Little Witch Academia is an anime series created by the Japanese animation studio Trigger. The show follows the story of Akko Kagari, a young girl with a dream of becoming a witch, as she attends Luna Nova Magical Academy. Here are some facts about the show: - **Little Witch Academia first started as a short film** created by the director, Yoh Yoshinari, as part of the Young Animator Training Project in 2013. The film gained popularity and was later turned into a full-length anime series. - The series is **known for its bright and colorful animation** that captures the whimsical nature of the magical world. The character designs are also unique and visually appealing.
Andrew: "As I recall, you were preoccupied with some strange magic� The other children thought it was creepy and kept their distance."
This was toned down after the franchise got rebooted starting with the TV series, though it s still present to an extent, particularly prior to her Character Development in the second half. Finding out that her idol is held in low regard by the word of witchcraft, Akko sets out to prove her peers wrong by attempting to become the greatest witch who ever lived.
The character designs are also unique and visually appealing. - One of the **main themes of Little Witch Academia is the importance of believing in oneself** and the idea that anyone can achieve their dreams with hard work and determination. This message resonates with audiences of all ages.
Characters / Little Witch Academia - Diana Cavendish
Luna Nova's top student and a member of the prestigious Cavendish family, Diana is a haughty, cold, stuck-up girl who is out to prove the greatness of witches and has no time for nonsense.
She tends to look down on Akko for her troublemaking tendencies and naïveté, as well as her love of Shiny Chariot, who she claims to be a fraud. Because of this, the two have a complicated relationship, with Akko viewing her as her "rival" (which is mostly one-sided on her part).
Still, in spite of her snobbish attitude, she isn't without her noble qualities and deep down, she does genuinely care about the well-being of her peers, including Akko, who she has more in common with than she would care to admit.
open/close all folders- Academic Alpha Bitch: She is the top student of Luna Nova and an incredibly intelligent and powerful witch from an old and prestigious family. However, she is also an incredibly haughty, unsympathetic, cold and stuck up Jerkass who tends to berate and look down on others for not living up to her standards of a witch (Akko being her most frequent target), on top of frequently putting herself on a pedestal and thinking she knows best due to her background. This was toned down after the franchise got rebooted starting with the TV series, though it�s still present to an extent, particularly prior to her Character Development in the second half.
- Academic Athlete: Given that she is The Ace, this is to be expected. Besides being very intelligent, she is also a very talented broom flyer and her team has beaten Akko's team at volleyball in Keisuke Sato's manga.
- The Ace: An incredibly intelligent and powerful witch capable of spells even witches several times her senior are incapable of. On the flip side, though, this does lead to rash decisions and thinking she knows what's best.
- Adaptational Intelligence: Although Diana was undeniably the top student in the films, the TV series puts much more emphasis on her intellect compared to the films, as she is constantly shown studying in multiple episodes, and knows how to do certain things that even her professors don't (such as knowing ancient dragon). She also isn't as immature and/or reckless as she can sometimes be in the films.
- Adaptational Jerkass:
- While she wasn't exactly the nicest person to begin with in the films, she was still a Jerk with a Heart of Gold who had some redeeming qualities. This is not the case in the Teri Terio manga, however, as the manga strips away most of her redeeming qualities and makes her into an even worse Alpha Bitch than in the films, with her attacking Akko with a Faux Flame spell while laughing at her misfortune, on top of outright telling Akko that there's no hope for her and to go back to her country in chapter 2, something that drives Akko into tears.
- Downplayed in the Keisuke Sato manga. She is mostly in line with how she is portrayed in the TV series pre-Character Development and she still has a heart of gold, but she is a bit more prone to insulting and belittling Akko compared to the TV series.
Andrew: "As I recall, you were preoccupied with some strange magic� The other children thought it was creepy and kept their distance."
- When she is stung by the Lovelove Bee, she confesses to Akko under its influence. As with the other victims of the bee's effects, there might be a grain of truth to her confession.
- She acts like a Tsundere to Akko in "Intellect and Sensibility" during their broom ride and official art from staff members detailing the broom ride shows Diana blushing due to Akko hugging her.
- She doesn't pay mind to Thomas and Frank's slight affection for her, but never states it's because she's supposedly gay as well.
- The reason why she takes studying magic so seriously. She wants to uphold the dignity of the Witch race, especially her own, as she is a pureblood witch who can trace her family back since before the Norman Conquest.
- When push came to shove and at the moment she would adopt the family legacy by performing the ritual during the Venus Eclipse, Diana chooses to save her aunt and cousins instead, missing the opportunity. They might have tried to pilfer the family treasure and impede her from performing the ceremony, but they're her only living family, and the Cavendish family legacy entails helping anyone in need, even enemies.
- To Akko — While the former is a Genki Girl with no prior experience in magic because she is a normal human girl and openly idolizes Shiny Chariot, Diana is a serious young lady who is The Ace in magic and comes from a 1500-year-old family of witches and claims to believe that Shiny Chariot was an insult to all witches. She's actually a Closet Geek of her
- The second season of the TV series even tries to imply both she and Akko are a foil to Croix and Chariot regarding the Shiny Rod. While Croix grew to dislike Chariot for the Shiny Rod choosing her over Croix, Diana, at least at first, was jealous of Akko inheriting it, until she came to the realization it was better off in Akko's hands than hers.
