The Devil Is a Part-Timer!" Writer Satoshi Wagahara Releases New Title

(Last Updated On: July 19, 2023)

Kadokawa’s Dengeki Bunko light novel label recently announced an exciting development: Satoshi Wagahara, the esteemed author, is preparing a new light novel series titled “Shokurakuen -Meshitopia- Hōshoku Society,” featuring illustrations by the talented artist Tо̄chi. The highly anticipated first volume is scheduled to be released on September 8.

Set in a near-future Japan, specifically in the year 2075, the novel explores a society that has taken health and longevity to the extreme. This results in a strict adherence to consuming only the healthiest foods, while stigmatizing and isolating those who indulge in unhealthy eating habits, dubbing them “Addictors” and effectively erasing them from society.

At the heart of the story are two compelling protagonists: Niijima (Name romanization not confirmed) and Mito. Niijima, an Addictor, tragically lost his chef father. Meanwhile, Mito serves as a dedicated member of the government’s “Food Protection Unit,” tasked with removing undesirable Addictors. As fate would have it, the two find themselves trapped and alone in the basement of an abandoned building. In order to survive, they resort to consuming illegal cup noodles, an act that Mito discovers to be an exquisite and unforgettable experience. Thus, they form a pact to keep their newfound secret hidden, using Mito’s convenient “investigation” excuse to regularly rendezvous and indulge in junk food together.

Satoshi Wagahara first captivated readers with the debut of his highly successful light novel series, “The Devil Is a Part-Timer!” in 2011, featuring delightful illustrations by 029. The popularity of the series prompted a manga adaptation by Akio Hiiragi, which premiered in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Dengeki Daioh magazine in December 2011. Additionally, Kurone Mishima created a manga spinoff titled “Hataraku Maou-sama! High School!” which was serialized in Kadokawa’s Dengeki Maoh magazine from 2012 to 2015. Yen Press has been responsible for publishing both the original light novels and the manga adaptations, ensuring that fans can immerse themselves in this captivating world.

“The Devil Is a Part-Timer!” received its first television anime adaptation in 2013, with Funimation streaming the series and subsequently releasing it on Blu-ray Disc and DVD in 2014. The series recently returned with its second season, “The Devil Is a Part-Timer!!” (note the double exclamation points), which premiered in July 2022. The latest season, serving as a sequel to the previous one, made its debut on July 13. Crunchyroll has been streaming both seasons, allowing fans to keep up with this enthralling anime as it airs.