Izetta the Last Witch is a Japanese anime series that aired in 2016. The story is set in an alternate version of World War II, where magic exists and plays a significant role in the conflict. The anime follows the titular character, Izetta, who is the last surviving witch and possesses incredible magical powers. The series begins when Izetta is discovered by Princess Finé of Eylstadt, a small country on the brink of invasion by the powerful Germanian Empire. The princess forms a close bond with Izetta and convinces her to use her magic to protect Eylstadt from the enemy. Izetta becomes a symbol of hope for the Eylstadt people as she uses her powers to fight against the Germanian forces.
You can ask me to stay tuned in the face of a weak setting. Ask me to hang on while you drop your main characters into a story they don’t quite belong in. And I’m more than happy to disregard real historical content so that maybe we can make room for some unique ideas. But you cannot ask all of this of me and have two solid minutes of an older woman groping two younger girls and still expect me to take you seriously as a show.
Especially after the characterisation of Izetta as a deeply caring, morally thoughtful individual, the shallowness of her empathy for Germanian losses is a rather weak component of the narrative. In fact, this otherworldliness is part of what separates our two protagonists from the Germanian enemy; the weapons that give the Germanian army power are demonstrations of raw mechanical might and industrial prowess, while Eylstadt s key weapon is a powerful girl entangled in morals and duty who can t see herself as a weapon at all.
Izetta becomes a symbol of hope for the Eylstadt people as she uses her powers to fight against the Germanian forces. Throughout the series, Izetta faces numerous challenges and battles, showcasing her powers in epic and thrilling action sequences. However, as the war progresses, Izetta starts to question the ethics of her actions and the consequences of using her powers.
Izetta: The Last Witch Review: Episodes 1-9
Being in the interest of watching anime for many years now, I have come to expect many things out of a show that I’m not necessarily pleased with. Anime tropes, as I have come to discuss time and time again, solidified themselves as staples of the medium long before I had a keyboard with which to unleash all my stupid nerd rage. You accept certain things. Fan service, strange comedic interruptions, tacky hairstyles, predictable personalities – all of these are secondary features of anime shows. None of these traits ruin an anime on their own. In fact, you might forget they’re there. If a show holds your attention well enough, it takes a lot to pull you out of that world.
But then you meet treasures like Wolf’s Rain or Samurai Champloo or Death Note, anime crafted from the bottom up to be indisputable art. And you look at other shows and wonder where that same passion and care has gone. You still find tropes in shows like that, but they’re either few and far between, or the anime is too good to notice. You are very much aware you’re watching something special.
And that brings me to my review of Izetta: the Last Witch.
As a disclaimer, I’d like to establish right here and now for my readers that I do not at all think this anime is bad. The art is awesome, the animation is solid, and the world the show has created is spectacular. However, that being said, a lot of this anime falls apart for me in ways I cannot easily forgive.
The anime explores various themes such as loyalty, friendship, sacrifice, and the moral ambiguity of war. It delves into the emotional struggles faced by both Izetta and Princess Finé as they try to navigate the complexities of their roles and the impact their decisions have on the world. Visually, Izetta the Last Witch is stunning, with beautifully animated battle scenes and detailed character designs. The soundtrack complements the action and adds to the overall atmosphere of the series. Overall, Izetta the Last Witch is an exciting and thought-provoking anime that blends historical elements with fantasy and magic. The complex characters, intense action, and deep themes make it a must-watch for fans of war dramas and fantasy stories..
Reviews for "Izetta the Last Witch and the representation of LGBTQ+ characters"
1. John - 2/5 - "Izetta the last witch was a disappointment for me. The concept of witches and World War II had so much potential, but the execution fell flat. The animation was mediocre and the plot lacked depth. The characters were also forgettable, with their development being almost non-existent. Overall, I found it to be a wasted opportunity and not worth my time."
2. Emily - 2/5 - "Izetta the last witch promised a lot but failed to deliver. The story had an interesting premise, but it felt rushed and poorly developed. The action sequences were lackluster and the animation wasn't impressive either. The characters lacked depth and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. It had potential, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations."
3. Ryan - 1/5 - "Izetta the last witch was a complete disaster. The animation was subpar and the plot was confusing and convoluted. The characters were uninteresting and lacked any real development. I found myself bored and disinterested throughout the series and it felt like a chore to finish it. I would not recommend wasting your time on this disappointing anime."