Kadokawa sets July 31 Magical Girl novel

Kadokawa has set a July 31, 2026 release date for a novel adaptation of “Magical Girl Witch Trials,” according to listings on the publisher’s official KADOKAWA and Sneaker Bunko sites. The book appears under the Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko light-novel label and is credited to Acacia, the creator tied to the original work. KADOKAWA’s product page describes it as a “fully official novelization” of the hit “magic debate mystery game.” The Japanese listing does not specify any English-language release or overseas edition. ### Where did the July 31 date come from? KADOKAWA’s product page lists “Magical Girl Witch Trials” with a publication date of July 31, 2026, a 328-page bunko-format edition, and an ISBN of 9784041167229. The same date appears on the Sneaker Bunko title page for the book. Those publisher listings are the clearest primary-source confirmation of the release timing. A June 1 post on X from KaroshiMyriad also circulated the adaptation news, but the publisher’s own pages provide the release date and sales details directly. (kadokawa.co.jp) ### What exactly is being published? KADOKAWA describes the release as a complete official novelization of the original “magic debate mystery game.” The publisher says the text and illustrations are handled by the original creators, rather than by a separate tie-in team. (kadokawa.co.jp) That is notable because it places the release closer to an in-house expansion of the original story than a loosely licensed spinoff. The listed credits name Acacia as author, UmeMaro for cover illustration, and Sugawara Omu and maruchi for frontispiece and interior illustrations. KADOKAWA’s sales page prices the volume at 902 yen, tax included. ### What does the publisher say about the story? KADOKAWA’s synopsis centers on Emma Sakura, who wakes in a cage on an isolated island prison with 13 other girls. (kadokawa.co.jp) An owl-like warden tells them they may become witches harmful to the world, and the setup escalates into a murder case and a “witch trial” to identify who should be executed. In a message carried on the publisher pages, Acacia says the novel form will deliver the “deep layers” of the girls through words in a new format. (kadokawa.co.jp) The statement frames the book as a way to reach emotions that were less visible in the game version. ### Is this a Japan-only announcement so far? The official pages currently point to a domestic Japanese print release. KADOKAWA’s listing is in Japanese, uses the Sneaker Bunko imprint, and links to Japanese booksellers and the company’s own store. (kadokawa.co.jp) Neither the KADOKAWA product page nor the Sneaker Bunko page mentions North American, European, or English-language publication plans. That means the confirmed next step is the Japanese on-sale date, not an international rollout. Any wider release would require a separate announcement from KADOKAWA or a licensing partner. ### What can readers watch next? July 31, 2026 is the date now attached to the book across KADOKAWA’s official product pages and store listing. The KADOKAWA store is already accepting reservations for the volume, and the Sneaker Bunko page remains the main publisher index for any further updates on the release. (kadokawa.co.jp)