‘Witch Hat Atelier’ Episodes 1-2 review: Magical Production

The much-anticipated premiere of Witch Hat Atelier is almost here! Season 1 Episode 1 and Episode 2 are an absolute feast for the eyes. Based on Kamome Shirahama’s award winning manga, Witch Hat Atelier is the story of Coco (Rena Motomura), a girl who wants nothing more than to be a member of the witch society that drives her world. When one such witch arrives in her village, Coco accidentally discovers how magic actually works; and it sets her on a path toward revealing much more than just how to reverse a curse. 

With such a praise-worthy source material, expectations for this adaptation are sky high. Manga readers have been waiting for this premiere while not knowing if it would possible for the anime to reach those lofty heights. I’m happy to say that my expectations were met through and through. 

Witch Hat Atelier Episodes 1-2 introduces the series two lovable leads.

Coco wanting to achieve her dream so desperately that she doesn’t give up on it even when she knows it might be impossible is very relatable. Her determination to become a witch is quite admirable – especially after witnessing how upset she was when she learned she wasn’t a witch. Plenty of protagonists have a similar drive, the firm belief that she’ll be able to become a witch if she keeps trying to reach her dream. But Coco falls more in love with magic when she discovers that it’s a skill she’s capable of learning.

She learns this watching Qifrey (Natsuki Hanae), the other main character we meet in episode 1. Without fail, he saves Coco from the curse she mistakenly triggers and confirms the truth that she already knows. He’s also the one who takes her in as a student in order to learn more about magic — and also about the person who sold the forbidden book to Coco as a child. It’s obvious that something dangerous lurks in the shadows of the otherwise charming anime and only time will reveal what that is.

While reserved for the background in these first two episodes, Qifrey’s other students Richeh (Hika Tsukishiro), Tetia (Kurumi Haruki), and Agott (Hibiku Yamamura) are already clearly key characters in Coco’s journey. Agott especially stands out immediately with how blunt she is about her feelings toward Coco. 

The production reflects the story’s own dedication to craft

There’s something about the secret to magic being so simple that makes Witch Hat Atelier so perfect. All one needs to perform magic is a piece of paper, a pen, and ink — it might be special ink that only witches have access to, but ink nonetheless. When this this is revealed, it’s only natural to want to see if it’ll work and Coco does just that. She is ecstatic, going through the book and creating sigils that come to life before her eyes.

In a similar way, the staff at Bug Films clearly have a love for the manga and it’s obvious from how beautiful the series looks. Each scene flows seamlessly into the next; creating an almost dreamlike feeling in the world. From the very beginning when Coco catches the sheet that flies away to the end when Qifrey is holding onto her in the air, there’s a certain smoothness throughout it that isn’t achievable without an immense dedication to quality.

Additionally, the color grading in both episodes bring it home. The series doesn’t fall into a washed out anime where everything is a similar shade.Witch Hat Atelier is bright and energetic; even in the night scenes when there isn’t much light. When Coco arrives at Qifrey’s atelier, the inside isn’t one giant blur. There’s proof of life hiding in the background in each scene. 

Plenty of magical production partners.

The voice acting in Witch Hat Atelier is some of the best yet this year. Rena Motomura voices Coco so perfectly. She captures the curiosity and wonder of a young girl who’s obsessed with magic and hasn’t let the truth get her down. On the other hand, Natsuki Hanae as Qifrey is a change from what audiences might know him for, but he pulls it off. The two of them together voice these characters in a way that only they can – breathing life into these characters that needs to be there for the show to take off. 

Composer Yuka Kitamura is pulls out all the stops for the score. The first two episodes work so well in part because the music guides them along. Her ability to craft the perfect atmosphere with music makes watching that much more enjoyable because your emotions tap into exactly what Coco is feeling. There’s a reason Kitamura is known for her work with FromSoftware because she’s great at what she does. 

Witch Hat Atelier Episode 1 and Episode 2 are a phenomenal introduction to the series. What starts as an episode full of whimsy ends on a darker note than you would expect, and pulls you in to see what happens next. Coco’s magical journey is off to a rather rocky start, but with Qifrey to guide her, we can only hope that she won’t stumble and be able to save her mom before it’s too late. 

Witch Hat Atelier premieres on Crunchyroll April 6.

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Featured images ©Kamome Shirahama/KODANSHA/ Witch Hat Atelier Committee