Japanese publisher TO Books has officially announced an anime adaptation for Fire head’s light novel series, Mercedes and the Waning Moon: The Dungeoneering Feats of a Discarded Vampire Aristocrat. While specific details regarding the format, animation studio, cast, and premiere date are yet to be revealed, the news confirms the highly anticipated project is officially in development.
The Journey of Mercedes and the Waning Moon
The Mercedes and the Waning Moon series, known in Japan as Kaketa Tsuki no Merusedesu, originated as a web novel on the popular Shōsetsuka ni Narō platform in October 2018, concluding its serialization in November 2022. TO Books later acquired the series for publication as a light novel, with the first volume released in May 2021 featuring illustrations by KeG. As of February 2022, three volumes of the light novel have been released, with a fourth volume anticipated for digital release on August 15, 2025.
The Story of Mercedes Grunewald
The light novel and upcoming anime tell the tale of Mercedes Grunewald, a vampire woman who is a reincarnation of a Japanese person with unfulfilled regrets from a previous life. Born to a concubine and estranged from her noble father’s main line, Mercedes faces an uncertain future. To ensure her family’s survival, she resolves to become a dungeon crawler. Despite being a small child, Mercedes possesses the potential for great strength due to her vampire heritage, embarking on rigorous training at a young age. The narrative follows her journey through dungeons, where she seeks strength and wealth, determined to achieve fulfillment in this new life.
J-Novel Club holds the English licensing rights for both the light novel and its manga adaptation.
From Web Novel to Manga to Anime
In addition to the light novel, the series has also inspired a manga adaptation, illustrated by Pochi Edoya. The manga began serialization on TO Books’ Comic Corona website (now known as Corona EX) in August 2021. As of September 2024, four tankōbon volumes of the manga have been compiled, with a fifth volume expected to be published on August 15, 2025. The transition from web novel to light novel, and then to both manga and anime, highlights the growing popularity and strong reception of Fire head’s original story. Fans eagerly await further announcements regarding the production and release of the Mercedes and the Waning Moon anime.
