Little Witch Academia: Chrono Chronicle is a Japanese action role-playing video game developed by Hawken Entertainment and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game is based on the popular anime series Little Witch Academia, which follows the story of a young girl named Atsuko "Akko" Kagari who enrolls in Luna Nova Magical Academy to fulfill her dream of becoming a witch. In Little Witch Academia: Chrono Chronicle, players take on the role of Akko as she embarks on a magical adventure through time. The game features a unique time-traveling mechanic that allows players to explore different time periods and interact with various characters from the anime series. Players must use their magical abilities to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and progress through the game's story. The gameplay in Little Witch Academia: Chrono Chronicle is a mix of action combat and exploration.
The adults in the story are also poorly sketched. They serve as plot devices rather than being actual people, particularly Tim’s parents. They appear only when Valley needs them to solve a problem or push Tim and Elliott into a new scenario. YA fantasy tends to view parents as obstacles to overcome or nonentities who either died or abandoned their charges. Occasionally we get a book where the parents are present and kind to the protagonist, but rarely do we get parents who are actively involved in the plot. Valley missed a good opportunity for the latter here.
Magic is done with the assistance of mea, a Māori word Valley applies to the objects used to channel their powers and represent their intentions; for example, the pounamu necklace given to Tim by his father, a man built like a brick shithouse, gives temporarily enhanced strength. Magic seems fairly limited in terms of power there are no godlike magicians trying to conquer the world but it also seems power ful enough that it should ve changed the course of history at least somewhat, but Valley gives us almost nothing about the world beyond the school and the nearest town.
The gameplay in Little Witch Academia: Chrono Chronicle is a mix of action combat and exploration. Players can control Akko and her friends as they navigate through different environments, battling enemies using a variety of spells and abilities. The game also features a leveling system, allowing players to increase their characters' stats and abilities as they progress.
Alex Brown Reviews Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues by H.S. Valley
Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues, H.S. Valley (Hardie Grant 978-1-76058-75-3, $12.99. 320pp, tp) February 2023.
I first heard about New Zealand writer H.S. Valley’s debut 2021 novel Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues a little over year ago, and was instantly disappointed that I couldn’t acquire it through a US publisher. When I got a notification that review copies were available in the States, I had to have it. Reader, I’m thrilled to tell you that it was everything I’d hoped for.
Tim Te Maro just got dumped. Not only that, his ex-girlfriend left him for an obnoxious, dull dudebro. With the prospect of spending the rest of his time at Fox Glacier High School for the Magically Adept on the South Island of New Zealand alone, Tim is understandably anxious and upset. That’s when Elliott, a white boy who was dumped by said dudebro for Tim’s ex, proposes a solution: get paired up for a school project and make their exes jealous. It works. The boys are grouped together to ‘‘raise’’ a magic egg baby for a Home Ec-like class. Soon, however, things slide from flirting to desire to something deeper.
Elliott and Tim can’t keep their hands off each other. Once the project is done, they’ll cut things off, no harm, no foul, no strings attached. That was the plan, right? But the more time they spend together, and the more nighttime fun they have, the more the walls they built to keep each other out begin to crumble. When a drunken spell goes awry, the boys face some very big decisions. More slice-of-life than plot-heavy, Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues meanders through the story. It’s a cozy, intimate novel about love, life, and teenage impulses.
H.S. Valley, who, like Tim, is also biracial white and Māori and was raised largely by her white relatives, does a fantastic job of rooting the story in Māori culture and Aotearoa history. Readers unfamiliar with Māori culture or New Zealand life might struggle a bit to figure out what’s going on, but I think it’s a good kind of struggle. Valley doesn’t waste time explaining basic concepts or translating for non-Māori speakers. Why should she? Tim and his friends already know what the words mean. My ignorance is my own to contend with. Most of it makes sense with context clues, and the rest I looked up. She keeps the story centered on Tim’s experiences.
Magic here is influenced as much by ancestry and heritage as it is by intent and skill. Magic is done with the assistance of mea, a Māori word Valley applies to the objects used to channel their powers and represent their intentions; for example, the pounamu necklace given to Tim by his father, a man built ‘‘like a brick shithouse,’’ gives temporarily enhanced strength. Overall, however, the magic system Valley has created is both very interesting and also not nearly enough. Valley offers lots of intriguing facts and ideas, but hastily stitches them together.
I have no idea how New Zealand/Pacific Island magic compares or contrasts to the rest of the world. How common are magic schools? How have they managed to keep humans in the dark all this time? Magic seems fairly limited in terms of power – there are no godlike magicians trying to conquer the world – but it also seems powerful enough that it should’ve changed the course of history at least somewhat, but Valley gives us almost nothing about the world beyond the school and the nearest town. Readers don’t need to know everything, but we needed more than what we were offered.
The adults in the story are also poorly sketched. They serve as plot devices rather than being actual people, particularly Tim’s parents. They appear only when Valley needs them to solve a problem or push Tim and Elliott into a new scenario. YA fantasy tends to view parents as obstacles to overcome or nonentities who either died or abandoned their charges. Occasionally we get a book where the parents are present and kind to the protagonist, but rarely do we get parents who are actively involved in the plot. Valley missed a good opportunity for the latter here.
