The witch next door was a mysterious and fascinating figure in our neighborhood. She lived in a small cottage tucked away at the end of the street, surrounded by a lush garden full of strange and exotic plants. The locals often whispered about her, speculating on what she did behind closed doors. Some believed she practiced dark magic, while others thought she was simply eccentric. Children would dare each other to approach her house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her brewing potions or casting spells. However, most of us were too afraid to venture too close.
So to round us out, the question must be asked; what was Magical Destroyers actually trying to do, if anything? Be a real rallying point for otaku counterculture? Establish a lasting multimedia series that would persist well after the anime itself is over? Just simply be a good action anime with more highs than lows? It accomplishes none of this. Which is a shame, because there’s some real love in this thing if you know where to look. Certain individual animators and episode directors clearly cared a lot about the show’s visual angle, and most of the voice talent turn in good to great performances, especially Ai Fairouz, who, when she gets the chance to truly chew scenery as Anarchy, is just as unstoppable here as she was as Power in Chainsaw Man last year. Unsurprisingly, this combined with the fact that Anarchy is actually decently-written makes her the show’s best character by far. Looking back on the first two episodes I’m left to wonder if the show wouldn’t be more coherent if they focused on her a little more. It’s hard to go wrong with such a delightful little firecracker.
But again, any time the show has to get more specific than people should be able to do what they want, it backs off, and this kneecaps everything about the series, top to bottom. Because I do think that much of what little criticism of Magical Destroyers there has been has been misaimed, in that it assumes that this is an idea that could never create a good or even great TV show.
However, most of us were too afraid to venture too close. Instead, we would steal glances from our windows, watching as she tended to her garden, using herbs and plants that were unfamiliar to us. There was an air of mystery and intrigue that surrounded her, making her all the more intriguing.
Antagonists
- Big Bad: The leader of the SSC.
- Can't Take Criticism: The reason he targets otaku and their culture is because he was harshly criticized for the game he attempted to release.
- The Corrupter: He pulled it on almost all of Japan, turning most of the population against Otaku culture. Most notably, he did the same on Magical Girl Slayer and Unit-@ of the Shitennou. By the end of the series, the other Magical Girls are on his side against the otaku.
- Evil Is Petty: The source of his frustrations is his time as a game developer. At one point, he made mediocre games that were constantly mocked by otaku on imageboards, and coupled with harsh words pointed towards himself and the opportunity to create the game of his dreams from Origin, he becomes SHOBON and makes a world where Otaku are persecuted, lose their war, and can do nothing else.
- Invincible Villain: His forces may be pushed back, but he'll never truly lose. With Origin at his side, he can take the Magical Girls we've come to love and make them slaughter machines, and get the ending where he wins over otaku.
- Meaningful Name: "Shobon" is one name for the kaomoji that appears on his TV, representing a person becoming dejected; the phrase itself is onomatopoeia for the disappointment settling in. The fact that this emoticon originated from 2channel, a known otaku hangout, also plays on SHOBON's dejection after repeatedly witnessing otaku forumgoers tear into his games.
- Non-Human Head: His head is a CRT TV.
- Title Drop: At the end of Episode 11:
Congratulations. You have now been born as magical girls. Magical Destroyers.
Origin (unmarked spoilers)
- Dreary Half-Lidded Eyes: Origin, from concept to show, is always depicted with a half-lidded look of disinterest. She claims she's bored and only kickstarts the plot because she thought she could wring some amusement out of SHOBON, but even then she's not happy. The one time she smiles is when the second Otaku Hero and his crew get SHOBON to start frothing at the mouth for derailing his script .
- God Is Neutral: While she's currently on the side of SHOBON, she had only given him powers because she wanted to be entertained by the type of story he'd make. She otherwise stays out of things, or at least does in her true form rather than Kyotaro. In the end, she doesn't help SHOBON regain control of his narrative, finding the Otaku resistance far more entertaining.
Despite the rumors and fears, the witch next door never caused any harm to our neighborhood. In fact, she often helped those in need. Many sought her out for herbal remedies and advice on various ailments. She had an extensive knowledge of plants and their healing properties, and it seemed that she genuinely cared about our well-being. One day, curiosity got the better of me, and I mustered up the courage to knock on her door. To my surprise, she greeted me with a warm smile and welcomed me into her home. The interior was just as enchanting as the exterior, with shelves filled with ancient books and jars containing various ingredients. Over a cup of herbal tea, she shared stories and wisdom accumulated over years of studying and practicing her craft. She debunked some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding witches, explaining that she was simply a lover of nature and a follower of ancient traditions. As I got to know the witch next door, I realized that she was not the dark and sinister figure that had been portrayed by the neighborhood gossip. Instead, she was an empathetic and kind-hearted woman with a deep connection to the natural world. Her knowledge and understanding of plants and their powers were awe-inspiring. From that day forward, I no longer judged her based on rumors and hearsay. Instead, I appreciated the beauty and richness she brought to our community. The witch next door became a beloved neighbor, someone we could turn to for help and guidance. In the end, the witch next door taught us an important lesson about embracing our differences and not judging others based on appearances. She showed us that true power lies in knowledge and compassion, and that sometimes what may seem strange or unfamiliar can hold great wisdom. The witch next door will always be a cherished and unforgettable character in our neighborhood's history..
Reviews for "The Witch Next Door: Cultivating Magic and Rituals"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The Witch Next Door" to be incredibly disappointing. The characters lacked depth and development, and the plot was predictable and unoriginal. The story seemed to drag on with no real direction, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the writing style was mediocre at best, with cliched dialogue and awkward descriptions. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "The Witch Next Door" was a complete waste of time. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any kind of complexity or relatability. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the plot was filled with plot holes and inconsistencies. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself struggling to stay interested. I would advise others to steer clear of this book if they're looking for an engaging and well-written story.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witch Next Door," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style felt amateurish and lacked polish. The characters were forgettable, and their actions often felt illogical and out of character. The plot was predictable, and there were no real surprises or twists. The world-building was also minimal, leaving me with many unanswered questions. Overall, this book failed to captivate me, and I would not recommend it to fellow readers.
4. Michael - 1 star - I cannot understand the hype surrounding "The Witch Next Door." The story was riddled with cliches and stereotypes, making it feel unoriginal and uninspired. The dialogue was stilted and lacked authenticity, and the plot was predictable from start to finish. I was constantly waiting for something exciting or unexpected to happen, but it never did. The characters were also frustratingly lacking in depth and complexity. All in all, this book was a major letdown and left me feeling bored and unsatisfied.