Witch manga refers to the genre of manga, or Japanese comic books and graphic novels, that revolves around witches as central characters or as the main focus of the story. These manga typically feature magical elements, fantasy settings, and themes of adventure, often targeting a teenage or young adult audience. In witch manga, witches are portrayed as powerful beings with the ability to use magic. They are often depicted as having a distinctive appearance, with long robes, pointed hats, and broomsticks. However, the portrayal of witches in manga can vary greatly depending on the specific series or artist's interpretation. Witch manga often explores the themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil.

10 of the Best Witch Manga to Read This Witchy Season (or Anytime!)

Patricia Thang is an educator located in Los Angeles. Though a native Angeleno through and through, her heart also belongs to Tokyo, where much of her family is from. Besides books, she is an enthusiastic devourer of many things, including podcasts, television, and J-pop. She realizes there’s not enough time in the world to consume all of that content, but she’s trying anyway. Other endeavors to which she has dedicated herself include cuddling her dogs until they’re annoyed and taste-testing every vegan ice cream she can find. Twitter: @aintnopthang

The air is getting cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and pumpkins are starting to pop up all around town. Which means it’s my favorite — and the most magical — time of year! With fall in full swing and Halloween just around the corner, ‘tis the season for witchy reads! And what better witchy reads than some of the best witch manga you can get your hands on right this very moment?

In Japanese popular culture, and in manga and anime especially, witchcraft is very (if not most) commonly featured in works of the magical girl genre. Needless to say, this means we’re picturing more of a Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service as opposed to the warty, green crones a la the creepy Halloween decorations I saw around the neighborhood as a little kid. Which is all the more reason for you to continue enjoying these witch manga picks year-round instead of limiting them to everyone’s favorite October holiday.

While young witches coming of age is certainly a huge theme, the best witch manga also include witches as antagonists, mysterious wish-granters, beings with no magic at all, and more. There’s a little something for everyone, whether you want something gentle and cozy, dark and action-packed, or something in between.

Witch manga often explores the themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil. The main character, usually a young girl, may discover her magical abilities and embark on a journey to learn how to control them and use them for the greater good. Along the way, she may encounter various challenges and face off against supernatural creatures, rival witches, or dark forces.

Best Witch Manga

Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama

Coco wants nothing more than to be a witch. Unfortunately for her, only those who are born with the ability to use magic can be witches, and Coco was not born with that ability. As Coco is about to accept her fate and give up on her dream, she meets the mysterious Qifrey, a traveling magician who practices rune magic. Unlike any other type of magic she ever knew about before, Coco discovers that there may be a chance for her to achieve her dream after all.

Little Witch Academia by Keisuke Sato

Similar to Witch Hat Atelier, Little Witch Academia is also a series about a non-magical young girl pursuing her magical dreams. Atsuko “Akko” Kagari has dreamed of becoming a witch ever since she was 6, when she went to see a show by the witch Shiny Chariot. Now, she has been accepted to Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy, the alma mater of Shiny Chariot herself! Can Akko live up to her idol and make her dreams reality? Little Witch Academia is based on the popular anime series created by Yoh Yoshinari and produced by the animation studio Trigger.

Flying Witch by Chihiro Ishizuka

Fifteen-year-old Makoto Kowata, a witch in training, leaves her home in the big city of Yokohama to live with relatives in a rural town in Aomori Prefecture. This gentle slice-of-life series follows Makoto not only as she continues her witch training, but also as she grows accustomed to her new home. Complete with a lovable black cat familiar, this series is a great pick for those looking for a Kiki’s Delivery Service read alike.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica by Hanokage

Adapted from the critically acclaimed anime series created by Magica Quartet and produced by the animation studio Shaft, Puella Magi Madoka Magica follows middle schooler Madoka Kaname as she learns of the world of magical girls. After having a mysterious dream, Madoka and her friend are approached by a strange cat-like creature named Kyubey, who offers to grant the girls a wish if they agree to become magical girls and fight against witches. With dark and complex themes that contrast starkly with the series’ cute design and subvert the typical expectations of the magical girl genre, I’d recommend this manga (and the original anime) to readers looking for something a little more unexpected.

