Little Witch Academia is a fabulous anime series that captivates viewers with its enchanting story and lovable characters. Set in a magical academy, the show follows the journey of a young witch named Atsuko Kagari, also known as Akko, as she strives to become a great witch like her idol, Shiny Chariot. One of the main reasons why Little Witch Academia is fabulous is its beautiful animation. The artwork is vibrant and colorful, bringing the magical world to life in stunning detail. From the whimsical spells to the flying broomsticks, every scene is wonderfully animated and visually appealing. Another aspect that makes Little Witch Academia fabulous is its strong message of determination and self-belief.
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Here We Are takes its title from Ronnie s foster mother s very nice way of saying whenever she proffered something, or sometimes for no clear reason at all, Here we are. In Mothering Sunday, a love song to the transformative possibilities of language and literature, the former housemaid managed to cross class barriers to become a celebrated author at a time of seismic changes in English society following World War I.
Another aspect that makes Little Witch Academia fabulous is its strong message of determination and self-belief. Akko, despite her lack of magical talent, never gives up on her dreams and works hard to prove herself. This message of perseverance and following one's passion resonates with viewers of all ages, inspiring them to overcome obstacles and strive for their goals.
Liz Gilbert’s Big Magic in Action: A Conjuring Story
I promised in last week’s post that I would review Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear (affiliate link). It was released three days after I saw Liz speak at the Omega Women’s Leadership Center’s Women and Power: Being Bold retreat.
Instead of a blow-by-blow of the book (which is amazing and thought-provoking and a must-read for anyone in need of creative inspiration or a kick in the pants to live life more fully), let me give you a real-life example that I feel proves the truth of Liz’s theory that enchantment is all around us if we open ourselves up to receiving it.
As background, you need to know that I spent several weeks before the retreat obsessing about how I might meet Liz in person. With roughly 400 people attending the event, I knew my chances were slim. I might have a quick opportunity to shake her hand, but I wanted just a couple of minutes to tell her that she had inspired me to fully embrace my creative side, the culmination of which is my upcoming book, Blooming into Mindfulness.
Think I’m exaggerating about my obsession? Here are just a few excerpts from my journal in the days leading up to the Omega Institute event:
September 6, 2015: “Hoping Margaret Roach (accomplished author, former Martha Stewart Omnimedia executive, and provider of wise advice on my book journey) can give me some guidance about how best to connect with Liz Gilbert and other thought leaders.”
In our phone conversation the next day, Margaret had this excellent a suggestion: “If you have the chance to meet her–and be prepared, you’ll need to stand in line for sure–put something beautiful in her hands, like a box of your greeting cards.”
September 14, 2015: “Need to prepare for the upcoming retreat at Omega. Leaving on Friday. Should really research all the speakers. Especially hoping to have a few minutes with Elizabeth Gilbert. What an amazing leader she is. I really do want to be her when I grow up.”
September 17, 2015: “Soooo excited for this weekend’s Women in Power retreat at Omega. Even if I don’t get to meet Elizabeth Gilbert there will be so many other awesome women to connect with. Sent a note to Elizabeth Lesser (Omega co-founder, author, speaker) just to say hello in advance and thank her for her work. Maybe weird? I don’t know.”
Once I was actually at Omega, though, I knew immediately that the weekend would be much bigger than the potential of meeting Liz Gilbert. But I had my greeting cards in my bag just in case.
Liz’s keynote speech was scheduled for Saturday morning. I headed out from my tent cabin to get breakfast in the dining hall beforehand. As I waited in line for the buffet, I looked around the large room wondering where I should sit. I had decided to come alone to the retreat intentionally, to force my introverted self to meet people. My plate of food now in hand, my eyes fell on a friendly-looking woman sitting alone at one of the 100 or so eight-person round tables.
I asked if I could join her. “Of course!” she replied. “I’m Laurah.”
“I’m Martha,” I said, not sure if I should sit right next to her or leave a space or two. I decided to leave two spaces just in case a friend was joining her.
As I took my seat, I said, “Is anyone else sitting here?”
“Um…only Liz Gilbert.”
I stared at Laurah in disbelief, tingles making their way from the tips of my toes to the top of my head.
“You’re kidding,” I said.
“I know, right?” she said, a beautiful smile spreading across her face. She was just as astonished as I. Laurah had overheard Liz ask someone where the dining hall was and offered to show her the way.
Now, I want to reiterate here—I did not choose the table because I knew Liz Gilbert would be there. It was Laurah who attracted me there, so she now has permanent BMFE (Best Magic Friend Ever) status.
And sure enough, a minute later Liz Gilbert sat down in the chair next to Laurah. I was hyperventilating by this point. My friends and family will tell you that I’m not a person prone to hyperventilate in the midst of famous people. I got to shake Bill Clinton’s hand once, one of the most charismatic people on the planet no matter what your politics are. That handshake was nothing compared to meeting Liz Gilbert.
“Would it be OK if I moved and sat right next to you?” I said to her.
“If you didn’t, that would just be weird,” Liz said.
I slid over to the chair on her left. In bumbling fashion, I told her about how I had been consumed the past few weeks with wondering how I might approach her respectfully if I got the chance.
“Well it seems you’ve conjured me up!” she said. That’s exactly what it felt like.
