
| 23 | October 26, 2021 | 978-4-04-112103-0 | — | — |
| 24 | March 26, 2022 | 978-4-04-112377-5 | — | — |
| 25 | July 26, 2022 | 978-4-04-112702-5 | — | — |
| 26 | November 25, 2022 | 978-4-04-112703-2 | — | — |
| 27 | March 25, 2023 | 978-4-04-112704-9 | — | — |
Related books[]
- "Youjo Senki Anime Complete Setting Material Collection" First edition issued on May 31, 2017 (released on the same day) - ISBN 978-4-04-734640-6
Character[]
The main character of this work is an Aerial Mage Officer in the Imperial Army. Tanya was a battalion commander of the 203rd Aviation Magic Battalion (from volume 4 onwards, she is the commander of the Salamander Combat Team). Her rank was Major at the time of the establishment of the 203rd Magic Battalion (Lt. Colonel at the time of Volume 7 and Brigadier General in the final version of the web version).
A blond-haired, blue-eyed little girl with white, translucent skin She is 9 years old when the story begins. Originally a Japanese office worker in his 30s (voice: Kosuke Toriumi), he had a strong desire to rise and had a personality that disregarded others, but as a result, he was suddenly killed due to resentment and was reincarnated as a woman in a different world by Existence X as "I don't know the reason" and "I have no faith". Due to her magical aptitude, she entered the military academy at a young age to escape her poor life in an orphanage and became an officer at the age of nine. In her previous life and after reincarnation, she was a thorough rationalist and realist, and although Tanya herself hoped for a peaceful life after prospering in the military, most of her moves backfired due to her speculation, and her intentions were reversed. Due to her activities during her time as a cadet, she earned the nickname "Mithril", but she is recognized by enemy countries as the Ace of Aces (named "The Devil of the Rhine") due to her performance on the Rhine Front.
She possesses rational judgment and a high analytical ability based on the knowledge of her previous life, as well as fighting prowess and commanding ability that are isolated by the Elenium Type 95 formula. Except for the fact that her ability as a mage is precocious, Tanya is not exceptionally superior compared to another first-class mage. Acts that are normally considered dangerous are rather safe if you think about them rationally and with appropriate knowledge, and even though Tanya did it to the last for self-protection, she is recognized as "brave" and a "battle maniac", which is why she is feared by allies and enemies. In addition, her words and deeds indicate that she doesn't mind executing incompetent personnel and subordinates who do not listen to the orders of her superiors under the authority of her superiors, which are also factors that make him mistaken for a genuine war fanatic or an enthusiastic patriot. Regarding the war itself, from a rationalist point of view, she concludes that it is a waste of resources (especially human resources) and has a negative idea out of self-protection that builds a career in a safe rear office.
The reason why they follow the laws of war, such as not killing or wounding civilians or prisoners of war, is because they don't want to be held accountable for war crimes later, and if necessary, they seek loopholes in the law. Because of the rationality of judging and using others from the perspective of whether or not it is for their benefit and of considering people as resources as a result, and because of the self-protection that takes into consideration the evaluation of superiors, the loss of subordinates is extremely disliked, and contrary to the impression of those around them, the attrition rate of the command unit is extremely low. In addition, since she sometimes takes the initiative to open up a crisis, Tanya has gained the trust of her direct subordinates.
A character created from the author's thought experiment, If the 'Chicago School' is applied to humans, she is a follower of calculations and numbers that are not based on morals and morals that differ from person to person.
Abilities[]
"It's all... Being X's fault. Until I pound free-market principles into that piece of shit, I won't die, no matter what! I'm going to live... to live and... I'm going to end this!"
― Tanya's to herself
Elenium Type 95
A masterpiece that combines rational and flexible thinking, decisiveness that sometimes ignores risks (note: excluding his own life and career advancement), and a panoramic view at the strategic level. According to her subordinates, she is "a devotee of thorough firefighting, an indisputable and irresistible personification of mobile warfare, and finally a mage." It has been suggested that she was a military otaku even before her reincarnation, and she attaches great importance to logistics in terms of both tactical strategy in war. However, in her monologue, she mocks herself, saying, "I can't compare to geniuses, and I'm inferior to geniuses with effort," suggesting that his self-esteem isn't high considering his attitude.
