One of the most anticipated anime for the spring season, Witch Hat Atelier, has finally premiered, and personally, it is the highlight of the lineup for me. It’s been on my reading list for quite some time, but I didn’t get a chance to read it until the anime was announced. After reading the first volume of the original manga, I immediately had high expectations for the anime. I am thrilled to say that the Witch Hat Atelier anime series has exceeded my expectations so far.
Directed by Ayumu Watanabe and animated by BUG FILMS, Witch Hat Atelier is a fantasy manga following a young girl named Coco who dreams of becoming a witch. However, while witches are born with magic, Coco does not have any. Just as she is about to give up on her dream, she meets Qifrey, a traveling witch. After witnessing Qifrey performing magic secretly, Coco learns how to cast spells with nothing more than a pen and ink. With that knowledge in mind, Coco tried to draw spells on her own. After a certain spell that changed her life in a bad way and traumatized her, Coco embarks on her own magical journey to correct her mistake.
A Whimsical Story Full of Magic
Witch Hat Atelier is a whimsical story full of magic, with Coco’s curiosity about magic at its center. This curiosity is the driving force behind the plot and what makes the series so enchanting. It didn’t take long for the series to get me hooked; I only needed to watch the first episode to decide that I would definitely watch this series for the season.
The explanation of the world’s magic system immediately drew me in. Witch Hat Atelier has its own unique magic system, focused around drawing to make magic. It is explained through storybook animation, and it fits the world perfectly. The pacing of the story is also not too rushed or too slow; its pacing is just right to draw the audience’s attention as it introduces Coco’s world to us.
Most importantly, the anime delivers a whimsical, fantastical feeling when you watch it. I haven’t felt this way for a long time about a show in the fantasy genre, especially regarding magic. It felt really different watching it as an anime series than reading the manga. The more episodes I watched, the more enchanted I became with the story. It’s like the story came to life, making me feel like I am Coco, who is just as fascinated and curious about magic.
Coco’s Childlike Wonder and Curiosity
Speaking of Coco, she instantly became one of my favorite characters. I think Coco is a very precious character, and I enjoyed seeing her curiosity and enthusiasm. Even though she is afraid of her own power due to a spell she cast at the beginning, the story still captures Coco’s personality beautifully. It’s hard not to feel the same awe for magic that Coco does, and that parallel makes the series even more engaging. I’m genuinely excited to see her growth as a character and as a witch in the future.
Coco isn’t the only character I am excited to see grow. I’m also excited to see Coco’s fellow witch apprentices, Tetia, Richeh, and Agott grow individually. They were just introduced in the second episode, so I still don’t know much about Tetia and Riche, and I only scratched the surface for Agott. Nevertheless, I am excited to learn more about them. I can already foresee them working and studying together with Coco, but how they will change and affect the story is something to look forward to.
Then there is Qifrey. I really enjoyed how Qifrey looks in the anime. He is one of the characters, aside from Coco, that I looked forward to seeing the most. Once he was introduced in the first episode and immediately saved Coco from the spell she cast, I was instantly drawn to him. He is a mysterious character who is kind and patient to his apprentices, but he also has a secret that involves Coco and why he kept Coco’s memories. I really want to know what that secret is, but I will have to wait until later in the story. So far, I really love the relationship between him and Coco and can’t wait to see more of their interactions.
Amazing Animation By BUG FILMS
The animation by BUG FILMS is another highlight. At first, I didn’t expect much and thought nothing of it since I tend to prioritize story over animation style. I am not an expert on it, but I didn’t expect it to be beautiful. I really love seeing the characters’ movements, and I thought the scenery was beautiful. I heard that the series got delayed from its originally scheduled 2025 release. I’m glad they did, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to make such wonderful animations for Witch Hat Atelier.
Several scenes at the beginning and end of each episode are presented in storybook form, which I really like a lot, and this continues to carry the fantasy vibe of the series. The animation for the magic sequences shines as they were clearly designed to focus on the magic, evoking that sense of awe when spells are cast.
A Fantasy Series To Watch For The Season
For me, Witch Hat Atelier is the standout spring anime of the season, and I would recommend people to watch it. The anime series has kept the original series’ charm and perfect fantasy vibe. I have no qualms with the animation and really liked how it’s animated. From the beginning of each episode to the end, it maintains the fantastical vibe that draws you in throughout every episode. Even the opening and ending theme songs are a perfect match for the series. If you have not watched it yet and are into fantasy or looking for a series with magic, I would highly recommend Witch Hat Atelier.
Special thanks to Crunchyroll for providing screeners of the first three episodes for review.
Witch Hat Atelier is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
