In the anime series "Little Witch Academia," unions play a significant role in the magical school setting. These unions are groups formed by magic users with similar interests or goals. They provide a sense of belonging and support within the school, allowing students to explore their magical abilities and learn from one another. While unions can bring many benefits, they also present their own set of challenges. One of the main benefits of unions is the opportunity for students to collaborate and share knowledge. By joining a union, students can connect with others who have similar magical abilities or interests, allowing them to exchange tips, tricks, and techniques.
By joining a union, students can connect with others who have similar magical abilities or interests, allowing them to exchange tips, tricks, and techniques. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and growth, as students can learn from one another's experiences and develop their own skills. Unions also provide emotional support and camaraderie among students.
Rolling Review – Little Witch Academia (14)
Episode Synopsis: Professor Ursula has, at last, decided to tell Akko the whole truth about the Words of Arcturus. Before she can, though, the faerie maintenance staff unionize and go on strike, demanding a greater share of the Sorcerer’s Stone’s limited magical energy, from which they draw their life force. With tensions rising on both sides, the new professor of modern magic, Croix, arrives with a solution – the Sorcery Solution System! By using the SSS to store magical energy from the Stone at off-peak hours, there’s enough magic for both sides to get what they want, and both sides end up embracing it. But there’s something sinister about Croix, and this system may not be as benign as it first appears. She also uses a variety of nefarious and dangerous methods to manipulate Akko into idolizing her. With Ursula’s shocked recognition of Croix, the stage is set for a battle over the future of magic, with the hapless Akko at the center of it.
Episode Review: First off, I don’t want to say that I totally called it…
…but I totally called it. I think my exact words were that the maintenance guys “give off a “seen it all” union vibe.” Perhaps the most surprising thing is that they actually weren’t unionized until this episode. As amusing as this magical strike is, it also gives us a lot more insight into how Luna Nova works – there’s a limited amount of magical energy available per day, and some of it goes to the maintenance staff; it’s literally their life force. This also explains why the maintenance staff exists at all – magic isn’t infinite, so the witches can’t just do everything with a spell and hope to have enough juice to make it through the day.
Akko, brash as ever, wakes up to find there’s no breakfast, hot water, or heat in school, and immediately rushes off to solve the problem by confronting the union. But because she has a good heart and an open mind, she rapidly ends up taking the union’s side – it’s hard to argue with “we need magic to live”, although somehow Akko is literally the only witch at the entire academy to find this compelling. She becomes the union’s human spokesperson, as faeries don’t speak human language, and translators – Lotte, in this case – are generally required.
I think she’s found her true calling
This leads to some amusing moments, especially as the witch administration realizes they can’t force their way through the problem and sit down to negotiations.
I love the super-serious newspaperwoman in the back there
Never change, headmistress.
Although, speaking of the headmistress and her laissez-faire attitude towards running the school, it seems odd that none of the school’s leaders are concerned with the larger problems they face. Sure, they’ll deal with immediate problems like the strike, but they don’t seem to grasp the big picture – even when it’s presented to them with charts and graphs.
I swear, headmistress, I can never tell if you’re playing your own clever game… or just a doddering fool
They’ve complained that magic is declining, that there aren’t as many witches coming (leading to financial trouble), that there isn’t enough magic power being output every day… but no one is trying to figure out why, or how to fix it.
Wow, I wonder if maybe a GLOBAL MAGIC SHORTAGE is a problem we could be looking into
Akko, in reviving the Words of Arcturus, seems on the path to using the Grand Triskelion to revive the power of magic… but she’s just going with the flow and has no idea of what she’s accomplishing. Ursula, who both knows what’s going on and has finally decided to tell Akko, never quite seems able to get a word in.
Shortly after this scene, Ursula was sent off to find a short-term solution to the problem and spent the rest of the episode away from campus
My hopes rest with Diana, as it seems like she’s figured it out and knows what Akko has to do, but Diana and Akko just cannot seem to get along. When Diana tries her own hand at strike-breaking, Akko is ready to oppose her.
Diana and Akko get into quite the heated argument over the plight of the working class, with Diana ultimately retreating, but not before this:
So she knows what Akko has to do. Now they just have to become friends, or at least less antagonistic enemies, so they can work together to solve Magic. I’m rooting for you, girls.
