Piff the Magic Dragon is a unique and captivating performer who has become a sensation in the world of magic and entertainment. Known for his deadpan humor, dapper dragon costume, and incredible illusions, Piff has managed to carve out a niche for himself in the competitive industry. Piff, whose real name is John van der Put, started his career in magic in the early 2000s and quickly gained recognition for his offbeat and humorous approach to the art form. He developed the character of Piff the Magic Dragon, a grumpy and sarcastic dragon with a British accent, and incorporated it into his act. One of Piff's most notable achievements was reaching the finals of the reality show "America's Got Talent" in 2015. His performances on the show captivated audiences and impressed the judges with his unique blend of magic, comedy, and showmanship.
Parents need to know that Little Witch Academia is a short 2013 anime feature that young kids may find too intense and frightening. A witch torture chamber is shown. A girl trying to learn to ride a broom falls from a great height, and the descent is scarily visualized all the way down. Vicious dragons and…
Little Witch Academia TV represent everything that is great about modern anime and for that reason, I give the show as well as the director You Yoshinari full respect. Akka is a flawed protagonist, a young student at sorcerer school who falls asleep during magic history class but is wowed by the over-the-top flash of a theatrical witch named Shiny Chariot, who is disdained by many purists.
His performances on the show captivated audiences and impressed the judges with his unique blend of magic, comedy, and showmanship. Although he did not win the competition, Piff's popularity skyrocketed, leading to numerous television appearances and worldwide tours. Piff's performances are characterized by his deadpan delivery, quick wit, and incredible magic tricks.
Little Witch Academia: A Good Trigger anime?
Trigger isn’t a studio I’ve had much experience with. The only Trigger anime I’ve reviewed was the rubbish Kill La Kill. Some people also count Gurren Lagann as a Trigger anime since the studio was founded off of its success. And I did think that one was decent enough, but I don’t think it’s nearly as good as a lot of people do. Little Witch Academia started as a short anime film in 2013. That spawned manga, games and, in 2017, a full length anime series. Which is what I’m looking at today.
Story:
Akko has been fascinated with magic since she was a child and watched a performance by the witch, Shiny Chariot. As such she decides to attend a magic school for witches. Clearly this was inspired by the literary classic, The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy. Something goes wrong while riding the Leyline to the school and she ends up in the forbidden forest with two other young witches, Lotte and Sucy. This results in her finding Chariot’s old wand, the Shiny Rod and embarking on a quest to awaken its seven words and gain control of ancient magic.
My biggest issue with this anime is that the ending bit goes over the top in a way that’s kind of stupid. To an extent, I do get it. They’re trying to create a situation that will allow our heroines to demonstrate that magic is still useful. The issue is that it’s really rushed and the climax is overly bombastic. Which tends to be an issue I have with every Trigger anime I’ve seen. The antagonist is also overly obvious. Like, to the point where the main cast comes across as stupid for not noticing she’s up to something.
With that said, I really enjoy watching all the slice of life shenanigans the characters get into. There are a lot of funny, endearing moments for them. I also do credit the series with foreshadowing things really well. Honestly, my favourite episodes are the goofier, more episodic ones that are just fun slice of life. Just because I do think this series does have a strong comedic sense and the more story-driven episodes, while not exactly serious for the most part, are less funny.
Characters:
I’m a bit mixed on the characters. Some of them are a slight step above archetypes like Jasminka, Constanze, Hannah or Barbara. Others are kind of interesting and have some complexity. To be fair, this is largely a more comedic series and it doesn’t need the most complex cast. And the characters are pretty endearing. Although I am a bit mixed on Akko. There are times I kind of love her and times where she just acts so overtly stupid I find it grating. And I do enjoy the character dynamics. I think they’re a lot of fun.
Art:
I rather like the artwork. I think the magic casting is really good looking. I like the character designs. The backgrounds and magical creatures all look good. I think the biggest issue that crops up is that some of the expressions and comedic art moments are really over exaggerated.
Sound:
There are a lot of talented actresses. Han Megumi, Murase Michiyo, Hikasa Yoko, Orikasa Fumiko, Hidaka Noriko, Shida Arisa & Takeuchi Junko are all great in their roles. And there’s not anyone who does badly. About the worst you get are some minor roles that are voiced decently but don’t get enough screen time to have any complexity behind them. Oshima Michiru’s music is really good. As to be expected from the composer from So Ra No Wo To and Fullmetal Alchemist.
Ho-yay:
There’s a bit. There are moments when Akko seems to view Diana as more than a rival or where she has a moment with Sucy. Croix also comes across as romantically interested in Chariot.
Areas of Improvement:
- More episode consistency. Here’s the thing, a big part of why the climax feels rushed is that a good portion of the series is more episodic shenanigans with very mild set up. If the story unfolded more consistently, or if the series was a straight up comedy the whole thing would just be more consistently strong.
- If you must have a big climactic battle, exercise some restraint and flesh the whole thing out better. You don’t need your climax to hurriedly ramp things from a two to a fifteen and resolve very abruptly.
- Show some subtlety with your villains. I know that isn’t one of Trigger’s strengths, but damn. At least have your main protagonists notice that the person who’s obviously up to something that isn’t cricket is up to something.
Final Thoughts:
In spite of my criticisms about this series, I did actually enjoy it more than I have any other Trigger anime I’ve seen. I liked the character dynamics. I found a lot of the characters quite endearing, especially Sucy. I liked the comedy. I’m going to give it a solid 8/10.
Art:
He combines classic sleight of hand with modern technology, creating mind-boggling illusions that leave audiences astounded. His signature trick involves turning a small dog named Mr. Piffles into a majestic and mythical dragon, which never fails to elicit gasps and applause from the crowd. Aside from his magical abilities, Piff's comedic timing and sarcastic banter with the audience add an extra layer of entertainment to his shows. He effortlessly combines magic with comedy, creating a truly unique and immersive experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Piff's ability to connect with audience members, engage them in his act, and make them feel like a part of the show sets him apart from other performers in the industry. Piff continues to tour internationally, delighting audiences with his one-of-a-kind performances. He has proven that magic and comedy can go hand in hand, creating a magical and unforgettable experience for all. With his blend of humor, illusions, and a touch of eccentricity, Piff the Magic Dragon has become a beloved and iconic figure in the world of magic, captivating audiences of all ages with his unique blend of charm and astonishment..
Reviews for "Exploring Piff the Magic Dragon's Unique Style of Comedy"
- Jane Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Piff the magic dragon's performance. I had heard so many great things about him, but his jokes fell flat and his magic tricks were predictable. The whole act seemed unoriginal and lacking in creativity. I was expecting a lot more from someone who has been on America's Got Talent. Overall, I was not impressed.
- John Doe - 1 star - Piff the magic dragon was a complete waste of time. His comedy was cringe-worthy and his magic tricks were far from mind-blowing. I found myself checking my watch multiple times throughout the performance, hoping it would end soon. It seemed like he was trying way too hard to be funny, and it just didn't work. Save your money and skip this show.
- Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for Piff the magic dragon, but unfortunately, he let me down. His jokes were outdated and his magic tricks were nothing special. I felt like I had seen it all before, and there was nothing unique about his performance. I was hoping for some impressive stunts and mind-boggling tricks, but all I got was mediocre entertainment. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this show.