Warning: Spoilers for The Witch and the Beast episode #5!!
The Witch and the Beast on Crunchyroll incorporates an aspect of reincarnation into its already highly complex rendition of necromancy, even if the series is in no way an isekai, but a dark fantasy thriller. Although an incredibly morbid spin on its own, this development proves how prevalent isekai is in the anime industry, since series that have nothing to do with the genre are clearly still influenced by it to some degree.
In The Witch and the Beast episode #5, a necromancer named Phanora, who has been hunting one of her own for the improper use of their type of magic, reveals that the soul of everyone who dies undergoes a long process to reincarnate as it floats into a “spiral of death and rebirth”.
When resurrecting someone with necromancy, the undead’s soul can never return to the spiral when they die a second time and are doomed to a purgatory known as the Void for all eternity.
The Witch and the Beast‘s Use of Necromancy Is a Terrifying Jab at Isekai
Based on the manga by Kousuke Satake; anime produced by Yokohama Animation Laboratory
When viewed from the perspective of the isekai genre, The Witch and the Beast has essentially demoted the exclusivity and immensity of most isekai protagonists by making reincarnation a common occurrence while portraying them as being incredibly lucky, since they never got snatched from this spiral before being reborn. However, The Witch and the Beast‘s unique take on necromancy and rebirth introduces some terrifying implications for those who are resurrected this way.
More morbidly, the anime either amplifies or compounds the ubiquitous selfishness of those who seek out necromancy to bring back a loved one, depending on their own unique situation. Those who are aware of the Void are even more selfish for obvious reasons, while those who aren’t become that much more tragic, since they have no idea that they are damning the soul of their loved one.
The Witch and the Beast Gets Personal With Its Unique Take on Necromancy
The series plays with the balance of life and death in a unique, inspired way
More importantly, the anime’s flawless execution of this particular story arc puts these implications into a more personal perspective for viewers. The deceased wife of a supporting character, whom he never wanted to resurrect via necromancy, was one of the victims of the rogue necromancer’s escapades, leaving him with the knowledge that his wife’s soul would be doomed to the Void once she dies again. Additionally, the anime reveals in the story’s final moments that Phanora’s partner, portrayed as a major character, is also undead.
In what should excite those who have yet to watch The Witch and the Beast, these latest revelations are just the newest of a long list of incredible takes on necromancy. These past renditions already added depth to this layered form of magic and the complex system of rules that society had placed on necromancers. Ironically, this will likely be the last time that The Witch and the Beast will explore this school of magic on Crunchyroll, since the main focus isn’t Phanora and her partner, but the eponymous beast.
The Witch and the Beast is available on Crunchyroll
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