BURN THE WITCH (film)

**BURN THE WITCH** is a feature film based on the BURN THE WITCH one-shot and serialized manga. Directed by Tatsuro Kawano and animated by Studio Colorido with the original story written by Tite Kubo, the film released in theaters and began streaming internationally on October 2, 2020.

## A New Pipe

As she walks through the streets of London in a dark hoodie and glasses, Ninny Spangcole ruminates on how pretentious fairy tales are with princesses being fooled into believing they are choosing an attractive man for a relationship, only to be chosen themselves, while the magic they experience along the way disappears partway through. With reporters on the street noticing her and chasing after her to inquire about recent news regarding her band, Ninny decries those who want to be the princess anyway without realizing that the magic will wear off since they do not realize why it does.

Annoyed by the reporters asking her why she left her band and by one of them bumping into a woman carrying groceries, Ninny releases a bright flash of light with her hand to briefly blind them and runs into an alleyway, where she scans a Wing Bind coin to open a passageway in the cobblestones and jumps down, leaving her fans to wonder where she went, while she concludes that she would prefer to be the one casting the spell if idiots will be bewitched regardless. Down in Reverse London, Noel Niihashi rides her **Broombuggy**, Wordsworth, after a **Bud Buck** in the plains.

Noel begins reciting the incantation for **Magic #31. Blue Spark**, only for the **Bud Buck** to begin using its magic, which Noel warns it against doing because this will cause flowers to bloom on its antlers. Suddenly, a massive, wombat-head Dragon bursts through the treetops near the **Bud Buck**, prompting Noel to instead fire **Magic #31. Blue Spark** at it from her gun, releasing a five-pronged blast that leaves the Dragon reeling back and results in it turning around to fly away. While Noel and the **Bud Buck** are sent flying back by the wind pressure from this, Ninny uses **Magic #44. Flash Bumper**.

With Noel and the **Bud Buck** caught by the subsequently-created large net, Ninny flies down on her own **Broombuggy**, Marshall, and chastises Noel for not having a plan to catch the **Bud Buck** if Ninny had not made it here in time. However, Noel counters that Ninny has no right to complain when she was so late, and when Ninny bemoans Noel addressing her by her first name despite her seniority, Noel promises to stop calling her Ninny if she starts calling her Noel, though Ninny angrily questions why she is so casually making demands to her senior as a junior.

Shortly afterward, standing beneath the partially destroyed gate of the Western Branch, Ninny berates the repairmen for not fixing the gate in the week since it was damaged while her latest advertisement plays on a large monitor in the background. When she is told that the installation of the monitor was prioritized, Ninny contemptuously walks away toward the main building and demands to know why Noel took on a two-person job by herself, only for Noel to simply state that she did so because Ninny was late, prompting Ninny to point out that a normal person would just wait.

However, Noel reminds her that she gets the entire reward to herself if she does it solo while scanning her phone at the bank stand. Ninny asserts that she knew Noel was after money and responds to Noel noting that she could simply transfer all the money she makes in Front London by claiming that she cannot do so out of pride. Upon seeing that she lost achievement points despite how carefully she picked the flower from the antlers of the **Bud Buck**, Noel laments this as Ninny celebrates getting points as well and points to her assistance toward the end that saved the **Bud Buck** as the reason for this.

With several young men ogling at them nearby, Noel explains that she picked the **Bud Buck** flower without permission since they lose value if they are already flowering prior to being sold and teasingly offers to let a blushing Ninny touch it if she wants to. Suddenly, Noel and Ninny hear Osushi requesting to see panties and who turns to see Balgo Parks clinging to Osushi's leash as the latter flies through the air outside the headquarters with a pair of large wings, causing a clothing line attached to Balgo's pants to fall onto the two repairmen below, to their perverted delight.

Though initially apathetic toward helping Balgo and debating whose responsibility it is to do so, with them eventually deciding to let him be and instead get drinks from a vending machine, Noel and Ninny are interrupted by Billy Banx Jr., who declares that they need to look after Balgo due to the likelihood of him dying at this rate. Ninny dismisses this and refuses to look after Balgo in addition to her regular job because she and Noel are not getting enough money or achievement points for it, but Billy informs them that he visited the relevant stakeholders and got Noel and Ninny approved for overtime and bonus achievements, shocking them.

After finishing their drinks, Noel and Ninny hop on their **Broombuggies** as Ninny lays out their selfish motivations for doing this and concludes that they will tell others they are doing this for social justice if asked before blasting off into the air, leaving Billy to observe that they should shout that last part first. Elsewhere, several citizens of Reverse London are perturbed by Balgo and Osushi flying through the air, and a chimney sweep is asked to clean a roof despite the possibility of a Dragon being on the loose, only to frantically warn Balgo to not come toward him upon seeing the latter.

Despite this, Osushi crashes into the rooftop, knocking the man down to the balcony, and as an apologetic Balgo inquires if he got hurt, the man narrowly evades a chimney broken by Osushi that falls on him and clarifies that he is not worried about injuries and questions what he is supposed to do if he is arrested for Dragon interaction due to Wing Bind headquarters being so close. Before Osushi can wreak any more havoc, Noel and Ninny fly in to grab him and Balgo, respectively, which prompts Balgo to thank Noel for saving him as an irritated Ninny points out that she is the one who saved him.

