The upcoming anime adaptation of Once Upon a Witch’s Death has released a new character promotional video, this time featuring the composed and talented Sophie Hayter. Voiced by Hina Yomiya, Sophie is a crucial character in the story, and the trailer offers a glimpse into her personality and magical abilities. The anime is slated for release in 2025.
Sophie Hayter’s Character Video Released
The promotional video for Sophie Hayter was released on Wednesday, January 15, offering fans a closer look at this intriguing character. Hina Yomiya’s voice acting brings the character to life, portraying Sophie as a calm and collected witch. The trailer showcases her dazzling magical performances, hinting at her prowess and significance in the narrative. This release follows previous character videos featuring Meg Raspberry and Faust, further building anticipation for the anime’s debut.
The Story of Once Upon a Witch’s Death
Once Upon a Witch’s Death tells the story of Meg Raspberry, an apprentice witch who discovers on her seventeenth birthday that she has only one year to live. Her mentor, the long-lived witch Faust, reveals that the only way to undo this death curse is to collect tears of joy and grow a seed of life. This sets Meg on a journey where she must leave her sheltered life and interact with the world, leading to many meetings, partings, and friendships. The story explores themes of life, death, and the connections we make with others. It is a poignant tale about cherishing moments and finding joy even in the face of death.
Synopsis
The official synopsis from Yen Press, who licensed the novels in English, reads:
“On her seventeenth birthday, the apprentice witch Meg learns that she only has one year left to live. Her teacher, the long-lived witch Faust, explains that the only way to undo the death curse is to collect tears of joy and grow the seed of life. To find them, Meg will have to leave the sheltered life she’s always known and head out into the world. There will be meetings, partings, and friendships aplenty, and of course many tears. Meg will learn that the most important lessons for a witch are bright, sweet, and somewhat heart-wrenching.”
Source Material
The series originated as a web novel written by Saka and was serialized on the Kakuyomu website from October 2019 to August 2022. It was later acquired by ASCII Media Works, who began publishing it as a light novel under their Dengeki no Shin Bungei imprint in December 2021. The light novels feature illustrations by Chorefuji, and there is also a manga adaptation illustrated by Kenu Amearare, which began serialization in March 2023.
Key Characters and Cast
The anime adaptation features a talented cast of voice actors, including:
- Yoshino Aoyama as Meg Raspberry, the main protagonist, a young witch cursed to die within a year.
- Yoshiko Sakakibara as Faust, Meg’s mentor, an ancient and powerful witch.
- Hina Yomiya as Sophie Hayter, a genius witch the same age as Meg, known for her calm demeanor and magical prowess.
- Miharu Hanai as Carbuncle, a supporting character in Meg’s journey.
- Aina Suzuki as Shirofukurō (Snowy Owl), another key character.
- Rumi Okubo as Fine Cavendish, a character also featured in promotional visuals and trailers.
- Atsumi Tanezaki as a Mysterious Girl, a character whose role is yet to be fully revealed.
Anime Production Details
The anime is being produced by EMT Squared, with Atsushi Nigorikawa (A Destructive God Sits Next to Me, Beast Tamer) directing. Keiichirō Ōchi (Adachi and Shimamura, The Quintessential Quintuplets) is overseeing the series scripts, and Yuki Shizuku (Smile of the Arsnotoria the Animation) is adapting Chorefuji’s character designs for animation. This team brings experience and expertise to the project. The series is set to premiere sometime in 2025.
Staff
- Director: Atsushi Nigorikawa
- Series Composition: Keiichirō Ōchi
- Character Design: Yuki Shizuku
- Animation Studio: EMT Squared
Sophie Hayter: A Closer Look
Sophie Hayter is not just another character in Once Upon a Witch’s Death; she is portrayed as a genius witch who is on the same level as the main heroine, Meg. She is described as calm and collected, with a surprising weakness for food. Sophie is known for putting on spectacular magic shows at various festivals, indicating her magical talent and showmanship. In promotional visuals, she is often seen alongside Meg, suggesting their close relationship and possibly their shared destiny. She participates in the ‘Otherworld Festival’ with Meg, further highlighting her importance to the story.
Release Information
The Once Upon a Witch’s Death anime is scheduled to premiere in 2025. While the exact date is yet to be announced, the release of character trailers and visuals indicates that the production is progressing steadily. Fans eagerly await the series, anticipating the emotional journey and magical world the anime will bring to life. With its intriguing plot, talented cast, and experienced production team, Once Upon a Witch’s Death is shaping up to be a must-watch anime.
Where to Follow Updates
For the latest updates, fans can follow the official website and social media feeds for Once Upon a Witch’s Death. Crunchyroll News and Anime News Network are also reliable sources for news and information about the upcoming anime series. Yen Press is the official English publisher of the light novel series.