Speaking of reviving magic, let’s meet its chief opponent.
You cut a pretty awesome figure, Croix
Croix shows up with fancy buzzwords, “magitronic” devices, and a snake-oil sales pitch whose primary claim is to violate one of the bedrock laws of the universe.
…no one? No one is going to challenge that? See, this is why we need Muggle Studies.
The general idea is that those floaty cube things will store energy and then release it as needed.
There is, however, a particularly menacing part of the presentation where the Sorcerer’s Stone and the leyline go silent, drained of all magic.
That’s not ominous at all
As usual, though, no one is really paying attention. In fact, the only opposition to this plan at all comes from McGonagall here:
Her opposition isn’t rooted in anything firmer than “I don’t like new-fangled things”, though, and ultimately, she’s overruled.
Well shoot. At least they look happy.
So only one member of the administration is really standing against Croix, but everything else is going her way. The Sorcerer’s Stone is now surrounded by floaty cube things and a whole tower is now devoted to magitronic devices. Akko, who was twice unknowingly put in danger by Crois and twice saved by Croix’s modern magical intervention , now idolizes her. In her own words:
You’re going to make a pretty good villain, Croix. Keep it up
Before I close, though, what episode review could be complete without the latest in the Continuing Adventures of the Toady Twins, shown here bribing a fire spirit to heat up some water:
Do you guys practice those facial expressions, or do they come naturally?
Never truly threatening, always petty and selfish, their antics are always fun to watch. Hey, at least someone at this school took some initiative to work around the strike.
They’ve complained that magic is declining, that there aren’t as many witches coming (leading to financial trouble), that there isn’t enough magic power being output every day… but no one is trying to figure out why, or how to fix it.
Magic training can be challenging and demanding, and having a group of peers who understand and share the same struggles can greatly alleviate the stress. Unions create a sense of unity and community, where members can rely on one another for advice, encouragement, and inspiration. This support system helps students persevere through difficult times and boosts their overall confidence and motivation. However, unions can also lead to divisions and rivalries within the school. Just as they promote collaboration between union members, they can also create competition and animosity between different unions. Each union may have its own unique philosophy or approach to magic, leading to differences in opinions and a desire to prove one's superiority. This competitive atmosphere can hinder the overall unity and cooperation in the school, resulting in tension and conflicts among students. Another challenge posed by unions is the risk of exclusion and inequality. Not all students may have the opportunity or desire to join a union, and those who are not part of one may feel left out or inferior. This can create a sense of division among the student body, where those in unions are perceived as more powerful or talented than those who are not. It is important for the school to foster an inclusive environment that values the unique abilities and contributions of all students, regardless of their union affiliation. In conclusion, unions in "Little Witch Academia" are an integral part of the magical school setting. They offer students the benefits of collaboration, support, and a sense of belonging. However, unions also bring challenges such as competition, division, and exclusion. By promoting unity, understanding, and inclusivity, the school can harness the positive aspects of unions while mitigating their potential negative impacts..
Reviews for "Little Witch Academia Unions: Unleashing the Magic of Teamwork"
1. Emily - 2/5:
I was really disappointed with "Little Witch Academia: Unions". As a fan of the series, I had high hopes for this game, but it fell flat for me. The gameplay was repetitive and lacked depth, and the story felt unoriginal and predictable. The graphics were also underwhelming, and it felt like a missed opportunity to bring the magical world of Little Witch Academia to life. Overall, I found "Little Witch Academia: Unions" to be a lackluster and forgettable gaming experience.
2. Michael - 1/5:
"Little Witch Academia: Unions" was a major letdown for me. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making the gameplay frustrating and difficult to enjoy. The voice acting was subpar, and the dialogue was cheesy and cringeworthy. Additionally, the game felt rushed and unfinished, with numerous glitches and bugs that hindered the overall experience. I was hoping for a fun and engaging game, but "Little Witch Academia: Unions" fell far short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2/5:
I had mixed feelings about "Little Witch Academia: Unions". While I appreciated the attempt to expand the lore and universe of the series, the execution was lackluster. The gameplay felt repetitive and lacked variety, and the character development was shallow. The graphics were mediocre, and the overall presentation of the game left much to be desired. I was hoping for a more immersive and engaging experience, but unfortunately, "Little Witch Academia: Unions" failed to deliver.