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xxxHOLiC by CLAMP

High schooler Kimihiro Watanuki, haunted by his ability to see ayakashi spirits, stumbles upon a wish-granting shop run by the witch Yūko Ichihara. Yūko agrees to grant Watanuki’s wish to be rid of his ghostly visions, but only on the condition that he pay her in the form of labor. While the work he does for her starts out as typical household chores, Watanuki eventually gets sent on more and more errands involving the spirit world. This modern classic is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and the supernatural.

The Witch and the Beast by Kousuke Satake

Whenever a witch-related incident occurs, the mysterious duo of Ashaf and Guideau are close behind. Ashaf is a quiet man who carries a coffin and travels with crows, and Guideau is a fierce woman with fangs and beast eyes. The two work for The Order of Magical Resonance, tracking the disastrous events that happen around town and going after the evil witches responsible for causing them. If you’re looking for something badass and action-packed, this is the pick for you!

Burn the Witch by Tite Kubo

Tite Kubo is best known as the creator of the manga Bleach, and Burn the Witch is a story that takes place in the same universe. Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole are two witches who work for the Western Branch of Soul Society, at the Natural Dragon Management Agency in Reverse London. It is their job to keep the dragon population under control so that they don’t run rampant and bring harm to people.

5 Seconds Before a Witch Falls in Love by Zeniko Sumiya

This manga is actually a mini collection containing two interconnected stories, as well as an additional one shot. The interconnected stories that give the collection its title follow a witch named Meg and a witch hunter named Lilith who are sworn nemeses but also attracted to each other (though they wouldn’t admit it). Meg finds herself in a position where she must save her enemy after an altercation results in Meg turning Lilith into a cat, and sparks fly between the characters. Fun fact: the title of this manga is a play on the title of a famous Japanese pop song of the ’90s, which you can enjoy here!

Witchcraft Works by Ryu Mizunagi

Ayaka Kagari is gorgeous, tall, and intelligent, the idol of her high school. Honoka Takamiya is a supremely average student who sits just one desk over. The two have never really talked, but one day after classes, Honoka is attacked suddenly by a group known as the Tower Witches. And who saves him but none other than Ayaka, who reveals herself to be another type of witch who has been protecting Honoka for quite some time.

Shoulder-a-Coffin Kuro by Satoko Kiyuduki

Kuro is a mysterious traveler who carries a coffin on her back and is accompanied by shapeshifting twin girls and a snarky bat. Kuro is on a journey in search of the witch who cursed her, and over the course of her expedition and encounters with various strangers, more and more is revealed about her background and how she came to be on this journey in the first place. In a unique approach to a dark fantasy adventure story, this manga is written in the yonkoma format, which is typically much more common for the comedy or slice-of-life genres. What results is a beautiful fairy tale that is all at once gentle, humorous, atmospheric, and thoughtful.

For more manga recommendations, check out our list of excellent supernatural manga, as well as our list of the best manga overall.

And for even more witchy reads, we’ve got you more than covered!

• Comics about Witches and Other Dark Magical Creatures
• New Witchy YA Books
• Witchy Books Full of Trans and Nonbinary Magic
• The Best Witch Mystery Books
• 100 Must-Read Books about Witches

Witches Take Center Stage in These Manga for Tweens and Teens

In these seven manga works for grades five and up, affable characters cast gentle spells.

Witches and magic are perennially popular topics for all readers, young and old, and Japanese readers are no exception: There are many, many manga series that put witches front and center.

Manga witches often appear to be directly lifted from American and European images. They wear pointed hats and black gowns, ride broomsticks, and often have a familiar—either a cat or another creature. Beyond that, there’s a lot of variation. Some live in the quasi-medieval worlds familiar to fantasy readers and RPG fans. Others live in the modern world and use their powers to make life easier. Many witch manga, such as “Wandering Witch” and “A Witch’s Printing Office,” are episodic, with stories that last for just a chapter or two: A problem occurs, the witch solves it, and everyone moves on. Others, such as “Witch Hat Atelier,” build up a lengthy, detailed story over many volumes.

In these seven manga, the witches are good witches who want to use their magic to help others, whether by making office life run more smoothly, or by slaying dangerous dragons. Some think deeply about the ethics of what they are doing; others simply enjoy looking down at the world from a broomstick. And all are a lot of fun to read about.

