Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World (Japanese: キミと僕の最後の戦場、あるいは世界が始まる聖戦, Hepburn: Kimi to Boku no Saigo no Senjō, Aruiwa Sekai ga Hajimaru Seisen), abbreviated as
KimiSen (キミ戦), is a Japanese light novel series written by Kei Sazane and illustrated by Ao Nekonabe. Fujimi Shobo, under Kadokawa Corporation, has published fifteen volumes and three short story collections since May 2017 under their Fujimi Fantasia Bunko label. A manga adaptation by Okama was serialized in Hakusensha's Young Animal magazine from May 2018 to March 2021. Both the light novel and manga are licensed in North America by Yen Press. An anime television series adaptation by Silver Link aired from October to December 2020. A second season by Silver Link and Studio Palette premiered in July 2024.
Plot
For years, a seemingly endless war has raged between the technologically advanced Heavenly Empire and the country of powerful magic users known as the Nebulis Sovereignty. In the present day, a master swordsman from the Empire named Iska and the "Ice Calamity Witch" from Nebulis' ruling family, Aliceliese, meet on the battlefield, determined to kill each other. However, even as enemies, both harbor a secret desire to peacefully end the war between their two nations without further bloodshed. As circumstances continuously conspire to bring them together, Iska and Alice begin to wonder if they can find peace with each other at first, and through this, create a path to bring an end to this war.
The unofficial leader of the Heavenly Empire's 907th Unit and an unparalleled swordsman who wields the black and white colored astral swords that can negate most types of magic. At the age of 16, he was recognized as the youngest Saint Disciple in the Empire's history. However, for unexplained reasons, he freed a witch who was being held in an Imperial prison, resulting in him being stripped of his title and then imprisoned for a year as punishment. Now, the leaders of the Empire have given him another chance at freedom, provided he kills a certain purebred witch. However, Iska seeks to find a way to end the ongoing war without further bloodshed.
Aliceliese Lou Nebulis IX (アリスリーゼ・ルー・ネブリス9世, Arisurīze rū Neburisu Kyūsei)
Aliceliese, or "Lady Alice," is the purebred "Ice Calamity Witch" with powerful ice-based magic that rivals most other astral mages in her homeland of the Nebulis Sovereignty. As a daughter of the Nebulis royal family, Alice is in line for the throne that Millavair, the current queen and her mother, holds. After running into Iska multiple times, she starts to develop feelings for him, and even makes an attempt to recruit him to her cause. Like Iska, she quietly seeks to end the war between the two countries without further bloodshed as well. However, these ideals raise tensions with her mother, who sees no path to peace with the Empire, even going as far as burning artwork in her personal room that was made within the Empire.
Captain of the 907th Unit. Despite looking like a child, acting like a klutz, and having low physical strength, she still provides moral support to her comrades in the Unit. Later on, she gets exposed to a star vortex and is branded as an astral mage. Though her powers are currently unknown, the rest of the Unit is forced to hide her brand lest she be experimented on by the Empire.
Alice's personal maid and bodyguard who has served her from early childhood. In addition to her physical and martial prowess, Rin is a powerful astral mage who uses earth-based magic to create golems.
Sisbell Lou Nebulis IX (シスベル・ルゥ・ネビュリス9世, Shisuberu Ruu Nebyurisu 9-sei)
Alice's younger sister who was held captive in the Empire until Iska freed her one year prior to the start of the story. She has a psychometric-style ability called "Lamplight," where she can see things that happened up to 200 years in the past, within 3 kilometers (about 2 miles) around her. She believes there is a threat to her family that only Iska can help her with.
Millavair Lou Nebulis VIII (ミラベア・ルゥ・ネビュリス8世, Mirabea Ruu Nebyurisu 8-sei)
A criminal who is imprisoned for attacking the previous queen.