In addition, Tanya has a tolerant attitude based on the recognition that "humans grow through education" and "limited human resources must be used effectively." However, she hates incompetence that doesn't learn from its experience like a serpent (except because she can use the enemy). She particularly dislikes acts of resistance that disrupt the organization and treats those who cannot comply with orders as the most incompetent. She almost killed that fellow and even murdered the young fellow who confronted her.
Her combat ability is also high, and thanks to the grace of Existence X, she can use the Elenium type 95 formula, which is a level that distorts the laws of physics and was not originally usable by humans (a medium for exercising magic). However, when she runs at full power, serious mental pollution occurs that makes her want to praise God. Tanya herself, who loves her freedom, hates this side effect and usually uses other gems, but on the other hand, she recognizes its overwhelming high performance, and when she finds herself in an unavoidable predicament, she often uses it.
"If there is a God who rules this world, it is a stern, solemn, and definitely a good being. A being that is far too great. God keeps forcing us to confront these cruel fates. As those were the rules of this world! Oh, God...
I'll slice you into tiny pieces and feed you to the pigs! Our battlefield is no place for that piece of shit, God! I think it's time we took over God's work. We, soldiers, will take God's place. Put the arrogant ass, God, out of a job!"― Tanya's Speech to her Battalion
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Her movements resemble a fairy dancing in the sky, although most enemies only yell "Monster!" as she dodges all mana-targeting spells. Her main tactics are outmaneuvering her opponents, luring them into close quarters for her mage blade, or mass elimination with single powerful spells. Air warfare may be conducted against other aircraft, targets on the ground, and targets on the water or beneath it. Air warfare is almost entirely a creation of the 20th century, in which it became a primary branch of military operations. |
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By using the Elenium Type 95 and praying to the Being X (Divinity), her eyes turn gold, and her physical and mental psyche increase beyond the extent of a normal human. Moreover, she has increased accuracy and prediction in shooting and can cast a powerful explosive spell that could destroy a whole company. This, however, makes her suffer by having mental corruption, and she barely remembers what she did after. The rosary on her neck is the only piece of equipment that prevents her from being corrupted permanently. |
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Due to her extremely dangerous charisma (cuteness and small size), she can easily fool someone by using her skills, e.g. during her short conversation with previously ranked Captain Maximilian Johann von Ugar, by persuading him to drop in the selection of being one of the Twelve Knights during War College Arc. Also, she can fool anyone with her voice, e.g. in the light novel, manga, and anime version [Episode 5], where she used her child voice during the bombing of the Dacian Capital. |
For better or worse, she doesn't judge people by anything other than their abilities, and because of her extremely high combat ability, she is extremely popular with soldiers on the front lines. In addition, Tanya is ignorant of how her actions will be interpreted by those around her, and she intends to act in a manner that will be appreciated by his superiors, but as a workaholic in the abnormal environment of a battlefield, she is seen by those around him as nothing more than a soldier suffering from severe front-line syndrome, and even if Tanya says she wants to work in the rear, it can only be taken as a joke, but she alone does not notice it.
《Magic》
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In the world of Youjo Senki, formulas aren't a set of words, spoken or unspoken to invoke some magical effect. Mages have to understand how the phenomenon of formulas they intend to cast works to recreate deeds such as miracles. It's like the way people understand how to light a fire with a lighter, thus enabling them to recreate the deed through magic.
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And although she claims to be have free will, she ultimately is only a slave whose fate has control over (the author). It can be inferred that her sensitivities have much changed from her past existence from the fact that she doesn't hesitate to shoot her foes even in the first combat.
TV Anime[]
An anime television series adaptation by NUT aired from January 6, 2017 to March 31, 2017. Crunchyroll has licensed the series in North America. The opening theme is "Jingo Jungle" by Myth & Roid and the ending theme is "Los! Los! Los!" ("Come On! Come On! Come On!") by Aoi Yūki as Tanya Degurechaff.
