Izetta the Last Witch is a historical fantasy anime series that first aired in 2016. Set in an alternate version of World War II, the story revolves around Izetta, the last surviving witch who possesses great magical powers. As the war escalates, Izetta becomes a key figure in the conflict between the Empire of Germania and the small European country of Eylstadt. The series begins with Princess Fine of Eylstadt meeting Izetta, who saves her from enemy soldiers. Recognizing Izetta's powers, Fine convinces her to use her magic to protect Eylstadt from Germania's invasion. As the conflict intensifies, Izetta's abilities prove to be crucial in turning the tide of the war in Eylstadt's favor.
Then again, we also have witches, so one probably shouldn't expect Izetta: The Last Witch to follow historical events too closely. Most of the stuff going on here -- at least the parts that are based on real-life past events -- are easy to follow, even by those who hasn't done much research on the subject. There is some equipment nerdery going on, particularly when it comes to millitary equipment, which adds some nice touches to this show, and supposedly, Otto's counterpart, Adolf Hitler, was quite interested in the occult too. Finé and Izetta even visits Sognefjord, which was a small touch I rather appreciated, particularly since the map of the fjord as well as the backgrounds that represented said place looked all nice and authentic.
And don t get me started on Finé, the badass princess, who despite never really physically fighting in battles herself, proved herself numerous times in different ways, both on the battlefield, and especially in political affairs. Joking aside, the geopolitics and reason as for why our princess was traveling incognito to not-Switzerland made sense, the action was done well and the characters were engaging, though I hope that the two not-Gestapo officers on the train do not become recurring viewpoint characters or that we re supposed to find them sympathetic at some point.
As the conflict intensifies, Izetta's abilities prove to be crucial in turning the tide of the war in Eylstadt's favor. Throughout the series, Izetta and Fine develop a strong bond and friendship. Fine acts as Izetta's protector and advisor, while Izetta uses her magic to defend Eylstadt and support Fine in her efforts to maintain the country's independence.
Anime Review: Shuumatsu no Izetta
The story takes place on an alternate Earth, focusing on a time of war, similar to the events of World War II. We follow the story of 16-year-old Finé, crown princess of Eylstadt, a small alpine principality, on her struggle to keep her beloved country safe from Germania. Fortunately, she has long ago gained a powerful friend, Izetta, who is said to be the last witch on Earth and who is willing to give up everything to protect what’s most important to her princess, Finé.
This was THE show for me to watch this season, featuring everything that I long for in a show, badass female protagonists, gorgeous art, a compelling story, and of course, a high possibility for yuri content.
I had only hyped myself with the trailer before I started watching this, so despite the fact that I expected the just listed aspects to hit me, I didn’t know any more about this show, and that’s a good thing, because it left enough room for this show to completely blow me away.
Let’s just start out the regular way and talk about the story and characters first. Story-wise, we get a war setting, with most of the world’s countries one way or another being entangled in this kind of conflict that mostly sprouts from Germania trying to extend their realm, taking the land of other countries on their way. Well, that sounds familiar, though to mix things up a little, we witness the rise of something far more powerful than any man-made weapon could ever be, that being magic. At first, I found it to be a little ridiculous, especially when I saw Izetta basically flying away on a freaking rifle. Though, I got used to it, and despite the fact that pretty much 1/3 of all shows airing right now probably have some kind of magical elements involved, the way the magic was added in this one, especially in a World War II-like setting, made things pretty interesting, to say the least.
Seeing humanity react to it, utilize it, and finally, also exploit it, was simply really interesting to watch, yet again, even more so in a setting that I was already familiar with.
The only thing I probably had a slight problem with would be the pacing, as it was too fast, especially during the few final episodes. I would have appreciated if they had simply gone with a few more episodes, instead of trying to cover all of this within just 12. Hell, I would have even appreciated some more filler episodes of the girls just spending time together in Eylstadt or wherever, really. Or how about a more in-depth insight of the story of The White Witch? I’m pretty sure they could have easily covered this using an entire episode, which would have surely helped understand Sophie a bit better.
Well, I would have also loved to just see some characters have more screen time, as I simply loved Lotte, Bianca, and her crew. Of course, I would have definitely welcomed some more interactions between Izetta and Finé, but even as it is right now, I’m pretty happy with this, as their relationship played out gloriously well.
They already easily gained the title of my two favorite characters of this whole anime season, since Izetta is just that irresistible, kind cutie that is so loyal to her beloved princess that I basically questioned her sexuality right from the beginning. And don’t get me started on Finé, the badass princess, who despite never really physically fighting in battles herself, proved herself numerous times in different ways, both on the battlefield, and especially in political affairs. Though, if you put the two together in a room, that’s where the true magic happens, with oblivious Finé unable to stay away from her precious Izetta and the latter totally shying out in the mere presence of her love interest.