That said, the character development we do get – of the rest of the friend group and especially Tim and Elliott – is where this story really shines. Valley is very good at writing 21st century teenagers. The ebbs and flows of relationships, the chaos of breakups, the hyperbole of language, the way everything seems simultaneously impossibly far away yet everywhere all at once, the hugeness of their feelings, it was all so vivid and tangible.
It also has several of my favorite romance tropes: enemies-to-lovers, secret relationship, friends with benefits, and ‘‘there was only one bed!’’ We need more young adult fiction that talks openly and honestly about sex, boundaries, and healthy relationships, and this book has that in spades. The teens are all having (offscreen) sex, but safely and with consent front and center. Anxiety and the fallout of a child being abandoned by a parent are depicted realistically. We can see how Tim jumps into relationships as a way to fill the void left by his father, and the emotional and psychological consequences of that destructive behavior. Tim and Elliott’s relationship was handled so well. Their physical intimacy never becomes a spectacle or titillation for the reader. Valley knows what to depict and when to fade to black.
Tim Te Maro and the Subterranean Heartsick Blues’s charms far outweigh its flaws. Reading this novel was a joyful experience. It made me happy just thinking about it. It is a lovely, warm young adult contemporary fantasy that makes me yearn to read more from H.S. Valley. I hope she has more books in the publishing pipeline, because this was a fantastic debut. Whether we get to explore more of this fascinating world or get something entirely new, as long as I get more Valley I’ll be happy.
Alex Brown is a librarian, author, historian, and Hugo-nominated and Ignyte award-winning critic who writes about speculative fiction, young adult fiction, librarianship, and Black history.
This review and more like it in the April 2023 issue of Locus.
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I have no idea how New Zealand/Pacific Island magic compares or contrasts to the rest of the world. How common are magic schools? How have they managed to keep humans in the dark all this time? Magic seems fairly limited in terms of power – there are no godlike magicians trying to conquer the world – but it also seems powerful enough that it should’ve changed the course of history at least somewhat, but Valley gives us almost nothing about the world beyond the school and the nearest town. Readers don’t need to know everything, but we needed more than what we were offered.
One of the standout features of Little Witch Academia: Chrono Chronicle is its visual style. The game's graphics are vibrant and colorful, capturing the whimsical and charming atmosphere of the anime series. The character designs are faithful to the original source material, making it a treat for fans of the franchise. In addition to the main story, Little Witch Academia: Chrono Chronicle also includes side quests and optional activities for players to enjoy. These quests often involve helping other characters and exploring hidden areas in the game's world. Completing these side quests can reward players with additional items and abilities. Overall, Little Witch Academia: Chrono Chronicle offers an engaging and enjoyable gaming experience for fans of the anime series. Its charming visuals, unique time-traveling mechanic, and exciting gameplay make it a must-play for any fan of the franchise..
Reviews for "The Chronocle's Role in Little Witch Academia: How Time Travel Shapes the Story"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Little Witch Academia: Chronocle" to be quite disappointing. The plot felt disjointed and lacked depth, leaving me feeling unengaged with the story. The character development was minimal, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters on an emotional level. Additionally, the animation quality was subpar compared to the previous works in the Little Witch Academia series. Overall, I was left wanting more from this installment and felt let down by the lackluster execution.
2. Sarah - 3 stars
While I enjoyed the previous Little Witch Academia works, I found "Chronocle" to be underwhelming. The storyline seemed rushed and convoluted, making it difficult to follow and comprehend. The pacing felt off, with significant jumps in time that were not adequately explained. Furthermore, the introduction of new characters felt forced, as they did not receive enough development to make them memorable. Overall, "Chronocle" lacked the charm and cohesiveness that made the previous works enjoyable for me.
3. Alex - 2.5 stars
Having been a fan of the Little Witch Academia series, I was disappointed with "Chronocle." The narrative lacked originality, following a predictable formula that failed to offer any surprises or unique twists. The character interactions felt shallow and lacked the depth that made the previous works memorable. The animation quality was also a letdown, with noticeable inconsistencies throughout. Overall, "Chronocle" failed to live up to its potential and left me feeling unsatisfied with the overall experience.
4. Emily - 2 stars
As a fan of the Little Witch Academia franchise, I found "Chronocle" to be a letdown. The plot felt rushed and disjointed, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The character development was lacking, with most characters feeling one-dimensional and uninteresting. Additionally, the animation quality was subpar, lacking the vibrant and captivating visuals that were present in the previous works. Overall, "Chronocle" failed to capture the magic of the Little Witch Academia series, leaving me disappointed and wanting more.
5. Michael - 2.5 stars
"Chronocle" fell short of my expectations as a fan of the Little Witch Academia series. The plot was predictable, lacking any real surprises or twists to keep me engaged. The character development felt rushed and incomplete, with little opportunity for the audience to form a meaningful connection with the new and existing characters. Moreover, the animation quality was disappointing, with noticeable inconsistencies throughout. Overall, "Chronocle" failed to deliver the enchantment and excitement that made me fall in love with the franchise in the first place.