Excuse me, EXCUSE ME!! This was fantastic, why I had no idea this story existed?
I totally don't get people who have anything bad to say about this show, to me it was many levels above other shows I watched recently.
And who cares if it ends on cliffhanger (spoiler), but you can read the manga, stop being a sour loser and read the material if you want, this anime is truly faithful to the source.
Animators who did the wonderful job poured blood and sweat into this, the show is done with so much care and brought the story and this world to life.
I honestly want to read the manga now after finishing.
Tongari Boushi no Atelier - a story of a little girl Coco living in a world that has magic and witches, she was given a book of spells by unknown witch. Coco has been ennamored in magic her entire life, but believed she had no talent for it. Only one day to discover that her concept of how to cast the spell was entirely wrong.
note 1: can you even sit down and think about the fact that she came into contact with forbidden magic when she was a little girl? can you just sit and think that someone much older than her had plans for her and she accepted the gift, unknowingly putting herself in grave danger. I saw some ppl having comments about their teacher, but I want to ask the same people - are you okay? is any relationship between older people and your kids that involve teaching is bad? then don't bring your kids to school the next day. what the "eye witch" Iguin did to Coco is way more dangerous than Qifrey with his apprencticeship. he looks after the girls like any other teacher would, look back at the history and look around, don't make it sound weird.
note 2: I saw people criticizing Coco and other kids. and I want to ask - you adults have some brains in your heads or no? they're kids, what do you expect them to be?
By accident Coco discovers that witches don't use magic wands, instead they wield pens and magic ink that heps them to draw magic circles. The more intricate the magic circle is, the more complicated is the spell.
Being oblivious to danger she meets devastating consequences. The only way to solve her tragedy is for her to learn magic and maybe one day to have a chance and reverse it. This is how she joins three other girls and Qifrey becomes her teacher.
The story is very layered, although it involves some information of the world it is not overbearing, the plot starts rolling with good pace.
A lot of people criticize that 13 episodes is too little (I think this is the sign the show is good if you want to see more).
Some even say too little happened and I don't agree because you get so much information in those episodes. It's not only the plot points but also the small details about the world.
The main part is the conflict of allowed and forbidden magic. This is why the witches who use the forbidden magic are called brimmed hat witches. A hat is a symbol, it's like id. Some day in the past the world was facing danger, this is why the conflict broke out and consequently witches decided to completely conceal how the magic is cast and how it works. This is a nice detail that involves their clothing, because they wear cloaks and whenever they draw they do it blindly, which demands a great deal of practice.
We also get the glimpse of witches hierarchy, the structure of how they pass their examiations and achieve a freedom to do what they want (honestly that underwater city left me completely stunned and wanting to see more of this world).
Magic is also classified, not only by forbidden or not, but you can see how much detail went into it judging by elements alone. How each spell has to be drawn with precision, how every symbol makes changes to the spell possible. This also includes the cruelty of brimmed hats, because their magic is forbidden they might not even know what the result will be, but they never care if it's a fail or not.
We also know partially how this world treats witches, they're not just helpers people rely on and are easily recognized in the crowd by their hats, but people sometimes put too much faith in them. Judging from two incidents it becomes apparent that people, common people, expect a miracle from the witches, some gratifying instant effect and may becomes dissatisfied if you don't deliver. But there is also fear.
Although the world seem to be a bright place because our four main characters are little girls, but it doesn't mean this world is not without danger. Just what happened to Coco alone and the group later shows that danger may come from places unknown.
I can't emphasize enough how cruel and dangerous it feels when we know the brimmed hats may target young naive girls who may think highly of magic and not realize they're about to be trapped.
Another point to discuss are characters. Will reiterate, main character are young girls, they're pretty distinct at first glance. Klutz, lively, flegmatic and dark cloud of ambition.
Although girls are very distinct at first glance each had her own story before she appeared in this place.
Don't get me started, but I still don't like Agott. Although she has her own reasons, but the girl is still vile and lacks any empathy for another human being. Her conflict with Coco for example, she may not know the reason why Coco was left with her memories and why she now tries to learn magic, but if she knew it makes matters worse. You know she relies on it to save her mother, but you disregard any of that just because you believe you're so self-important that you have the right to decide other person's fate. The way she did it was also full of treachery. Another example is the carriage accident, she basically stalled the adults who were on their way and tried to join to "prove her worth", but honestly I was also talking to my sceen saying - girl, lives are at stake, do you care about people or not? Even her words, she cared for a chance, for promotion, not for lives or anything else.
Even a sappy backstory won't make me like her more. Some kids may be bad.
Even Richeh has a better story development since she concentrated only on her own magic and spells she likes, but when the danger came knocking on the door sh realized how powerless she feels. Tetia is the most positive and lively so far along with Coco who is the king of klutz, sometimes she can't even walk normally.
You might think it is exaggerated, but I do not agree, some people are like that, even if they don't want to.
I like that Qifrey is not just a simple teacher, he also has agenda in finding the brimmed hats, but he is not so keen on sharing with other witches about his finds. But he genuinely cares for girls and tries to protect them, after all they depend on him.
It's a pity that outside of few characters others did not get enough screen time, but I'm sure they will appea more in the future.
Want to reitarate about the world. The small details are intricate and countless. From witches' attire to how they cast the spells to how they live and what items they use. Like, for example, Olruggio's rings that are activated when connected. Or the two semi-circles on the soles of their shoes so they can fly and many more. I also loved the details about the fashion and items filling the gaps. Maybe most characters will be wearing simple clothes, but look at the decor that surely adds to the abode.
Not to mention winged hats, I can't name them differently, they look fabulous.
The design of conus hats is more straightforward with small details I want to know more of. While brimmed hats feel more dangerous and mysterious.
Last but not least will be the animation. This studio felt like budget is unlimited. They delievered the movie-esque level of animation not many strive for. It's understandable to cut corners in this industry, but it felt like they went all out and not leaving any regrets behind. Was truly impressed by it.
I also find it amazing how many fanarts are out there as a reaction to this anime. So many beautiful and inspiring works. I applaude people for their creativity and am super amazed at the talent.
PS: Maybe I should have made some screenshots, but I was so immersed that i forgot.
RATE: 10/10.
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