A Network Map of The Witcher

Abstract: The Witcher, a fantasy novel series by Andrzej Sapkowski, has inspired multiple computer games and was even launched on Netflix in 2019, with the latest season airing in December 2021. Fictional storylines such as The Witcher, can be well summarized and simplified by network science, extracting the backbone of a complex series of events. In other words, network mapping and data science can transform thousands of pages into one simple, visual, social map. This exemplary visualization also highlights the power of network science by uncovering hidden patterns, such as influencers, hubs, and cliques in the interplay of hundreds of people and their countless encounters. As these methods can be applied to novels and their adaptations as well, they also allow us to compare the original and the adapted pieces, from the cast to the plots. Therefore, in this article, I provide a social network analysis about the societal characteristics of The Witcher, comparing the novels and the TV show.