| STAFF | Season 1 |
|---|---|
| Original Author | Carlo Zen |
| Character draft | Shinobu Shinozuki |
| Directed by | Yasushi Uemura, Kana Harudo (deputy) |
| Series composition/screenplay | Kenta Inohara |
| Character design /animation director | Yuji Hosokoshi |
| Sub-character design | Hiromi Taniguchi, Takao Maki, Haruhito Takada |
| Clothing Design | Hiromi Taniguchi |
| Magic tool design | Ryoma Ebata |
| Prop design | Hiroshi Moriyama |
| firearms design | Akishino Denforword Biyori, Nao Otsu |
| key animator | Shosuke Ishibashi, Shinichi Kurita, Hiroyuki Horiuchi |
| effect director | Takashi Hashimoto |
| military investigation | Reiichiro Ofuji |
| art director | Satoru Hirayanagi |
| color design | Chiho Nakamura |
| cinematographer | Shinji Tonsho |
| 3DCGI Director | Masato Takahashi |
| edit | Jinguji Yumi |
| sound director | Miwa Iwanami |
| music | Shuji Katayama |
| Music producer | Go Wakabayashi |
| music production | KADOKAWA |
| producer | Sho Tanaka, Norifumi Kikushima, Takuya Tsunoki, Tokutomo Isotani, Keisuke Arai |
| animation producer | Takuya Tsunoki |
| Animation production | NUT |
| Production | The Saga of Tanya the Evil Production Committee |
A chibi parody short OVA produced by Studio Puyukai entitled Youjo Shenki premiered in January 2017. All English titles are taken from Crunchyroll and Funimation.
| No. | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Devil of the Rhine" Transcription: "Rain no Akuma" (Japanese: ラインの悪魔) |
January 6, 2017 |
| At the Rhine, the Imperial Army fights a battle of attrition against the Francois Republic. There, Second Lieutenant Tanya Degurechaff leads the 3rd platoon of the Imperial Army 205th Assault Mage Company in combat against enemy forces, with Corporal Viktoriya Serebryakov as a member of her platoon. When two mages under Tanya's command disobey her orders, she transfers them to the rear. Some time later, while the 205th is en route to reinforce the 403rd Assault Mage Company, the 403rd is wiped out by Republican Army maages. Tanya orders the three other members of her platoon to rendezvous with other members of the 205th and engages the Republican mages herself. Tanya annihilates them after they refuse her demands to stand down. Later, in the Republican capital of Parisee, military leaders discuss Tanya, who is given the moniker of "Devil of the Rhine" by Republican Army troopers for her fearsome combat abilities and performance. At Imperial Strategic Headquarters (located in the Imperial capital of Berun), Lieutenant Colonel Rerugen is concerned that Tanya had been sent to Rhine and calls her 'a monster in the form of a girl'. Meanwhile at the Rhine, Viktoriya learns that the insubordinate mages that Tanya had previously sent to the rear are dead after enemy forces shelled the pillbox where they had been stationed, something Tanya had anticipated and planned for. | ||
| 2 | "Prologue" Transcription: "Purorōgu" (Japanese: プロローグ) |
January 13, 2017 |
| In Tokyo in 2013, an underperforming salaryman is fired by his supervisor, who then pushes said supervisor in front of a moving train. As the supervisor falls onto the tracks, time stops and he hears the words of a self-proclaimed God coming from the people at the station, demanding the supervisor acknowledge him as God. The supervisor asserts his opinion that the being is not God and names it 'Being X'. Being X comes to the conclusion that the salaryman lacks faith in Him because he does not live in circumstances that would require him to have faith, and decides to reincarnate the unrepentant supervisor in an alternate 1913-era Europe, where he would potentially face enough troubles that he would have no choice but to have faith in Being X. Tanya grows up in a poorly funded orphanage in Berun, where it is discovered by routine tests that she has an exceedingly high magical aptitude. Tanya decides to enlist in the Imperial Army, where she believes that she would fare better than as an orphan in wartime. She performs well and is entrusted with training new cadets at a military academy, but is ruthless and unforgiving to her students, much to Rerugen's horror. In 1923, a 9-year-old Tanya is operating as an artillery observer at the Northern Theater Force Garrison during the initial invasion of the Empire by the Entente. Lieutenant Colonel Anson Sioux of the Entente leads a company of the 5th Aerial Mage Battalion after Tanya who is ordered to stay and delay them, which Tanya does so at great injury to herself. Later, back at Garrison Headquarters, Tanya is awarded the Silver Wings Assault Badge and hopes she isn’t sent to the frontlines. Instead, she is dressed up and lauded as a hero of the Empire. | ||
| 3 | "Deus Vult" Transcription: "Kami ga Sore o Nozomareru" (Japanese: 神がそれを望まれる) |
January 20, 2017 |