Above them, Noel rubs Osushi's back and gently tells him to calm down, resulting in Osushi's wings retracting and vanishing. When Ninny asks him what he did to Osushi, Balgo asserts that he did nothing and that this happened while they were simply on a walk. Upon being thanked and asked by the man about the broken chimney, Noel instructs him to use Dragon insurance to cover the cost of repairs before inquiring if he came in contact with Osushi, which the man denies. With Ninny telling her to do an exam, Noel complies and holds out her phone for the man to lick, which he does in embarrassment.

Watching this, Balgo questions what happens if someone touches a Dragon, prompting Noel to explain how the **Dragon Contact Prohibition** passed in 1609 for the protection of both Humans and Dragons sentences any who violate it to 100 years in prison before Ninny concludes that they can also be executed, to Balgo's shock. With Noel's phone determining that the man's dragotoxin levels are at normal levels, to Ninny's surprise, Balgo proclaims that this is a relief, prompting Ninny to repeatedly elbow and punch him while reminding him that this mess was his fault.

Ninny demands to know why Balgo has not put the fence collar on Osushi, since he is the only non-Witch or Wizard who will not be arrested for touching him as a **Dragonclad**, but Balgo reveals that he did put the collar on and that it fell off when Osushi suddenly sprouted wings during their walk. Picking up on this, Noel questions if Osushi sprouted wings without him doing anything, which a flustered Balgo confirms. Upon being asked by Noel where this happened, Balgo is left perplexed, leading Noel to remind him that Osushi only sprouts wings when Balgo imitates his cry, when Balgo sneezes, when Balgo bursts out laughing, and when danger is closing in on Balgo, leaving Ninny perplexed.

Suddenly, a massive Dragon appears behind Balgo and attempts to stomp on him, only for Noel to pull him and Osushi away at the last second while Ninny follows her down to the ground using tethers created by their **Witch Kits**, leaving the Dragon to shatter the balcony with its head. After observing that Balgo seems to attract Dragons as a **Dragonclad** and having him take Osushi to an isolated location with the man, Noel orders Ninny to put up the barrier tape, which she does, and uses **Magic #4. Stunball**, hitting the Dragon squarely in the chin with a tranquilizer and sending it falling back into a building.

Though an annoyed Ninny wonders why she was told to put up the tape when this was resolved so quickly, Noel simply states that it was a precaution and calls Billy to inform him that they would like an additional reward for subduing a Dragon, which she clarifies the appearance of was not their fault as she admonishes Billy for complaining and Ninny tells the couple in the building to use Dragon insurance. While Noel admits that she does not know what type of Dragon it is and that it should remain subdued for now due to the tranquilizer she used, the face of the Dragon bloodily slides off to reveal a **Dark Dragon**.

The **Dark Dragon** lashes out at Noel with a tendril from one of the holes on its face as a shocked Ninny leaps forward and pulls Noel away. With the tendril slamming into the ground and busting open a fire hydrant that showers the area in water, the **Dark Dragon** approaches Noel and Ninny as the latter comments on the Dragon not being tranquilized after all. As the **Dark Dragon** proceeds to chase Noel and Ninny through several streets on their **Broombuggies**, with Ninny nearly falling off upon encountering a flock of seagulls, Ninny calls Billy for an emergency Dragon blockade on Rutherford St.

In response, a sign on Rutherford St. flips to display a blockade warning and rusty iron bars fall over entrances as the citizens on the street are informed by a broadcast from their phones of the blockade and instructed to seek shelter while Wing Bind handles the situation. As Ninny expresses her annoyance at the BBC being allowed to mention Wing Bind like this, Noel attempts to inform Billy of the blockade being set up and the opportunity for the **Sabres** to move in, but Ninny presses the end call button on Noel's phone and grins as she whistles for Marshall. Upon being asked by Noel why she did this, Ninny explains that this is their chance to prove how powerful they are to Wing Bind.

Though Noel points out how they do not need to be powerful in order to fulfill their duties as **Pipers** of taking Dragons to pastures and harvesting from them. Reminding Noel that she wants to get into **Sabres**, Ninny hops on Marshall and blasts off, leaving Noel to flatly state that she has no interest in doing so herself as Ninny hurtles toward the **Dark Dragon**, who is still pursuing Balgo, and shoots it with a blast from her **Witch Kit**. When the **Dark Dragon** remains unfazed by this and lashes out at her with its tongue, Ninny circles around it and fires **Magic #28. Rainy Wheel** at the **Dark Dragon**.

Down on the street, Balgo runs directly in front of the reeling **Dark Dragon**, and as he stands still in panic, Noel lands in front of him As she holds her gun by the barrel in front of her face, Noel instructs Balgo to move back with Osushi and initiates **Magic #75. Gatling Claw**, leaving Balgo astonished. Meanwhile, the **Top of Horns** sit around a circular table and watch a projection of these events, with **Inks** Director Bruno Bangnyfe noting that this seems to be a catastrophe and belligerently reminding them all that it has been a century since such an incident occurred.

**Anthems** Director Roy B. Dipper calmly clarifies that it has only been 96 years, though an irritated Bruno asserts that this is basically a century and that it has been this long since they let a **Dark Dragon** enter Reverse London. Demanding to know how this could be anything other than a catastrophe and berating **Patchworks** Director Saka Rynn for not even bothering to show up as he orders **Billionaires** Director Harry Shayk to stop chewing gum, Bruno angrily questions if none of them have anything to say and if he is the only one taking this seriously.

