From Graduation Project to the Big Screen
Living in a World Without Magic (魔法のない世界で生きるということ), nicknamed Mahoseka by fans, started as illustrator Akiwashi's (秋鷲) solo graduation project. The roughly seven-minute animated music video landed on YouTube in 2022 via the Euluca Lab. channel and has since crossed 6.3 million views. Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer, Ken Kaneki in Tokyo Ghoul) voiced the original MV, and KADOKAWA published a novelization.
The theatrical anime film expands the MV's premise. Witches live quietly among ordinary people, and a boy named Haru encounters Sara, a one-eyed witch who draws him into the forgotten past of the witches. Japanese entertainment news site Comic Natalie reported that the project, produced by Singapore-based anime venture studio KASAGI LABO, is now pushing into international markets through event appearances and a fan campaign.
Masao Maruyama Headlines the Annecy Panel
KASAGI LABO will hold an industry panel at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France on June 24. Masao Maruyama, co-founder of Madhouse and founder of MAPPA (Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man), will appear as a guest. The panel will cover the latest developments on Living in a World Without Magic and discuss new possibilities for Japanese anime in the global market.
Maruyama's presence at Annecy connects Mahoseka to decades of anime production history. He co-founded Madhouse in 1972 and launched MAPPA in 2011, building two of the industry's most prolific studios along the way.
The project has also confirmed a booth at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles, starting July 2.
Fan Campaign Launches Internationally
To build international support, the project launched a fan campaign called the Mahoseka Film Support Club on AnimeOshi, a site for English-speaking anime fans. Members gain access to progress reports, early information, and behind-the-scenes materials including Akiwashi's sketches, character concept art, and production footage.
Looking Ahead
The Annecy panel on June 24 and the Anime Expo booth starting July 2 mark the project's first major international appearances. No theatrical release date, distribution partners, or streaming plans have been announced. The KADOKAWA novelization does not have a confirmed English release.
The original MV on YouTube remains the easiest way to sample Akiwashi's work.