Witchcraft ignites Crunchyroll as Burn the Witch anime film makes explosive premiere

The anime film Burn the Witch was released on December 30, 2023, serving as a prequel to the original series and unraveling the backstory of Bleach's spin-off manga, Burn the Witch. Titled Burn the Witch 0.8, the latest film addresses plot holes and provides important context for events in the 2020 anime, offering a thorough exploration of the prequel storyline.

The release of this anime went unnoticed by many fans, but it caused the Crunchyroll servers to crash after its debut.

Burn the Witch 0.8 anime film overloads Crunchyroll servers

The release of the Burn the Witch anime film on December 30, 2023, was highly anticipated by fans and led to an unexpected turn of events. The surge in enthusiastic viewers attempting to stream the film caused an unprecedented increase in traffic, ultimately overwhelming the Crunchyroll servers.

For over an hour, many fans found themselves unable to access the platform, a testament to the immense popularity and anticipation surrounding it.

The release of the film highlighted the worldwide popularity of Burn the Witch, a series that began as a spin-off of the well-known Bleach series. Despite being a spin-off, it has gained a devoted and enthusiastic fan following.

Working behind the scenes, Studio Colorado and Team Yamahitsuji collaborated to create Burn the Witch 0.8. Directed by Tatsuro Kawano and with Taku Kishimoto leading the screenplay, the film offers an engaging and promising experience.

Renowned composer Hiroaki Tsutsumi, who has made significant contributions to Jujutsu Kaisen and Tokyo Revengers, is recognized for creating the film's music, while Nil makes a comeback to perform the theme song, PROVE.

The beloved characters, including Yuina Yamada, Tano Asami, Shinba Tsuchiya, Hiroaki Hirata, and Rie Hikisaka, are brought back by the returning cast to the joy of fans. Burn the Witch 0.8 is an adaptation of the 2018 one-shot chapter from Shonen Jump, establishing the series' lore and introducing important characters such as Ninny, Noel, and Balgo.

Final Thoughts

Despite the minor server issue, the 29-minute prologue episode has received widespread acclaim from fans. Acting as a prelude to the highly anticipated three-episode Burn the Witch anime released in 2020, it has only served to heighten the enthusiasm and curiosity of the devoted fanbase.

The special single episode Burn the Witch 0.8 is not leading to any further episodes, as no continuation has been announced. It serves as a prequel to the three-episode Burn the Witch anime, now streaming on Crunchyroll.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I was eagerly anticipating the release of the Burn the Witch anime film, a prequel to the beloved Bleach series. The fact that it caused Crunchyroll's servers to crash during its premiere is a testament to the immense popularity and excitement surrounding the film. It's great to see that the Burn the Witch series, which started as a spin-off, has gained such a dedicated and passionate fan base.

The collaboration between Studio Colorado and Team Yamahitsuji, along with the involvement of talented individuals like director Tatsuro Kawano, screenwriter Taku Kishimoto, and composer Hiroaki Tsutsumi, promises an engaging and high-quality experience. The return of the beloved cast members also adds to the excitement and nostalgia for fans of the original series. While the minor server issue was a temporary inconvenience, the positive reception of the prologue episode and the anticipation for the three-episode Burn the Witch anime released in 2020 demonstrate the enduring appeal of the franchise.