Little Witch Academia is an amazing anime series that captivates viewers with its magical world and lovable characters. The story follows a young witch named Akko Kagari as she attends Luna Nova Magical Academy and strives to become a great witch like her idol, Shiny Chariot. One of the main reasons why the show is so amazing is its stunning animation. The visuals are vibrant and detailed, bringing the magical world to life. The animation also shines during the action sequences, which are fast-paced and exciting. The characters in Little Witch Academia are another standout aspect of the series.
Our unlikely hero is Atsuko “Akko” Kagari, who is basically Deku from My Hero Academia if he were a closeted lesbian with undiagnosed goober-itis. After she sees a magic show by the dazzling Shiny Chariot, she dreams to become a witch and attend the prestigious Luna Nova academy. The problem is, Akko sucks at magic! Her spells constantly backfire, and she can’t even fly on a broom without crashing hilariously. Like Harry, her youthful rebellious streak constantly gets her and her friends into trouble. But Akko has an ace up her sleeve: Chariot’s Shiny Rod, said to hold the secrets to the most powerful magic in the world. And her boundless energy and can-do attitude win over everyone, even the stuffy old teachers at Luna Nova.
Lotte is the bookish type and moral center of the group, but Sucy steals nearly every scene she s in with her ridiculous potions and constant experiments on her friends. Lotte is the bookish type and moral center of the group, but Sucy steals nearly every scene she s in with her ridiculous potions and constant experiments on her friends.
The characters in Little Witch Academia are another standout aspect of the series. Akko is a determined and optimistic protagonist who viewers can't help but root for. Her friends, Sucy and Lotte, provide a perfect balance to Akko's personality, adding depth to their group dynamic.
Little Witch Academia: Reconstructing the Magical Girl Genre
Puella Magi Madoka Magica changed the game for magical girl anime. Long associated with cutesy fare like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura, Madoka opened the floodgates for dark, deconstructive shows like Yuuki Yuna and Magical Girl Raising Project. To be fair, I love Madoka, and think it’s a nearly perfect show. But there’s only so many times I can watch cute little girls get brutally murdered before my brain short-circuits, especially when so many recent series are just Madoka rip-offs with less clever writing and direction.
Is it possible for a series to rip off itself? Because that’s how I feel about Magia Record.
That’s why 2017’s Little Witch Academia was such a breath of fresh air, both for Studio Trigger and for the genre as a whole. It’s not the most original story ever – it’s basically just Harry Potter as a magical girl anime. But the charming art and animation, adorable cast of characters, and relentless optimism make it a modern-day classic. Besides, JK’s transphobia ruined Potter for me, so I’m happy to replace it with a series with no tedious relationship drama and a much better ending!
It was funded by Kickstarter, which I think makes it clear how much the fans love this series!
Our unlikely hero is Atsuko “Akko” Kagari, who is basically Deku from My Hero Academia if he were a closeted lesbian with undiagnosed goober-itis. After she sees a magic show by the dazzling Shiny Chariot, she dreams to become a witch and attend the prestigious Luna Nova academy. The problem is, Akko sucks at magic! Her spells constantly backfire, and she can’t even fly on a broom without crashing hilariously. Like Harry, her youthful rebellious streak constantly gets her and her friends into trouble. But Akko has an ace up her sleeve: Chariot’s Shiny Rod, said to hold the secrets to the most powerful magic in the world. And her boundless energy and can-do attitude win over everyone, even the stuffy old teachers at Luna Nova.
One nice touch is that all the characters have different nationalities. The show takes place in England, but Akko is Japanese, Lotte is Finnish, Sucy is from the Philippines…
We also have our Ron, Hermione, and Draco analogues with Sucy, Lotte, and the pompous Diana respectively. Lotte is the bookish type and moral center of the group, but Sucy steals nearly every scene she’s in with her ridiculous potions and constant experiments on her friends. She’s one of the most chaotic neutral characters in any anime I’ve seen, and I’m here for it. And while Harry and Draco were rivals that became enemies, Akko and Diana eventually get over their differences and become best friends – and, okay, there are some subtle yuri undertones in there. Can you see it?
While the presentation is fairly straightforward, it still has that zany “Trigger-ness” that makes the studio so distinctive. The animation is a fluid mix of anime and Western cartoon styles, and they really let loose for the wacky Tex Avery-style gags. My favorite early episodes are when they go HAM on the weird comedy. Like when Akko takes a surreal mushroom trip inside Sucy’s deranged mind, or a magic “love bee” gets loose inside a fancy party, causing all the guests to spontaneously fall in love with each other.
This isn’t even the weirdest part of the episode
The second half of the series is ramps up the drama thanks to the heavy, Croix, taking center stage. Her ominous techno-magic makes Luna Nova obsolete by comparison, but it can easily be used to manipulate the ignorant masses. Yup, this series has some weird Black Mirror vibes, of all things! But unlike Trigger’s BNA, it doesn’t let the social/political message take over the story. The best part of Little Witch is still the characters, especially as we find out more about Croix’s relationship with Chariot and Akko’s place in their long, secret chess game.
They definitely have a history together
Magical girl anime has always centered around hope and idealism. Even the darker shows set up that idealism early and crush it with death and despair. But what makes Little Witch Academia great is that it never tries to be anything other than what it is. There is a thematic/meta aspect to it, as the young witches learn to respect their ancient traditions and the older generation realizes they need to change and adapt to survive. But mostly, it’s about the timeless themes of determination and not letting your disadvantages define you. Even if Akko’s unflinching belief in herself is sometimes dumb and gets her into trouble, she’s still a great witch for inspiring her friends to do better. The tagline of the show is “A believing heart is your magic”, and Little Witch does a great job selling it.
I’m so obsessed, I watched the OVAs and read the manga. They’re not as good as the series, but the manga has some gorgeous artwork!
One nice touch is that all the characters have different nationalities. The show takes place in England, but Akko is Japanese, Lotte is Finnish, Sucy is from the Philippines…
Additionally, the supporting characters, such as Diana and Ursula, are well-developed and add another layer to the overall story. But what really makes Little Witch Academia amazing is its message of believing in oneself and following your dreams. Throughout the series, Akko faces numerous challenges and setbacks, but never gives up on her dream of becoming a great witch. This underlying theme is inspiring and uplifting, making the show resonate with viewers of all ages. In conclusion, Little Witch Academia is an amazing anime series that combines stunning animation, lovable characters, and a heartfelt message. Whether you're a fan of the magical genre or simply appreciate a well-crafted story, this show is definitely worth watching..
Reviews for "Little Witch Academia: a coming-of-age story that will resonate with audiences"
1. Sam - 2/5 stars
I found "Is Little Witch Academia Amazing" to be overhyped. The animation style and artwork are visually pleasing, but the story felt lacking and predictable. The characters were generic and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing felt off and the plot was often too simplistic, leaving me unsatisfied. Overall, while the animation may be amazing, the show itself fell short for me.
2. Emily - 3/5 stars
While "Is Little Witch Academia Amazing" had its moments, I personally did not find it amazing. The humor and lightheartedness of the series can be enjoyable, but the plot lacked substance and felt repetitive at times. The character development was minimal, and the magical elements could have been explored in a more intriguing way. While it may appeal to a younger audience, as an adult viewer, I found it to be average at best.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars
I don't understand the hype around "Is Little Witch Academia Amazing." The story felt disjointed and the world-building was weak. The main character, Akko, was annoying and unrealistic. The episodic format made it hard to invest in the overall narrative, and I found myself losing interest quickly. While the animation was vibrant and colorful, it wasn't enough to save the lackluster storytelling and characters. Overall, I was disappointed with the series.