{{Short description|South Korean manhwa series}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox manhwa | image = | caption = | ko_hangul = 위치헌터 | romanized = Wichi Heonteo | genre = {{ubl|[[Action fiction|Action]]<ref name=genre1/>|[[Fantasy]]<ref name=genre2/>}} | author = {{ill|Jung-man Cho|fr|Cho Jung-man}} | publisher = [[Daewon C.I.]] | publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=[[Seven Seas Entertainment]]}} | demographic = <!-- Do not use Japanese terms --> | magazine = {{ubl|''[[Super Champ]]'' (former)|''[[Comic Champ]]'' (current)}} | first = 2006 | last = present | volumes = 25 | chapter_list = | related = | content = | subcat = | altcat = | ko = y }} '''''Witch Buster''''' ({{Korean|hangul=위치헌터|rr=Wichi Heonteo|lit=Witch Hunter}}) is a South Korean [[manhwa]] series written and illustrated by Jung-man Cho. The series began serialization in [[Daewon C.I.]]'s magazine ''[[Super Champ]]'' in February 2006; its serialization was later moved to ''[[Comic Champ]]''. As of October 2023, its individual chapters have been collected into 25 volumes.
==Plot== Humanity is oppressed by witches who, aided by their loyal supporters, eliminate almost all of the remaining resistance. Cornered, the survivors desperately rally behind fighters with extraordinary powers, the only ones capable of fighting the witches and their demonic servants: the Witch Hunters.
Though ranked among the elite of hunters, Tasha Godspell cannot resign himself to hating these monsters of cruelty, pursuing a goal as dangerous as it is personal. His true desire is only to find the red witch Aria Godspell, his own sister, and bring her back to her senses.
==Production== Since the decision of whether a series should be canceled is made after the first volume's release, Cho decided to put as many elements and action scenes as he could into the first volume to try to generate an audience early on. Cho has cited [[anime]] from the 1970s and 1980s as a major source of influence on the story.<ref>{{cite web|title=Japan Expo 2008 - Rencontre avec Cho Jung-Man|url=https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/actus/2008/07/24/Japan-Expo-2008-Rencontre-avec-Cho-Jung-Man|website=Manga News|date=July 24, 2008|access-date=March 17, 2025|language=fr}}</ref>
==Publication== Written and illustrated by Jung-man Cho, the series began serialization in [[Daewon C.I.]]'s magazine ''[[Super Champ]]'' in February 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Witch Hunter: Présentation|url=https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/report/Witch-Hunter|website=Manga News|date=September 13, 2012|access-date=March 17, 2025|language=fr}}</ref> Its serialization has since been transferred to ''[[Comic Champ]]''.<ref name=ci>{{cite web|script-title=ko:코믹챔프 202506호|url=https://www.dwci.co.kr/front/magazine/champList|publisher=[[Daewon C.I.]]|access-date=March 17, 2025|language=ko}}</ref> As of October 2023, the series' individual chapters have been collected into 25 volumes.<ref name=genre2>{{cite web|script-title=ko:위치 헌터 25|url=https://search.shopping.naver.com/book/catalog/43212039623|publisher=[[Naver|Naver Book Database]]|access-date=March 17, 2025|language=ko}}</ref>
[[Seven Seas Entertainment]] is publishing the series in English in [[Omnibus edition|omnibus]] format. They originally released it under the title ''Witch Hunter'', but had to re-release it as ''Witch Buster'' when they learned that another comic had trademarked the ''Witch Hunter'' name in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seven Seas Licenses 2 More Alice Manga (Updated)|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-04-18/seven-seas-licenses-2-more-alice-manga|website=[[Anime News Network]]|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|date=April 18, 2013|access-date=March 17, 2025}}</ref>
In 2006, the series was accused of plagiarizing several [[manga]] series, such as ''[[D.Gray-man]]''. Cho apologized and stated that he would not plagiarize again in the future.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ko:"표절 안돼!" 인기 만화도 가차없이 퇴출|url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/07/19/2009071900465.html|website=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|author=Kim Young-rok|date=September 19, 2009|access-date=March 17, 2025|language=ko}}</ref>
==Reception== A columnist from ''Manga News'' liked the illustrations, though they also felt the story was unoriginal and too similar to a variety of manga series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Witch Hunter Vol.1: Critiques|url=https://www.manga-news.com/index.php/manga/critique/Witch-Hunter/vol-1|website=Manga News|author=Erkael|date=April 15, 2008|access-date=March 17, 2025|language=fr}}</ref> Mickaël Géreaume of ''Planete BD'' felt the story had a good mix of action and humor. He also liked the main characters and the illustrations.<ref name=genre1>{{cite web|title=Witch Hunter T1|url=https://www.planetebd.com/manga/ki-oon/witch-hunter/-/5360.html|website=Planete BD|last=Géreaume|first=Mickaël|date=April 27, 2008|access-date=March 17, 2025|language=fr}}</ref>
The series ranked tenth on [[The New York Times Manga Best Sellers of 2012|''The New York Times'' Manga Best Sellers List in 2012]] for the week ending June 9.<ref>{{cite web|title=New York Times Manga Best Seller List, June 3-9|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-15/new-york-times-manga-best-seller-list-june-3-9|website=[[Anime News Network]]|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=June 15, 2012|access-date=March 17, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/witch-buster/|Official website at Seven Seas Entertainment}}
[[Category:2000s manhwa]] [[Category:2006 comics debuts]] [[Category:Action comics]] [[Category:Comics involved in plagiarism controversies]] [[Category:Daewon C.I. titles]] [[Category:Fantasy comics]] [[Category:Manhwa titles]] [[Category:Seven Seas Entertainment titles]]