Little Witch Academia is an anime series created by Studio Trigger. The show centers around a young witch named Atsuko "Akko" Kagari, who attends Luna Nova Magical Academy. The story follows Akko and her friends as they navigate through their studies, magical adventures, and personal growth. The question of whether Little Witch Academia is good ultimately depends on personal taste. However, there are several aspects of the show that make it appealing to a wide range of viewers. Firstly, the animation and artwork in Little Witch Academia are visually stunning.
Mainly, the best parts of it are the characters. They're vary. Akko, i.e. the main character, is the optimist, Lotte is an average girl with glasses, Sucy, although a good person, is a goth-like character that can be malicious to Akko for the fun of it. and has a thing for mushrooms. And yet, these three are close friends and roommates. In season one's episode, "Sleepy Sucy", while in Sucy's consciousness, in an attempt to wake her up to prevent a catastrophe, Akko learned that Sucy, despite pulling that snake trick over the bridge, on the first day of school, appreciated meeting Akko that day. It's a subtle moment, and one of the show's many.
And before I forget, the English voice-acting, since I prefer English dub, was really good, along with the music, soundtrack, and the rather unique drawing style of Anime characters. But despite all its flaws, it s still a great anime series full with likable characters, good writing and humor, and amazing animation, it may not be one of the best anime ever made, but is still a show I highly recommend.
Firstly, the animation and artwork in Little Witch Academia are visually stunning. Studio Trigger is well-known for its high-quality animation, and they deliver on that front with this series. The character designs are unique and appealing, and the magical elements are brought to life in a vibrant and captivating way.
Little Witch Academia: A Good Trigger anime?
Trigger isn’t a studio I’ve had much experience with. The only Trigger anime I’ve reviewed was the rubbish Kill La Kill. Some people also count Gurren Lagann as a Trigger anime since the studio was founded off of its success. And I did think that one was decent enough, but I don’t think it’s nearly as good as a lot of people do. Little Witch Academia started as a short anime film in 2013. That spawned manga, games and, in 2017, a full length anime series. Which is what I’m looking at today.
Story:
Akko has been fascinated with magic since she was a child and watched a performance by the witch, Shiny Chariot. As such she decides to attend a magic school for witches. Clearly this was inspired by the literary classic, The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy. Something goes wrong while riding the Leyline to the school and she ends up in the forbidden forest with two other young witches, Lotte and Sucy. This results in her finding Chariot’s old wand, the Shiny Rod and embarking on a quest to awaken its seven words and gain control of ancient magic.
My biggest issue with this anime is that the ending bit goes over the top in a way that’s kind of stupid. To an extent, I do get it. They’re trying to create a situation that will allow our heroines to demonstrate that magic is still useful. The issue is that it’s really rushed and the climax is overly bombastic. Which tends to be an issue I have with every Trigger anime I’ve seen. The antagonist is also overly obvious. Like, to the point where the main cast comes across as stupid for not noticing she’s up to something.
With that said, I really enjoy watching all the slice of life shenanigans the characters get into. There are a lot of funny, endearing moments for them. I also do credit the series with foreshadowing things really well. Honestly, my favourite episodes are the goofier, more episodic ones that are just fun slice of life. Just because I do think this series does have a strong comedic sense and the more story-driven episodes, while not exactly serious for the most part, are less funny.
Characters:
I’m a bit mixed on the characters. Some of them are a slight step above archetypes like Jasminka, Constanze, Hannah or Barbara. Others are kind of interesting and have some complexity. To be fair, this is largely a more comedic series and it doesn’t need the most complex cast. And the characters are pretty endearing. Although I am a bit mixed on Akko. There are times I kind of love her and times where she just acts so overtly stupid I find it grating. And I do enjoy the character dynamics. I think they’re a lot of fun.
Art:
I rather like the artwork. I think the magic casting is really good looking. I like the character designs. The backgrounds and magical creatures all look good. I think the biggest issue that crops up is that some of the expressions and comedic art moments are really over exaggerated.
