Little Witch Academia is a Japanese anime franchise that was conceived as a short film back in 2013. The original short film was created by Studio Trigger and directed by Yoh Yoshinari. It quickly gained popularity among fans and became a fan favorite, leading to the creation of a full-length television series, manga adaptations, and even a video game. The story of Little Witch Academia revolves around a young girl named Akko Kagari, who enrolls in Luna Nova Magical Academy, a prestigious school for witches. Despite not coming from a magical background, Akko is determined to become a witch and follows in the footsteps of her idol, Shiny Chariot. Alongside her friends Lotte and Sucy, Akko embarks on various adventures and magical mishaps throughout her time at the academy.

Anime / Little Witch Academia (2013)

Little Witch Academia is a 2013 half-hour animated short film produced by Studio TRIGGER as part of Japan's "Young Animator Training Project," a government-sponsored program which hopes to train new animators under the guidance of industry masters; in this case, Yoh Yoshinari of Studio Gainax fame. The film is the first installment in the Little Witch Academia franchise.

The short film follows Atsuko "Akko" Kagari, a witch-in-training at Luna Nova, a European Wizarding School. Akko dreams of following in the footsteps of Shiny Chariot, whose flashy stage magic captivated Akko during her youth. But Akko has two major problems standing between her and her dream: Akko doesn't come from a wizard family (she can't even fly a broom properly) and most of the wizarding community thinks of Shiny Chariot as little more than a charlatan, both of which makes her incredibly unpopular and the subject of mockery amongst her teachers and her peers, particuarly by local queen bee, Diana Cavenidish.

One day, when Akko and her friends, the shy and quiet Lotte Jannson and the mischivous potion loving Sucy Manbavaran, are assigned to go on a labyrinthine treasure hunt deep beneath the school, Diana, in a act of pride and recklessness, accidentally unleashes a threat that threatens to take away Luna Nova's magic and destroy the school. Can Akko's faith in Shiny Chariot ultimately save her friends and their magic? Maybe with the help of a special staff that once belonged to her idol, she can.

The film would premiere in theatres across Japan under the project on March 2nd, 2013, to weak reception, as the film failed to gain traction in Japan, with one event being cancelled due to not enough tickets being sold .

Shortly afterwards, Trigger would later upload the film onto YouTube with English subs, which would see the film recieve a large surge in popularity in the west (receving over 850,000 views until it was taken down), as many grew attached to its animation and Harry Potter-esque setting and cast. The short film, alongside the later Kill la Kill, would ultimately go on to establish Trigger as a big name in the modern anime world, on top of establishing Yoh Yoshinari as one of the studio's big name directors.

The film would later receive a sequel in 2015, titled Little Witch Academia: The Enchanted Parade.

Not to be confused with the 2017 anime of the same name.

Alongside her friends Lotte and Sucy, Akko embarks on various adventures and magical mishaps throughout her time at the academy. One of the main appeals of Little Witch Academia is its lighthearted and whimsical storytelling. The series combines elements of fantasy, magic, and comedy to create an enchanting and entertaining world.

The original Little Witch Academia provides examples of:

• Academy of Adventure: Luna Nova, a European school for witches. Bonus points for having a vast labyrinth filled with monsters and treasures right underneath it.
• Accidental Pun: When the minotaur appears, Hannah and Barbara try to tell Diana that it's behind her (ushiro) but only manage to stammer out ushi (cow). In the English dub, they just refer to the minotaur as a "bull".

• Aside Glance: The dragon looks at the camera and gives us an Oh, Crap! face before blowing up.
• Asleep in Class: Akko is shown doing this the first time she is seen at school. The teacher deals with it by using a spell to slam her head onto her book.
• Big Damn Heroes: Akko and her friends arrive just in time to save Diana and her posse from certain death by an angry minotaur. Diana later returns the favor by saving Akko from certain death by falling from a great height.
• Boring, but Practical: Sucy's potion may not have been as impressive looking as Diana's Storm of Blades spell, but it was definitely far more effective in killing the minotaur then Diana's spell was.
• Bucket Helmet: After awakening the dragon, Sucy and Lotte emerge from a pile of debris wearing a cauldron and a pot, respectively.