| After recovering from her injuries, Tanya is assigned to the Tactical Instructor Squad away from the front, to her great relief. She tests a new type of computation jewel (a device necessary for mages to perform magic), the Elenium Type-95, but this proves to be as dangerous as fighting on the frontlines due to the extreme instability of the Type-95. Chief Development Engineer Adelheid von Schugel pushes her to her limits, but is unable to make the Type-95 sufficiently stable. After criticizing the technology, she requests a transfer which is approved, and the project is frozen. That night, Being X animates a nutcracker doll and accuses Tanya of not having developed any faith or insight, but Tanya disagrees with Being X and destroys the toy. She wakes up the next day and assumes it was a dream, but sees a paper with Deus lo vult (God wills it) written on her bedside. Tanya participates in one more experiment and just as the Type-95 is about to explode, Being X performs a miracle and stabilizes the jewel to prove His power to Tanya. As a result, the Type-95 is now usable only to Tanya, and greatly amplifies her power when used, on the condition that she prays to Being X. She views this as a curse. The next year, Tanya is again sent to the front, eventually leading to the events of Episode 1. Headquarters decides to send her to officer training and she recommends Viktoriya for officer training as well. They both prepare to return to Berun for officer training. Meanwhile, Headquarters realises the necessity of a rapid response unit in the Imperial Army. | ||
| 4 | "Campus Life" Transcription: "Kyanpasu Raifu" (Japanese: キャンパス・ライフ) |
January 27, 2017 |
| Six months after leaving the frontlines, Tanya is still training to be an officer at a military academy and is doing well at her studies. She meets General Zettour in the academy's library and he asks for her opinion on the war. She predicts that it will become a world war and outlines a strategy for the Empire, using the firepower and agility of mages to minimise military losses. He is impressed by her battle knowledge and ideas and asks for a report, which she sees as an opportunity for career advancement. Later, Tanya meets Captain Uger, one of her academy rivals, in a café. Uger reveals to Tanya that he is more concerned about his family than the war and of the future impact the war will have on his daughter, who he fears may one day be forced to fight. Tanya is able to emotionally manipulate him to drop out of academy in exchange for a safer line of work, securing her position as one of the elite students at the academy. Zettour passes Tanya's plan to General Kurt von Rudersdorf. At a conference held at the Imperial Strategic Headquarters, Zettour tables Tanya's plan for a rapid-response mage battalion, which is accepted. At the Western Theater Garrison, Rerugen is furious when he learns that Tanya's plan has been implemented with her in command of the rapid reaction force. Tanya is invited to dinner with the Colonel, where she is put in charge of a new 48-strong rapid-response mage battalion and will be promoted to the rank of Captain. Much to her horror, this will actually be more dangerous than fighting on the front lines. She tries to find ways to delay the implementation of the battalion, especially after a large number of applications for the battalion are received, but a newly-promoted Viktoriya is assigned to assist her, thus preventing Tanya from further delaying the formation of the battalion. | ||
| 5 | "My First Battalion" Transcription: "Hajimari no daitai" (Japanese: はじまりの大隊) |
February 3, 2017 |
| Tanya holds a test to decide whether or not the mages who have sent in the applications are worthy of joining the new battalion, but most fail, resulting in a low recruitment rate, leading to her superiors complaining that her standards are set too high. Tanya accepts this compromise to accept more lower-standard mages, and declares that she will bring all the mages to an acceptable standard in just a month. She is granted free rein on how to go about it. She holds a gruelling training regime, with many nearly dying (which she hopes would deter them from further training), but the mages are instead frightened that dropping out will incur even worse punishment and decide to continue. Some are even inspired to meet her lofty standards. Within a month, they have been successfully transformed into skilled soldiers, even by Tanya's standards. She then receives instructions to go with her battalion (named the 203rd Aerial Mage Battalion, or Pixie Battalion) to the Grand Duchy of Dakia which has mobilised its troops and crossed Imperial borders. There, the first battle the 203rd encounters is totally in their favour. The Dakians have no mages and still use techniques for