Enter Zero, a petite, white-haired witch with a cat-like demeanor and a massive grimoire chained to her wrist. She effortlessly saves the Beastfallen by casting a spell to scare off the villagers, then immediately turns her attention to him. Unlike everyone else, she does not flinch at his appearance. Instead, she looks at him with clinical curiosity.
However, the true star of the episode is the by Ryou Takahashi (known for Made in Abyss and KonoSuba ). The score mixes medieval flutes and strings with solemn piano pieces. During the Beastfallen’s flashbacks of being hunted, the music swells with tragic melancholy. During Zero’s exposition, it becomes whimsical and light—matching her detached personality. The opening theme, "Chant" by the band Miyavi featuring Yoshida Brothers , is an energetic fusion of rock and shamisen (traditional Japanese guitar), perfectly encapsulating the show’s mix of gritty western fantasy and light novel charm.
Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho (Grimoire of Zero) Episode 1, "The Witch and the Beastfallen," establishes a dark fantasy world built on racial tension and a revolutionary shift in magical theory.
: A young mage who appears at the end of the episode, eventually joining the duo in their quest. Anime Network Review/discussion about: Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho
A central theme introduced in Episode 1 is the distinction between two types of supernatural arts:
One of the episode's highlights is the distinction Zero makes between "sorcery" and "magic". In this world:
Voiced by the legendary Yuki Kana (known for voicing characters like Mai from The iDOLM@STER and Clementine from Overlord ), Zero is an enigma. She is socially awkward, brutally honest, and completely detached from human emotions. She doesn't understand why people fear magic or why a Beastfallen would be sad about his form. She is not malicious; she is simply... academic. Her design—white hair, red eyes, a revealing black dress, and cat ears on her hood—screams "classic fantasy witch," but her personality is far more autistic-coded and analytical. She doesn't offer comfort; she offers solutions. This makes their dynamic instantly compelling.
Zero kara Hajimeru Mahou no Sho Episode 1 – “The Witch and the Beast”