Media
Light novel
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World is written by Kei Sazane and illustrated by Ao Nekonabe. The first light novel volume was published on May 20, 2017, by Fujimi Shobo under their Fujimi Fantasia Bunko imprint.[26] As of June 2023, fifteen volumes and three short story collections have been published.[27]Yen Press has acquired the license for the series in North America and published the first volume on September 24, 2019.[28]
A manga adaptation of the series by Okama was serialized in Hakusensha's Young Animal magazine from May 11, 2018, to March 12, 2021.[62][63] Seven tankōbon volumes were published from December 26, 2018, to April 28, 2021.[64][65] Yen Press also licensed the manga for North American release, and the first volume was released on November 5, 2019.[66]
An anime television series adaptation was announced at the "Fantasia Bunko Dai Kanshasai 2019" event on October 20, 2019.[78] The series was animated by Silver Link and directed by Shin Ōnuma and Mirai Minato, with Kento Shimoyama handling series composition and Kaori Sato as character designer and chief animation director. Seima Iwahashi, Ryōta Tomura, and Ryūichirō Fujinaga of Elements Garden composed the series' music.[79][80] The series aired from October 7 to December 23, 2020, on AT-X and other channels.[5][15]Kaori Ishihara performed the opening theme "Against.", while Sora Amamiya performed the ending theme "Koori no Torikago" (氷の鳥籠, "Ice Bird Cage").[5]
Funimation acquired the series and streamed it on its website in North America and Britain and Ireland, and on AnimeLab in Australia and New Zealand.[81] On October 27, 2020, Funimation announced that the series would receive an English dub, which premiered the following day.[4] Following Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, the series was moved to Crunchyroll.[82]
A sequel had been green-lit on October 1, 2021,[83] which was later revealed to be a second season.[84][85] It is animated by Silver Link and Studio Palette, and directed by Yuki Inaba, with Studio Palette credited for series composition, Kaori Yoshihara designing the characters, and Elements Garden composing the music.[86] It was initially scheduled for 2023, but was later delayed,[87] and eventually premiered on July 10, 2024.[12][13] The opening theme song is "Senaka Awase" (セナカアワセ, "Back to Back") performed by AliA, while the ending theme song is "Para Bellum", performed by Sizuk.[12] Crunchyroll licensed the series.[88]Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia, broadcasting it on Aniplus Asia.[89]
On August 6, 2024, it was announced that the fifth and future episodes of the second season will be delayed indefinitely, with the reasoning being "to maintain the quality" of the production. In its place, selected episodes from the first season will occupy the remainder of its broadcast.[90]
Iska, the youngest Saint Disciple of the Heavenly Empire, helps a witch escape from captivity for unknown reasons, only to be imprisoned himself for the act. One year later, the Octet grants him his release and his astral swords, on the condition that he hunts down a purebred witch. After reuniting with his comrades Jhin, Nene, and Mismis from the 907th Unit, the four of them head to a disputed territory where the Empire is defending a power plant from the astral mages of the Nebulis Sovereignty. Iska and his unit soon find themselves battling several mages and manage to subdue them non-lethally. However, the purebred "Ice Calamity Witch," Aliceliese Lou Nebulis IX, takes the field herself and shatters the Empire's power plant with her magic. Alice and Iska end up fighting to a draw, with both expressing their wish to end the ongoing war before Alice retreats. Later, Alice attends an opera with her maid Rin, when she is handed a handkerchief by a man who turns out to be Iska.
2
2
"Encounter: The Enemy You and I Met Was..." Transliteration: "Kaigō ― Boku to Watashi ga Deatta Teki wa ―" (Japanese: 邂逅 ―僕とわたしが出会った敵は―)
Iska gets a ticket to an opera in the neutral city-state of Ein, and accidentally gets a seat next to Alice. Alice and Rin head to a nearby restaurant, only to find themselves seated at Iska's table, where Alice and Iska order the exact same dish. Later that evening, Alice's mother, Queen Nebulis, mentions that the seal on the Nebulis founder is weakening and hints that it might be linked to the swordsman Alice fought before. Alice and Iska have trouble sleeping in their respective beds. The next day, Iska and Alice accidentally meet again in Ein, as they tour an art exhibit at the same time. Afterwards, Iska falls asleep on Alice's shoulder, quietly embarrassing her. Meanwhile, the Octet agree to reinstate Iska as Saint Disciple if he captures the Ice Calamity Witch.
3
3
"Encounter: Successor of the Black Steel and the Ice Calamity Witch" Transliteration: "Kaigō ― Kuro-kō no Kōkei to Kōri-ka no Majo ―" (Japanese: 邂逅 ―黒鋼の後継と氷禍の魔女―)
Iska arrives in the 907th Unit's office when Risya tells him the Octet wants to see him. There, he is informed that they want him to apprehend the Ice Calamity Witch. When he returns to his room, Iska asks Mismis if he can go to the neutral city. She agrees on the condition that she comes with him. Meanwhile, at the palace, Rin gives Alice a dossier on Iska. After having a conversation with her mother, Alice tells Rin that she wants them to head to the neutral city. The next day, Iska, Mismis, Alice, and Rin meet up in the neutral city. After Iska reveals why he rescued the witch the year prior, Alice asks Iska to defect from the Empire. Before he can give an answer, they are attacked by the now free Founder Nebulis. During the battle, Rin is injured. Once Mismis takes Rin to the hospital, Iska and Alice team up in order to defeat the Founder Nebulis. Afterwards, Iska turns down Alice's request. They then agree to a temporary truce for the rest of the day.