out-dated forms of warfare, even lacking the capability for the most basic of anti-aircraft operations. The Dakian attack is repulsed with ease by the elite 203rd, resulting in massive Dakian casualties. Tanya commands the 203rd to follow her to the Dakian capital to test their combat prowess, leaving the remainder of the Dakian invasion force to regular Imperial forces. There, they locate the Republic-backed Carbelius Arms Factory that is undefended from aerial attack. Tanya orders the 203rd to attack it; but in accordance with international law, they can only destroy the factory if they have declared their intentions in advance, allowing for armed retaliation. This would give away the 203rd's surprise advantage. However, Tanya uses a child-like voice to broadcast her intentions to destroy the factory over a radio, which is dismissed by factory workers as a harmless child's prank, allowing the 203rd to completely destroy the factory. The 203rd, satisfied with their overwhelming success, returns to base. | ||
| 6 | "Beginning of Madness" Transcription: "Kyōki no makuake" (Japanese: 狂気の幕開け) |
February 10, 2017 |
| Headquarters concludes that Imperial troops should be able to completely occupy Dakia by winter and turns their attention to the fact that the Empire is still fighting on two fronts: against the Entente and the Republic. They decide to focus their efforts on destroying the Entente first, but are worried that there will not be sufficient supplies to do so with there only being enough to last the Imperial Army through winter. Finally, an order is sent for the 203rd to transfer to Norden against the Entente. Later, Tanya and Viktoriya discuss the possibility of the Entente being allied to the Republic and/or the Allied Kingdom (analogous to the United Kingdom), which is later shown to be true. Tanya realises that Being X may be orchestrating the upcoming world war in order to force a situation wherein she would have no choice but to worship Him. At Norden, Viper Battalion fights against attacking Entente forces but faces heavy losses. The 203rd comes in just in time to rescue Viper Battalion and to launch a counterattack. When offered to be reinforced by additional Imperial Army units, Tanya turns down the offer to create a reputation for the 203rd. She chooses to go after enemy bombers, leaving the rest of the 203rd to carry out the attack. After downing a flight of bombers and landing to look for survivors, Being X once again stops time and animates a dead Entente soldier, and asks Tanya how it feels to fight a war against the whole world. Tanya shoots Being X's avatar down and later eradicates a hidden Allied Kingdom observation post that was gathering data on her. At Parisee, Lieutenant Colonel Zevran Biantot informs General Pierre Michelaud Lugo of the failure of the Entente's attacks and of Republican mage casualties, advising him to refrain from sending more Republican mages to assist the Entente. However, Lugo refuses, seemingly under the influence of Being X. In the Entente Ministry of Defence, it is revealed that Anson Sioux has been promoted to Colonel, but is worried about dying and leaving his wife and daughter (Mary Sioux) behind. | ||
| 6.5 | "War Report" Transcription: "Senkyō hōkoku" (Japanese: 戦況報告) |
February 17, 2017 |
| A recap of previous episodes from Tanya's point of view. | ||
| 7 | "The Battle of the Fjord" Transcription: "Fiyorudo no kōbō" (Japanese: フィヨルドの攻防) |
February 24, 2017 |
| At Port Arnelus, Colonel Sioux bids farewell to his family as he leaves for his post at the relatively quiet Orse Fjord, located far from the front. Some time later, he discovers that he had received a rifle from his daughter as an early Christmas present. Meanwhile at the Imperial Army Northern Theater Command's Strategy Conference, Tanya proposes a strategic retreat, thus shortening supply lines for retreating Imperial forces, allowing the Imperial Army to resupply and making it easier for them to launch an offensive in spring. She asserts that while the retreat would continue the war, an offensive at the moment would exhaust the Imperial army in Norden, thus limiting its effectiveness. Despite this, it is decided that an offensive would be carried out regardless of the potential losses. Afterwards, during a conversation with Rerugen and Rudersdorf, she deduces that the offensive's main purpose is to be a diversion for Imperial forces to launch an amphibious offensive at the rear of the enemy. Rudersdorf decides to send the 203rd to launch a surprise attack at the heavily defended Orse Fjord in advance of their North Sea Fleet. During the attack, the 203rd is intercepted by a battalion-sized unit of mages led by Colonel Sioux. Tanya leads the 1st Company in intercepting enemy mages while the 2nd and 3rd Companies destroy the defensive cannons located along the coast, allowing the fleet to land and take control of the railroads, in turn allowing for Imperial forces to take over the port. Sioux’s mages are devastated by the 1st Company. In a final confrontation, Tanya bayonets Sioux, who falls into the sea. Tanya recovers Sioux's rifle and claims it as her own. In a post-credits scene, Mary Sioux and her mother in Arkansas hear over the radio that the Orse Fjord's defenders were wiped out, causing Mary to cry. | ||
