On July 3, 2006, the world was introduced to the anime adaptation of The Familiar of Zero (Zero no Tsukaima). This iconic series was born from the late Yamaguchi Noboru-sensei’s stories, Usatsuka Eiji-sensei’s illustrations, and MF Bunko J imprint. The franchise published 22 main novels and 5 side stories like Heavy Wind, the Female Knight Captain (2 Volumes) and Tabitha’s Adventures (3 Volumes). Shimizu Yu-sensei, author of The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy, and Bladedance of Elementalers, later completed the final two volumes as a request from MF Bunko, honoring the legacy of Yamaguchi-sensei.
At the time, fanfictions of The Familiar of Zero exploded on the popular amateur site Shosetsuka ni Naro, where anyone can create their own stories and occasionally get scouted by publishers. Original series like Re:Zero and Mushoku Tensei were first published on Naro for two reasons: it offered a place to write passionately, and it held a massive community built around The Familiar of Zero’s stories and its fan fictions. These two series were also inspired by the premise of The Familiar of Zero, where the protagonist is brought into another world with elements of romance, comedy, and special abilities. In fact, look at the following proof regarding the legacy of The Familiar of Zero below.
Quick Disclaimer: These Japanese interviews were auto-translated via Google.
Q: Could you tell us what got you two started reading isekai (other world reincarnation/transmigration) stories?
Maruyama (Overlord Author): Originally, I used to read quite a bit of fan fiction about other worlds.
Nagatsuki (Re:Zero Author): Me too. There was a time when fan fiction was popular that brought characters from other works into the world of The Familiar of Zero, which was published by MF Bunko J. The Familiar of Zero itself is an isekai (another world transfer) story, but works that cross over characters from different works are also, in a sense, isekai stories, aren’t they?”
ddnavi interview with Re:Zero and Overlord authors
Q: Also, could you tell me what motivated you to post your work on Shosetsuka ni Naro?
Rifujin na Magonote (Mushoku Tensei Creator): At some point I started writing novels, aiming to become a professional light novel author, but I felt that the general trend in the industry didn’t suit me, so I quit. A few years later, I found Shosetsuka ni Naro, and there were many genres there that I used to love, like isekai reincarnation and transmigration, which were rarely seen in light novels at the time.
As I read, I felt like writing myself, so I started writing again, but I hesitated to submit anything. During that time, I saw that even very amateurish works were being appreciated and had readers, and I thought, “If this is the case, maybe my work won’t be ridiculed, and I can have fun and enjoy it together with readers.”
That’s how I started posting my work on Shosetsuka ni Naro.
Phantom Porta interview with Mushoku Tensei creator
The Familiar of Zero
I learned from this work that at the very least, in Volume 1 (Episode 1), you should advance the story by at least one element. It’s a fond memory that even when I told my friends in my student days, “The Familiar of Zero actually moves the story along!”, they didn’t really get it.
Rifujin na Magonote’s Twitter Post stating how influential The Familiar of Zero was
“In 2004, his The Familiar of Zero novel was first published by the MF Bunko J label and it quickly became a hit, fascinating many fans and resulting in 20 volumes and 5 spin-off novels while contributing to 4 seasons worth of anime. MF Bunko J and Media Factory feel sincerely indebted to Yamaguchi Noboru sensei and his The Familiar of Zero series. He was indeed our benefactor.”
April 11, 2013
Media Factory Inc.
Editor in Chief, MF Bunko J
Yasuji Misaka“Crunchyroll Citation regarding the legacy of author Yamaguchi Noboru
As stated from all those sources, the love and honor towards the late Yamaguchi-sensei are undeniable. MF Bunko J Imprint was also said to be struggling in the earlier days, but persevered with more hit titles thanks to The Familiar of Zero (2004). Eventually publishing these classic titles and some from Naro.
The Media Factory Era (Pre-Oct 2011 Buyout)
- The Familiar of Zero (2004)
- Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox (2005)
- Baka and Test — Summon the Beasts (2007)
- Aria the Scarlet Ammo (2008)
- Kämpfer (2009)
- Mayo Chiki! (2010)
- Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends (2010)
KADOKAWA Era, Buying MF Bunko J Imprint (October 12, 2011)
- Magical Warfare (2011)
- No Game No Life (2012)
- Re:Zero−Starting Life in Another World (2014)
- Classroom of the Elite (2015)
- Remake Our Life! (2017)
- The Detective is Already Dead (2019)
- Spy Classroom (2020)
The MF Books Era (The brand-new fantasy/isekai label launched in 2013 for titles originally published on Naro)
- The Rising of the Shield Hero (2013)
- Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (2014)
- Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers (2016)
- Farming Life in Another World (2016)
- Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start with Magical Tools (2018)
- The Frontier Alchemist: I Can’t Go Back to That Cruel Job Anyway (2021)
- The Reincarnated Young Lady Alisterea Wants to Be Independent (2024)
To me, as a writer and fan of the series, I love everything about it: the magic system, politics, comedy, romance, and even the famous tsundere herself, Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière. I’m well aware of her reputation as “abusive” and “over-bearing,” but looking back as an adult has allowed me to dive into her background and the causes behind them. She matures into a more caring and open person, after experiencing war, love, and what it truly means to be a noble person; regardless of how history might remember her.
With about 12 episodes a season and Yamaguchi-sensei’s failing health, it’s a wonder how they adapted 20 available light novels and provided a definitive ending. Yamaguchi-sensei already planned out the remaining volumes, but also wanted to witness a proper conclusion before passing away. The anime is still highly beloved for its legendary voice acting, the beautiful OSTs, classic songs by ICHIKO and Rie Kugimiya, and the happy comedic tones.
In honor of the 20th anniversary, I will cover Louise and Saito’s Growth, and count down my top three favorite things about the series from both the light novels and anime.
Disclaimer: Major spoilers ahead. This review covers both the anime and the light novels.
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