4
4
"Intersection: Battle for the Vortex" Transliteration: "Kōsa ― Borutekkusu Kōbō ―" (Japanese: 交差 ―ボルテックス攻防―)
In the city of Jurak, the 907th Unit are playing the slot machines in a casino. Meanwhile, Alice and Rin arrive at the casino. When Alice hits the jackpot, she shares her winnings with Nene. Once everyone leaves, Alice and Iska head to a fortune teller where they receive the same fortune. Sometime later, Risya informs the 907th Unit about a vortex at the Myudol valley. At the palace, Rin tells Alice that the Empire troops have been deployed towards Myudol valley. She also reveals that the Zoa family have been delaying their report to her mother. They later confront Lord Mask who reveals why the report was delayed. At the Myudol valley, the troops meet one of the members of the Saint Disciples named Nameless. During their search for the vortex, the 907 Unit is informed that one of the units has gone missing. When they head back to the base, Nameless decides against deploying a rescue squad. When Iska tries to speak to Nameless, Mismis does so in his place. Later that night, Alice decides to head to the Myudol valley herself. Meanwhile, Lord Mask approaches Kissing Zoa Nebulis IX.
5
5
"Intersection: Awakening of the Vortex" Transliteration: "Kōsa ― Borutekkusu Kakusei ―" (Japanese: 交差 ―ボルテックス覚醒―)
When Alice and Rin arrive at the vortex, Lord Mask shows up with Kissing. Lord Mask explains that he wants to have an all-out war with the Empire. Meanwhile, the 907th Unit is monitoring the Myudol valley when they notice an astral light. Heading towards the area of the light, they encounter Shanorotte Gregory's unit, who reveal that they are actually astral mages. Nameless suddenly arrives and he takes out Shanorotte's squad, though she manages to escape with Mismis. When Shanorotte brings Mismis to the vortex, Alice decides to use the opportunity to head to the Imperial army's base. Sometime later, Iska arrives at the vortex to rescue Mismis. Just then, Kissing demonstrates her power. At the base, Alice takes on Nameless. Back at the vortex, Iska and Kissing fight each other with Iska emerging as the victor. Afterwards, Lord Mask kicks Mismis into the vortex. When Iska jumps in to rescue her, Alice follows them. Thanks to Alice's help, all three are able to survive.
6
6
"Paradise: Rin's Big Miscalculation" Transliteration: "Rakuen ― Rin no Dai Gosan ―" (Japanese: 楽園 ―燐の大誤算―)
While Alice is reminiscing about her previous encounter with Iska, she is approached by Rin, who suggest that they head to the neutral city. Meanwhile, the 907th Unit are in their office when Mismis complains about her shoulder. They are then given a mission by Risya to infiltrate the Nebulis Sovereignty. Sometime later, Alice and Rin look for Iska in the neutral city. Back in the 907th Unit's office, everyone discovers that Mismis is now an astral mage. Despite this, Iska, Jhin, and Nene decide to remain loyal to her. The next day, Iska and Mismis are enjoying themselves in the neutral city. When they split up, he is eventually approached by Alice. After a while, Rin shows up and she gives them some juice. Once Iska passes out, Rin reveals that she spiked his juice with a sleep-inducing drug. She then admits that she did not expect him to actually drink it. As they are taking Iska away, Mismis returns and she tries to stop them. However, Alice freezes her foot. Later, Risya reports to Emperor Yunmelngen that Iska has been captured.
After some convincing from Alice, Rin decides to take Iska to Alcatroz. Meanwhile, Risya reports to the Octet about the situation. She then brings up that Salinger the Transcendent is being held there as well. Afterwards, she heads to the 907th Unit's office where she uses a gadget so Nene, Mismis, and Jhin can go undercover as astral mages. In Alcatroz, Iska wakes up earlier than expected while the rest of the 907th Unit successfully cross the border. At a hotel, Rin volunteers to watch Iska. The 907th Unit meanwhile meet up with Risya. Back at the hotel, once Alice leaves the room, Rin attempts to kill Iska. However, she is stopped when Alice returns. At the Ollelugan Prison Tower, Jhin realizes that the Empire has an ulterior motive for the mission. After some brief awkwardness between Iska and Alice, Iska notices Alice's astral crest. When she asks him what he thinks about her and her astral crest, his response makes her happy. Later, Risya introduces herself to Salinger.