| 8 | "Trial by Fire" Transcription: "Hi no Shiren" (Japanese: 火の試練) |
March 3, 2017 |
| Bientot and the Republican Army's 2nd Mage Company support a rebel uprising in Arene City against Imperial occupiers, located in former Republican territory in the Western Theater. This is a problem because the Arene rebels now control the large railroad that passes through Arene, which is straining Imperial supply lines. The 203rd are ordered to intercept and destroy all resistance even if it means civilian casualties. They find the city heavily defended. However, Strategic Command has a plan to rapidly suppress the Arene rebellion; as in accordance to international law, should a city not be evacuated after an evacuation order, all remaining people in a city will be treated as enemy soldiers. After a fierce attack by the 203rd, battered Republican mages seek shelter in a building. Following a refusal to surrender or evacuate, the 203rd observes the murder of a captured Imperial soldier by Arene rebels, providing a casus belli for retaliation. Arene comes under sustained attack from Imperial artillery, causing countless civilian deaths; the Republican mages are driven off completely and control of Arene is returned to the Empire. Second Lieutenant Vooren Grantz refuses to open fire at the Arene rebels but Tanya pressures him into doing so. At Strategic Headquarters, Zettour reveals to Rerugen that the idea for the destruction of Arene actually came from a thesis written by Tanya that details methods to circumvent international laws on city bombardment. At an Allied Kingdom hospital, the critically wounded Colonel Sioux slowly recovers from his encounter with Tanya and says that God told him to destroy the Devil. | ||
| 9 | "Preparations for Advance" Transcription: "Zenshin Junbi" (Japanese: 前進準備) |
March 10, 2017 |
| Some days after the battle at Arene, Tanya meets Major Uger from the academy, who tells her of a plan to withdraw Imperial forces on the Rhine to draw Republican forces into a trap: "Operation Revolving Door", consisting of four separate phases. Zettour proposes this plan at the Command Strategy Conference and arranges to use the 203rd to attack the rear of Republican forces. The Empire carries out a widespread disinformation campaign as the first phase "Operation Fog and Sun" to trick Republican forces of a large-scale Imperial retreat. Rerugen tells Tanya that the plan for the second phase "Operation Shock and Awe" is to take out Republican command headquarters and their communication systems. Schugel announces that a new high-speed rocket weapon, the V-1, will transport the 203rd to the three potential locations of the enemy headquarters. Meanwhile at the Rhine, Imperial troops retreat from the front, resulting in the confident advance of Republican forces. Unbeknownst to them, the Imperial Army left booby traps while retreating. | ||
| 10 | "Path to Victory" Transcription: "Shōri e no michi" (Japanese: 勝利への道) |
March 17, 2017 |
| Sioux is shown to have survived, and seen to be travelling on an Allied Kingdom ship and plotting his revenge on Tanya. Following the success of "Operation Shock and Awe", the 203rd proceeds to retreat via submarine. At the Imperial High Council, various military leaders undergo a grilling by government officials on their strategy of withdrawal, accused of exposing Imperial manufacturing facilities to potential Republican attack. They delay their response, stalling for time while they wait for Tanya’s unit to report on their status. Finally, Zettour announces to the Imperial High Council that the enemy command structure has been destroyed and the commencement of the third phase of "Operation Lock Pick". It starts with the detonation of the traps left behind by the retreating Imperial Army, resulting in widespread Republican losses. Without communications, the Republican forces are in disarray and suffer a sustained counterattack by Imperial heavy armour and mechanised infantry who completely encircle Republican forces. During an investigation on the cause of the communications breakdown, Bientot arrives at the ruins of the Republican Army’s headquarters and is horrified. The 203rd takes part in the fourth phase of "Operation Revolving Door", a series of mop-up operations against Republican Army remnants but suddenly come under attack from an Allied Kingdom mage unit with long-range weapons led by Sioux. | ||
