The popular light novel series, “Mercedes and the Waning Moon: The Dungeoneering Feats of a Discarded Vampire Aristocrat,” written by Firehead and illustrated by KeG, is officially getting an anime adaptation. The announcement was made on Thursday, August 7, 2025, confirming the series’ expansion into animated form. While specific details regarding the initial staff, cast, and premiere date are yet to be revealed, the news has generated significant excitement among fans of the vampire reincarnation saga.
Journey of “Mercedes and the Waning Moon”
The series, often referred to simply as “Mercedes and the Waning Moon,” began its journey as a web novel on the online service Shōsetsuka ni Narō in October 2018, concluding its serialization there in November 2022. TO Books later acquired the series for publication as a light novel, with the first volume released in May 2021. As of February 2022, three volumes of the light novel have been published, with a fourth volume expected on August 15, 2025.
The Creative Minds Behind the Series
Firehead is credited as the author of the light novel series, while KeG provides the illustrations. The light novel is published by TO Books. The series has also inspired a manga adaptation, illustrated by Pochi Edoya, which began serialization on TO Books’ Comic Corona website in August 2021. Four tankōbon volumes of the manga have been compiled as of September 2024. Both the light novel and manga adaptations are licensed in English by J-Novel Club.
What is “Mercedes and the Waning Moon” About?
“Mercedes and the Waning Moon: The Dungeoneering Feats of a Discarded Vampire Aristocrat” is an isekai series that delves into the life of Mercedes Grunewald. The protagonist, Mercedes, is a vampire woman who is a reincarnation of a Japanese person who died with regrets in a past life.
A Vampire’s Struggle for Survival and Purpose
Mercedes finds herself living in the countryside with her mother, who was estranged from her father after a falling out. Despite her noble lineage, Mercedes is sidelined from her father’s line of succession due to being born to a concubine. Facing an uncertain future, and with her mother lacking skills and their maid being elderly, Mercedes, even as a small child, decides to become a dungeon crawler. Her goal is to acquire strength and wealth to provide for her family. Fortunately, being from a nation of vampires, she possesses the inherent potential to grow powerful. Having experienced an unfulfilled past life, Mercedes is determined to forge a different destiny, seeking something to make her “moon full” within the dungeons. Her journey eventually leads her to Edelrot Academy, where she becomes entangled in a hidden struggle for the throne.
Anticipation for the Anime
The announcement of an anime adaptation signifies a major milestone for the “Mercedes and the Waning Moon” series, opening it up to a wider audience. Fans are eagerly awaiting further announcements regarding the production team, voice cast, and the expected release window for the series.
