Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start with Magical Tools (Japanese: 魔導具師ダリヤはうつむかない ～今日から自由な職人ライフ～, Hepburn: Madōgushi Dariya wa Utsumukanai: Kyō kara Jiyū na Shokunin Raifu) is a Japanese light novel series written by Hisaya Amagishi. The series originated on the Shōsetsuka ni Narō website in April 2018, before being published in print with illustrations by Kei by Media Factory beginning in October 2018. Eight volumes have been released. Two manga adaptations, illustrated by Kamada and Megumi Sumikawa, began serialization in the Comp Ace magazine and Mag Comi website in April 2019. The first series completed serialization in February 2020 with its chapters collected into two volumes, whereas the second series, titled Magic Artisan Dahlia Wilts No More, has been published in five volumes.

Premise

Magic device craftsman Dahliah is a reincarnated woman, who is told by her fiancee Tobias that he wishes to annual their engagement just shortly after they move in together. She complies gladly, since she never wanted the marriage; instead focusing on her craft. This lead her to befriended a local knight named Wolfred.

Characters

Dahlia Rossetti (ダリヤ・ロセッティ, Dariya Rosetti)

A magic device craftsman. In her past life, Dahlia had her spirit crushed by thankless work; which came back when Tobias began selfishly asking her to change her looks to have some control in their relationship. When she gets out of the engagement, Dahlia begins her own independent business and cancels all contact with the Orlando Firm.

Tobias Orlando (トビアス・オルランド, Tobiasu Orurando)

Dahlia’s former fiancee and junior craftsman disciple; he left her for Emilia Tullini. Tobias lacks skills to make magic devices himself; having planned to steal credit for Dahlia’s work, while trying to make her dependant on him. Sadly, Tobias is imbecilic enough to even ask Dahlia to help him financially and pin her as vindictive towards Emilia; continuing to pester her in the story even after Dahlia keeps telling him to leave her alone.

Wolfred Scalfarotto (ヴォルフレード・スカルファロット, Borufurēdo Sukarufarotto)

A knight whom Dahlia helped recover from a previous mission. He is cursed (literally) with good looks that make girls swoon over him, even if they already have a lover; this also makes it hard for him to keep friends as the girls he spurned lie to their brothers that he made a move on them. Dahlia is immune to this charm, so Wolfred enjoys her company.

Light novel

Written by Hisaya Amagishi, the series began publication on the novel posting website Shōsetsuka ni Narō on April 1, 2018. The series was later acquired by Media Factory, who began publishing the series in print with illustrations by Kei on October 25, 2018. As of June 2022, eight volumes have been released.

In July 2021, J-Novel Club announced that they licensed the series for English publication.

Volume list

Manga

A manga adaptation, illustrated by Kamada, began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten‘s Comp Ace magazine on April 26, 2019. It completed serialization on February 26, 2020. The series’ individual chapters were collected into two tankōbon volumes.

Another manga adaptation, titled Magic Artisan Dahlia Wilts No More and illustrated by Megumi Sumikawa, began serialization on Mag Garden‘s Mag Comi website on April 25, 2019. As of September 2022, the series’ individual chapters have been collected into five tankōbon volumes. In September 2021, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they licensed the series for English publication.

Volume list

First series

Second series

Reception

Sean Gaffney from A Case Suitable for Treatment praised the characters and romance, though he felt the story was a bit generic. Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network praised the illustrations and main characters, though she criticized a “lack of authorial focus”.

In the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! guidebook’s tankōbon and novel category, the series ranked ninth in 2021 and 2022 and second in 2023.

The series has 1.2 million copies in circulation.

Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting a Fresh Start with Magical Tools
Cover of the first light novel volume
魔導具師ダリヤはうつむかない ～今日から自由な職人ライフ～ (Madōgushi Dariya wa Utsumukanai: Kyō kara Jiyū na Shokunin Raifu)
Genre	Isekai, romance
Novel series
Written by	Hisaya Amagishi
Published by	Shōsetsuka ni Narō
Original run	April 1, 2018 – present
Light novel
Written by	Hisaya Amagishi
Illustrated by	Kei
Published by	Media Factory
English publisher	NA J-Novel Club
Imprint	MF Books
Demographic	Male
Original run	October 25, 2018 – present
Volumes	8 (List of volumes)
Manga
Written by	Hisaya Amagishi
Illustrated by	Kamada
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Magazine	Comp Ace
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	April 26, 2019 – February 26, 2020
Volumes	2 (List of volumes)
Manga
Magic Artisan Dahlia Wilts No More
Written by	Hisaya Amagishi
Illustrated by	Megumi Sumikawa
Published by	Mag Garden
English publisher	NA Seven Seas Entertainment
Magazine	Mag Comi
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	April 25, 2019 – present
Volumes	5 (List of volumes)