| 11 | "Resistance" Transcription: "Teikōsha" (Japanese: 抵抗者) |
March 24, 2017 |
| The diminished 203rd goes on the offensive rather than retreat. They use their altitude advantage but suffer heavy losses, especially when Sioux uses a magically-enhanced trench gun. Sioux pursues Tanya and when they come face-to-face, she bayonets him. She then recognises him from their previous encounter, but he is possessed by Being X and grabs her. Viktoriya helps Tanya break free and Tanya empties an entire magazine into Sioux, penetrating his magical defenses. Riddled with bullets, he detonates an explosive, but Tanya and Viktoriya resist the blast just as a battalion of Imperial reinforcements arrive and chase off the Allied Kingdom mages. It is shown that while injured, most of the 203rd has survived. After the severe losses suffered by Republican forces because of the Operation Revolving Door, the Republican Army abandon Parisee, resulting in Imperial forces moving in and occupying the city. Imperial High Council congratulates the military on their success, and discuss the acquisition of the Republic's colonies. While the men of the 203rd celebrate on a Republican beach, Tanya and Viktoriya discuss the ending of the war, and Tanya suspects the Republic is planning to evacuate by sea to prepare a counter-offensive. She requests permission to attack the Republican military port of Brest, but it is refused and she is also prevented from undertaking her own "reconnaissance". She bemoans this opportunity to end the war. | ||
| 12 | "How to Use a Victory" Transcription: "Shōri no tsukaikata" (Japanese: 勝利の使い方) |
March 31, 2017 |
| While the Empire celebrates the truce (that could finally lead to an armistice and so to the end of the war), Tanya explains to Rerugen of her being aware of the fact that it is only a matter of time for the war to restart, since the Republic and all other nations will never allow the Empire to become the most powerful country in Europe; but more so that refusing to admit defeat and choosing to keep fighting no matter the consequences is simply part of human nature. In fact, the Empire's overwhelming growth finally pushes the remaining superpowers of the World (the Allied Kingdom, the Russy Federation and the Unified States) to form an alliance against the Empire. When General Lugo of the Republican Army proclaims the birth of the Free Republic from Tunis, it becomes clear to the Empire's citizens and soldiers that the war is far from over. While the battles begin once again, Tanya and her squad are sent to Africa to begin the fight against the Free Republic. While haranguing her men, Tanya tells them that the war is proof that God has failed, and that the power to influence mankind is now in the hands of Man and, especially, of the soldiers, once again launching her challenge against Being X. Meanwhile, in the Unified States, Mary Sioux (blessed with Being X's power) enlists in the U.S. Army in search for Tanya, seeking vengeance for her father's death. | ||
| 13 (OVA) | "Operation Desert Pasta" Transcription: "Sabaku no pasuta dai sakusen" (Japanese: 砂漠のパスタ大作戦) |
June 19, 2021 |
| Tanya and the 203rd Air Mage Battalion are sent to fight the Free Republic and its foreign allies in the southern desert. Food is scarce, but Colonel Rerugen sends a shipment of dried pasta to the battlefield for the troops. However, given the harsh conditions and shortage of water, the pasta cannot be cooked. Following a raid, the 203rd manages to acquire a substantial quantity of water but the boiled pasta is virtually tasteless. Tanya gains approval from headquarters for the 203rd to embark on a series of "force recon" raids under the name of "Operation Desert Pasta" on the outposts of the Free Republic and its foreign allies. She omits the detail that they also plan to gather ingredients for a pasta sauce. The operation is highly successful and the 203rd enjoy the benefits of eating pasta with a delicious sauce, accompanied by quality wine. | ||
| TRAILERS | |
On June 19, 2021, a second season was announced. The main cast and staff are returning to reprise their roles.
A comedy crossover anime, Isekai Quartet featured characters from The Saga of Tanya the Evil in a Chibi style, much like the OVA. It also featured characters from the light novel series KonoSuba, Overlord and Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World, all published by Kadokawa Corporation. The anime series began airing on April 9, 2019.
Web Radio[]
"Youjo Senki Radio no Akuma" was broadcast every Saturday on Onsen from January 7th to July 1st, 2017. The personalities are Aoi Yuki, who plays Tanya Degurechaff, and Shinichiro Miki, who plays Lergen.
