Witch Watch Episode 1: A Magical Start

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Summary

  • Witch Watch has the potential to attract a large audience and is off to a great start with good animation.
  • The series focuses on the clumsy witch Nico, her ogre bodyguard, and potential romantic elements, captivating viewers.
  • The opening sequence, directed by Megumi Ishitani, adds to the anticipation of Witch Watch as a strong candidate for “opening of the year.”

I simply can’t contain my excitement for the upcoming anime, “Witch Watch,” slated for the Spring 2025 Season! Given its origins as an adaptation from a Shonen Jump series, it’s no surprise that the hype is building up. I’m confident this one will join the ranks of beloved hits in no time!

Is the popular show “Witch Watch” able to meet the high expectations set by its widespread availability on streaming services? While it’s still early, the series has started off strong and could certainly draw in a sizable audience, particularly fans who enjoyed the show “Dandadan” just a few months prior.

The Clumsiest Witch Is Back In Town

The narrative begins by presenting Morihito Otogi, a robust ogre who surprisingly refrains from retaliating when some ruffians attack him. It later transpires that his father discloses he will serve as Nico Wakatsuki’s familiar – Nico had departed with her mother several years ago for witch training, but she is now making her way back to town.

Observing the situation, it appears that Morihito reluctantly takes on the role, which in essence translates to serving as a protector for Nico, given his status as her familiar. However, there seems to be more depth to it than just protection. From what I gather, Nico’s mother has foreseen troubling events in Nico’s future. To shield her from impending calamity, they felt it necessary for Morihito to assume the role of a familiar. Interestingly, Nico seems oblivious to the prophecy surrounding her future.

Morihito recalls how he would unintentionally find himself in peril when Nico attempted magic. Now, she’s returned with significantly more power, though one might say she’s almost a full-fledged witch… yet still not quite there. To be honest, her magic often doesn’t go as planned because not only does she require further training, but she can also be quite uncoordinated.

Indeed, each instance where she casts a spell during Episode 1 seems to result in some sort of mishap. The humor is quite effective, especially for those who appreciate Kenta Shinohara’s unique style, as seen in shows like “Sket Dance” and “Astra Lost in Space”. Some standout moments include Nico transforming herself into paper-thin form and the spell that makes objects or people lighter.

It’s Not Only About Training, We’ve Got Romance Too

Once Nico returns, they both head out for some shopping together. Morihito points out that since she’s still in training, it might be safer for her to stay low-key and keep her identity as a witch hidden, as it could potentially cause complications. But Nico counters by saying that magic is meant to aid others, and interacting with people will help refine her abilities better.

This segment is impressive as it anticipates and resolves possible concerns – some viewers might question whether Nico should simply stay at home instead. However, the narrative makes clear that such an option is futile for Nico because it serves no purpose.

It’s evident right off the bat that Nico harbors feelings for her childhood friend, while it appears Morihito might feel the same way. Thus, Witch Watch may resonate with a comparable audience as Dandadan – this is likely the reasoning behind GKIDS, Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu’s predictions.

Starting Off With Good Animation

In the upcoming episode, we find that Nico and Morihito are moving on to high school. It’s likely that Nico might cause some mischief along the way. Although there could be a deeper or more serious storyline in the future, for now it looks like the show will maintain a light-hearted, everyday life feel.

Stories like this one are often simpler to bring to life through animation, since they don’t necessitate a heavy emphasis on crafting breathtaking action sequences. The animation in the premiere episode was commendable and met the standards set for the series.

Great Opening Sequence By Megumi Ishitani

The fan-favorite show, “Witch Watch,” offered some delightful surprises to its viewers: it was none other than Megumi Ishitani who directed the breathtaking opening sequence! On social media, she shared that Taniguchi, the series producer, extended an invitation for her and temporarily allowed her to work at Byurri Anime Studios. There, she took charge of the storyboard for the opening sequence.

Under the introductory melody by YOASOBI and the captivating opening scene by Ishitani, Witch Watch could very well be the standout opening of 2022, garnering much anticipation. So, let’s delve into what this new season has in store for us!

You can currently stream the series “Witch Watch” on platforms such as Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix. In a short while, a dubbed version of the show will also be available.

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2025-04-06 23:14