Though Roy points out how he did say something, Bruno ignores him and declares that Balgo should never have been set loose to begin with before turning to **Gallows** Director Wolfgang Slashhaut and asking him what he thinks. Wolfgang states that this matter has been brought up in their corps on countless occasions in the past month since Balgo became a **Dragonclad** and refuses to disregard the situation caused by their inaction before concluding that they will commence proceedings to eliminate Balgo, which Bruno grins at.

## Ghillie Suit

Watching news coverage that night of her having exited the band *Cecile Die Twice* last week without giving any interviews or divulging any information, something considered to be unheard of, as the hosts speculate that she is upset over being replaced by a digital character, Macy Baljure sees a video of Ninny expressing annoyance that is pointed to as her denouncing Macy and learns that it was published by a news organization called **"The Realist's"**, prompting her Dragon, Elly, to angrily fire a blast through the television, destroying it. As she places her hand on Elly's head, Macy thanks her for being angry on Macy's behalf.

On Saturday, Noel and Ninny are called into Wing Bind headquarters by Bill, and upon learning that they are being tasked with apprehending an illegally-reared Dragon, Ninny is left shocked while Billy elaborates that they received a tip about one being kept in the western district of Reverse London. Observing that this is extremely notable, Ninny questions why the **Pipers** are being put in charge of such a case, and when Billy speculates that illegal rearing counts as part of their rearing and conservation duties regarding Dragons, Ninny asserts that this sounds like a technicality, resulting in Billy telling her to count herself lucky that she is profiting off of it.

Irritated by this, Ninny turns around and knocks over a stack of papers on Billy's desk before smugly pretending that it was an accident as he complains and begins to clean them up. Nearby, Balgo sits on a couch with a newspaper next to a sleeping Osushi and points out how Noel seems to have not received any recognition for taking out the **Dark Dragon** yesterday, but Noel reveals that this is due to him reading the Front London articles and uses her **Magic Scan** to switch the newspaper contents to the Reverse London articles, where Balgo sees that she has been designated as Wing Bind's Headliner on the front page.

With Balgo praising how cool Noel looks, an annoyed Ninny reminds him that she worked hard as well in the fight. Suddenly, Billy finds the form he was looking for in the scattered papers and states that there was an additional order in the request document. Some time later, Noel and Ninny fly through the air on their respective **Broombuggies**, with Balgo seated behind and clinging to Noel. As an irritated Ninny wonders why they have to bring Balgo with them, Noel points out how his predisposition for drawing out Dragons makes him useful for their search.

After Ninny declares that she knows this, Noel asks her why she is upset in this case, which leads Ninny to clarify that she is upset due to being unhappy rather than due to not understanding as she compares taking care of Balgo to taking care of the class frog. With Noel noting that this is disparagement of him and inquiring if he will let this slide without a rebuttal, Balgo blissfully proclaims that he is happy to be able to serve Noel and to have his arms so close to her breasts, only for Noel to remind him that a drop from this height would be fatal, to his surprise.

Landing on a nearby roof ledge, Noel gives Balgo the mantle and **Pipe** of a **Piper**, which Billy approved so that it would be clear at a glance that Balgo is working with them. Though Ninny comments on his smug expression and wonders if he really wants to wear this, Balgo asserts that getting to wear what Noel does is akin to feeling her embrace, disgusting Ninny, who observes that the west district begins around here and asks Balgo if he feels anything. When Balgo expresses uncertainty at what she means, an annoyed Ninny specifies that she is referring to the illegally-reared Dragon.

Balgo reminds Ninny that he only has a predisposition for drawing Dragons to him, not communicating with them. However, before Ninny can berate Balgo further, she is interrupted by a loud explosion and looks over her shoulder to see smoke rising from the office building of **"The Realist's"**. Shocked by this, Balgo states that an explosion seems like a big deal, and when Ninny dismisses it, Balgo wonders why she is not heading over there, prompting Ninny to explain that dealing with terrorists is out of their jurisdiction and a job for the police.

Despite this, Noel decides that they should head over in case it involves their Dragon, which Balgo praises her for, and notes that there will probably be points involved even if it is not the Dragon, resulting in an exasperated Ninny following her on Marshall. Upon reaching the building, Noel identifies it as belonging to **"The Realist's"** while Ninny admits that this is why she did not want to come here. With a large crowd gathered outside that begins fawning over Ninny's presence, Balgo brings up Ninny being featured in **"The Realist's"** the other day.

Ninny tells him to be more specific since she is featured in their headlines three times a week, leading Balgo to clarify that this was a video of her expressing annoyance that was portrayed as her hating Macy, to Ninny's bemusement. When Noel observes that no one is inside the building, Ninny points out how it is Saturday and states that **"The Realist's"** is less exploitative than Wing Bind is. Suddenly, Ninny sees Macy standing at the window on one of the upper floors and calls Marshall, who flies her up the side of the building while Ninny calls Wordsworth to follow her, instructing Balgo to blend with the onlookers when he attempts to join her.

Shielding herself from falling glass when another window is blown out by an energy blast, Ninny enters the building through the destroyed window and observes that her eyes were not deceiving her. Upon being asked why she is here by Macy, who steps out from behind a corner, Ninny returns the question and inquires why Macy is in Reverse London. Macy comments on **"The Realist's"** writing a terrible story about Ninny hating her, only for Ninny to point out how it was the office of **"The Realist's"** in Front London that published this story rather than the one in Reverse London.

