In 2013, Noboru Yamaguchi passed away at age 41 after publishing 20 volumes of the Familiar of Zero series, short of an intended 22. Then, in 2015 Publisher MF Bunko updated the Familiar of Zero site with news that they planned on continuing the fantasy light novel series based on Yamaguchi's manuscripts, releasing volume 21 on February 25th of 2016, then scheduling 22 for February 24, 2017. Leading into this week's release, a TV ad is promoting the finale.

The series, about an underperformer at a school for magic who accidentally summons an ordinary Japanese boy, was adapted into four seasons of anime, released in North America by Sentai Filmworks, and a manga series, released by Seven Seas.

Before he died, Yamaguchi left plots for the last two volumes of the series and the publisher decided to continue the series based on it with a different writer. While the original illustrator Eiji Usatsuka has returned, the identity of the new writer chosen by Yamaguchi has been kept secret, with no credits. Mantan Web posted a comment from Kadoakawa explaining, "If we reveal the name of the new writer, that will cause preconceptions among the readers. We want them to purely enjoy the story."

Volume cover

A 320 page collection of the works series illustrator Eiji Usatsuka is scheduled for March 25th.

The collection of 500 pieces features art from the novels and its spin-offs, magazine covers, anime DVDs and more.

Lead voice actress Rie Kugimiya also recently reappeared to narrate an audio book edition of the first volume for the Japanese edition of Audible.















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Scott Green is editor and reporter for anime and manga at geek entertainment site Ain't It Cool News. Follow him on Twitter at @aicnanime.