The Saint's Magic Power Is Omnipotent (聖女の魔力は万能です, Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannō Desu) is a Japanese light novel series written by Yuka Tachibana and illustrated by Yasuyuki Syuri. It began serialization online in 2016 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Fujimi Shobo, which has published the series since February 2017 under its Kadokawa Books imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Fujiazuki has been serialized online via Kadokawa Shoten's ComicWalker website since July 2017. Both the light novel and manga have been licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment. An anime television series adaptation by Diomedéa aired from April to June 2021, while its second season aired from October to December 2023.
Premise
Sei Takanashi, an office worker, is returning home late at night but is summoned to the magic world of Salutania; the summoning, however, is a one way kidnapping with no way to send her home.
Unfazed, Sei follows her own devices and sets her sights on being a researcher at the Medicinal Flora Research Institute, an establishment known for its studies regarding herbs and potions. While indulging in her latest passion, Sei has a fateful encounter with the commander of the Third Order of Knights. But little does she know, her aptitude as a Saint will continue to exert its influence over her new life.
A woman in her early 20's that worked in a corporate office. After arriving home very late one evening, she finds herself caught on a magic field then suddenly is sitting on a floor in a medieval-looking location next to a girl that appears to be in her mid to late teens. A red-headed man calling himself the crown prince calls the other woman their "Saint" and ignores Sei. She finds a purpose for herself after discovering the flower and herb garden outside the palace. She has a good knowledge of flowers and herbs and puts them to good use as a researcher at The Medicinal Flora Research Institute. The potions and food she makes are 1.5 times more effective than everyone else's. By just concentrating, she can visually translate the written native languages into Japanese.
Her Saint powers are awakened by love; though it doesn't need to be romantic in nature.
Commander of the Third Order of the Knights of the Kingdom of Salutania. After Sei saves him with a high-quality healing potion that she made, he develops romantic feelings for her; though Sei in unaware. He is the third son of a Margrave. He can use ice magic, which is considered rare, to create protective ice walls.
He is the director of The Medicinal Flora Research Institute. He invites Sei to officially join them. Albert Hawke is an old friend of his. He suspects that Sei might be the true "Saint". His father is a Count. Johan has the ability to use earth-based magic.
The Grand Magus of the Kingdom of Salutania and the Director of the Royal Mage Academy. He is the one who summoned Sei and Aira. He used so much of his magic power for the summon that he had to sleep for quite a long time. By the time he wakes up, the misunderstanding the prince caused is over; ironic, as Yuri would have been able to identify the saint. He can use fire, wind, earth, lightning, ice, and holy magic.
A green-haired man that appears to be about Sei's age. He is the son of a wealthy merchant. She first meets him in the flower and herb garden outside the palace. He is a researcher at The Medicinal Flora Research Institute. He is assigned to train Sei after she is accepted at the Institute. He teaches her how to make a basic potion and how magic is used in this world. He has the rare ability for a commoner to use magic which allowed him to attend the Royal Academy. His attribute being water.
The Deputy Director of the Royal Mage Academy. He does the first appraisal of Sei's enchantment ability and reports it to the king. He is one of Albert Hawke's older brothers.
A teen-aged noblewoman. She occasionally meets Sei in the palace library and they talk. She becomes a friend of Sei's and allows her to use her nickname of Liz. Elizabeth tells Sei that most of the women refer to Commander Hawke as the "Ice Knight" because he gives the daughters of the nobles the cold shoulder and can use ice magic. She is a daughter of a Marquis, the fiancée of the crown prince and a junior at the Royal Academy; the high school for the noble's children.
Liz originally thought poorly of Aira, unaware that Aira was ignorant to the customs of the kingdom; due to them being antiquated back on Earth.
The 16-year-old girl that was summoned alongside Sei. She is the one the crown prince declared was the "Saint" and he has been keeping her in tight control since her arrival; largely due to his promise to do all he can to try and find a way home for her (after seeing Aira break down crying in despair that the summoning couldn't be reversed). She attended the Royal Academy as a senior while under the control of Prince Kyle. Unfortunately, Aira unintentionally causes trouble due to being unaware of the class system that wasn't present in her world; largely the prince's fault for not considering it. After graduating, she joined the Royal Mage Academy to further her studies of magic. She shows an affinity towards water magic.
