The Duke of Death and His Maid

The Duke of Death and His Maid
is a Japanese romantic comedy manga series by Koharu Inoue. It was serialized online via Shogakukan's Sunday Webry website from October 2017 to May 2022, with its chapters collected in sixteen tankōbon volumes. An anime television series adaptation produced by J.C.Staff aired from July to September 2021. A second season aired from July to September 2023. A third and final season is set to premiere in 2024.
Characters
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A young noble who was bewitched since childhood with a curse that kills anything he touches. Because of it, he is disowned by his mother and sent to live in a separate estate inside a forest with only a butler and his maid Alice.
Viktor's childhood friend and personal maid who is infatuated with him. Despite knowing that touching Viktor can kill her, Alice likes to flirt with him, usually with comical results.
Viktor's old butler and his only servant besides Alice.
Viktor's youngest sister, Viola likes older men and has feelings for Rob, usually visiting her brother's house just to see him.
Viktor's younger brother who was chosen to replace him as the family's heir. Despite that, Walter always has a feeling of inferiority towards his brother and always attempts to surpass him.
A young witch who befriends Viktor and Alice. Cuff is skilled with fire magic and works in a circus with Zain. Cuff views the world with a sense of immaturity, and child-like wonder (as evidenced by her affinity for Santa Claus). It is hinted that she has feelings for Zain.
A wizard with bird features and a perverted behavior who is Cuff's companion. Zain always attempts to flirt with Cuff, who rejects him at first but eventually warms up to him. Zain is skilled with time magic, a rare and powerful trait that makes him the target of other witches.
The leader of the witches, replacing her older sister Sade. Like Cuff and Zain, Daleth also befriends Viktor and Alice, helping them to look for a way to break the curse. In the past, she was disfigured by Sade and since then she disguises her head with a skull-like mask in shame, until Walter compliments her true face, which also makes her fall in love with him.
Alice's mother who somehow has a connection with the witches, despite not being one of them. Years ago, she was apparently killed by Sade but revives later in the story, reuniting with her daughter.
Viktor's mother who disowned him after he was cursed. Behind her strict facade, she still cares for her son and wants him to break his curse so that he can return to the family. She is good friends with Sharon.
The main antagonist and former leader of the witches. Sade is responsible for several acts of cruelty such as the duke's curse, Daleth's scar and Sharon's apparent death. It is stated that she died many years ago but traces of her magic are usually seen, as a sign that she was not completely destroyed yet.
The ringmaster of Circus Gemini. He is also the husband of Amelia, whom he rescued a decade ago.
The octopus witch and the wife of the Ringmaster.
Niko
A wizard who is cursed with immortality by Sade years before her death. Niko is the headmaster of his wizardy school.
Ichi
A wizardess and the lover of Niko. She is highly skilled with water magic.
Free
An instructor of Niko's wizardy school. Despite the fact that Free is actually a witch, he highly admires Niko and addresses him as "Brother Niko" even going as far as to dress himself like Niko.
Viktor
The grandfather of the Duke, Viola and Walter.
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Koharu Inoue, The Duke of Death and His Maid was serialized on Shogakukan's Sunday Webry website from October 3, 2017, to May 17, 2022. Shogakukan collected its chapters in sixteen tankōbon volumes, released from January 12, 2018, to July 12, 2022.
On July 2, 2021, Seven Seas Entertainment announced they licensed the series for English publication.
Volumes
Anime
An anime television series adaptation by J.C.Staff was announced on February 2, 2021. The CGI-heavy series is directed by Yoshinobu Yamakawa, with Hideki Shirane overseeing the series' scripts, Michiru Kuwabata designing the characters, and Gen Okuda and Takeshi Watanabe composing the series' music. The opening theme song is performed by Natsuki Hanae and Ayumi Mano, while the ending theme song is also performed by Mano. It aired from July 4 to September 19, 2021, on Tokyo MX, BS11, and ytv. Funimation licensed the series outside of Asia. Following Sony's acquisition of Crunchyroll, the series was moved to Crunchyroll. Plus Media Network Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia and will air it on Aniplus Asia. Medialink licensed the series in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau, streaming it on their YouTube channel, Ani-One Asia.
At the end of the series' final episode, it was announced that a second season has been green-lit, which aired from July 9 to September 24, 2023. The opening theme song is by Hanae and Mano, while the ending theme song is by Nasuo.
At the end of the series' second season finale, it was announced that a third season has been green-lit. It is set to premiere in 2024.
Season 1 (2021)
Season 2 (2023)
See also
Pushing Daisies, an American television series with a similar premise
References
External links
The Duke of Death and His Maid official manga website at Sunday Webry
Anime series based on manga
Crunchyroll anime
Japanese webcomics
J.C.Staff
Medialink
NBCUniversal Entertainment Japan
Romantic comedy anime and manga
Seven Seas Entertainment titles
Shogakukan manga
Shōnen manga
Supernatural anime and manga
Upcoming anime television series
Webcomics in print