As Macy explains that she came here to destroy **"The Realist's"** because they only publish stories that harm Ninny's reputation, Ninny begins to assert that she is used to it, but picks up on what Macy said and questions if Macy caused the explosion that just occurred. However, Macy reveals that it was Elly, who comes into view behind her, and pets the latter's head as a mortified Ninny mentally notes Elly's size and requests that Macy hand it over to her since direct contact with a Dragon is a felony in Reverse London, which she does not expect Macy to know.

Though Ninny promises that she will stay quiet about this so Macy does not get in trouble, Macy refuses to hand over Elly, and as Ninny frantically warns her that she is doing this for Macy's sake since the latter will end up dead if this is discovered, Macy counters that Ninny is the one who taught her to never believe anyone who says they are doing something for Macy's sake while Elly rushes toward Ninny. Suddenly, Noel shoots Elly in the face, sending her flying back, and enters the building as she observes that Ninny does not seem happy about this turning out to involve their Dragon.

While Ninny says that she would be psychotic if she were happy after discovering that this involved someone she knew, upon making eye contact with Noel, who recognizes her and apologizes for not doing so sooner, an enraged Macy throws a desk at Noel and demands to know why she is being friendly with Ninny before vowing to kill her. With a confused Noel turning to her for an explanation, an embarrassed Ninny informs Noel that Macy has feelings for her and acts this way whenever Ninny acts friendly with other women, further perplexing Noel.

After observing that they cannot deal with Macy directly like this, Ninny flies up to the roof of the building while instructing Noel to draw Macy's attention so she can subdue the latter from above. Suddenly, a massive explosion bursts off the side of the roof, sending Ninny flying off Marshall and forcing Noel to catch her as Bruno notes that he sent her flying farther than expected, leaving Noel to glare up at him.

### She Makes Me Feel Special

Outside the **Top of Horns** meeting room, Billy peers around the side of the entrance before being confronted by Sullivan, who stands behind him against a wall with Arkvine and questions why he is here. With Sullivan admonishing Billy for being unable to say goodbye when he was transferred even after all she did for him, Billy admits that he has actually come by to give her a formal farewell in light of his transfer, but Sullivan assumes that he is lying and has heard of the crisis his subordinates are caught in. However, Billy expresses confusion at the mention of something happening to them.

An unimpressed Sullivan notes that it seems unprincipled to not inform Billy since he is their direct superior as she reveals that the elimination of Balgo was approved yesterday and that Bruno is on the move to initiate it. After reminding Billy of Bruno's methods and instructing him to look out for his subordinates, Sullivan departs with Arkvine, leaving Billy to muse on the messy situation. Meanwhile, at **"The Realist's"** office building, Bruno inquires if Ninny is dead, since he will need to write up an incident report if she died on the job, as a stunned Noel seems to recognize him.

Despite Bruno presuming that Noel's shock is due to her recognizing him, Noel flatly states that she has no idea who he is, to Bruno's shock and irritation, while a battered Ninny identifies Bruno as the Director of the **Inks** to her and wonders why he is here. Still annoyed despite Ninny recognizing him, Bruno calls in an emergency Dragon blockade on Penfront Street below that excludes the crowd of ordinary citizens but not Balgo, whom he describes as a Wing Bind employee identifiable by the **Pipers** mantle he is wearing. As the blockade is erected, Bruno orders Balgo to be detained on the spot.

With Bruno claiming that Balgo is the culprit behind a terrorist attack on a newspaper using a Dragon, an astonished Noel and Ninny realize that Bruno ordered Billy to give them the mantle and **Pipe** for Balgo. Bruno confirms this and details the cover story of a **Dragonclad** with the power to attract Dragons attacking the office of a tabloid that once wrote a humiliating article about him, though he admits that he does not care whether or not this story makes sense. Upon being asked why he is detaining Balgo, Bruno reveals the elimination order set for Balgo yesterday.

After detailing how this will put a bounty on Balgo's head within 72 hours, Bruno concludes that the one who puts Balgo down will have their name remembered in Reverse London for all eternity, elaborating that he is taking Balgo into the temporary custody of the **Inks** and that he is guaranteed to die once the elimination procedure is finalized, but as he warns Noel and Ninny to not bother negotiation or complaining since he is working within the scope of counter-Dragon law and does not plan on killing them unless they get in the way, Noel insults the dye job of his hair, prompting an enraged Bruno to declare that he will kill her and damage the front of the office building's roof with his power.

Ninny yells Noel's name and clarifies that she was praising her when the latter asserts that she did nothing worthy of blame, only for Noel to deny having done anything worthy of praise either. After claiming that he was treating Noel and Ninny nicely since they are low-class employees, Bruno proclaims that he will be writing up two incident reports today and does not care about the resulting workers' compensation forms. However, Noel and Ninny turn around on Wordsworth and hurtle toward the ground, leaving Bruno to express surprise at them not intending to fight him before seeing they are headed toward Balgo.

With Bruno angrily instructing his subordinates, who are accosting Balgo, to look upward and activate their **Shields**, Noel fires a blast from her **Witch Kit** that sends the **Inks** flying away and flies away with Balgo. When Balgo expresses incredulity at Noel coming to his rescue, Noel simply observes that the end result makes it look like she has, which leads Balgo to celebrate this as luck being on his side even though he does not know what he has gotten himself into. Up on the rooftop, a cursing Bruno finds Ninny pointing her **Witch Kit** at the back of his head and stating her intention to ask him a question.