The crown prince of the Kingdom of Salutania. He is a senior at the Royal Academy. Due to his ignorance to the other world and its customs, Kyle chose the beautiful young Aira as the saint and ignored Sei. He plotted to keep the kingdom from lashing back at Aira for his stupidity when Sei was confirmed as the real saint, which ultimately ended up pointless.
The king of Salutania, a highly aristocratic society where only the nobles have last names. He seems to be very sympathetic towards Sei.
Dominic Goltz (ドミニク・ゴルツ, Dominiku Gorutsu)
Voiced by: Akio Kato (Japanese); David Wald[4] (English)
The Prime Minister of Salutania. He is convinced that Sei is the Saint, but he is concerned about the political fallout if the first prince is proven wrong.
A very experienced "alchemist" (potion maker) in charge of making potions for Klausner's Domain. She shows Sei the only known diary of a previous Saint to help her learn how to activate and use her "Saint's Magic".
A native of Klausner's Domain that is in charge of their local mercenary squad charged with controlling the monsters. He is very tall and muscular with a friendly attitude. He is not one well versed or used to using proper etiquette when speaking.
The series written by Yuka Tachibana began serialization online in 2016 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Fujimi Shobo, who have published it as a light novel with illustrations by Yasuyuki Syuri in nine volumes since February 2017 under their Kadokawa Books imprint. The light novel is licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.[10]
A manga adaptation with art by Fujiazuki has been serialized online via Kadokawa Shoten's ComicWalker website since July 2017 and has been collected in nine tankōbon volumes. The manga is also licensed in North America by Seven Seas Entertainment.[10] and Czech Republic by GATE. A spin-off manga series illustrated by Aoagu, titled The Saint's Magic Power Is Omnipotent: The Other Saint, began serialization on the ComicWalker site in October 2020.[31] The spin-off manga is also licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment.[32]
On September 7, 2020, Kadokawa announced that the series would be receiving an anime adaptation.[59] It was later revealed to be a television series animated by Diomedéa.[60] The series is directed by Shōta Ihara, with Wataru Watari overseeing scripts, Masakazu Ishikawa designing the characters, Kenichi Kuroda composing the series' music, and Aira Yūki serving as music producer. The series aired from April 6 to June 22, 2021, on AT-X and other networks.[61][62] Yūki also performed the opening theme song, "Blessing", while NOW ON AIR performed the ending theme song, "Page for Tomorrow". Funimation licensed the series outside of Asia,[63] which was subsequently moved to Crunchyroll following Sony's acquisition.[64] On July 13, 2021, Funimation started streaming their English dub of the anime. Muse Communication has licensed the series in South and Southeast Asia and is streaming it on their Muse Asia YouTube channel.[65]
On March 9, 2022, it was announced that the series will be receiving a second season. The main staff members are returning to reprise their roles.[66] It aired from October 3 to December 19, 2023. The opening theme song is "Semisweet Afternoon" by Aira Yūki, while the ending theme song is "Lilac Melody" by Aina Suzuki.[9]
Sei Takanashi is just getting home from her office job when a summoning circle transports her to another world. When she arrives in this new world, there is another girl next to her that a prince takes immediate interest in, calling the other girl a "saint" and completely ignoring Sei. Sei is taken to another room where it is explained to her why she was summoned: dark magic is gathering in the kingdom, corrupting the land, and only a saint's magic can stop it. After being snubbed right after she arrives, Sei is uninterested and just wants to go home, but it is impossible and she reluctantly agrees to stay in the palace. Later, Sei takes a walk in the gardens and meets a man named Jude in the herb garden. He invites her to join the Magical Flora Research Institute where she meets the director, Johan Valdec, and becomes a potion researcher, moving into the Institute. On her first try making potions, she crafts one that is 50% more potent than normal. She has just finished creating her own high potion when the Third Order of Knights returns from the Western Woods extremely wounded after a salamander (a monster that breathes fire but is not a dragon) attack. She uses it to completely heal the Knight Commander's mortal wounds. Johan reports Sei's abilities to one of the King's advisors.
