An Unexpected Bond: Burn the Witch and Dragon Ball Fandom Collide in Spectacular Fashion
Burn the Witch, the brainchild of Tite Kubo, captivates with its unexpected fusion of Dragon Ball nostalgia This 2018 one-shot turned four-chapter series, accessible on Viz Media's official site, takes anime enthusiasts on a thrilling journey Discover the film's intriguing storyline and immerse yourself in its enthralling world Brace yourself for an extraordinary experience!
Burn the Witch started as a one-shot in 2018 and was later expanded into a four-chapter series by Tite Kubo. All chapters are available on Viz Media's official site. The anime adaptation, which includes four episodes, premiered its special episode on December 29, 2023, leading to lively discussions.
Fans have been highly engaged with Burn the Witch 0.8, particularly the use of the Dragon Ball Z recap theme as Noel Niihashi's ringtone. This addition has only added to the excitement surrounding Tite Kubo's work, especially following the success of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War arc.
Disclaimer: This article contains minor spoilers for the Burn the Witch series.
Burn the Witch brings back the nostalgic Dragon Ball theme
The premiere of Burn the Witch 0.8 on December 29, 2023, caused a stir by not only winning over fans but also crashing Crunchyroll servers. Fans were amazed by the use of the actual Dragon Ball Z prologue/recap theme as Noel Niihashi's ringtone, and the Sailor Moon theme for Ninny's calls. These iconic ringtones, taken directly from the manga, sparked speculation among fans about potential copyright issues and the possibility of replacements.
The surprise reached its height when Burn the Witch 0.8 fearlessly made a reference to Dragon Ball, using the actual name from the series. In a world where anime typically hints at other franchises indirectly, this direct recognition was remarkable.
Fans took to social media to share their excitement, pointing out Crunchyroll's decision not to censor the Dragon Ball name, which is typically done with copyrighted terms. They also noticed that Noel's selection of ringtones seemed to be a deliberate effort to "act more Japanese."
Ninny Spangcole as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Colorido)
Everything to know about the film
The inclusion of Krillin's ringtone in Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F', featuring One Piece's "We Are" sparked discussions among fans. Many speculated that this was a subtle gesture of respect between Dragon Ball and the Big Three anime, given that these series essentially paved the way for anime to become mainstream.
Noel Niihashi as depicted in the anime (Image via Studio Colorido)
The premiere of the film on December 30, 2023, caused an unexpected surge in traffic, leading to a temporary crash of Crunchyroll servers. However, despite this setback, the global popularity of the Bleach spin-off film, Burn the Witch 0.8, remained undeniable. Directed by Tatsuro Kawano and produced by Studio Colorido and Team Yamahitsuji, the film continued to captivate audiences worldwide.
Bruno Bangnyfe, as seen in the anime (Image via Studio Colorido)
Renowned composer Hiroaki Tsutsumi and Nil, the theme song performer, worked their magic on the project. The returning cast reprised their roles, introducing key characters in this 28-minute special episode, available for streaming on Crunchyroll. This series is rooted in Tite Kubo's Bleach universe and explores the Western branch of the Soul Society, known as Reverse London.
Final Thoughts
Ninny Spangcole as shown in the anime (Image via Studio Colorido)
The Burn the Witch manga has been fully adapted, leaving no content for future anime. However, with the recent success of the Bleach TYBW anime, there is potential for Tite Kubo to continue the series. The rumored Hell Arc could serve as a catalyst for Kubo to further expand the captivating universe he has created, giving fans hope for more adventures in the world of Reverse London.
Editor's P/S
As a long-time fan of Tite Kubo's work, I was thrilled to hear about the release of Burn the Witch, a new series set in the Bleach universe. The unexpected fusion of Dragon Ball nostalgia added an extra layer of excitement, and I couldn't wait to dive into the story.
The use of the Dragon Ball Z recap theme as Noel Niihashi's ringtone was a stroke of genius. It immediately caught my attention and made me smile. It was a fun and unexpected way to pay homage to another iconic anime series, and it showed that Kubo wasn't afraid to take risks. The fact that Crunchyroll didn't censor the Dragon Ball name was also a bold move, and it showed that they were confident in the strength of the Burn the Witch brand.