As a smirking Bruno chastises her for her rude attitude and questions what she is being taught in the **Pipers**, Ninny demands to know why Bruno brought Macy here and why she is with a Dragon, and after telling her to keep it to one question, an annoyed Bruno affirms that he scouted Ninny and brought her over, only to reveal that she found and raised Elly from an infant and denies her presence being his doing before informing Ninny that Macy is one of the rare Humans born in Front London with significantly strong magical abilities as a **Watcher** who can see Dragons.

Ninny is left stunned by this revelation and the idea of Macy eventually making her way to Reverse London on her own like she and Noel did, allowing Bruno to kick her **Witch Kit** out of her hand and into the air while lecturing her on holding it while agitated since it could discharge. Suddenly, Noel flies overhead on Wordsworth and grabs Ninny's **Witch Kit** before firing it and her own at a shocked Bruno, resulting in two powerful explosions surging across the rooftop. Running out of the blast toward Macy, Ninny calls Marshall and hops onto him as she grabs Macy's hand and pulls her into the air away from the building.

Though Macy protests this, Ninny assures her that she is being taken somewhere safe while Elly busts through an entrance on the rooftop behind them and roars in distress at the sight of Macy being carried off. Nearby, Bruno expresses frustration at Noel and Ninny attempting to take Balgo and Macy away from him and summons his own Dragon, Rickenbacker, while concluding that this is naive of them. Elsewhere, as she and Noel fly away, Ninny tells Macy to stop crying and reminds her that they could not take Elly since she is harmful to normal people.

With Ninny declaring that she hates Macy's tendency to complain, a tearful Macy takes this as proof that Ninny really does hate her, prompting Ninny to wonder why she has to deal with Macy. Some time later, with night falling, Noel, Ninny, Balgo, and Macy rest on the top of a large construction crane as Noel notes that they should be safe for the time being after coming this far and with the protective **Cloth** she cast over them. Sitting beside Macy, Ninny inquires about what happened, and when Macy asks Ninny if she knows that Ninny never liked being in their group, Ninny somberly confirms this.

Macy elaborates that she is simply a tall woman who can look beautiful and knows how to dance, which is why she was put in stylish clothes with fancy makeup and made out to be an icon of fashion and mystique. With Ninny assuming that this is why Macy quit, Macy clarifies that she would have quit a long time ago if this was the entirety of her situation and that she could not quit because Ninny was there and Macy would have become a nobody again had she left. However, Macy recalls finding an infant Elly two months ago and thinking that she was a hallucination brought on by drugs.

Surprised when Elly drank water after she brought her home, Macy explains that this led her to realize Elly was alive. Recounting how she fed Elly all sorts of food, though the Dragon preferred fruits and vegetables, and how she started to look more and more like a Dragon as she got bigger while never using the bathroom, Macy concludes that she felt special due to Elly being a Dragon only she could see. After bringing up how Ninny and the rest of their group were amazing for their ability to perform on stage and sell merchandise, Macy admits that she was the only one who was not being her true self.

Though she felt that she felt no one would notice her if she quit, Macy observes that things changed when she brought Elly home because it felt like the latter was giving her strength and would take her somewhere special. After detailing how Bruno came to her last night and told her he needed her and Elly's powers, Macy asserts that it seemed like she was finally being led somewhere special and begins to say something to Ninny, only to be interrupted when Rickenbacker crashes through the **Cloth** with Bruno on his back as the latter inquires if Noel and Ninny finished saying their final goodbyes.

## We Couldn't Understand A Lion's Speech

A grinning Bruno lists off their multiple crimes and pulls a tablet out of his jacket to reveal that Balgo's **Punitive Dragon** designation has just been finalized, meaning that every Witch and Wizard in Reverse London now intends to slay him, leaving Balgo stunned. With Balgo confused by Bruno's declaration that all of Wing Bind is now hunting for him, Bruno deduces that Noel and Ninny have not told him anything, leading him to maliciously assert that the smallest mercy one can give to a dead man walking is to not tell him when he will die, which further unnerves Balgo.

Huddling next to Ninny, Noel suggests that they split up after she counts to three and take Balgo and Macy away, but though he cannot hear what they are discussing, Bruno reminds them that Balgo will be a target no matter where he goes in Reverse London and questions where they plan to take him. Suddenly, as Macy realizes she can hear Elly's voice getting closer, a screeching Elly drops down onto Bruno, who states that he no longer has any use for her and raises his hand to use **Magic**, only for Elly to disappear with **Stealth Scale** while still in midair, shocking those present.

As she thinks back to her earlier encounter with Elly, Ninny muses that she thought Elly had simply been emerging from the darkness when she first appeared, but concludes that Elly had actually been erasing herself from sight. With Bruno in disbelief at a Dragon using **Stealth Scale**, Elly's claw reappears and slashes through one of Rickenbacker's wings before rising into the air underneath the full moon and molting into her true form, Cinderella. While Cinderella lands on a clock tower in the distance, a stunned Ninny wonders how she completely changed her shape and size.

When Noel speculates that Cinderella molted in the moonlight, Ninny begins to piece together what this could mean, prompting Bruno to affirm that Cinderella's use of **Stealth Scale**, her molting in the moonlight, and the six talons on each of her claws means that she is one of the **Märchen**. Upon being asked by Balgo what a **Märchen** is, Noel explains that they are seven Dragons likened to and named after fairy tales who are rumored to have existed even before the formation of Reverse London: Snow White, Red Dress, Golden Axe, Bubbles, Sugar House, Band of Animals, and Cinderella, who only molts into a full-fledged Dragon in the moonlight.