Sei has been making cosmetics for herself, which has seemingly affected her vision as she no longer needs her glasses to see. As a thank you for making the healing potions for the knights and incidentally getting the Institute more funding, Johan asks her if there's anything she wants as a reward. She asks for a personal kitchen so she can cook for herself, though doesn't tell Johan it's because the food the cooks make there is disgusting. Sei meets the Knight Commander she saved, Albert Hawke, who wanted to thank her in person and offers to take her into the forest to forage for herbs. They both seem interested in the other, which Johan teases them for. She continues to impress by cooking with "medicinal herbs" while in the forest, and Albert flirts with her. The next day, Johan tells Sei her cooking seems to boost various physical abilities and to not cook for a while so as not to attract unwanted attention. He gives Sei the day off and she spends it in the palace library where she meets Elizabeth Ashley. She and Elizabeth become fast friends and Sei offers to make her cosmetics. She also helps a young lady at the Royal Academy, Nicole Adler, with her acne.
One particularly hot day, Albert asks Sei out on a date. While out, she learns Albert has rare Ice magic when he creates ice cubes for her water. At the end of the date, he gifts Sei a hairpin she was looking at in a shop in town. The next day, Johan asks about their date only to learn Sei didn't think it was a date. Nevertheless, he is amused when he learns his best friend gifted her something. Later, Elizabeth explains the custom of someone gifting the person they fancy with a gift that matches the giver's eye color, which is why the stones on her hairpin match Albert's. Jude tells her her hairpin is enchanted, inspiring Sei to learn more about enchanting after Johan's suggests it. However, she runs into problems when her enchantments are too powerful for certain stones, although she eventually succeeds after a silver-haired man helps her. A few weeks later, she is requested to enchant more items, as apparently her enchantments are rare, difficult to create, and incredibly valuable. She gifts Albert with a necklace she enchanted as a thanks for her hairpin.
The mage who taught her enchanting and Johan talk with King Seigfried Salutania regarding Sei's remarkable enchantment--which is apparently of Legendary status--and yet everyone still seems skeptical that she's the true Saint. Sei delivers potions to the Third Order, where she learns they are going on an expedition that will not include the First Order, as they're busy guarding Prince Kyle and the "Saint," Aira Misono, on their training mission. They express their belief that Sei is more "saintly" than Aira. Sei wonders why her magic is more powerful than Aira's and comes to the conclusion that she must actually be the true Saint, much to her chagrin. Later, she meets the King in the library and he apologizes for his son's behavior and attitude toward her when she was first summoned. He insists she be rewarded for what she did for the knights before, although she has no idea what to even ask for, and she begins studying Holy magic. She visits the hospital where the knights who recently returned from their expedition are. She can no longer avoid being the Saint after her healing magic regrows one of the knight's missing hands and heals all other knights in the hospital. When she returns to the Institute, Johan informs her that she'll finally officially be appraised by the Grand Magus to see if she's the true Saint.
On the way to see the Grand Magus, Johan explains that she and Aira should have been appraised as soon as they arrived in their world, but the Grand Magus used too much of his power summoning them and had been in a coma until just recently. He also tells her of the Saint's traditional duties of following the knights into battle with the darkness/corruption. She expresses her desire to continue living at the Institute even if she is revealed to be the real Saint. She meets the Grand Magus, Yuri Dreves, and learns the mage who taught her enchanting, Erhart, is Albert's older brother. Yuri is unable to appraise her, leading to his conclusion that she must be more powerful than him. Yuri asks her to demonstrate her healing magic, revealing hers to be unique because it releases a golden shimmer. After the meeting is over, Yuri tells the King that he believes Sei is the true Saint, especially since her spells are more powerful than Aira's, produce a golden shimmer unlike Aira's, and Aira's power could actually be appraised. Sometime later, Sei receives an official invitation to attend Court from the King and is visited by Albert, who informs her he's her bodyguard now. At Court, the King publicly apologizes for her initial treatment and insists on rewarding her. Sei is reluctant, as she doesn't really want anything offered, then asks if she can have access to the library's forbidden section, as well as a tutor for magic. (And then everyone clapped. Seriously.) Prince Kyle refuses to believe Sei is the true Saint and Yuri becomes her magic tutor.
