Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy

Kuzunoha Company

Industry	Entertainment, Publishing
Founded	2012
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Light novels, manga, anime

is a Japanese light novel series authored by Kei Azumi with illustrations by Mitsuaki Matsumoto. The series originally appeared online in 2012 on the user-generated platform Shōsetsuka ni Narō before moving to AlphaPolis in 2016. AlphaPolis has been publishing the light novels since May 2013, while Hanashi Media holds the license for the English-language editions. A manga adaptation, illustrated by Kotora Kino, has been digitally serialized on AlphaPolis since 2015 and is accessible in English through Alpha Manga. The anime version, created by studio C2C, aired from July to September 2021, followed by a second season produced by J.C.Staff that ran from January to June 2024. Plans for a third season have been confirmed.

Plot

Makoto Misumi, an ordinary high school student with lively sisters, is summoned to the realm of Elysion to fulfill the role of Hero, as dictated by a contract involving a goddess. However, the self-absorbed goddess judges Makoto as "ugly," stripping him of his hero status, prohibiting contact with humans, and banishing him beyond the world's borders. Rescued by Tsukuyomi, Makoto gains immense power and opts for a life of freedom. Defying the goddess’s expectations, he draws demi-humans and mythical creatures who join him in establishing a new society based on peaceful coexistence. His formidable and volatile aura complicates his attempts to integrate into human society, yet his allies support his mission to change societal perceptions.

Main characters

The central figure, Makoto is an archer and one of three individuals from Earth summoned to the goddess’s world. Initially designated as the sole hero due to his parents' contract with the goddess, he is abandoned because she deems him unattractive and cast into the Wasteland. Tsukuyomi, Earth’s Moon God and mediator of the contract, grants Makoto freedom and blessings. Though initially believed to be stuck at level 1, it is later uncovered that the level system maxes out at 65,536 owing to a 16-bit limitation, causing Makoto’s level to overflow. Also known by aliases such as "Raidou Kuzunoha" or "Makoto Kuzunoha," he is a formidable merchant and adept instructor.

Formerly called the Invincible Shen, Tomoe is one of the Greater Dragons inhabiting the goddess’s world. After Makoto destroys her shrine gate, she forms an alliance with him to study Bushido. Her powers include generating illusionary mists and creating a Demiplane used for mediation. Tomoe eventually develops romantic feelings for Makoto and becomes one of his partners.

Referred to as the Black Spider of Calamity, Mio is a unique being who has terrorized humans and demi-humans alike for centuries due to her insatiable hunger. Persuaded by Tomoe, she enters a pact with Makoto without his initial consent. Easily agitated but soothed through feeding, Mio commands dark magic capable of absorbing other magical forms. She quickly falls in love with Makoto and joins Tomoe as one of his companions.

Once known as Larva, Shiki was a Lich pursuing infinite knowledge about becoming a Grant—humans capable of traversing worlds. Impressed by Makoto’s interest in magic, he forms a pact with him and regains human form. Shiki publicly serves as Makoto’s assistant and aide-de-camp.

Deities

The primary antagonist who entered into an agreement with Makoto's parents, allowing them to live on Earth in exchange for a future child destined to become a hero. Driven by pride, she violated this pact by exiling Makoto and abducting Hibiki and Tomoki instead, which caused her to lose the esteem of other deities.

A lunar deity who originally summoned Makoto according to the initial arrangement. Witnessing Makoto's mistreatment, he bestows his divine power upon him, effectively elevating Makoto to godhood and positioning him as the successor to the Goddess within the divine scheme.

Demiplane/Kuzunoha Company

An orc rescued by Makoto from a demon's scheme. After he eliminates the danger threatening her village, she becomes his assistant and takes on the role of Supervisor of the Demiplane.

A veteran dwarf blacksmith working for Kuzunoha Company. He forges magical equipment capable of suppressing Makoto’s godlike aura—items that would be lethal if used by others.

Once a leading adventurer from Tsige, now serving at Kuzunoha Company. Under Tomoe’s command, he has been enhanced with dragonkin blood and is responsible for crafting Tomoe’s katana.

Tsige

Toa is an adventurer originating from Tsige who is on a quest to recover her family’s lost dagger and gain personal strength. After failing a mission, she fell into significant debt and was exploited by elite adventurers in Zetsuya until Tomoe and Mio intervened to rescue her. Her appearance resembles Hasegawa Nukumi, Makoto’s junior on Earth, stirring his affection.

