The Familiar of Zero

Summary

Familiar Zero started its life as a series of Japanese light novels written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka and was published in June 25, 2004 by Media Factory and an on going series currently spanning 17 issues. It was later adapted into an Animation series that was released by Animation Studios and was directed by Yoshiaki Iwaskai and was so popular spun onto a 2 series that aired the following year, This time directed by Yu Ko and then again in 2008 a third adaption was released by JC STAFFF and once again had Yu Ko at the helm. Media Studio released a manga version in Monthly Comic Alive in July 2006 written and drawn by Nana Mochizuki and is currently an ongoing series as well.

Plot

Familiar of Zero follows the adventures of the Louise and her familiar Saito. At her second year at at the Tristain Academy of Magic. The world that the story is set in is full of magic and those that can use it are Mages or Nobles, those who can’t are looked down upon by the magic users. She is given the nickname "Louise the Zero" by her classmates, due to the inability to use any of the four common magic elements, whereby a mage's power is determined by the number of elements they can use ranging from a single element. Early in the school year, the second year students summon their familiars; this is considered a special ritual where a mage summons their eternal protector and partner, which usually is some sort of magical creature. Louise manages to summon a human commoner named Saito Hiraga, leaving her totally humiliated. Due to the sacredness of the ritual, Louise is left with no choice but to reluctantly accept Saito as her familiar. She proceeds to treat Saito as any other familiar only worse, making him sleep on a bed of hay and beats him with a whip for little to no reason, among other things.

One day Saito challenges a noble who disrespects commoners ( Guiche) to a duel. Saito is beaten badly at first, but once a sword was put in Saito's hands, he gained a mysterious power and with this power he is able to defeat the noble in the duel. Louise and Saito's relationship develops during the course of the story. Together they face many mysteries and uncover unexpected truths, including the nature of Saito's mysterious power, and the truth behind Louise's inability to cast magic.

Characters

Light Novels

The Familiar of Zero (2004)

The Familiar of Zero JPN (Jun 2004)

The Familiar of Zero is the first light-novel series of the Familiar of Zero series. It's written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. It was originally published by Media Factory, and the first edition was released on June 25, 2004. Twenty novels were printed before it went on hiatus due tot he report that the series author, Yamaguchi, revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer. He successfully underwent surgery in August 4, 2011, and announced plans to release more volumes by October 2011.

The Familiar of Zero Gaiden: Tabitha's Adventures (2006)

The Familiar of Zero Gaiden: Tabitha's Adventures Vol. 1 JPN (Oct 2006)

The Familiar of Zero Gaiden: Tabitha's Adventures is the second light-novel series of the Familiar of Zero series. It's written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. It was originally published by Media Factory, and the first edition was released on October 25, 2006.

Princess Knight of the Wind (2009)

Princess Knight of the Wind Vol. 1 JPN (Oct 2009)

Princess Knight of the Wind is the third light-novel series of the Familiar of Zero series, but the only one not to bare the Zero name in the title. It's written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. It was originally published by Media Factory, and the first edition was released on October 23, 2009.

Anime

The Familiar of Zero (2006)

The Familiar of Zero (2006)

The Familiar of Zero is the first anime series of the Familiar of Zero franchise that is based on the light-novel series written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. The series was directed by Yoshiaki Iwasaki, and the music produced by Shinkichi Mitsumune. It's a shonen-romance series that is for a teen audience and some fanservice It is produced by the J.C.Staff and Media Factory, and has aired in Japan on various distributors, such as CTC. The first episode originally aired on July 2, 2006. The series ran for thirteen episodes, the last airing on September 24, 2006.

The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Two Moons (2007)

The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Two Moons (2007)

The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Two Moons is the second anime series of the Familiar of Zero franchise that is based on the light-novel series written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. The series was directed by Yū Kō, and the music produced by Shinkichi Mitsumune. It's a shonen-romance series that is for a teen audience and some fanservice It is produced by the J.C.Staff and Media Factory, and has aired in Japan on various distributors, such as CTC and tvk. The first episode originally aired on July 9, 2007. The series ran for twelve episodes, the last airing on September 24, 2007.

The Familiar of Zero: Princess no Rondo (2008)

The Familiar of Zero: Princess no Rondo (2008)

The Familiar of Zero: Princess no Rondo is the third anime series of the Familiar of Zero franchise that is based on the light-novel series written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. The series was directed by Yū Kō, and the music produced by Shinkichi Mitsumune. It's a shonen-romance series that is for a teen audience and some fanservice It is produced by the J.C.Staff and Media Factory, and has aired in Japan on various distributors, such as CTC and tvk. The first episode originally aired on July 6, 2008. The series ran for twelve episodes, the last airing on September 21, 2008.

The Familiar of Zero: Season 4 (2012)

A fourth unnamed season of The Familiar of Zero was announced and has been set for release sometimes in 2012.

Manga

The Familiar of Zero (2006)

The Familiar of Zero Vol. 1 JPN (Dec 2006)

The Familiar of Zero is the first manga series based on the Familiar of Zero light-novels. It's written and illustrated by Nana Mochizuki, and first began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive magazine between August 2006 and October 2010. The first volumes originally released on December 22, 2006. The series ran for seven volumes, the last released in January 23, 2010.

The Familiar of Zero Gaiden: Tabitha's Adventures (2007)

The Familiar of Zero Gaiden: Tabitha's Adventures Vol. 1 JPN (Mar 2008)

The Familiar of Zero Gaiden: Tabitha's Adventures is the second manga series based on the Familiar of Zero light-novels, and followed the Tabitha's Adventures spin-off light-novels. It's written and illustrated by Takuto Kon, and first began serialization in Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive magazine between December 2007 and August 2010. The first volumes originally released on March 22, 2008. The series ran for five volumes, the last released in August 23, 2010.

The Familiar of Zero Chevalier (2010)

The Familiar of Zero Chevalier Vol. 1 JPN (Aug 2010)

The Familiar of Zero Chevalier is the third manga series based on the Familiar of Zero light-novels. It's written and illustrated by Yukari Higa, and first published by Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive Series. The first volumes originally released on August 23, 2010.

The Familiar of Zero Yoochien Nano! (2010)

The Familiar of Zero Yoochien Nano! Vol. 1 JPN (Aug 2010)

The Familiar of Zero Yoochien Nano! is the third manga series based on the Familiar of Zero light-novels. It's written and illustrated by Masaya Takamura, and first published by Media Factory's Monthly Comic Alive Series. The first volumes originally released on August 23, 2010.

The Familiar of Zero - Official Anthology Comic (2007)

Merchandise