The Dawn of the Witch

Saybil wakes up at a magic academy with no memory of his life before enrollment, and that gap saps his motivation so his grades are the worst in class. The headmaster, Albus, gives him a dangerous assignment: go to a region where witch hunts still happen and encourage people to accept magic. Saybil teams up with other students and odd allies, including the earnest Loux and the experienced Holt, and his limited past and shaky confidence make every mission feel uncertain. The series keeps a light, often funny tone while the characters handle skirmishes, moral questions about prejudice, and Saybil's slow rediscovery of who he might be.

The anime premiered in 2022 and is credited to creators Kakeru Kobashiri and Satoshi Kuwabara, functioning as a spin-off from Grimoire of Zero. It leans on the original setting and expands side characters, produced as a short series aimed at existing fans and newcomers.

Critics and viewers landed on mixed to positive reactions, reflected in a modest 6.175/10 average from a small pool of votes. Reviewers tended to praise the humor and action sequences, while noting the plot can feel episodic and the pacing uneven. Themes include memory and identity, the cost of fear-driven prejudice, and how community shapes belief in magic, all delivered with a hybrid of slapstick and occasional seriousness.

Within the Grimoire of Zero fandom the show sparked conversation by filling in background details and giving secondary figures more screen time. It didn t generate a major cultural wave, but fans appreciated the added worldbuilding and character moments, and clips and fan art circulated on social platforms after episodes aired.

The series did not collect major industry awards or high-profile nominations, remaining a niche offering rather than a prize contender. Still, it found a small, engaged audience who enjoyed the mix of comedy, fantasy action, and character-focused episodes, keeping interest in the wider Grimoire universe alive.