While an awed Macy picks up on the name, Noel elaborates that the name also stems from Cinderella scattering **Star Ash** when agitated. However, before Noel can finish recounting how **Star Ash** engulfs anything it comes into contact with in light according to her reference book, Cinderella spreads her wings and unleashes a flurry of **Star Ash** across the surrounding buildings, resulting in dozens of powerful explosions that startle those watching and lead Ninny to angrily assert that these are just bombs. Calling out to Balgo, Bruno proclaims that they are putting his elimination on hold.

Bruno dons the face mask wrapped around his arm as he details how **Märchen** are the progenitors of **Dark Dragons** and permanently authorized for elimination, making them humanity's hypothetical enemy, though he admits that he never thought he would see one in person and considers it electrifying. With Ninny aghast at the idea of him trying to fight Cinderella, Bruno clarifies that he will be killing her instead since he could not ask for a better opponent to gain recognition from, and after warning Noel and Ninny to not get in his way, Bruno asks Rickenbacker if he can manage with just three wings and is heartened by Rickenbacker's affirmative growl while they take off toward Cinderella.

Astonished by Bruno actually attacking, Ninny suggests that she and Noel perform a frontal attack and call for reinforcements from headquarters, only for Noel to decline because this has not nullified Balgo's designation as a **Punitive Dragon** and any reinforcements they call will kill Balgo. Before she can disagree with this, Ninny sees more **Star Ash** hurtling toward her and quickly flies away from the building with Macy on Marshall as Noel does the same with Balgo and Osushi while the roof of the building explodes behind them. Upon being asked by an incredulous Ninny if the **Star Ash** is sentient, Noel denies knowing and explains that her book only contains information about legends.

Meanwhile, Bruno removes one of the spray canisters from his waist and sprays a symbol onto Rickenbacker's wing before summoning **Hunger Shadow**, who bursts out of the symbol and lunges onto Cinderella's head while attempting to bite her, only for Cinderella to effortlessly blow it to shreds with a blast of flame from her beak. With Bruno disappointed that **Hunger Shadow** could not even draw a drop of blood, Noel and Ninny join him in the air, which leads Bruno to inquire if they left Balgo and Macy somewhere safe and Noel to confirm that they did.

With Ninny questioning what area is even safe right now, Bruno requests that they cover him while he breaks the horn of the **Crown-Shaped Horn** on Cinderella's head, since this should kill her. Though Noel questions if Bruno is certain that this is not simply a legend, Bruno reminds her that they are fighting a fairy tale and have nothing else to rely on before informing them that their value will be raised if they help him defeat Cinderella and that he will even accept their transfer to the **Inks**, only to be annoyed when both Noel and Ninny bluntly deny wanting this.

After separating from Bruno and Noel to flying toward Cinderella, Ninny finds herself evading an enormous stream of fire breathed by Cinderella at her and realizes that the latter has already caught onto them. Flying up the side of the clock tower that Cinderella is perched on and evading more of her **Star Ash**, Ninny joins Noel in the air above Cinderella and recites a full incantation alongside her in order to cast **Magic #68. Supernal Jail** in unison, fencing Cinderella in with a dozen large beams of light that become interconnected with a thick band around the middle.

Impressed by this, Bruno paints another symbol in the sky and summons **Greedy Curtain**, enveloping Cinderella in its sludge as he promises that she will die as soon as she sticks her head out. Suddenly, Cinderella blows up both her restraints and the top of the clock tower, injuring Noel, Ninny, and Bruno, who are sent flying back while she flies up. With Bruno standing before an incapacitated Rickenbacker and observing with frustration that Cinderella's own blasts cannot kill her either, Noel concurs with this as she sits next to Ninny, who claims that this is unfair while Balgo expresses concern for Noel.

When Cinderella turns around and begins flying toward Noel and Ninny, they erect **Shields** with their **Witch Kits** as Ninny wonders why Cinderella is mad at them instead of Bruno. However, Macy pleads with them to find a way to resolve this without killing Cinderella because the latter might be coming to see her, and as Ninny loses her concentration by turning back to admonish Macy for still being fixated on this, Cinderella blasts them both with a powerful explosion, leaving Ninny incapacitated. Rushing over to Ninny in concern, Macy begs Cinderella to stop and attempts to get the latter to recognize her.

Despite this, Cinderella prepares to unleash more **Star Ash** before being interrupted by Noel and Ninny attacking her. Ninny reiterates that this will not work and that Macy cannot reach someone she cannot get through to no matter how much she loves them, and as she requests that Macy stop treating this like a fairy tale where Cinderella gives her strength or takes her somewhere special, Ninny concludes that the magic always wears off in fairy tales because the power granting it never belongs to the protagonists before affirming that she and Macy are the ones who cast the magic.

Ninny sees Cinderella preparing to attack once more and moves to intercept her with Noel, who instructs Balgo to clutch the **Pipe** they gave him and tremble in a corner when he asks her if there is anything he can do. Suddenly, as Ninny kicks him away to protect Osushi and Balgo tearfully complies by taking out the **Pipe**, a sword blade made of energy sprouts from the end of the pipe, stunning him, Noel, and Ninny while Osushi begins to lick his neck. Though Balgo questions what the sword is, Ninny counters that she should be the one asking this question as Noel wonders how it can be sprouting from the **Pipe**.

