The Familiar of Zero

The Familiar of Zero (Japanese: ゼロの使い魔, Hepburn: Zero no Tsukaima) is a Japanese fantasy light novel series written by Noboru Yamaguchi, with illustrations by Eiji Usatsuka. Media Factory published 20 volumes between June 2004 and February 2011. The series was left unfinished due to the author's death in 2013, but was later concluded in two volumes released in February 2016 and February 2017 with a different author, making use of notes left behind by Yamaguchi. The story features several characters from the second year class of a magic academy in a fictional magical world with the main characters being the inept mage Louise and her familiar from Earth, Saito Hiraga.

Quick facts: ゼロの使い魔 (Zero no Tsukaima), Genre, Written&nbs... ▼

The Familiar of Zero
Cover of the first light novel volume featuring Louise.
ゼロの使い魔 (Zero no Tsukaima)
Genre	Action Fantasy comedy[1] Harem[2]
Light novel
Written by	Noboru Yamaguchi
Illustrated by	Eiji Usatsuka
Published by	Media Factory
Imprint	MF Bunko J
Demographic	Male
Original run	June 25, 2004 – February 24, 2017
Volumes	22 + side story collection
Anime television series
Directed by	Yoshiaki Iwasaki
Written by	Takao Yoshioka
Music by	Shinkichi Mitsumune
Studio	J.C.Staff
Licensed by	AUS Hanabee NA Sentai Filmworks[lower-alpha 1] SEA Muse Communication[3] UK MVM Films
Original network	CTC
Original run	July 3, 2006 – September 25, 2006
Episodes	13 (List of episodes)
Manga
Zero's Familiar
Illustrated by	Nana Mochizuki
Published by	Media Factory
English publisher	NA Seven Seas Entertainment
Magazine	Monthly Comic Alive
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	June 27, 2006 – October 27, 2009
Volumes	7
Light novel
Zero no Tsukaima Gaiden: Tabatha no Bōken
Written by	Noboru Yamaguchi
Illustrated by	Eiji Usatsuka
Published by	Media Factory
Imprint	MF Bunko J
Demographic	Male
Original run	October 25, 2006 – March 25, 2009
Volumes	3
Anime television series
The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Twin Moons
Directed by	Yū Kō
Written by	Yuji Kawahara
Music by	Shinkichi Mitsumune
Studio	J.C.Staff
Licensed by	AUS Hanabee NA Sentai Filmworks SEA Muse Communication UK MVM Films
Original network	CTC, tvk
Original run	July 9, 2007 – September 24, 2007
Episodes	12 (List of episodes)
Manga
The Familiar of Zero Official Anthology Comic
Written by	Various artists
Published by	Media Factory
Demographic	Male
Original run	August 23, 2007 – September 23, 2008
Volumes	9
Manga
Zero no Tsukaima Gaiden: Tabatha no Bōken
Written by	Takuto Kon
Published by	Media Factory
Magazine	Monthly Comic Alive
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	October 27, 2007 – May 27, 2010
Volumes	5
Anime television series
The Familiar of Zero: Rondo of Princesses
Directed by	Yū Kō
Written by	Nahoko Hasegawa
Music by	Shinkichi Mitsumune
Studio	J.C.Staff
Licensed by	AUS Hanabee NA Sentai Filmworks SEA Muse Communication UK MVM Films
Original network	CTC, tvk
English network	SG Arts Central
Original run	July 6, 2008 – September 21, 2008
Episodes	12 (List of episodes)
Original video animation
The Familiar of Zero: Rondo of Princesses
Directed by	Yū Kō
Studio	J.C.Staff
Licensed by	NA Sentai Filmworks UK MVM Films
Released	December 24, 2008
Runtime	24 minutes
Manga
Zero no Chukaima: Yōchien nano!
Written by	Takamura Masaya
Published by	Media Factory
Magazine	Monthly Comic Alive
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	September 26, 2009 – March 27, 2012
Volumes	3
Light novel
Kaze no Kishihime
Written by	Noboru Yamaguchi
Illustrated by	Eiji Usatsuka
Published by	Media Factory
Imprint	MF Bunko J
Demographic	Male
Original run	October 23, 2009 – March 25, 2010
Volumes	2
Manga
Zero's Familiar: Chevalier
Written by	Higa Yukari
Published by	Media Factory
English publisher	NA Seven Seas Entertainment
Magazine	Monthly Comic Alive
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	January 27, 2010 – March 27, 2013
Volumes	4
Anime television series
The Familiar of Zero: F
Directed by	Yoshiaki Iwasaki
Written by	Noboru Yamaguchi
Music by	Shinkichi Mitsumune
Studio	J.C.Staff
Licensed by	AUS Hanabee NA Sentai Filmworks SEA Muse Communication UK MVM Films
Original network	AT-X
Original run	January 7, 2012 – March 24, 2012
Episodes	12 (List of episodes)
Visual novels
Zero no Tsukaima: Koakuma to Harukaze Concerto Zero no Tsukaima: Muma ga Tsumugu Yokaze no Fantasy Zero no Tsukaima: Maigo no Period to Ikusen no Symphony

Between 2006 and 2012, the series was adapted by J.C.Staff into four anime television series and an additional original video animation episode. The first anime series was licensed by Geneon Entertainment in English, but the license expired in 2011. Sentai Filmworks has since re-licensed and re-released the first series and released the other three series in North America. A manga adaptation illustrated by Nana Mochizuki was serialized in Media Factory's manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive between June 2006 and October 2009. The manga was released by Seven Seas Entertainment in North America. Three additional spin-off manga were also created (one of them also localized by Seven Seas Entertainment), as were three visual novels.