“And guess what?” I replied. “I’m even prepared!”
Hands shaking, I opened my bag and pulled out a box of my garden photography greeting cards. As I placed the box in Liz’s hands, I felt totally engulfed in the enchantment that Liz talks about in Big Magic.
It was as if the universe was rewarding me for following Liz’s advice to embrace my creative identity—first through my writing, and more recently through my photography, despite my lifelong fear of doing so.
The irony is, in her talk about an hour or so after our magical encounter, Liz cautioned the audience about the dangers of meeting our heroes in person. She intentionally did not make an effort to meet her literary idol Jack Gilbert out of fear of being disappointed. The opposite was true for me.
Liz’s gracious handling of my slobbering adoration only served to raise even higher the pedestal upon which I keep her. And I’ll never forget what she told Laurah and me during our intimate breakfast together:
“I never ask people what they do. I always ask what excites them. You always get a better answer that way.” Another Liz Gilbert lesson that I’ve already started to implement.
And since this is technically supposed to be a “book review,” I’ll leave you with just a few quotes from Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear that resonated with me:
- You do not need anybody’s permission to live a creative life.
- You want to write a book? Make a song? Direct a movie? Decorate pottery? Learn a dance? Explore a new land? You want to draw a penis on your wall? Do it. Who cares? It’s your birthright as a human being, so do it with a cheerful heart. (This one spoke to me directly, since a friend of my son’s did, indeed, spray paint a picture of a penis on my front lawn several years ago. I forgive him now.)
- I want to live the most vividly decorated temporary life that I can. I don’t just mean physically; I mean emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.
- If you’re alive, you’re a creative person. You and I and everyone you know are descended from tens of thousands of years of makers.
- The guardians of high culture will try to convince you that the arts belong only to a chosen few, but they are wrong and they are also annoying.
- Instead of taking out loans to go to a school for the arts, maybe try to push yourself deeper into the world, to explore more bravely. Or go more deeply and bravely inward. Take an honest inventory of the education you already have—the years you have lived, the trials you have endured, the skills you have learned along the way. (I debated for years whether to go back to school for my MFA, but took Liz’s advice here instead.)
- Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.
I could go on and on, but you’ll be better off reading the whole book yourself.
More Big Magic:
I’m writing this blog post on an airplane, on my way to watch my son’s soccer game in Chicago. The woman sitting next to me is reading The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. “I’m SO enjoying this book!” she tells me. “Have you read it?”
“It’s one of my all-time favorites,” I said, feeling that tingly thing again since I had already set myself the task of writing this piece on the flight.
“Have you read anything else by the author?” she asked. I pulled out my copy of Big Magic, then showed her the photos of my magic friends.
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Comments
- lisa says October 5, 2015 at 2:03 pm
Hi Martha, That is so exciting that you met Liz Gilbert! I haven’t read anything of hers except for Eat, Pray, Love, but I have really been feeling like a need some, Big Magic lately! So will be buying it today (& maybe even the, The Signature of All Things). Miss you! Lisa
Welcome!
I'm Martha Brettschneider, a mindfulness consultant, Search Inside Yourself Certified Teacher, speaker, author, and nature photographer with a passion for inspiring and supporting mindful living through my products and services. As a former stressed-out economist and cancer survivor, I'm proof that anyone can transform their life experience from chaotic to contented. Learn more here.
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I slid over to the chair on her left. In bumbling fashion, I told her about how I had been consumed the past few weeks with wondering how I might approach her respectfully if I got the chance.
The diverse cast of characters in Little Witch Academia is also worth mentioning. Each character brings something unique to the story, whether it is their magical abilities or their personal journey. From the mischievous Sucy to the studious Lotte, the friendship and teamwork among the characters is heartwarming and adds depth to the show. Furthermore, Little Witch Academia combines humor and whimsy to create a delightful and entertaining experience. The comedic moments are well-timed and add a light-hearted touch to the series. Whether it's Akko's antics or the magical mishaps that occur, there is never a dull moment in Little Witch Academia. In conclusion, Little Witch Academia is a fabulous anime that enchants viewers with its beautiful animation, inspiring message, diverse characters, and comedic elements. It is a show that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike, and it leaves a lasting impression with its magical world and endearing story..
Reviews for "Why Little Witch Academia is a Fabulous Representation of Girls' Power"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Is little witch academia fabulous". I had heard so many great things about it and was excited to watch it, but it just didn't live up to the hype for me. The storyline felt predictable and cliche, and the characters were not very well-developed. I also found the animation to be a bit lackluster. Overall, I just didn't find it very engaging or enjoyable.
- Michael - 1 star - I cannot understand why so many people are raving about "Is little witch academia fabulous". I found it to be incredibly boring and unoriginal. The plot was thin and the characters were flat and uninteresting. The animation, while visually appealing at times, could not make up for the lack of substance in the story. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the entire film and was ultimately left feeling disappointed.
- Emily - 2 stars - I personally did not enjoy "Is little witch academia fabulous". The story felt disjointed and confusing, and the pacing was off. I also found the humor to be juvenile and forced. While the animation was well-done, it wasn't enough to redeem the film for me. I had high hopes for this movie, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. I wouldn't recommend it to others.