Rinon, Toa’s younger sibling, was compelled to spy on Makoto and his group as repayment for Toa’s debts owed to the Zetsuya adventurers.

Hazal is a formidable alchemist and adventurer based in Tsige who later marries Toa, Ranina, and Louisa.

Louisa is an elven archer affiliated with Tsige’s adventurer guild as a member of the "Bless Gunner" class.

Ranina is a dwarf warrior holding the "Priest Knight" title within Tsige’s adventurer guild.

Rotsgard Academy

Sif, daughter of Patrick Rembrandt and elder sister to Yuno, was cursed but rescued by Makoto. She enrolled at Rotsgard Academy as his student focusing on magic studies. Her gratitude eventually blossomed into romantic interest toward Makoto.

Yuno, Sif’s younger sister and fellow pupil of Makoto at Rotsgard Academy, excels in physical combat and developed feelings for Makoto following her cure from a curse.

A student under Makoto who has a childhood friend named Miranda, unaware that Miranda now goes by Sofia Bulga.

A well-rounded student proficient in weaponry, magic, and archery without specializing in any single discipline.

A skilled swordsman studying under Makoto who later becomes romantically involved with Yuno.

A mage trainee under Makoto’s guidance.

A close-quarters combat expert adept in debuff magic who is already married.

A Rotsgard student and childhood friend of Luria. After abandoning his kingdom to survive, he made a pact that granted him power but transformed him into a monster. He was ultimately defeated and killed.

The librarian at Rotsgard and fugitive from the demon-occupied Kingdom of Kaleneon. She allied with Makoto to reclaim Kaleneon and was installed as its ruler alongside her sister.

Younger sister of Eva working at a café in Rotsgard. She joined forces with Makoto during efforts to restore Kaleneon after becoming co-ruler with Eva.

Demon Army

Sofia, previously the top-ranked adventurer in the guild before Tomoe and Mio, is highly skilled in both swordsmanship and magic. During her first confrontation with Makoto, she was unable to inflict damage and had to withdraw after facing his deadly strike.

/

A Greater Dragon allied herself with Sofia to eradicate rival Greater Dragons and bolster the Demons' cause against the Goddess. Misjudging Makoto as an agent of the Goddess, Lancer suffered significant injuries in battle and labeled Makoto as the "Devil."

Other characters

Owner of the Rembrandt Company. After Makoto removed a curse that plagued his family, Patrick became one of the few who accepted Makoto's true form, despite its unsettling appearance, placing his trust in him.

Patrick’s butler and former adventurer. He accidentally submitted Makoto’s application for a teaching position instead of for academy enrollment.

The founder of the Adventurer’s Guild and leader of the Greater Dragons, possessing strength comparable to the Goddess. Root can transform into any human appearance and has expressed interest in becoming Makoto’s partner. Previously married to the guild’s co-founder, Root utilized knowledge from Earth RPGs to design their ranking system.

Light novels

Kei Azumi authored the light novel series with illustrations by Mitsuaki Matsumoto. It began serialization online in 2012 on the user-submitted novel site Shōsetsuka ni Narō before transferring to AlphaPolis in 2016. Since May 2013, AlphaPolis has released 20 volumes. Hanashi Media acquired licensing rights for English publication, broadening its global reach.

Manga

The manga adaptation, illustrated by Kotora Kino, has been serialized digitally on AlphaPolis’ manga platform since 2015 and compiled into 15 volumes. English digital editions are available through Alpha Manga.

Anime

An anime adaptation was announced on October 20, 2020, produced by C2C under director Shinji Ishihira, with Kenta Ihara handling series composition, Yukie Suzuki designing characters, and Yasuharu Takanashi composing music. It aired from July 7 to September 22, 2021, on Tokyo MX and other channels. Crunchyroll streamed it globally except Asia, while Medialink licensed it for Southeast and South Asia via Ani-One’s YouTube channel. The opening theme "Gamble" was performed by syudou, and the ending theme "Beautiful Dreamer" by Ezoshika Gourmet Club. An English dub premiered on April 28, 2022.

Following season one’s finale, a second season was confirmed and produced by J.C.Staff with returning key staff members. It aired from January 8 to June 25, 2024. The first half featured "Utopia" by Keina Suda as opening theme and "My Factor" by Kent Itō as ending theme. The second half opened with "Reversal" by syudou and closed with "Jōshiki Hazure Human" ("Eccentric Human") performed by Kaori Maeda.

A third season was announced after the conclusion of season two.

Reception

The debut season of this anime achieved the highest international sales figures among all titles broadcast by Nippon TV.