8
8
"Paradise: The Transcendent Demon" Transliteration: "Rakuen ― Chōetsu no Majin ―" (Japanese: 楽園 ―超越の魔人―)
Risya explains to Salinger that she is going to help him escape. Meanwhile, at the hotel, Rin reports to Alice that someone has infiltrated the Sovereignty. At Ollelugan, Mismis, Jhin, and Nene are surrounded by guards when they hear an explosion. They then receive a call from Risya, who lies about the situation. Rin later relays to Alice that Salinger has escaped from Ollelugan and they leave Iska behind. Back at Ollelugan, Mismis acts as bait, which allows Jhin and Nene to take out the guards. When they finally get in contact with Iska, it appears that he is stuck at the hotel until he realizes Alice secretly left behind a key so he can escape. He then heads to Ollelugan. When Alice and Rin arrive at Ollelugan, they split up. Iska meanwhile arrives at Ollelugan as well. Once Rin finds Salinger, she challenges him to a fight and ends up getting overwhelmed. Just as Salinger is about to kill Rin, Iska saves her.
During the battle with Salinger, Iska has Rin promise that if he defeats Salinger, she will not stop him and his friends until they cross the border. Meanwhile, at the palace, Schwartz reports the situation at Ollelugan to Sisbell Lou Nebulis IX. Back at Ollelugan, Rin aides Iska, while Alice is briefly confronted by Nameless. Alice then shows up at Iska and Rin's location, which allows Iska to turn the tables on Salinger. As such, Salinger decides to flee. The next morning, Rin reports to Alice that the prisoners have been accounted for and the Imperial soldiers have retreated. In the Empire, it is revealed that Risya was the one who actually confronted Alice as the real Nameless reports that the Central Province of the Sovereignty has been infiltrated. The 907th Unit meanwhile head home together. At the palace, Alice and Rin are having a conversation about Iska when it is revealed that Sisbell is spying on them. She soon realizes that Iska is the same Imperial soldier who rescued her.
10
10
"Beginning: The Girl Wishes Upon a Star" Transliteration: "Shidō ― Hoshi ni Negau Shōjo ―" (Japanese: 始動 ―星に願う少女―)
Risya meets up with Emperor Yunmelngen where she gives her report to him. At the palace, the queen orders Sisbell to head to Aksamira, an independent nation, to investigate if they have sided with the Empire. Meanwhile, the 907th Unit catch a break when Michaela, a member of the medical coordination team, puts them on forced leave for 60 days due to being overworked. Later, Elletear Lou Nebulis IX, Alice and Sisbell's older sister, has a conversation with Lord Mask. When the 907th Unit arrive in Aksamira, they spend the day having fun. After they separate, Sisbell runs into Iska and she decides to follow him. Back at the palace, the queen, Alice, and Rin go inside Sisbell's room. There, Alice and Rin discover that Sisbell knows about Iska while Sisbell asks Iska to come with her to the Sovereignty.
Sisbell thanks Iska for saving her the year prior. When he wonders why she wants him to accompany her to the Sovereignty, she becomes emotional. After they part ways, Sisbell vows that she will not give up. Meanwhile, at the palace, Rin convinces the queen to allow Alice to travel to Aksamira so can talk to Sisbell alone. At the Empire, the Octet decide to deploy the Object against Sisbell. The next day, Iska is too preoccupied thinking about the conversation he had with Sisbell. Elletear meanwhile tells Lord Mask that she believes her sisters might betray the Sovereignty. As such, Lord Mask agrees to look into the matter. While Alice is traveling to Aksamira, she notices giant tracks that head in the same direction. Later, Iska leaves his friends to meet up with Sisbell. After she reveals the reason why she wants his help, they are confronted by Lord Mask. When Sisbell attempts to flee, she is targeted by the Object.
12
12
"Beginning: The Two of Them Trigger the Rise of a New World" Transliteration: "Shidō ― Aruiwa Sekai o Hajimeru Futari ―" (Japanese: 始動 ―あるいは世界を始める2人―)
While Iska and Nene fight the Object, Lord Mask tries to intervene, but he gets stopped by Jhin. Jhin and Mismis distract Lord Mask, but end up getting cornered. Jhin manages to shoot at Lord Mask, but he hits the recorder which contained the proof of Sisbell communicating with Iska. Lord Mask then tries to burn them using gasoline, but Mismis uses her astral powers to extinguish the flames as Jhin takes a shot at Lord Mask, which causes him to retreat. Meanwhile, Nene attempts to attack the Object, but it shields itself. Nene then retreats with the rest of the team to evacuate civilians while Iska and Sisbell fight with the Object. During the battle, an astral spirit comes out and traps Sisbell inside. Alice suddenly arrives, leading to her and Iska once again teaming up. After the fight, Sisbell asks if Alice and Iska are acquainted, which they deny. Sisbell then says that she wants Iska to be her knight. However, Iska manages get out of the situation when his friends call for him.
^「キミ戦」10月放送開始、キャストに石原夏織・白城なお・土岐隼一・花守ゆみり ["Kimi Sen" starts broadcasting in October, cast of Kaori Ishihara, Nao Shiraki, Shunichi Toki, Yumiri Hanamori]. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. July 15, 2020. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.