Strike the Blood - Volume 19 - Chapter Aft

Afterword

There have been so many disasters happening everywhere. Allow me to express my sympathy for all of you who have been hurt in any way. Actually, I wrote this afterword in the middle of a strong typhoon while I was afraid the power might go out at any moment. Having your house shake like that is pretty darn scary.

When it comes to practical issues and emergencies with lives on the line, there isn’t a whole lot an author can do, but I think it’s good to make things that give us both some space from reality temporarily and the courage to face adversity.

Everyone, I pray that you may spend time with your minds at ease.

So there you have it, Strike the Blood, Vol. 19 has reached stores.

It’s been a while, but we finally have a mainline volume (not a side story of any kind). This episode, I knew that it’d be a story involving an awful lot of characters, so I gave up on completing it in a single volume at a fairly early stage (it just couldn’t be done). Even so, I felt like I just didn’t have enough pages for everything I wanted to write about the actions of people in the shadows all off on their own. Actually, I could fill a whole volume with what Yume and Shizuri were up to before Kojou and company returned home, but after a bit of thought, I tearfully gave up, knowing that if I did that, this story would simply never end. So I’d be grateful if everyone takes this as a license to mentally fill in the blanks in the manner most appropriate.

Since this story isn’t over, there are a lot of details I can’t touch on here in the afterword, but I plan to get the rest out to you as soon as possible. I ask for your best regards going forward.

Just the other day, the production of a third Strike the Blood OVA series was announced. It’s expected to begin with Volume 13’s the Roses of Tartarus arc.

That the anime has been able to continue this long and has continued to be such a high-quality production is thanks to all of the staff and cast, and even more so because you’re cheering us on. I know I say this all the time, but thank you very much.

I let myself into every scenario planning meeting, too, but having Strike the Blood reproduced by staff so familiar with the work lets me move forward with a profound sense of relief. I feel like the works they’ll make will no doubt satisfy everyone. I’m looking forward to it!

Additionally, Ryuryu Akari-sensei is serializing Strike the Blood: This is Saikai Academy Middle School in Dengeki Bunko Magazine. It is a four-panel comic featuring the middle school trio of Yukina, Nagisa, and Kanon in their daily lives. It’s fun and so adorable! It’s so cute, you’ll feel it curing all the ills in your life. It’d be great if you checked this out, too!

To Manyako, the novel illustrator, you’ve really been a huge help once again. I had goose bumps the instant I saw your rough sketch of the cover illustration for this volume. It’s just that cool.

And to everyone involved in the production and distribution of this book, allow me to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Of course, my greatest thanks of all goes to all of you who have read this book.

I hope to see you again next volume.

Gakuto Mikumo