'Mercedes and the Waning Moon' Light Novel Series Announces Anime Adaptation for Fall 2025

Fans of enthralling dark fantasy and thrilling adventure have cause to celebrate. The acclaimed light novel series, Mercedes and the Waning Moon: The Dungeoneering Feats of a Discarded Vampire Aristocrat, has officially been greenlit for an anime adaptation. This highly anticipated series is slated to debut in October 2025, promising to bring its unique blend of gothic atmosphere, poignant character development, and adrenaline-pumping dungeon exploration to screens worldwide.

Penned by the talented Firehead and brought to life through KeG's evocative illustrations, Mercedes and the Waning Moon first captivated readers as a web novel on Shosetsuka ni Naro. Its print publication by TO Books began in May 2021, quickly garnering a dedicated readership.

The narrative plunges into the extraordinary life of Mercedes Grunewald, a reincarnated vampire aristocrat who faces rejection from her noble lineage. Undeterred by this setback, Mercedes embarks on an incredible journey of self-reliance. She chooses to navigate the perilous world of dungeon crawling, a challenging pursuit she masters from a remarkably young age. Her remarkable perseverance and innate vampire abilities forge a new destiny, not only for herself but also for her estranged family.

The series masterfully weaves together intricate dark fantasy elements with the exciting dynamics of adventure and dungeon crawling. It explores profound themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the relentless pursuit of one's own path. Its burgeoning popularity is underscored by over 150,000 copies in print by August 2025, setting a high bar for the upcoming animated rendition.

Complementing the light novel's success, a compelling manga adaptation by Pochi Edoya has been serialized on TO Books' Corona EX website since August 2021, further solidifying its growing fanbase. While specifics regarding the anime's production studio and creative team are yet to be unveiled, the prospect of witnessing Mercedes's journey unfold with a distinctive gothic fantasy aesthetic in the fall 2025 anime lineup has ignited considerable excitement among enthusiasts of vampire lore and intricate dungeon narratives.

This adaptation is poised to deliver a compelling fusion of dark, emotionally resonant storytelling alongside thrilling, action-packed sequences, making it a must-watch for genre aficionados.