- For someone who is so haughty and comes from a prominent family, Diana doesn't flaunt her status, nor does she join in on teasing and bullying Akko. note At least in the TV series; the film portrays her having no problem talking down to Akko for laughs.
- Diana tries to take responsibility for her mistakes and is frequently shown to be disappointed when she isn't able to tell people who actually achieved "her" accomplishments, i.e. saving the Jennifer Memorial Tree in "Papiliodia". When she can't tell someone the truth, she'll make up for it later on, as seen with her saving Akko from falling in "Don't Stop Me Now" and declaring her debt "repaid".
- If the mirror in "What You Will" is meant to show one's inner desires, then it's implied that Diana wishes she could be more laid-back and open with her emotions. This is outright confirmed in "Yesterday".
- She is undeniably an Academic Alpha Bitch at times and her lectures toward Akko being a reckless and childish idiot who doesn't take magic and her studies seriously can come off as condescending, harsh and cold, but she isn't entirely wrong about the arguments and points she makes. Something that is occasionally acknowledged by the other characters.
- As dismissive as Diana is about Shiny Chariot and Akko's love of her, she is not wrong about her reputation, as Chariot's shows are indeed seen as making a mockery of magic amongst the magical community and Chariot having lost all of her former fame by the present day.
- The Lancer: To Akko during the finale. She's the first one to voice her support of Akko's idea to stop the missile and flies the broom during the battle in the sky. She also takes down the missile together with Akko.
- Lovable Alpha Bitch: She's a Jerkass in the films, but her status as Alpha Bitch seems to be more in Akko's perception of her in the TV series, as her Girl Posse fit the bill better than she herself does. She comes from a long line of master witches. As a result, she is a Perfectionist who acts stuck up, takes pride in being better than the other witches in training, has her own Girl Posse, and acts condescending to those she feels are unworthy of the title with cold disrespect. However, deep inside, she is really caring, wants what's best for the witches, and is a Closet Geek like Akko. When she makes mistakes, she usually owns up to them and tries to take responsibility as opposed to Akko, who shrugs her mistakes off with a simple "It's not my fault". She also has gone out of her way to save Akko twice.
- Love at First Sight: Quite literally and Played for Laughs in the TV series. She is stung by a bee that causes her to fall in love with the first person she sees, and the first thing she sees is Akko, and she immediately falls for her. When Diana is stung a second time, she sees a reflection of herself and falls in love with herself. She goes back to normal once the bee is killed.
- Meaningful Name: "Diana" is derived from an old Indo-European root meaning "heavenly, divine". This Diana comes from a famous family of witches and she is the resident Ace of Luna Nova.
- Mirror Character: She and Akko are actually quite similar, despite initial differences. Both have a "look before they leap" attitude, look up to Shiny Chariot, and attended Luna Nova because it was Shiny Chariot's school. They both also share the same passion and love for magic, though Diana does keep her feelings for it subdued. "Yesterday" goes into more detail. Both had their magic stolen by the Dream Fuel Spirit and realized that their idol is not whom they perceived her to be.
- Mystical White Hair: She has platinum blonde hair and is a witch.
- Narcissist: Parodied when she gets stung by a Lovelove Bee and then looks into a mirror, literally falling in love with her own reflection. Though, as with the other temporary magical infatuations, there's probably a grain of truth to it.
- Not So Above It All:
- As much as she tends to berate Akko for being reckless and immature, there are occasions where she can be a bit reckless and/or immature herself. Case in point, her actions in the first short film, where she recklessly unleashes a dragon by accident.
- While she tends to uphold the rules as much as possible and tends to call out others for causing trouble, she can be a bit of a troublemaker herself on occasion, as one of the bonus chapters of the Keisuke Satō manga has her get into trouble by Finnelan alongside Akko and co after she participated in a race against them for a special dessert menu and teams up with Amanda to steal a prototype of the shooting star in Chamber of Time.
- When she tries to guilt trip the faerie workers to accepting their current standards of living and Akko calls her out as a condescending aristocrat who can't relate with others just struggling to get by, she's seen shaking in anger. It's one of the few times something Akko says actually gets under Diana's skin and shuts down her lecturing.
- After she's had a little heart-to-heart with Akko about the Cavendish legacy and her own dreams, teary-eyed Akko grabs Diana's hand and tells her just how much she believes in Diana, while invading her personal space and while Diana looks very taken aback and unsure how to react to Akko's sudden encouragement.
- Akko sees her as this. On top of being extremely talented, Diana is also the heiress to an old noble family. Diana herself mostly sees Akko as an Unknown Rival.
- In the first film, she gets upset with Hannah and Barbara for being afraid in the dungeon, saying that because they are witches, they should be the ones instilling fear instead.
