Strike the Blood - Volume 20 - Chapter Aft

Afterword

The time is year one of the Reiwa period—!

And so, the first Strike the Blood of the new era has arrived.

This volume continues the Electoral War arc where the previous left off. This time, however, the middle of the Electoral War has largely reached its conclusion.

To be honest, I’ve kept on writing just because I’ve wanted to portray the last scene with Yukina and Kojou ever since the War of the Primogenitors arc, so I’m kind of sighing in relief that I somehow made it there safe and sound.

I’m being greedy in saying this, but I would have liked to have written more about the state of ordinary people caught up in the fighting between nameless rogue ruler candidates. Of course, there just weren’t pages to spare for that, and that idea was mercilessly cut. I really would have loved writing about the mob-level demons, hyped up and jostling with one another in places totally unrelated to Kojou and company…but I guess that’s for a spin-off movie by some unknown director.

Setting all that aside, next time, the stage finally shifts to that other city, to an episode where everything will be settled. You’ll have to wait a little longer before things return to normal everyday life.

In this volume, Kojou had relatively few opportunities for action (though I felt the ones we got were delectable), but next volume he goes back to basics in a certain sense, with the story revolving around Kojou and Yukina (and also Avrora). I humbly ask that you stick with me till the very end!

Now then, in parallel with the novel version, the OVA release Strike the Blood III advances apace. It’s expected to be five sections in all (at the time this manuscript was written), and the first two are now on sale. The contents will cover volume 13 “The Roses of Tartarus” to volume 14 “Golden Days.”

Furthermore, we’ve decided to put on a theatrical version of volume 15 “War of the Primogenitors.” In recent days I (finally) read the complete scenario to the very end, and personally, since there’s so many scenes I want to see in anime form, I think it will live up to your expectations. By all means, I’d be very happy if you all appreciate it.

Also, Ryuryu Akari’s Strike the Blood: This Is Saikai Academy Middle School is being serialized in Dengeki Bunko Magazine.

It’s a four-panel comic about daily life in middle school with Yukina, Nagisa, and Kanon as the main characters. Since people other than those three appear as guest characters, I enjoy wondering just what she’s going to draw every time. You should also check that out!

Nothing very amusing has happened to me personally as of late, but February 2019 here is my twentieth anniversary since my author debut.

My debut work, Gold Gehenna, was published by Dengeki Bunko just like this work.

Longevity isn’t the mark of greatness in this industry, but I’ve been able to keep my writing up for this length of time thanks to all you readers who’ve been with me every step of the way. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!

So having reached the end of this temporal milestone, I think I just have to keep walking forward one step at a time at my own pace. I want to write all sorts of new works this year, too, and I’m happy to have all kinds of projects planned. I’ll do my best!

To Manyako, my kind illustrator, you’ve been a huge help this time once again. As befitting a series reaching its twentieth volume, adding more and more new characters adds fuel to the chaos, but I am truly grateful you’re able to draw any of these characters, no matter whom, with so much charm.

Allow me to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone related to the production and distribution of this book. I apologize for all the trouble on the schedule front until the very, very end of the Heisei period.

And, of course, I give my unreserved thanks to all of you who have read this book.

I hope to see you again next volume.

Gakuto Mikumo