Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is a Japanese light novel series by Ao Jumonji. Eiri Shirai created the illustrations. It tells a story about a group of people who came into a fantasy world.
These people strive to survive without any knowledge about their past. They continued their quest inside this mysterious world and became volunteer soldiers.
Table of Contents
Season 1
It all started when a guild of novice adventurers went into a forest They battled with goblins inside the infested forest. On the verge of losing, they were forced to withdraw.
It was revealed that these adventurers originally came from the modern world. These people had no idea about their past.
Without a choice, they served under a mysterious person called Chief Britney. He trained them to become volunteer soldiers.
Others took the task seriously. However, some didn’t like it and became a part of the lead party. To strengthen their alliance, they formed guilds and battled weak monsters.
Their leader is Manato. Killing monsters and using their bounty is their means to survive.
It’s difficult at first. But as time passed by, the experience made them stronger. They learned how to operate as a unit.
The guild battled with goblins in the forest. Their success brought them into an abandoned city. However, an unexpected ambush came.
Manato died and Haruhiro, a thief, took the responsibility in leading them. Their loss took a toll on the guild and put them in peril.
Without realizing Manato’s sacrifices, the group disbanded. But once they knew how much Manato did to keep them intact, they formed a new alliance. They took Merry as the new Priest.
However, Merry blamed herself for the ill fate they had. It pierced her heart and find it hard to accept the reality. As time passed by, she began recovering.
She made friends with Haruhito and the group.
To avenge Manato’s death, the group planned to attack the ruins. Targeting the heart of the goblin encampment would be the best choice.
A fierce battle between goblins and man began. Merry’s guild won and the goblin king got killed. Now, they found closure to Manato’s death.
However, Merry’s past continued to haunt her. The group wanted to help her find peace by killing the monsters in the kobold-infested mines. It’s the only way to give justice to her old group.
After winning the battle, Merry found peace. It all ended with the other survivors accepting the new reality they lived in Grimgar.
Publication and release
In 2015, Mutsumi Okubashi serialized the manga adaptation with Gangan Joker publishing its imprint. A year later, the production company made a 12-episode anime television series.
It aired from January to March the same year. In March 2016, an OVA came out. Funimation got a license to air the anime television series in North America and changed its title to Grimgar, Ashes, and Illusions.
The J-novel club acquired the production of an English version of the novel. A publication by Yen Press adapted its manga version.
Will there be a second season for Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash? Fans still lie in wait.
Light novel
Ao Jumonji wrote the light novel series with Overlap handling its publication, and Eiri Shirai for the illustration. The first release happened in 2013. Three years later, J-Novel Club announced the acquisition of rights to release the light novel in English.
An English version is first available online. Later on, Seven Seas Entertainment made printed copies of its English version. It happened after joining with J-Novel Club.
The first volume came out on June 25, 2013. It ended with 18 light novels having the last released on October 25, 2021.
Manga
A manga adaptation first appeared on April 22, 2015. Mutsumi Okubashi spearheaded its serialization in Square Enix’s Gangan Joker magazine.
The manga was made available in North America on November 23, 2016. Yen Press acquired the publication. Three volumes were printed from December 22, 2015, until August 22, 2016.
Anime
Ryosuke Nakamura wrote and directed the anime adaptation of Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash. It became a television series produced by A-1 Pictures. Mieko Hosoi created the designs of each character.
From January 11, 2016, to March 28, 2016, the television series is available in Tokyo MX, AT-X, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation, and Nippon BS Broadcasting. Funimation dubbed an English version for North America.
Each DVD and Blu-ray volume contains 2 episodes. A total of 6 volumes were released, having 12 episodes. In the UK, the anime series will be available through Anime Limited.
OVA
A promotional video about an upcoming OVA episode was released on February 5, 2016, by Toho. They released a 10-minute OVA on March 16, 2016. The OVA was released along with the anime’s first DVD and Blu-ray volume.
Season 2
At the end of season 1, Merry and the other survivors found peace after winning the battle. Their quest to seek justice ended. But, does it mean that the story has already ended?
Fans are eager to hear more. Speculations are swarming around the internet. Is this the last time we hear about Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash?
As of now, the production team didn’t say a word. But, it’s up to Jumonji and Shirai to continue the story. Rumor has it that a new season is expected in the first half of 2022.
Based on the timeline of events, hope’s still present. As you can see, the last light novel volume came out on October 25, 2021, with its last episode on March 28, 2016.
This means the story continued 5 years after the anime series’ season finale.
Looking forward to the guild’s adventure remains a mystery. Are there new quests waiting for them? Would Merry and the rest of the guild continue their journey?
There’s only one way to find out. Time is the essence of bracing ourselves. Right now, all we can do is wait for the verdict.
