‘Witch Hat Atelier’ Episode 3 review: “The Dadah Range Test”

Now, why would you go and do a thing like that, Coco (Rena Motomura)? Witch Hat Atelier Episode 3 picks up with Coco heading into the portal to take the apprentice test. Unknown to her, but to the other witches, the Dadah Range peak is at its highest during the entire year, which means that Agott tricked her. “The Dadah Range Test” puts both Coco and the audience to the test.

Now, before all the Agott (Hibiku Yamamura) haters enter the chat, Shirahama-sensei does a great job at showing the complicated reality of young girls’ relationships. Compared to Tetia and Richeh, Agott is much colder to Coco. She makes it clear that she doesn’t want to waste time with people who can’t do the same things as she can — especially Coco, who can barely even draw magic correctly — so it’s unsurprising when she sends Coco to the Dadah Range without any information other than the basics. On a much deeper level, girls’ relationships at that age can often be filled with jealousy, insecurity, and bitterness. They’re full of complicated emotions that they’re not sure how to deal with healthily.

On top of that, Agott is someone that Coco wants to impress. Coco wants to reach the same level as her when she can see just what Agott is capable of. With both girls approaching the relationship differently, there will be tension. That’s just something that happens and both Shirahama-sensei and BUG FILMS do an amazing job at bringing this to life in “The Dadah Range Test.”

Coco utilizes what’s unique to her in “The Dadah Range Test”.

Coco’s journey in Episode 3 is quite the test, pun intended. At first, it seems like everything that can go wrong does. She has no clue where she’s going. She’s unsure of how the flying shoes work, so she has to take the time to figure it out. Additionally, the shoes get wet, and the flying spell on the bottom is ruined, so she has no way to reach the peak. These are all things that would break anyone, but Coco pushes through them.

Of course, Coco passing the test is the goal. But realizing how important everything she learned from her mother is the most important part of the whole trial. She’s aware that she doesn’t have the same skills as the other apprentices, but that doesn’t mean she has none whatsoever. She’s great at thinking on her feet, even if it takes her the whole night to accomplish her goal. Her steady hand allows her to draw the sigil perfectly on her cape, so she can fly to the peak where the flowers are. Coco’s tenacity is how she passes the test, and that’s unique to her.

Without growing up as a normal human, Coco might not have passed the test at all.

A blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it part of the episode that connects things is mentioned by Alaira (Kotono Mitsuishi) to Qifrey (Natsuki Hanae) while he visits the Great Hall. In our first meeting with her, she mentions the Brimmed Cap Witches and their connection to Coco while Qifrey is picking up a new pointed cap and cape for her. This moment implies that witches might think that Qifrey has other reasons for accepting her into the atelier and not just out of the goodness of his heart. It’s a great lore-building scene that rounds out the magical world without taking the attention away from Coco too much.

Love pushes Coco forward in Witch Hat Atelier Episode 3. 

Alaria isn’t the only new character in Episode 3. At long last, the brushbuddy makes an appearance! While not central to the series, brushbuddies are magical creatures who are attracted to the scent of ink. “The Dadah Range Test” is their first official anime appearance, and how cute it is!

Having a creature pop up in a fantasy anime is common. However, that doesn’t take away from the charm and adorable design of the brushbuddy. It’s normal to expect a dip in the animation following the premiere of any anime, but the BUG FILMS animators are staying strong. Additionally, Katsuya Oshima does an excellent job with the direction of Episode 3, hitting all of the emotional beats manga readers have been looking forward to. “The Dadah Range Test” is a perfect example of bringing the manga panels to life while adding necessary whimsy.

Witch Hat Atelier Episode 3 is the perfect follow-up to the series’ two-episode premiere. Coco’s adventure through the Dadah Range shows her tenacity and drive to keep moving forward despite the obstacles in her way. “The Dadah Range Test” also reminds the audience that, at the core of Witch Hat Atelier, love drives everything forward.

Witch Hat Atelier Episode 3 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.

Images courtesy of Crunchyroll/BUG Films

Kayla Chu

Made up of feminism, sports, and cheap wine.
Questions, comments, inquries please be sent to kaylamchu@gmail.com