Sei learns the Saint's abilities are state secrets, thus Yuri as the Grand Magus is the best suited to teach her so as few people as possible know about them. He also mentions his personal interest in studying her and her magic, though it seems like Erhart wanted to be her tutor. Yuri confirms her power is unusual, since it's aligned with Holy magic and "something else entirely." His training turns out to be brutal. Sei practices with the knights for practical application and she and Albert share a moment. Sei's casting improves and is praised by Yuri, who tells her why he's training her so hard. Later, Sei has etiquette training with maids at the palace and practices dancing with Albert. Elizabeth invites Sei to a tea party and learns Elizabeth is engaged to Prince Kyle. She also learns Aira is having difficulty adjusting to life there because the social customs are much different than they are in Japan.
Aira's arrival is shown, showing she was initially very upset at being summoned, especially after she learns she cannot go home. Prince Kyle tries to make her feel better by taking her into town, though it seems like many of the townspeople and knights aren't fond of him because he's too uptight. He does promise to try and find a way to return her to her home after the trouble in the kingdom is resolved, but laments he may not succeed in his search. Aira begins studying at the Royal Academy, but most people appear to avoid her due to their social customs being incompatible with hers. She tries to make more friends but fails, continuing to rely on Prince Kyle and his subordinates for companionship. Kyle admits to his right hand man that he made a mistake in ignoring Sei because of his own pride, but that "changing his mind" at this point is dangerous since it could trigger another succession crisis. However, he is genuinely worried about Aira and the backlash she may face if he rescinds his support of her sainthood. Thus, he decides to continue his "act" of being the "incompetent" prince to keep her safe. Elizabeth tries to befriend Aira after speaking with Sei, but Kyle interrupts and takes Aira away.
Sei is finally given access to the forbidden section of the library. Yuri arrives to be nosy and questions her research into poisonous plants. Sei, however, just wants to make better medicines, since the dose makes the poison. Yuri explains that all living things, plants included, have at least trace amounts of magic in them and gives her an idea to imbue the herbs she uses in her potions with magic. While discussing making holy water, Yuri teaches Sei about the rare form of magic strong against all monsters called the Saint's Conjuring, though his answers when Sei asks what it is or how to use it are vague and unhelpful. While thinking about the people she's gotten to know in her new world, she accidentally succeeds in using Saint's Conjuring and imbues some of the plants in the herb garden with magic, which makes it possible for anyone using those enhanced herbs to make potions of the same quality she makes naturally. However, she still cannot cast the spell at will. It's revealed later that Sei will be accompanying the Third Order to the Western Woods, along with Albert and Yuri, the latter of whom wants to know anything and everything about her successful casting of Saint's Conjuring. Fewer beasts show up this time, unlike before when Albert was wounded, and Yuri and Albert think it's due to Sei's presence. However, they eventually run into dense miasma and monsters, including a salamander. Sei is protected from an attack by her enchanted hairpin when it creates an ice wall to shield her. When Albert is wounded, Sei unleashes her saint power and purifies the entire area by accident to save him.
Yuri is thrilled with Sei's display. Albert thanks her on behalf of everyone and people at the palace gossip about her achievements. Johan sympathizes with Sei's desire to be more anonymous but tries to cheer her up by saying going out with the knights would allow her to collect more herbs, thus implying that she can continue to live at the Institute even after being officially recognized as the Saint. She continues having difficulty casting Saint's Conjuring at will. Elizabeth tries to get Kyle to understand that sheltering Aira as he does is only a detriment to her, but Kyle refuses to listen. He continues to call Aira the true Saint and generally makes a fool out of himself. Sei gets dragged into the argument as she and Yuri come upon them. Kyle tries to lay a hand on her for her insolence and is stopped by Albert. The King arrives after Yuri snuck off to fetch him and scolds Kyle in front of a crowd. After he, Kyle, and Elizabeth have a private conversation, the King promises to protect Aira and Kyle acknowledges that he's known Sei is the true Saint for some time. The King places Kyle and his cohorts under house arrest, and Elizabeth commends Kyle for his act after he asks her to look after Aira. Later, Elizabeth, Sei, and Aira have a tea party and get to know each other. With their encouragement, Aira decides to join the Royal Magi Assembly to study magic. Meanwhile, the miasma's corruption is getting worse, especially in the herb-growing region of Klausner's Domain, and Sei is determined to accompany Albert and his knights there.