- This is the reason why she's so against the Witch Parade in both the traditional form and in Akko's "Happy Time Project". On one hand, they're upholding a tradition that's done nothing but demean witches for centuries. On the other hand, going all out on special effects and making witches marketable seems like they're putting on the equivalent to a minstrel show for muggle entertainment.
- She gives a light one to Ursula/Chariot after she finds out that the latter left Akko's side when Akko needed her most.
- She tends to constantly give these to Akko due to her lack of talent, her common disregard for traditions and rules, her idolization of Shiny Chariot and her often naive and immature behavior. She stops this in the TV Series by the 2nd cour however as she becomes friends with her.
- She gets to be on the receiving end of one by Akko after she attempted to stop the strike by guilt tripping them in "New Age Magic", as the latter chastises the former for being a cold aristocrat who looks down on others and who is absolutely blind to the real suffering of others and that she'll never know what it's like because of her receiving privileges and good fortune for much of her life. Notably, the latter actually manages to get under the former's skin and shatter her normal demeanor.
- She�s this amongst her team in the TV series (not so much in the films). While she is stuck up, aloof and cold and can be an Jerkass at times, she�s the only member of her team to not bully and mock Akko and co like her teammates tend to do.
- To her family as well. While her aunt and cousins are willing to forgo tradition for their own selfish reasons and are quite snobbish, Diana is the exact opposite in both ways.
- The climax of The Enchanted Parade, when she cheers for them to beat the monster only to shut herself up quickly and blushes about it.
- Her specifically stopping by to tell them that they're still terrible witches, even if they can cast magical spells more powerful than hers. That might be as close to a "well done" as she can manage.
- She refuses to repeat her "Thank You" towards Akko when the latter can't believe she just heard Diana say that.
- She could have left her evil aunt and cousins for dead and become head of her house with no one but Akko being none the wiser, but doesn't hesitate to save them instead.
- A smaller moment happens in "Yesterday". After Diana tells Chariot that she has already figured out her identity, Chariot reveals to her what happened during the magic show where she used Dream Fuel Spirit, a.k.a. the same magic show Diana went to all those years ago which drained her magic . Judging by her shock and distraught expression, Diana clearly has other questions in mind, but refocuses back on Akko and her whereabouts. Even though Diana has every right to ask Chariot about the consequences of that action, she puts Akko above her own curiosity.
Amanda is a delinquent student who is almost as bad at schooling as Akko. Stemming from a disinterest in the witch life, Amanda makes little use of her talents, though occasionally flaunts her expertise on the broom.
- The **main protagonist, Akko Kagari, is a lovable and energetic character** who often finds herself in trouble but never gives up. Despite not having any magical background, she is determined to prove herself and become the best witch she can be. - The **show features a diverse cast of characters**, each with their own unique personalities and abilities. From the studious Lotte to the mischievous Sucy, the characters add depth to the story and create interesting dynamics. - Little Witch Academia **captivates viewers with its magical world-building**. From the Luna Nova Magical Academy to the various magical creatures and spells, the show transports audiences to an enchanting realm full of wonder and excitement. - The series also **incorporates elements of comedy**, often using slapstick humor and visual gags to lighten the mood. This adds to the overall charm and appeal of the show. - Little Witch Academia has **garnered a dedicated fanbase** around the world. The show's positive messages, relatable characters, and captivating animation have made it a popular choice among anime enthusiasts of all ages. - In addition to the anime series, Little Witch Academia has **spawned a manga adaptation, video games, and even a spin-off novel series**. These additional forms of media allow fans to further immerse themselves in the magical world of the show. - **Little Witch Academia has received critical acclaim** for its animation, storytelling, and characters. The show has been praised for its positive representation of female empowerment and the way it subverts traditional anime tropes..
Reviews for "Little Witch Academia and the Power of Imagination"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed by "Little witch academia facts". I found the show to be incredibly boring and repetitive. The plot was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen, but it never did. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this show to anyone looking for an engaging and captivating anime experience.
2. John - 1/5 - "Little witch academia facts" was a complete waste of time for me. The animation style was cute, but that was the only positive aspect of the show. The humor felt forced and was mostly targeted towards a younger audience. The storyline lacked depth and development, making it difficult to become invested in the characters and their struggles. I found myself constantly checking the time, hoping that it would be over soon.
3. Emily - 2/5 - To be honest, I found "Little witch academia facts" to be overrated. The art style was visually appealing, but the story left much to be desired. The pacing was slow, and the plot felt disjointed and episodic. The characters lacked depth, and I struggled to connect with any of them. I was expecting a magical and enchanting world, but instead, I was left feeling unfulfilled and uninspired. It's possible that this show may appeal to a younger audience, but as an adult, I found it to be underwhelming.
4. Mark - 2/5 - "Little witch academia facts" was not what I expected it to be. While the premise seemed interesting, the execution fell flat. The show relied heavily on tropes and cliches, making it feel unoriginal. The attempts at comedy were often cringe-worthy and failed to elicit any laughs from me. I was hoping for a more mature and thought-provoking storyline, but instead, it felt more like a children's show. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend it to others.
The Magical Creatures of Little Witch Academia