The Flame-Haired Burning-Eyed Hunter is returning to the digital sphere. Publisher CTW Inc. has officially announced that Shakugan no Shana: Blaze Edge, its browser-based adaptation of Yashichiro Takahashi’s legendary light novel series, will launch on September 14. Operating on a free-to-play model with optional in-app purchases, the title will roll out across multiple languages including Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.
The original light novel series, which originally debuted in 2002 under Dengeki Bunko with breathtaking illustrations by Noizi Itō, helped define the fantasy-action landscape of the 2000s. North American publisher Viz Media outlines the narrative premise of the franchise:
Invaders from the Crimson Realm have come to Earth looking for something called the Power of Existence. Whoever possesses this profound power will control the very quintessence of reality. To the rescue comes an enigmatic young girl with fire blazing in her eyes. She may be cute and petite, but she's endowed with enough preternatural strength to save the entire universe. Plus, she's got a really big sword!
Viz Media
Fans of the animated adaptations will be pleased to hear that legendary voice actress Rie Kugimiya reprises her iconic role to voice Shana within the game. Following the conclusion of the core 22-volume light novel run in 2011 and subsequent short story collections, this new browser project offers longtime adherents of the Denki Bunko staple another way to experience the universe ahead of the release date.