Above them, Bruno circles around the building on Rickenbacker and is confused to see Cinderella perching on the rooftop. Upon looking behind her, Noel sees that Cinderella has stopped moving and is looking intently, and from Wing Bind headquarters, Billy fires a narrow, powerful beam of energy from the tip of his left index finger that pierces Cinderella's skull and destroys her **Crown Artery**, killing her, which bemuses him. The next day, at Wing Bind headquarters, Ninny is outraged that she and Noel are not receiving any compensation for this job.

Though Billy disputes that they are receiving nothing, Ninny clarifies that five points and five pounds is as good as nothing and not something she can accept after they slayed a legendary Dragon. However, Billy counters that it is impressive for them to not be forced to pay anything since their pay was docked for all the property damage sustained during the fight. Upon being told by Billy that Bruno was given credit for delivering the finishing blow, Ninny furiously declares that he did not kill Cinderella either, only for Billy to point to her wording as meaning that she and Noel did not do so themselves.

With Noel resigning herself to this, Billy notes that the **Patchworks** are collecting and preserving Cinderella's corpse before having a blushing Macy enter the room in a new outfit. With Ninny aghast at having to look after Macy as well, Bruno confirms this and reveals that Macy is now a **Dragonclad** as well, which means they will be conserving her at home. While Billy and Macy assert that this will be fun, to Ninny's chagrin, Noel asks Billy what will happen to Balgo. In Wolfgang's office, Bruno hands Wolfgang an application releasing Balgo from his status as a **Punitive Dragon**.

Admitting that he never thought Bruno would give him this, Wolfgang recalls how the investigation determined that Balgo came into contact with Macy two months ago and that this may have served as the trigger for Cinderella's appearance, which is reason enough to keep him alive should he serve as their trump card for eliminating the **Märchen**. Meanwhile, in the hallway where Billy shot Cinderella from, Sullivan walks up to two **Pipers** discussing the extensive damage caused by Cinderella, and as they turn to greet her in shock, Sullivan asks them why there are boxes placed against the window.

As the two **Pipers** frantically apologize and move the boxes away from the window, Sullivan notices a small, shimmering box-shaped barrier over the hole left by Billy when he killed Cinderella and shatters it with the tip of her finger before musing that she is glad to have not underestimated the son of a hero. Later, Balgo swings Osushi around and praises his cuteness near an alcove. When approached by Noel, Balgo informs her that Billy took his mantle and **Pipe**, which he is disappointed at not being able to keep. Suddenly, Noel embraces Balgo, and after she confirms that something good happened, a blushing Balgo laughs and congratulates her.

However, Noel leaps back in astonishment and fury when Osushi requests to see her panties and begins sprouting his wings. Outside the Wing Bind headquarters, Ninny and Macy watch as the gate is finally repaired with a crane setting the last portion in place, revealing the fully-reconstructed Soul Society Western Branch sign, only for Noel to destroy it once more with a shot from her **Witch Gun** as she pursues Balgo and Osushi on Wordsworth. With Ninny leaping onto Marshall to follow her, Noel asks Balgo to stop running so she can silence Osushi forever.

## Powers and Techniques Used

**Magic Techniques:**

* **Magic #4. Stunball** (スタンボール, *Sutanbōru*; ; ; )
* **Magic #28. Rainy Wheel** (レイニー・ホウィール, *Reinī Howīru*; ; ; )
* **Magic #31. Blue Spark** (ブルー・スパーク, *Burū Supāku*; ; ; )
* **Magic #44. Flash Bumper** (フラッシュ・バンパー, *Furasshu Banpā*; ; ; )
* **Magic #68. Supernal Jail** (スパーナル・ジェイル, *Supānaru Jeiru*; ; ; )
* **Magic #75. Gatling Claw** (ガトリング クロー, *Gatoringu Kurō*; ; ; )
* **Release Code #0575. Hunger Shadow** (大喰らいの影 (ハンガーシャドウ), *Hangāshadou*; ; ; )
* **Release Code #2028. Greedy Curtain** (強欲の帷 (グリーディカーテン), *Gurīdikāten*; ; ; )

**Dragon Techniques:**

* **Stealth Scale** (透色竜鱗 (ステルス・スケイル), *Suterusu Sukeiru*; ; ; )
* **Star Ash** (星灰 (スターアッシュ), *Sutā Asshu*; ; ; )

## Film Notes

* Removed Content
* Added/Expanded Content
* Changes
* Trivia

* Ninny Spangcole unzipping her hoodie and reporting for duty as she enters Reverse London.
* Billy Banx Jr. being revealed to have been demoted from the **Sabres**, which Noel Niihashi and Ninny mock him for.
* The **Dark Dragon** leveling multiple buildings with one of its attacks.
* Noel and Ninny relaxing at their homes and Balgo playing with Osushi, followed by Ninny ranting at Balgo over Noel receiving all the recognition for defeating the **Dark Dragon** and him having access to her phone prior to being called in by Billy Banx Jr.
* Narration describing and illustrating how many Dragons are used for domestic purposes.
* Ninny asking fans of hers in the crowd surrounding **"The Realist's"** if they saw anything, prompting one of them to reveal that a man entered the building earlier.
* Ninny and Macy Baljure discussing how destroying a building in Reverse London will destroy the same building in Front London.
* Bruno assuring Noel that he is not trying to kill her and Ninny.
* Billy assuring Sullivan Squire that he was coming by to formally bid her farewell after Sullivan criticizes him for not doing so when demoted.
* Cinderella roaring as night falls in Reverse London.

- The clothing line falling off of Balgo and onto the two repairmen, who grin with perversion upon finding a bra.

