Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World

Kei Sazane's light novel series Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World began in May 2017 under Fujimi Fantasia Bunko, with illustrations by Ao Nekonabe. Sixteen volumes and three short story collections have appeared since. The story sets two enemies against each other: Iska, a young swordsman from the Empire, and Aliceliese, a princess and witch from the rival Sovereignty. Their nations have fought for generations. When Iska and Alice meet on the battlefield, they recognize something in each other that their countries would rather they ignore. The series mixes military fantasy with romance, and the tension comes from the impossibility of the pairing as much as from the combat. Fujimi Shobo, part of Kadokawa, publishes the books. Yen Press handles the English release. A manga adaptation by Okama ran in Hakusensha's Young Animal from May 2018 to March 2021, also licensed by Yen Press. The novels are the source material, and they build a war story around two people who should be trying to kill each other. An anime adaptation by Silver Link aired from October to December 2020. A second season, produced by Silver Link and Studio Palette, ran from July 2024 to June 2025. A third season is in the works. The books remain the fullest version of the story, with the anime covering only part of the long-running series.[edit]