And yes, you read that right, I just used that term, because the anime made it pretty obvious that that’s exactly what those two would end up being, or possibly even managed to become during the run of the show. Well, the show didn’t straight up put that label on them, but even the term “heavy subtext” isn’t really enough. The displayed yuri spans from blushing when the other is around, constantly being worried about the other, snuggling, and some scenes that just feel like love confessions. It is simply a wonderful development that we were able to witness here.
Finally, let’s also come to the animation and music. I usually don’t have that much to say, but in this case, let me just continue the praising for a bit longer. The animation and art used here are simply splendid, especially in regard to the character designs of so, so many of them, especially Finé, Izetta, and Berkmann. Well, the animation didn’t go too overboard with the level of displayed ecchiness, though, some characters were certainly designed to… let’s say especially appeal to a certain type of audience. If that is a good or a bad thing is up to you to decide.
As for the music, I was yet again pleasantly surprised. The opening and ending themes are simply outstanding, especially Mayn’s “Hikari Aru Basho e”~
To sum it up, Shuumatsu no Izetta was an amazing anime with great characters, great animation, great music, and just the right kind of yuri to keep you coming back for more. Though, I still feel like the story could have been extended to a few more episodes, which is why I’m now at least waiting for some specials or something similar to this, because let’s be honest here, everyone wanted to see Izetta and Finé be united again at the end, didn’t we?
I hope that the two not-Gestapo officers on the train do not become recurring viewpoint characters or that we're supposed to find them sympathetic at some point.
The anime explores the complexities of war and the sacrifices both characters make in order to protect their homeland. Izetta the Last Witch blends historical elements with fantasy elements, portraying a world where magic and technology exist side by side. The anime showcases thrilling aerial battles, political intrigue, and the struggles of the characters as they face the horrors of war. The series also delves into personal themes, such as loyalty, duty, and the power of friendship. Through Izetta's character, the anime also explores the burdens and responsibilities that come with possessing great power. Izetta the Last Witch received positive reviews for its engaging story, well-developed characters, and stunning animation. It is praised for its unique blend of historical events with fantasy elements, creating an intriguing and captivating narrative. In conclusion, Izetta the Last Witch is a captivating anime series that combines historical events with fantasy elements. Through the story of Izetta and Princess Fine, the series explores themes of war, friendship, and the use of power. With its compelling narrative and stunning animation, the anime provides an exciting and thought-provoking viewing experience..
Reviews for "Understanding the emotional depth of Izetta the Last Witch"
1. John - 2/5 - I found "Izetta the Last Witch" to be quite disappointing. The plot seemed promising at first, with a unique concept of a witch using her powers to aid a country during wartime. However, the execution fell short. The characters were underdeveloped, especially Izetta herself. Her motives and backstory were never fully explored, making it difficult to connect with her as a protagonist. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with moments of intense action followed by slow, dull moments that dragged the story along. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and felt that the potential of the show was wasted.
2. Emily - 3/5 - While "Izetta the Last Witch" had an interesting premise and a few solid action sequences, I couldn't overlook some glaring flaws. The animation quality fluctuated throughout the series, making certain scenes feel disjointed and poorly animated. The plot, while promising initially, became convoluted and filled with unnecessary plot twists that didn't add much to the overall story. The character development was also lacking, as I found it difficult to fully connect with or care about any of the characters. Overall, while the show had its moments, it failed to deliver a satisfying and coherent narrative.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I have to say, "Izetta the Last Witch" was a letdown for me. The show started off strong, but as the episodes progressed, it became clear that the plot was filled with inconsistencies and plot holes. The worldbuilding was underdeveloped, and the explanations for certain events or character motivations were poorly executed. The romance subplot felt forced and rushed, lacking any real chemistry between the characters involved. Additionally, I found that the animation quality was subpar, with noticeable inconsistencies in character designs and action sequences. Overall, I was disappointed by the lack of depth and coherence in the story of "Izetta the Last Witch."
4. Michael - 2/5 - "Izetta the Last Witch" had potential, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to invest in their journey throughout the series. The pacing was also off, with the story jumping between different plotlines without giving them enough time to develop or conclude satisfactorily. The animation quality was average at best, with fight scenes lacking impact and fluidity. In the end, "Izetta the Last Witch" felt like a missed opportunity, with a promising concept that was poorly executed.