Film[]
An anime film based on the franchise was announced in January 2018. The film saw a number of the staff and cast of the television series reprise their roles, and was a direct sequel to the series. The film premiered on February 8, 2019. The film received a limited U.S. theater release on May 16, 2019, by Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll and Anime Limited screened the film at MCM London Comic Con on May 26, 2019. Crunchyroll also screened the film at Supanova Expo in Sydney and Perth in Australia on June 23 and June 30, 2019, respectively.
- Staff
- Original Author - Carlo Zen
- Character draft - Shinobu Shinozuki
- Director - Yasushi Uemura
- Character design/general drawing director - Yuji Hosokoshi
- Script - Kenta Inohara
- Deputy Director - Kana Harudo
- Clothing Design - Hiromi Taniguchi
- Magic Tool Design - Ryoma Ebata, Bunritsu Tsukita
- Firearms Design - Biyori Akishino Denforword, Nao Otsu
- Effects Director - Takashi Hashimoto
- Art Director - Mizuka Ueda
- Color design - Chiho Nakamura
- Cinematographer - Shinji Tonsho
- 3DCGI Director - Masato Takahashi
- Editing - Yumi Jinguji
- Sound Director-Miwa Iwanami
- Music - Shuji Katayama
- Animation production - NUT
- Production - Theatrical version Young Girl Senki Production Committee
- Distribution - Kadokawa ANIMATION
The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning 100 million yen in its first five days and 400 million yen in total.
| TRAILERS | |
Overall, the film received generally positive reviews. Dave Trumbore of Collider favourably reviewed the film, giving it an 'A−'. Trumbore wrote, "The war acts as a backdrop for these two incredibly powerful mages who wind up on a destined collision course with each other, and it’s a fight you won’t want to miss." Jordan Ramée of GameSpot rated it 7/10, and praised the introduction of Mary Sioux as a character, writing, "Mary [Sioux] injects a welcome level of tension into the story, and is a compelling villain for Tanya to fight," but also notes that "Other than the final fight, battles lack the intensity of an aerial dogfight".
Game[]
| Sensory Game |
| A mystery-solving game event on the website hosted by Nazomate under the title of "The Saga of Tanya the Evil: Mystery Solving Game 203rd Air Magic Battalion Selection Test (幼女戦記 謎解きゲーム 第二〇三航空魔導大隊選抜試験)". On YouTube, there was an opening movie told by Tanya Degurechaff (voice- Aoi Yuuki). The participants are set to apply for enlistment in the magic battalion, and the purpose is to clear the exam imposed to select the members by Tanya Degurechaff, who was ordered to organize the magic battalion. |
| Mobile App Games |
| An app game for Android/iOS that will be distributed by Studio Harvest under the title of "The Saga of Tanya the Evil: Magical Battle Eri (幼女戦記 魔導師斯く戦えり)". Pre-registration started on May 26, 2020, and service started on December 10, 2020. Service ends at 17:00 on January 17, 2022.
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| Pachislot |
| Pachislot: Yōjo Senki "パチスロ幼女戦記" (December 2022, Sammy) |
Reception[]
As of April 2018, the light novels and manga had a combined 3 million copies in print.
Writing for the Anime News Network, Nick Creamer says Saga of Tanya the Evil is differentiated from the majority of isekai anime that have heroic otaku or everyday young men as their protagonists by having Tanya be evil. Creamer explicitly says "Tanya's crimes are our crimes", indicting the capitalist system that produced her past self as a ruthless salaryman, and the consequences thereof for her new self.
External Link[]
- The Saga of Tanya the Evil ー Original web novel (in Japanese)
- The Saga of Tanya the Evil ー Official Manga Website
- TV Anime "The Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 1" Official Website
- TV Anime "The Saga of Tanya the Evil Season 2" Official Website
- The Saga of Tanya the Evil: Movie Official Website
- TV Anime "The Saga of Tanya the Evil" Official (@youjosenki) - Twitter
- The Saga of Tanya the Evil ー ABEMA Video
- The Saga of Tanya the Evil ーWikipedia JP
- The Saga of Tanya the Evil ーWikipedia EN
Trivia[]
to be added.