Sei enjoys discussing herbs with Lord Klausner and he introduces her to their top alchemist, an elderly woman named Corrina. They take to each other quickly. She also meets Leonhardt, a mercenary captain, who is very friendly and cares not for formalities. Corrina and Lord Klausner hope Sei can bless their fields, which are currently suffering. When Sei tells Corrina about her wish to create stronger healing potions, she learns there used to be stronger potions but they can't be made anymore, not after the Great Alchemist passed long ago. Corrina gives her the Great Alchemist's journal to read, where Sei learns there was a drought followed by an epidemic during her lifetime, and the Great Alchemist resolved both with her powerful magic--which is shockingly similar to Saint's Conjuring. It is also implied that the key to using this power is love, as it was the Great Alchemist's love for her little brother that allowed her to succeed. Leonhardt's band of mercenaries returns from their mission, many wounded, and after learning the knights ran into trouble on their own scouting mission, Sei heals Leonhardt's men with a powerful Area Heal and rushes off to find them. Believing Albert to be dying when she finds him, she panics and unleashes her Saint's Conjuring, healing everyone in the area, including Albert...who wasn't actually injured at all. Sei realizes she can only cast it when she's thinking about Albert and gets flustered, running away from him. "The Saint's power is that of love itself."
Yuri is upset he couldn't follow Sei to Klausner's Domain and takes it out on Erhart. Aira has joined the Assembly as a new recruit and Yuri volunteers to be part of the reinforcements for the Second Order in Klausner to join Sei, ditching his paperwork and angering Erhart. He takes interest in Aira since she and Sei are from the same world. Sei practices Saint's Conjuring, confirming it's only Albert that gets it to work for her. She asks Corrina for help practicing. Leonhardt shows up while she's doing so and begs her to join his merc band until Albert arrives, shutting the idea down, and Leonhardt finally realizes Sei is the Saint. Later, Sei and the knights leave on their expedition into the forest and Leonhardt's band joins them. He and Albert seem to develop a rivalry over Sei. Again, they don't run into many monsters until later, when a slime creature attacks. When it looks like they're backed into a corner, Yuri, Aira, and some other mages arrive and annihilate the slimes.
Yuri overkills the slimes with Fire Storm while everyone else retreats, and Leonhardt is distressed by the forest's destruction via fire magic. Sei's Saint's Conjuring training with Corrina is successful and she moves on to a larger target, catching Yuri's attention, who hounds her for answers. Then, he and Corrina conspire to experiment with Sei's powers, taking her to a massive field. Saint's Conjuring apparently uses a lot of magic and Sei is eventually exhausted from practice. She manages to avoid telling Yuri that she must think of Albert when she casts it. Aira joins Sei's squad on their next foray into the woods, along with Albert, Yuri, and Leonhardt. Yuri promises to be more careful and not destroy the forest, so he uses weaker fire spells with a smaller area of effect. There are more monsters this time and Albert is injured protecting Sei. They finally locate the miasma swamp, but Sei has trouble conjuring enough power to purify it since she's distracted. Yuri ends up having to use Fire Lance to protect everyone after Sei has a lapse in judgement, however she is eventually successful in purifying the area. Unfortunately, much of the forest is destroyed from the fire. Later that night in camp, Albert pledges his sword to Sei. The next morning, Sei heals the entire forest with her magic with Albert's support, but then collapses after using too much power. Yuri notices how Sei and Albert interact and is intrigued at the implications regarding Saint's Conjuring. She wakes up in Albert's arms as he carries her and is teased by Yuri. Corrina and Leonhardt bid Sei farewell and they all return to the capital.
"The Trading Company" Transliteration: "Shōkai" (Japanese: 商会)
Unknown
Unknown
October 3, 2023 (2023-10-03)
Sei starts her own cosmetics company with Johan's merchant connections. While at a teahouse with Albert, Sei discovers that coffee exists in this world.
