Mahoutsukai no Yoru (Witch on the Holy Night)—this title may have stirred the hearts of many. Commonly known as “Mahoyo,” it is a legendary visual novel proudly presented by TYPE-MOON, based on a phantom, unpublished novel by Kinoko Nasu, the author of Tsukihime and Fate/stay night. Although the prototype was written in 1996, the story was “only spoken of” for a long time until its production was announced in 2008 and it finally appeared to the world. The significance of this project, which was even called a “myth” among TYPE-MOON fans, finally taking shape as a real work is immeasurable.

The story is set in Misaki Town in the late 1980s. While conveying the atmosphere of an era mixed with vitality and nostalgia, the story begins quietly, yet surely. In the mansion on the hill, magic was still a reality. Two witches lived there, and a boy came down from the city. These three, who are different in every way, eventually cross paths under one roof. Their time slowly progresses into a mysterious cohabitation where magic and daily life intersect. More than flashy action, delicate and deep emotional subtleties are layered, much like a literary work. Such a narrative structure that “sinks into the heart” as you read is one of this work's greatest appeals.

For Tsukihime fans, the name Aozaki Aoko is already familiar. However, this work carefully depicts the process of why she came to be called a “Witch” and what kind of life she has led. And another key person is Aozaki Touko. The mysterious presence she showed in The Garden of Sinners (Kara no Kyoukai) emerges in a different form in this work. By learning about the “never-intersecting destiny” of these sisters, you can further understand the depth of the shared worldview in TYPE-MOON works. Truly, the phrase “to know them, start with Mahoyo” is spot on.

And what must not be forgotten is the high level of completeness as a visual novel. Not only the text, but the graphics are also meticulous and beautiful; everything from the background to the characters' expressions functions as a part of the direction that supports the story. Although Takashi Takeuchi was originally involved as the concept designer for the characters, Hirokazu Koyama was in charge of the final version, breathing new life into the world of the work. Including the music and special effects, you can enjoy an immersive experience as if you were reading a single film. There are few games where the act of “reading” is this enjoyable.

Mahoutsukai no Yoru, which the original author Kinoko Nasu himself describes as “optimal as an introductory piece to TYPE-MOON,” is truly the “first step” to entering the TYPE-MOON world, and at the same time, it boasts a level of perfection that he still praises as the “pinnacle.” It delivers a story that quietly, yet surely, remains in the hearts of those who experience it for the first time, and it is also full of new discoveries and emotional moments for existing fans. It is a work that answers questions such as, What is magic? And why are people drawn to one another? — gently and beautifully.