Studio Ufotable, the animation powerhouse behind global hits like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and the Fate/stay night Heaven’s Feel movies, is bringing another major project to the big screen. The studio has officially released a brand-new trailer for the Witch on the Holy Night anime film, confirming that the movie will premiere in Japanese theaters sometime in 2026 .
The announcement comes from Aniplex and TYPE-MOON, the creators of the original visual novel. While fans have been waiting since the project was first revealed back in 2021, the new footage gives everyone a much clearer look at what Ufotable has been working on . The trailer, released on February 20, 2026, showcases the studio’s signature high-quality animation and stunning visual style .
What Is Witch on the Holy Night About?
For those unfamiliar with the source material, Witch on the Holy Night (known in Japan as Mahoutsukai no Yoru) is a visual novel written by Kinoko Nasu, the famous creator behind the Fate and Tsukihime series . The story is set in the late 1980s, during the twilight years of Japan’s Showa era .
The plot follows three main characters whose lives unexpectedly collide . Aoko Aozaki is a high school girl who is suddenly forced to become the heir to her family’s magecraft practices, even though she is less interested in magic compared to her older sister, Touko Aozaki . She lives in a large mansion on a hill with Alice Kuonji, a reclusive girl who is also her magic teacher and roommate .
The third member of the group is Soujuurou Shizuki, a young man from the countryside who grew up in the mountains without modern conveniences like electricity or running water . When he accidentally witnesses the magical activities of Aoko and Alice, they decide to let him live with them until they can figure out how to erase his memory . What follows is a story that blends slice-of-life moments with deeper magical conflicts .
Unlike the large-scale Holy Grail Wars of Fate, Witch on the Holy Night is described as a more character-driven, coming-of-age story . It explores how these three very different people—a reluctant mage, a mysterious witch, and a naive boy from the mountains—learn to live together and understand one another .
The Cast and Characters
The anime film is expected to feature the same main cast from the visual novel’s fully voiced HD version . The key voice actors include:
- Haruka Tomatsu as Aoko Aozaki
- Kana Hanazawa as Alice Kuonji
- Yusuke Kobayashi as Soujuurou Shizuki
- Ruriko Aoki as Touko Aozaki
- Chika Anzai as Kojika Kumari
- Shohei Kajikawa as Hosuke Kinomi
- Toshinari Fukamachi as Tobimaru Tsukiji
Fans of the visual novel have particularly praised the chemistry between the three lead characters. Soujuurou, despite being described as someone who looks plain and lacks modern knowledge, serves as the heart of the group with his earnest and straightforward nature . Alice, the quiet witch, and Aoko, the fiery and proud mage-in-training, balance each other out in ways that make their daily interactions feel authentic and engaging .
Connection to the TYPE-MOON Universe
For long-time TYPE-MOON fans, Witch on the Holy Night holds special significance. It serves as a prequel to Tsukihime, another popular visual novel from the same creators . The story also introduces important magical lore that carries over into other works like The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai), which Ufotable previously adapted into a series of films .
Character Touko Aozaki, Aoko’s older sister, is actually a major figure in The Garden of Sinners . This means the movie will likely offer fans a chance to see the early connections between these different stories that all exist within the same loose universe .
What makes Witch on the Holy Night particularly special is that it is considered one of the most beginner-friendly entry points into Kinoko Nasu‘s complex world-building . Unlike Fate which often assumes some familiarity with its rules and terminology, this story stands on its own as a self-contained narrative .
Why Ufotable Is the Right Studio for This Project
Ufotable has a long and successful history with TYPE-MOON adaptations. The studio previously produced the Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works TV series and the Heaven’s Feel movie trilogy, both of which received widespread acclaim for their animation quality and faithful storytelling .
The studio is also currently working on other major projects, including the second part of the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie arc and the long-awaited Genshin Impact anime . Despite this busy schedule, the new trailer confirms that Witch on the Holy Night remains a priority and is on track for its 2026 release .
Fans who have played the original visual note that the game already features cinematic presentation with dynamic camera movements, animated effects, and stunning background art . Many believe this style will translate perfectly to a full anime film under Ufotable‘s direction. Some viewers have noted that shots in the new trailer are almost indistinguishable from the visual novel’s most beautiful scenes .
When and Where Can You Watch It?
Currently, the Witch on the Holy Night anime film is confirmed for a theatrical release in Japan during 2026 . The announcement states that more information, including a more specific premiere date, will be revealed in spring 2026 .
As for international audiences, no official plans have been announced yet regarding screenings in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, or other global markets . However, given the worldwide popularity of Ufotable‘s work and TYPE-MOON‘s growing international fanbase, many industry watchers expect the film to receive distribution outside Japan, either in theaters or through streaming platforms like Crunchyroll .
The original visual novel is already available globally on Steam with an official English translation, as well as on Nintendo Switch and PS4 . This means international fans can experience the source material while waiting for the movie.
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What Fans Are Saying
The reaction to the new trailer has been overwhelmingly positive within the anime community. Long-time readers of the visual novel have expressed excitement about seeing their favorite moments brought to life with Ufotable‘s signature production values .
Many fans on forums have noted that the trailer captures the atmosphere of the original game perfectly, from the nostalgic late-1980s setting to the magical sequences that blend everyday life with supernatural elements . Some viewers have also pointed out that the movie could potentially lead to more TYPE-MOON adaptations in the future, such as a proper remake of the Tsukihime anime .
The visual novel itself has received high praise from those who have played it. Reviewers frequently mention the excellent character development, particularly how the three leads grow throughout the story . The soundtrack, which blends nostalgic and melancholic tones with more energetic pieces, is also frequently highlighted as a standout element .
While some have noted that the original story has slower pacing in places, especially during the early chapters, most agree that the character interactions and eventual action sequences make the journey worthwhile . A film adaptation will likely tighten the pacing while preserving the emotional core that fans love .
For now, audiences will have to wait for the spring 2026 announcement to learn more about the exact release date and potential international screenings. Until then, the new trailer gives plenty of reasons to be excited about what Ufotable has in store.
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