A new theatrical anime film for the popular fantasy series Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina has been officially announced, delighting fans nearly six years after the conclusion of its television anime adaptation. The announcement was made during the GA FES 2026 event, accompanied by a teaser trailer featuring newly recorded voice lines from Elaina’s voice actress, Kaede Hondo.
The Journey Continues on the Big Screen
The new film project signifies a significant return for the beloved “Ashen Witch” and her episodic adventures. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the announcement confirms that Elaina will weave a new story for the big screen. Further details regarding the film’s narrative, staff, and release date are expected to be revealed at a later time.
A Look Back at the Wandering Witch Phenomenon
Origins in Light Novels
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina, known in Japan as Majo no Tabitabi, originated as a Japanese light novel series written by Jōgi Shiraishi and illustrated by Azure. The series began publication in April 2016 under SB Creative’s GA Novel imprint, with twenty-four volumes released as of March 2025. Yen Press licenses the light novels in North America. The story follows Elaina, a young witch inspired by a childhood book, as she travels the world without a specific destination, encountering diverse people and cultures.
The Acclaimed Anime Television Series
The light novel series received an anime television adaptation produced by studio C2C, which aired for 12 episodes from October to December 2020. Directed by Toshiyuki Kubooka, with Kazuyuki Fudeyasu handling series composition, the anime was praised for its blend of adorable and at times dark moments, often ranking highly in weekly polls during its broadcast. Crunchyroll currently streams the first season. The anime adaptation celebrated its fifth anniversary on October 2, 2025.
Manga Adaptations and Spinoffs
In addition to the light novels and anime, Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina has also been adapted into a manga series with art by Itsuki Nanao, serialized online from November 2018 to March 2024. This manga has been collected into six tankōbon volumes and is licensed in English by Square Enix. A spin-off light novel series, Riviere and the Land of Prayer, also began publication in January 2022, with a manga adaptation of the spin-off also seeing serialization.
Fan Anticipation and Creator’s Message
The announcement comes as a welcome surprise for many fans who have been eagerly awaiting a continuation of Elaina’s adventures. The original author, Jōgi Shiraishi, acknowledged the continuous requests from fans regarding a sequel, expressing gratitude for their support. The series is known for its episodic nature, with Elaina encountering various situations and people, reflecting the bright and dark sides of the world. This format allows for diverse storytelling opportunities in a new film. The tenth anniversary of the original novel series in 2026 further underscores the timing of this significant announcement.