• Chekhov's Skill: During her show, Shiny Chariot destroys a monster she materializes by aiming into its mouth so that it swallows the blast and explodes. At the end, Akko destroys a dragon by doing the same thing.
• Covers Always Lie: This poster◊ seems to have been made before the film was finished, as it contains a number of weird anomalies:
  • Most of the recognizable characters look a little different from their film appearance: Akko has blue eyes and looks slightly older, Lotte's hair is slightly longer, Sucy's hair is black instead of pink, Hannah and Barbara have different hairstyles, and Diana's hair is solid blond, with her streaks missing missing.
  • Some of the characters who are featured don't make an appearance in the film. This includes the likes of Samantha and Monica (two characters who were planned to appear but got scrapped), three adult female characters, and a group of fairies who bear a resemblance to the Luna Nova workers seen later on in the TV series.
  • The dragon has a completely different design.
  • There are some random elements that seem to have no connection to the film at all. This includes: a unicorn, a Viking-horned hot air balloon, and a very significant-looking adult witch framed in silhouette, who may represent Shiny Chariot, but doesn't look anything like her.
  Sucy: It's like a crappy dungeon-crawler RPG.
  • The film is a bit different in tone compared to later entries. While it's still lighthearted and comedic at its core, there are some pretty dark and even occassionally gruesome moments (such as the confrontation with the Minotaur) and it has a generally more adventurous tone compared to The Enchanted Parade and the TV series, which, while not without their share of darker and adventurous moments (especially the TV series), are more lighthearted and laidback by comparison.
  • Many of the core themes that would define the franchise later on, such as the importance of hard work, and the relationship between tradition and progress are entirely absent here.
  • On top of being more of an Alpha Bitch in general, Diana can lean towards being a bit physically aggressive towards Akko at times, as she knocks her back by flicking her nose during their first confrontation and physically hits her helmet when she meets her again after the dragon escapes . This aspect of her character would be removed entirely come The Enchanted Parade.
  • When Ursula/Chariot's hair transforms in the film's ending, the transformation is done through a flame effect, giving her hair a brief fiery appearance. This is completely different from how her hair transforms in the later TV series, which is shown to be a smooth fade effect.
  Diana: No need to thank me. It is my duty to evacuate all students.
  • Akko is of the Good Is Not Nice variety. She genuinely means well, but tends to place her own feelings above those of her friends and not even consider that what she's doing is wrong or potentially dangerous.
  • Diana is pretty haughty and looks down on Akko for her love of Chariot. She is also pretty rude to her two followers, Hannah and Barbara when she calls them out for being afraid in the dungeon, saying that because they are witches, they should be the ones instilling fear instead.
  • Oh, Crap!:
    • The dragon's expression before being blown up from the inside by Akko's Shiny Arc attack.
    • Akko makes quite a few of these, all while falling, on three separate occasions.
    • Diana has two noteworthy ones in the first short—one when she realizes the minotaur is behind her, the other when she realizes Hannah and Barbara are unintentionally making the dragon absorb energy right when it's too late.
    Ursula: "Is it because they're younger?"
    • The main character, Atsuko "Akko" Kagari, is named after Atsuko "Akko" Kagami from Himitsu no Akko-chan.
    • The two girls that follow Diana are named Hannah and Barbara.
    • References to My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic:
      • Sucy's eyes and hairstyle recall Fluttershy, even though they couldn't be any more different personality-wise.
      • A Rarity figurine shows up on Lotte's desk in Enchanted Parade.
      • For the record, Creator Yoh Yoshinari appears to be a Brony.
      • The show's official comic took the references full circle by having pony versions of the main characters make cameos on a page.

      “Little Witch Academia” (2013) FILM REVIEW

      “Little Witch Academia” is an anime short film from Studio Trigger, currently available to watch on Netflix. It’s set at a school for witches, centering on a clumsy witch called Akko, who ends up taking on the task of saving her school from a ferocious dragon.