Yoshinari, Yoh. “Little Witch Academia.” Illus. by Keisuke Sato. JY (Yen Press). 2018–19.
Gr 5 Up–Akko, a student at Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy, has freewheeling adventures with friends and classmates. Akko has always dreamed of following in the footsteps of her idol, a witch named Chariot. But her sparkly-eyed enthusiasm and lack of magical ability mean she gets off to a rocky start. She earns the respect of classmates through escapades that involve a lot of flying and spell casting. The series is adapted from the anime of the same name (on Netflix), and while there’s plenty of action, it can feel like story bits are missing. That’s unlikely to bother the target audience. Cute characters and a magical-school setting will make this three-volume series a hit with fans of magical-girl manga.

Mochida, Maka. “Daily Report About My Witch Senpai.” Illus. by author. Seven Seas. 2022–23.
Gr 7 Up–This charming, wholesome office romance has some serious points to make beneath its comedic storyline. Misono, an ordinary human guy, and Shizuka, a witch, are coworkers. Shizuka is Misono’s senpai, so she has more seniority than him, but he feels protective toward her because she goes all out to be a good coworker, sometimes stressing herself. Misono has a crush on Shizuka, but in the course of the first volume, must contend with her overly protective brother and a selfish former boyfriend. Fortunately, her pet lizard seems to approve. What sets this book apart from the average romance manga is the characters’ self-awareness and frankness about their situations. Shizuka’s manipulative old boyfriend, Hiwatari, encouraged her not to hide her magical abilities. When he reappears and tries to get her back, Shizuka has to find her voice to tell him how she really feels. Misono, on the other hand, is caring and thoughtful and reminds Shizuka to take care of herself and not try so hard to please others. The characters are adults, but are drawn in a simple, rounded style with strong facial expressions. Cute details like how Shizuka uses her powers to make her tea and iron her clothes make this a fun read. The series is ongoing, with two volumes currently available in English.

Kubo, Tite. Burn the Witch. Illus. by author. Viz. 2021.
Gr 8 Up–Tite Kubo, the creator of Bleach, shows off his cartooning and character design skills in this manga about two witches who chase dragons. The story is set in Reverse London, an alternate London where dragons are a part of daily life. Some are useful to humans, but others are dangerous and must be exterminated. Two witches, Noel and Ninny, fly around in tartan uniforms and wrangle dragons as needed. They also end up wrangling some humans, who are forbidden from having contact with dragons. When Noel’s admirer, Balgo, along with Ninny’s bandmate, Macy, get mixed up with them, the witches run interference. Kubo’s art focuses on movement and action—mainly witches flying around and fighting the dragons; there’s a cute dog in the mix as well. But the plot isn’t always easy to follow. The manga is currently just one volume, though a second was announced in Japan, and it has been adapted into anime.

Mochinchi. “A Witch’s Printing Office.” Illus. by Yasuhiro Miyama. Yen Pr. 2019–22.
Gr 8 Up–This fun, complex story is best suited to older, more experienced manga readers for several reasons, the most important of which is that it’s deeply rooted in otaku (serious manga fan) culture. Mika, the lead character, was on her way to Comiket, the massive fan-comic convention in Tokyo, when she was whisked away to a fantasy world filled with witches, dragons, other magical creatures, and a quirky group of humans. Mika has one magic power, the ability to replicate written materials, and she decides to hold a magic fair, Magiket, in hopes that someone there will have the spell she needs to return home. In between fairs, she runs a printing business with a motley crew of loyal companions. Much humor refers to manga culture, particularly the controlled chaos of Comiket (familiar to anyone who has attended a comics convention) and the obsessiveness of the true amateur. The art is detailed, with complicated page compositions, which can make it hard to follow for those new to the medium. Also, there are several provocatively drawn, scantily clad women who are either cast members or show up unexpectedly. The creators provide information about the spells and characters in text boxes, and the translator’s notes explain references to Japanese culture. The series is complete in six volumes.

