The Faraway Paladin
| Industry | Light novel, manga, anime |
|---|---|
| Founded | May 2015 |
| Founder | Kanata Yanagino |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Light novels, manga, anime television series |
| Website | comic-gardo |
is a Japanese light novel series authored by Kanata Yanagino with illustrations by Kususaga Rin. The story initially appeared online in May 2015 on Shōsetsuka ni Narō. Subsequently, Overlap acquired the series and has released five volumes since March 2016 under its Overlap Bunko label. A manga version, illustrated by Mutsumi Okuhashi, has been serialized on Overlap's Comic Gardo platform since September 2017 and compiled into fourteen tankōbon volumes. Both the light novel and manga adaptations have been licensed in North America by J-Novel Club. The anime adaptation produced by Children's Playground Entertainment was broadcast from October 2021 through January 2022. Its second season, created by OLM and Sunrise Beyond, aired from October to December 2023.
Plot
In a desolate city inhabited only by the dead, far removed from human society, a lone human child named Will resides. He is raised by three undead guardians: Blood, a skeletal fighter; Mary, a mummified priestess; and Gus, a ghostly magician. Under their tutelage, Will learns combat techniques, magical arts, and everyday survival skills.
As Will grows, he begins to question his origins and sets out to unravel the mysteries of this lifeless realm and its undead protectors. Through his journey, he discovers the existence of benevolent deities alongside perilous dark forces. Ultimately, Will embarks on a path to become a paladin.
"I promised you. It will take some time, but I will reveal everything. This is the tale of many fallen heroes—the story of our deaths and why you were raised here."
Characters
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- Will is a human boy reincarnated from another world who retains memories from his previous life. Raised by Mary and Blood and instructed in magic by Gus, he confronts the God of the Undead Stagnate and overcomes its echo through a pact with Gracefeel, the Goddess of Light.
- Blood acts as Will's foster father and combat mentor. He is a skeletal warrior who once worshipped Blaze, the deity of fire and technology.
- Mary is a mummified priestess serving as Will's foster mother who manages household affairs. She formed a contract with Stagnate to maintain their existence and guard the seal of the Demon High King—a betrayal that pains her when she prays to Mater.
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- Gus serves as Will's foster grandfather and magic instructor. A temperamental spirit, he pledged to Whirl, God of Wind, to live freely and savor life.
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- A half-elf archer who becomes Will's first genuine friend despite initial hesitation caused by past trauma.
- The goddess whom Will venerates; she is the daughter of Mater (earth and child-rearing) and Volt (justice and lightning). She guides souls toward rebirth but her influence in this world has waned. Will aims to restore her faith and eventually confesses his love for her.
- The Undead deity with whom Blood, Mary, and Gus made their contracts. She is the eldest daughter of Mater and Volt, sister to Gracefeel, appearing as a male echo.
- A traveling merchant who becomes an acquaintance of Will.
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- A halfling bard known for entertaining with stories and music.
- The crown prince of the Southmark kingdom and ruler of Whitesails city.
- The bishop responsible for the Whitesails temple; strict yet compassionate.
- A novice priestess at Whitesails temple and adopted daughter of Bishop Bagley; she later marries Reystov.
- An adventurer hired by Will in Whitesails; formerly a mountain tribe warrior turned celebrated fighter.
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- A reserved dwarf heir to Aurvangr’s legacy from the Iron Mountains. Encouraged by Will, he becomes his squire and companion.
Light novels
Kanata Yanagino authored the series, with illustrations by Kususaga Rin, initially serialized online starting in May 2015 on the user-driven novel platform Shōsetsuka ni Narō. Subsequently, Overlap acquired the rights and has released four volumes under their Overlap Bunko label since March 2016. The series has been licensed for English release by J-Novel Club.
Manga
The manga version, drawn by Mutsumi Okuhashi, has been available digitally on Overlap's Comic Gardo website since September 25, 2017. To date, it has been collected into fourteen tankōbon volumes. The English edition of the manga is also published by J-Novel Club.
Anime
An anime television adaptation was revealed on April 17, 2021. It was produced by Children's Playground Entertainment with Yuu Nobuta serving as director. Script supervision was handled by Tatsuya Takahashi, character designs were created by Koji Haneda, and the soundtrack was composed by Ryūichi Takada and Keigo Hoashi of MONACA. The series aired from October 9, 2021, through January 3, 2022, on Tokyo MX, AT-X, and BS NTV. The opening theme song, "The Sacred Torch," was performed by H-el-ical//, while the ending theme "Shirushibi" ("Mark of Fire") was sung by Nagi Yanagi. Crunchyroll streamed the show outside Asia and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), whereas Medialink secured licensing rights for South and Southeast Asia plus Oceania, co-licensing with Disney+ via Star in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and selected Southeast Asian markets. An English dub premiered on November 27, 2021.
On December 25, 2021, a second season titled The Faraway Paladin: The Lord of Rust Mountain was announced. This installment was produced by OLM and Sunrise Beyond with Akira Iwanaga directing and character designs by Tatsuya Arai alongside Koji Haneda. The season broadcast from October 7 to December 23, 2023. Its opening theme "Meika" ("Fire of Life") was performed by Nagi Yanagi; the ending theme "Puzzle" featured vocals from Kotoko. Crunchyroll announced that the English dubbed version of season two would begin airing on October 21, 2023.