      This Short has not only inspired a kickstarted 55 minute film called “The Enchanted Parade”, but also a 25 episode series. A lot of hype has surrounded the franchise, so I thought I’d give the short that started it all a chance. Unfortunately, I didn’t think that this short gave much of an exciting first impression.

      Yes, the animation is vibrantly colourful and fluidly bouncy, but I just couldn’t find what the narrative hook was supposed to be? There’s so many stories about witchcraft & wizardry schools out there, and this short seems to be riding on the novelty of it’s overdone premise alone. Of course, 100% originality isn’t always possible, but this short’s execution is just TOO uninspired to excuse it’s lack of uniqueness.

      Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate this short. It’s pretty cute for what it is, with a light hearted upbeat feel to it’s overall tone & style. Akko also makes for an energetically enthusiastic heroine, and she has a likable dynamic with her friends. Like I said too, it is very pretty to look at, and the animation is bursting with personality. It’s just hard to shake off how generic everything feels, and it’s unoriginality distracted me enough to make me lose interest in what was going on.

      Now, this franchise has branched out into further chapters, and I’m sure that maybe these next episodes help the series find it’s footing. However, I’m sincerely surprised that this short garnered enough hype to be expanded into further installments, I fail to see what makes it so special? I get the feeling that the short grabbed people’s attention mainly for it’s stylistic animation, because everything else is very standard.

      It’s not a bad short, by any stretch, but it did feel like I was treading extremely familiar grounds throughout the whole experience. I can’t say that it’s anything more than just “Okay”, which isn’t enough to kick off my interest in what’s ahead. So yeah, I’m honestly reluctant to see more of the franchise, because this short failed to live up to the hype, but we’ll see how I feel in the future.

      If you enjoyed my review, please consider supporting me with a tip through Ko-fi:

      MySF Reviews

      

      The animation style is colorful and vibrant, bringing the magical elements to life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique quirks and personalities. The franchise has been praised for its positive messages and themes, such as the importance of friendship, perseverance, and staying true to oneself. Additionally, it has been lauded for its strong female characters and empowering representation. Little Witch Academia has garnered a strong and dedicated fan following both in Japan and internationally. It has been praised for its beautiful animation, captivating storytelling, and lovable characters. Its popularity has led to the creation of spin-offs, merchandise, and even collaborations with other franchises. Overall, Little Witch Academia is a charming and delightful anime that has captivated audiences worldwide. With its magical adventures and endearing characters, it has cemented itself as a beloved and influential franchise in the anime community..

      Reviews for "Exploring the Magical School Setting of Little Witch Academia (2013)"

      1. Sarah - 2 stars

      I found "Little Witch Academia" to be incredibly overrated. The animation was beautiful, I'll give it that, but the story was lacking in depth and substance. It felt like a generic coming-of-age tale with witches thrown in. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. I was expecting so much more from a highly praised anime, but all I got was disappointment.

      2. Michael - 1 star

      I couldn't even finish watching "Little Witch Academia." The whole concept seemed juvenile and the humor fell flat for me. The animation style, while visually pleasing, couldn't make up for the lack of an engaging storyline. The characters were clichéd and forgettable, making it hard to invest in their journey. Overall, I found this anime to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a quality story.

      3. Emily - 2.5 stars

      "Little Witch Academia" had potential, but it never lived up to it. The premise was interesting, but the execution fell short. The pacing was uneven, with some episodes feeling rushed and others dragging on. The character development was minimal, and I didn't feel a connection to any of them. Additionally, the world-building was weak, leaving many questions unanswered. While there were some enjoyable moments, they were overshadowed by the overall disappointment of the series.

      4. Ethan - 2 stars

      I was expecting "Little Witch Academia" to be a magical adventure, but it ended up being mediocre at best. The story lacked depth and complexity, and the plot felt like a rehash of other magical school anime. The humor didn't land for me, and the characters were forgettable. The animation was the only standout aspect of the show, but that alone was not enough to hold my interest. Overall, I found "Little Witch Academia" to be a forgettable and uninspiring series.

      Little Witch Academia (2013): How it Inspires Young Aspiring Witches