14
2
"A Foreign Country" Transliteration: "Ikoku" (Japanese: 異国)
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October 10, 2023 (2023-10-10)
Sei visits the trading port of Morgenhaffen in search of rice in this world. Sei helps Seiran, a trader from Zaidera, with her healing potion. Sei obtains rice, miso and other goods amongst his wares, with which she prepares Japanese food for her friends. Seiran sends a report back home about the potion.
15
3
"The Ceremony" Transliteration: "Shikiten" (Japanese: 式典)
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October 17, 2023 (2023-10-17)
Sei is invited to the royal palace for a ceremony presenting her as the Saint to the court. Elizabeth introduces Sei to Rain, the second prince of Salutania. Sei attends an evening ball with Albert.
16
4
"The Imperial Prince" Transliteration: "Oji" (Japanese: 皇子)
Unknown
Unknown
October 24, 2023 (2023-10-24)
Tenyū, a prince of the Empire of Zaidera, arrives as a foreign exchange student. Sei, whose powers are considered a national secret, is kept hidden from Tenyū, but ends up running into him anyway. Tenyū suspects that Sei is the one he is looking for.
Sei meets Tenyū after repeatedly avoiding him, but still hides her true identity. From her conversations with him and investigations into him, Sei deduces that Tenyū is only interested in her high-grade potions, not the Saint's powers. Sei and Albert successfully trick Tenyū into believing that a different alchemist is responsible for the potions. Tenyū shares with Sei that he came to Salutania to find a cure for his mother's illness.
Tenyū reveals that he studied medicine for his mother's sake and that her condition is worsening. Sei suggests a panacea that can cure all ailments, and secretly begins research on it. Sei grows an apple tree with her powers as the Saint and completes the panacea. Tenyū receives the panacea as a gift from the king of Salutania, who claims that it was passed down from a legendary alchemist from long ago. Tenyū returns to Zaidera.
As the miasma eradication campaign nears its end, the royal court buzzes with talks of Sei's engagement. The Hawkes decide to present Albert as a suitor, while the Valdecs try to convince Johan, who refuses. Sei's friends also discuss the issue with Sei, who remains uncertain.
Sei, Albert and Yuri arrive at the Hawkes' domain on their final eradication mission. Sei meets Albert's parents. The group investigates monster attacks at a mining town, where they encounter the undead led by a giant boar.
21
9
"Final Act" Transliteration: "Shūmaku" (Japanese: 終幕)
Unknown
Unknown
November 28, 2023 (2023-11-28)
Sei, Albert, Yuri and the knights fight through the undead in the mines. Sei purifies the miasma, but a remaining undead attacks Sei, causing her to fall into a chasm. After a search, Sei is reunited with the group but discovers another lake of miasma, from which an undead dragon emerges. Despite sustaining injuries, Albert and Yuri protect Sei until she successfully casts her spell and purifies the miasma.
Sei and Albert enjoy their time together at the celebratory banquet, the marketplace and the hot springs villa. Sei contemplates what she wants to do from now and realizes she is in love.
Yuri invites Sei to an evening play at a theater, where they enjoy talking about magic. Rumor begins to spread about an imminent engagement between Yuri and Sei. Sei's friends suspect that the rumor was circulated by Marquis Dreves to increase his political influence.
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12
"Blessing"
Unknown
Unknown
December 19, 2023 (2023-12-19)
Albert recalls how he first met Sei after she saved his life. Elizabeth informs Sei about the rumors and advises her to act on her feelings. Sei becomes uncomfortable at work and in her magic lessons. Albert takes Sei to the royal gardens and proposes to her in an illuminated field of flowers. Sei begins to glow and takes his hand.
Reception
Reviewing Episode 1 of the first season, the reviewers at Anime News Network gave the series a mixed review, averaging 3 stars out of 5, criticizing the generic setting and rushed pace of the first episode, while praising the quality of the animation, and the potential for story development. The reviewers also noted that while the main character did not get much opportunity for character development in the first episode, her design as an older woman in her twenties, instead of the more common teenage boy, is interesting.[72]
Cherry Petals Fall Like Teardrops — A video game where Ō Jackson, who is one of the script writers of the anime adaptation, is one of the script writers.
Navel — Ō Jackson is one of the founders of the company.
Notes
^ abInformation is taken from the ending credits of each episode.
