The Familiar of Zero began as a series of light novels written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka under the original title Zero no Tsukaima. Media Factory published 20 volumes in Japan between June 25, 2004 and February 25, 2011. Further publication was threatened by Yamaguchi’s advanced cancer, which he died from on April 4, 2013, leaving the series unfinished. However, it was later decided by the publisher to continue the series in the author’s absence, due in part to calls from fans to continue the series, as well as Yamaguchi’s family wanting to see it completed.
Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love. One of the major themes is that humans and technology from Earth displaced into the world of Halkeginia are considered to be highly magical, since Halkeginia itself has relatively primitive science and technology. For example, a magical item called the “Staff of Destruction” is, in reality, a human-made Vietnam-era M72 LAW rocket launcher. Other examples of Earth technology, often weaponry, appear throughout the story, such as a World War II era Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane. The nobles of Halkeginia are magicians known as “mages” or “magi”, and must use a wand or a staff to cast spells. Not all magi are nobles, as some have been forcibly demoted or given up their nobility and use their magic for thievery or to work as mercenaries.
Three additional spin-off manga were also created , as were three visual novels. “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” marked a major turning point in Merced’s career. The 2019 feature film was the young star’s first time tackling a leading role and getting top billing; previously, she’d appeared in supporting or co-lead roles. In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Merced shared that she wanted to subvert the trope of the “angsty teenager” by taking a much sunnier, more comedically self-aware approach to playing the live-action version of a kids character.
Sentai released the Geneon English-language version on Blu-ray and DVD on April 8, 2014. Hanabee Entertainment later licensed the series in Australia in February 2014. “Instant Family” won over critics and audiences alike, pulling in an 81% Tomatometer score and 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie had a fairly warm box office reception, pulling in over $62.4 million at the domestic box office and over $119 million worldwide . Amongst critics, there was a shared element of surprise over the movie’s ability to reel them with its emotional impact.
That attitude in crafting her character worked like a charm for Merced and the movie overall. Per Rotten Tomatoes, “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” nabbed an 85% critical score and an 88% audience score. The live-action romp had a similar box office performance to Merced’s previous pic “Instant Family,” picking up over $60 million domestically and $117 million globally . The coming-of-age kid’s show saw the trio deal with bullies, cliques, mean girls, boring teachers, and tons of homework as they tried to prepare themselves for life after eighth grade.