Episodes viewed: 11 out of 13
With the second season of the beloved manga adaptation Frieren: Beyond Journeys End coming to an end with a shorter run of episodes, myself and many other fans have been feeling bereft as the show came to a close. However, a brilliant new addition to anime streaming service Crunchyroll has certainly helped fill that Frieren-shaped hole. The fantasy anime Witch Hat Atelier – which is based on Kamome Shirahama’s manga – is equally as magical and beautifully animated as the former. And with its fascinating new magic system, there’s certainly more than meets the eye to this charming anime outing.
Coco (Rena Motomura), the daughter of a seamstress in a small village, dreams of becoming a witch and wielding magic. However, she lives in a world where only a select few are permitted to learn and use these arcane powers. Following a tragic incident in which Coco accidentally unleashes forbidden magic, she becomes an apprentice to the witch Qifrey (Natsuki Hanae). And with the aid of his other three apprentices, (Agott, Tetia, and Richeh), they seek to uncover the dangerous forces behind the act – the Brimmed Caps – and discover what they have planned for the young girl.
Immediately viewers are immersed in a brand new world with a fascinating and wonderfully unique magic system which truly sets this apart from the many other fantasy shows out there. It’s such a refreshing take on the arcane, with users having to intricately draw spells to actually cast magic, meaning individuals must dedicate time and practice to truly master the art of illustration. Apprentices are first required to nail the foundational principles of the five primary elements (yes, there’s a bit of an Avatar vibe in that regard) and their various symbols to wield the spells. Another wonderful detail is that magic is perceived as a force for good, with witches seemingly wielding it to help others, particularly non-magical users.
This is undoubtedly a charming and incredibly cosy coming-of-age tale, as Coco is thrust on a journey of self-discovery as she seeks the power to save her mother and achieve her dreams of becoming a bonafide witch. The worldbuilding is another fantastic and immersive element, thrusting viewers into a brand new world filled with secretive arcane power, dragons, magical knights known as Knights Moralis, adorable species such as the brushbuddies, and a larger conflict lurking in the shadows. While Coco’s – and the other apprentices – trials to pass their magical Pentagram tests is the show’s main narrative foundation, the growing machinations of the Brimmed Hat Group shows there’s more than meets the eye to this series.
The sect are quickly established as a nefarious group working against the Pointed Hat Witches, as they seek to expose the truth about magic, but as the series progresses, you begin to question whether their motives really are as villainous as it first seems. The same can be said about the apprentice’s seemingly good hearted and wise tutor Qifrey, as again, he appears to be harbouring a secret mission – searching for something not quite yet known.
The dynamics of the core group studying at the atelier are also incredibly endearing, particularly between Coco and the other apprentices. While she’s thrust into this brand new world, Tetia and Richeh are quick to accept and support the newcomer, with a heartwarming bond developing between the girls. And yet, Agott is the outlier, as she quickly displays resentment towards Coco’s arrival, with their evolving friendship proves one of the more emotional threads of the show. Much like Frieren, this is a show about the journey rather than the destiny, as the girls continue to overcome more trials and tribulations – both from the past and present.
Additional characters such as Qifrey’s grumpy childhood friend Olruggio, the watchful eye and protector of their atelier, along with Tartah, a young apprentice carver of Ink Wands whose grandfather runs the magical supply shop, also help further flesh out the larger world, while proving some of the more intriguing additions. The latter spotlights just how cruel the ruling magic system can be, as his form of colourblindness (known as Silverfish Syndrome) permits him from ever becoming a witch, despite coming from a long line of witches. This emotional episode in particular proves one of the standouts of the series, as we cleverly see the world through his eyes.
The animation from the relatively new Bug Studios is breathtaking and incredibly detailed, incorporating a fun mix of styles throughout each episode. The various magical realms are so well realised and unique, along with the multitude of spells and their variations, particularly Tetia’s adorably fluffy looking cloud spell (which surprisingly comes to great use against a dragon!) There’s also a beautiful storybook aesthetic to the show, with the studio incorporating a combination of lovely soft lighting, textured shading, and a pastel colour palette to evoke an antique book.
Verdict
With its enchanting worldbuilding, inventive magic system, and stunning storybook-inspired animation, Witch Hat Atelier is an enchanting and cosy fantasy adventure. Fans of Frieren will find plenty to love here with its heartfelt journey, but this series proves more than capable of standing on its own, particularly in its exploration of power, knowledge, and who gets to wield it.