Shirahama, Kamome. “Witch Hat Atelier.” Illus. by author. Kodansha. 2019–23.
Gr 8 Up–This starts out as a magical-school story: Coco, a girl dabbling in magic, accidentally turns her mother to stone. To reverse the spell, she must train as a wizard’s apprentice, along with three other girls. Their teacher, Qifrey, is a solid and reassuring presence, but it’s clear from the start that there is more going on here than meets the eye. Anyone can cast spells, but the witches keep that a secret, allowing magic to be practiced only within a small group who use it ethically. In the past, widespread use of magic led to wars and abominations, so many forms of magic are forbidden, including any that change a person’s body, even to heal them. The Brimmed Hats, rebellious witches who use forbidden magic, try to entice Coco to their side. Shirahama fills the story with thought-out details, from the way the magic works to the history of the witches. The art is detailed without being fussy, with every line contributing to the sense of flow; Shirahama seems to delight in drawing elaborate pleated garments and billowing fabrics. The gorgeous, detailed art includes two decorative images of nude women in borders but no anatomical detail. The series, which won Eisner and Harvey Awards, is ongoing; Kodansha will publish Volume 11 in September 2023. A spin-off, “Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen,” launches this month, and an anime adaptation is in the works.

Shiraishi, Jougi. “Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina.” Illus. by Itsuki Nanao. Square Enix. 2020–23.
Gr 8 Up–Elaina is a newly minted witch who has chosen to travel through the world in this episodic series. Each of the first three volumes includes several complete stories. While the artwork is light and quite lovely, some of the stories are dark, with a whiff of the Brothers Grimm: Elaina helps a young boy show an enslaved woman happiness, and she ends up stabbing herself; in another story, a princess wreaks bloody revenge on her father, who killed her lover and her unborn child; in a third, a child keeps her murdered sister in her house, refusing to believe she is dead. That said, the stories are well told, no more violent than many shonen manga, and often provide food for thought. As she travels, Elaina tries to maintain a neutral stance toward people she meets, and while she usually gets drawn into whatever drama is going on, she knows she will eventually leave. The manga is adapted from a series of light novels (published by Yen Press) that have also been made into an anime (available on Crunchyroll). The manga is ongoing; Square Enix published Volume 4 in June 2023.

Ishizuka, Chihiro. “Flying Witch.” Illus by author. Vertical Comics. 2017–23.
Gr 9 Up–Makoto, a 15-year-old witch, moves from her Yokohama home to stay with cousins in the countryside as she continues training to become a full-fledged witch. This is mainly a slice-of-life story centering Makoto, her cousins Kei and Chinatsu, and Kei’s friend, Nao, but the cast expands as the story goes on. Chinatsu, much younger than Makoto, decides she wants to be a witch, too, so Makoto begins to train her. This is a laid-back, immersive story with gentle humor and likable characters. Ishizuka’s simple art with minimal backgrounds makes the plot easy to decode visually. Volume 7 has a scene in a public bath where characters are shown nude but without any details. The manga is ongoing, with 12 volumes out in English so far, and it has been adapted into an anime.

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Some popular examples of witch manga include "Little Witch Academia" by Yoh Yoshinari, which follows the story of a young girl attending a school for witches, "Mahou Tsukai no Yome" by Kore Yamazaki, which tells the tale of a girl who becomes the apprentice of a powerful sorcerer, and "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" by Magica Quartet, which combines elements of dark fantasy and magical girl genres. Witch manga has gained popularity not only in Japan but also internationally. Its unique blend of magic, adventure, and coming-of-age themes appeals to readers of different ages and backgrounds. The vibrant artwork, compelling characters, and immersive storytelling make witch manga a captivating genre that continues to attract fans worldwide..

Reviews for "The Role of Friendship and Bonds in Witch Manga"

1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Witch manga" to be incredibly disappointing. The story was extremely predictable, and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. I was hoping for a unique and intriguing take on witches, but instead got a generic and clichéd plotline. The artwork was decent, but it wasn't enough to redeem the lackluster story. Overall, I wouldn't recommend "Witch manga" to anyone looking for a captivating and original manga experience.

2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "Witch manga" had its moments, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed by it. The pacing was all over the place, with some chapters dragging on and others rushing through important plot points. Additionally, the character development felt lacking, and I struggled to connect with any of the protagonists. The art style was aesthetically pleasing, but it couldn't save "Witch manga" from its flaws. It had potential, but ultimately fell short of my expectations.

3. Mike - 2/5 stars - I regret picking up "Witch manga" as it turned out to be a major letdown. The narrative was convoluted and seemed to lack direction, making it difficult to follow and invest in the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making the characters seem more like caricatures than real individuals. The illustrations were the only redeeming aspect, with visually appealing scenes and creative designs. Unfortunately, the weak storytelling made this manga an unenjoyable experience.

The Role of Magical Artefacts in Witch Manga