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Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko Anime Gets Novel in July

The official Twitter account for the anime adaptations of the Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko multimedia franchise revealed the cover and July 19 release date for the franchise's first novel on Saturday. The novel's title is Toji no Miko - Ryūkyū-ken Fūroku (Toji no Miko - The Chronicle of the Ryūkyū Swords). Aoi Akashiro, the script supervisor for the Katana Maidens: Mini Toji anime, is penning the novel, with art by the franchise's original character designer Yoshinori Shizuma. Tatsuya Takahashi, the script supervisor and writer for the first anime, is credited for the novel's story concept.

The anime's official website previously revealed the novel on April 26.

The novel's story is set one year before the Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko anime, and begins in August 2017 when two individuals arrive at Naha Airport. The story centers on Heijō Institute third year middle school student Hokuto Asahina and Renpu Girls' School first year middle school student Suu Inami. Both are chosen to test the Storm Armor project that the Sword Administration Bureau is jointly developing with the U.S. Armed Forces. On the same day, another Toji arrives in Okinawa: Yume Tsumebakuro, a sixth grader at Ayanokōji Martial Arts School. All three do not yet know how their destinies intertwine. The story chronicles the secret struggle centering on the Storm Armor that involves the three girls, the Elite Guard, and the Mokusa organization.

In the franchise's story, since ancient times, shrine maidens who wield swords have been exorcising "aradama," strange monsters that threaten the human world. These young women who wear school uniforms and a sword are called "Toji," and they serve as an official unit within the police force as a "special religious service police squad." The government authorizes the Toji to wear swords and serve as government officials, and the government has set up five schools throughout the country for the girls to attend.

The girls live ordinary school lives, while occasionally performing their duties, wielding their swords and using various powers to fight and protect the people. In the spring, the five schools send their best Toji to compete in a tournament. As the tournament comes closer, all of the representatives rigorously train themselves in order to get stronger and improve their skills.

Studio Gokumi's original 24-episode television anime project premiered in January 2018. Crunchyroll streamed the series as it aired in Japan, and Funimation streamed an English dub. The franchise also inspired the Mini Toji short anime, which premiered on January 5. Crunchyroll also streamed this anime.

The Toji no Miko: Kizamishi Issen no Tomoshibi smartphone game launched for iOS and Android devices in Japan in March 2018.

Sakae Saitō launched a manga adaptation in Kadokawa's Shōnen Ace magazine in October 2017, and ended it on March 26.

Sources: Toji no Miko anime's Twitter account, Jump J Books