Sound:
There are a lot of talented actresses. Han Megumi, Murase Michiyo, Hikasa Yoko, Orikasa Fumiko, Hidaka Noriko, Shida Arisa & Takeuchi Junko are all great in their roles. And there’s not anyone who does badly. About the worst you get are some minor roles that are voiced decently but don’t get enough screen time to have any complexity behind them. Oshima Michiru’s music is really good. As to be expected from the composer from So Ra No Wo To and Fullmetal Alchemist.
Ho-yay:
There’s a bit. There are moments when Akko seems to view Diana as more than a rival or where she has a moment with Sucy. Croix also comes across as romantically interested in Chariot.
Areas of Improvement:
- More episode consistency. Here’s the thing, a big part of why the climax feels rushed is that a good portion of the series is more episodic shenanigans with very mild set up. If the story unfolded more consistently, or if the series was a straight up comedy the whole thing would just be more consistently strong.
- If you must have a big climactic battle, exercise some restraint and flesh the whole thing out better. You don’t need your climax to hurriedly ramp things from a two to a fifteen and resolve very abruptly.
- Show some subtlety with your villains. I know that isn’t one of Trigger’s strengths, but damn. At least have your main protagonists notice that the person who’s obviously up to something that isn’t cricket is up to something.
Final Thoughts:
In spite of my criticisms about this series, I did actually enjoy it more than I have any other Trigger anime I’ve seen. I liked the character dynamics. I found a lot of the characters quite endearing, especially Sucy. I liked the comedy. I’m going to give it a solid 8/10.
Secondly, the storytelling in Little Witch Academia is both fun and heartwarming. The show balances light-hearted comedic moments with more serious and emotional story arcs. It explores themes of friendship, personal growth, and the pursuit of dreams. These themes resonate with viewers of all ages and can be inspiring for young viewers. Additionally, the characters in Little Witch Academia are well-developed and likable. Akko is a relatable protagonist who is determined and passionate about her dreams. Her friendships with Lotte and Sucy are also well-explored, and their dynamic adds depth to the show. The supporting characters, such as Diana and Professor Ursula, also have their own arcs and contribute to the overall narrative. However, like any show, Little Witch Academia has its flaws. Some viewers may find the pacing to be slow or the episodes to be formulaic. Others may feel that certain characters or storylines are underdeveloped. Additionally, the show may not appeal to those who are not fans of the magical girl genre or prefer more action-oriented plots. Overall, Little Witch Academia is a well-crafted and enjoyable anime series. Its stunning animation, engaging storytelling, and lovable characters make it worth a watch. Whether it is considered "good" or not ultimately comes down to personal taste, but it undeniably has its merits and has gained a dedicated fanbase..
Reviews for "Is Little Witch Academia the Best Anime of its Genre?"
1. Lily - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with Little Wotch Academia. I had heard so many good things about it, but it just didn't live up to the hype for me. The plot felt overly complex and confusing, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The animation was beautiful, but that wasn't enough to salvage the overall experience. I ended up feeling bored and frustrated by the end. Overall, I wouldn't recommend Little Wotch Academia to others.
2. Mark - 1/5 - Little Wotch Academia was a complete waste of time for me. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional and unoriginal. I couldn't find anything redeeming about the show, and I regret watching it. It felt like a cheap knock-off of other popular anime series. I would advise others to steer clear of Little Wotch Academia if they're looking for a captivating and well-developed story.
3. Emma - 2.5/5 - While Little Wotch Academia had some interesting elements, it failed to keep my attention throughout the series. The pacing was off, with too much focus on mundane daily activities that didn't contribute much to the overall plot. The character development also felt lacking, and I struggled to see any growth or depth in their personalities. Additionally, the humor didn't resonate with me and often fell flat. Overall, Little Wotch Academia didn't leave a lasting impression, and I wouldn't prioritize it on my watchlist.