Radiant is a French comics book series written and illustrated by Tony Valente. It has been published by Ankama since 2013 and has 16 volumes released in French as of April 2022. It was later published by the Japanese publisher Asukashinsha in 2015, making it the first manfra to be published in Japan. The series has been licensed by Viz Media in English since 2018 and has 14 volumes released as of August 2021. The series received an anime television series adaptation by Lerche that aired from October 2018 to February 2019, followed by a second season aired from October 2019 to February 2020.

Plot

In the world of “El Pharenos”, a race of powerful monsters called Nemeses fall from the sky. This race infects every living thing they touch. Any humans who survive their contact become cursed, but also gain the ability to wield the magic power known as “Fantasia”, thus becoming Sorcerers. Some Sorcerers use their powers for their own gain while others choose to become heroes and protect normal humans from the Nemeses. But whether good or evil, all Sorcerers are mostly treated with fear and contempt by the common folk. There is also an organization known as the Inquisition, which is dedicated to the eradication of Sorcerers.

The series follows Seth, a 15-year-old boy who has survived a Nemesis attack. He dreams of defeating all of the Nemeses and bringing peace between Sorcerers and the rest of humanity. To do so, he has to find the place where the Nemeses come from, the legendary Radiant, and destroy it. He and other sorcerers travel the region in search of Radiant whilst avoiding the Inquisition.

Media

Manga

The comics was written and illustrated by French author Tony Valente. He began the publication of Radiant on Ankama Éditions in July 2013 and currently has 16 volumes released. According to an interview that he made in Just Focus at April 2014, Tony says that his inspirations to create Radiant were Fairy Tail, Naruto, and One Piece. It has been published by Viz Media in English since 2018.

The series is published in Japan by Asukashinsha. Additional languages it has been published in are Spanish by LetraBlanka since 2016, German by Pyramond since 2016, Italian by Mangasenpai since 2017, and Serbian by Najkula since 2022.

Anime

NHK announced the series on January 31, 2018. The series is directed by Seiji Kishi and Daisei Fukuoka, and written by Makoto Uezu, with animation done in RETAS software by Nerima-based studio Lerche. Character designs for the series are produced by Nozomi Kawano, and Masato Koda is composing the series’ music. The opening theme is “Utopia” by 04 Limited Sazabys, while the ending theme is “Radiant” by Polkadot Stingray.

The 21-episode anime series aired on NHK Educational TV from October 6, 2018, to February 23, 2019. It is based on volumes 1 through 4 of the comic. The series is simulcast by Crunchyroll, with Funimation producing an English dub as it airs.

In the season finale, a 21-episode second season has been announced. It premiered on October 2, 2019. The opening theme is “Naraku” by Halo at Yojohan, while the ending theme is “Chitto mo Shiranakatta” by Emi Nakamura.

The series received a French dub which first aired on Game One in France on September 2, 2019.

The anime began airing on ABC Me in Australia on January 2, 2021.

Radiant
Cover art of the first English volume published by Viz Media.
Genre	Adventure, fantasy
Manga
Written by	Tony Valente
Published by	Ankama
English publisher	NA Viz Media
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	July 4, 2013 – present
Volumes	16 (List of volumes)
Anime television series
Directed by	Daiki Fukuoka Seiji Kishi
Produced by	Yūsuke Fujita
Written by	Makoto Uezu
Music by	Masato Kōda
Studio	Lerche
Licensed by	NA Crunchyroll Funimation
Original network	NHK Educational TV
English network	AU ABC Me
Original run	October 6, 2018 – February 26, 2020
Episodes	42 (List of episodes)