- Several citizens of Reverse London reacting with confusion to Osushi and Balgo flying overhead.

- The man knocked off the roof by Osushi narrowly dodging a broken chimney that falls on him.

- Noel and Ninny having Balgo run for shelter with Osushi and attempting to lead the **Dark Dragon** away by flying on their **Broombuggies**, only for it to doggedly pursue them through the streets, causing Ninny to almost fall off Marshall when she flies through a flock of seagulls.

- Noel watching Balgo run through the streets below her.

- Ninny attacking the **Dark Dragon** with **Magic #28. Rainy Wheel**, causing it to reel back and see Balgo running through the street in front of it.

- Bruno grinning after Wolfgang Slashhaut orders Balgo's elimination.

- An irritated Ninny purposely knocking over a stack of papers on Billy's desk so he has to clean them up.

- Balgo reacting with surprise to Noel threatening to drop him from a great height.

- Macy stumbling into a restroom during or after a performance of **Cecile Die Twice** and looking in despair at her reflection in the broken mirror.

- Elly destroying half of the crane's neck with her strike, sending Rickenbacker crashing to the ground along with it.

- Cinderella damaging and destroying large swaths of the city around her with her attacks.

- Cinderella breathing an enormous jet of flame at Ninny, who evades her in the streets and dodges Cinderella's **Star Ash** while flying up the side of the clock tower toward her.

- Noel and Ninny being sent flying by Cinderella breaking out of her restrains and crashing into the rooftop that Balgo and Macy are located on.

- Balgo commenting on how cool Noel and Ninny's **Shields** are.

- Bruno circling the building and noticing that Cinderella is calmly perching on it, to his confusion.

- Billy walking away after killing Cinderella.

- Ninny and Macy being present for the restoration of the Western Branch gate and Noel chasing after Balgo and Osushi.

- In the manga, the Dragon that is lured by the blooming of the **Bud Buck** appears directly behind it; here, it instead appears next to Noel.

- In the manga, Ninny comes across the damaged Western Branch gate and berates the two repairmen for its delayed restoration prior to encountering Shelby; here, she instead does so after helping Noel harvest the **Bud Buck**.

- In the manga, Osushi draws the attention of Noel and Ninny by causing an explosion miles away from Wing Bind headquarters; here, he instead does so by requesting to see Noel's panties while flying just outside of the headquarters.

- In the manga, Balgo does not have anything attached to him when Osushi is carrying him through the air; here, he instead has a clothing line hooked onto his pants.

- In the manga, the man caught in the middle of Osushi's flight path is inside a building during the event and has no prior appearances; here, he is instead on a rooftop, having been paid to clean it as a chimney sweeper by the residents, who are perturbed by Osushi crashing into the roof and knocking the man down to the balcony.

- In the manga, the **Dragon Contact Prohibition** is explained through narration; here, Noel and Ninny explain it after Balgo questions what happens to someone who touches a Dragon.

- In the manga, when attacked by the **Dark Dragon**, Noel, Ninny, Balgo, and Osushi are on the street and evade its attack by moving back; here, they are instead on a balcony and evade its attack by having Noel and Ninny rappel down to the ground with their **Witch Kits**.

- In the manga, the **Dark Dragon** has thick vein-like markings on its ears; here, it does not.

- In the manga, when Noel joins the fight against the **Dark Dragon**, she and Balgo are still on the rooftop; here, they are instead in the street.

- In the manga, Noel, Ninny, and Balgo learn of Noel being designated as Wing Bind's Headliner prior to being called in by Billy; here, they instead do so while in Billy's office.

- In the manga, Noel is exasperated to have to use her **Magic Scan** to let Balgo read the Reverse London newspaper articles; here, she instead does so willingly and calmly.

- In the manga, Ninny enters **"The Realist's"** through the destroyed window by riding Marshall; here, she instead leaps off of him outside the window and rappels in with a tether formed by her **Witch Kit**.

- In the manga, Bruno inquires if Ninny is dead prior to Sullivan meeting with Billy; here, he instead does so afterward.

- In the manga, when hiding from Bruno, Noel, Ninny, Balgo, and Macy take shelter on a radio tower with billboards; here, they instead take shelter on a large construction crane.

- In the manga, Macy's realization that she can hear Elly getting closer is mental; here, it is instead verbal.

- In the manga, when attacking Bruno and using **Stealth Scale**, Elly drops down on him from above; here, she instead approaches Bruno on the neck of the construction crane.

- In the manga, Billy kills Cinderella from a break room; here, he instead kills her from a hallway.

- In the manga, Balgo's prior encounter with Macy consists of him bumping into her shortly before she found Elly; here, it instead consists of him giving her his umbrella during a rainy day before running off.

- In the manga, Sullivan discovers the hole left by Billy unobstructed and orders that it be repaired; here, she instead notices it after two **Pipers** move away the boxes covering it at her command and does not order that it be repaired.

- In the manga, when approached by Noel, Balgo is leaning on a fence encircling a tree and has left Osushi on the top floor of a building nearby; here, he is instead near an alcove and is carrying Osushi with him.

- In the manga, Osushi inadvertently provoking Noel into destroying the Western Branch sign by asking to see her panties takes place a month before the events surrounding Balgo being designated as a **Punitive Dragon**; here, it instead takes place after Noel embraces Balgo for being relieved of this designation.

- This film was separated into three episodes and released digitally in the West to coincide with its full theatrical release in Japan.

## External links

* BURN THE WITCH main website
* BURN THE WITCH cast and crew listing