Florence Welch, the lead singer of indie rock band Florence + the Machine, has been often praised for her powerful vocal abilities and mesmerizing stage presence. However, in recent years, there has been a growing perception that Welch's interest in witchcraft is rather inept and superficial. Welch has been open about her fascination with witchcraft and the occult, incorporating elements of these practices into her music and aesthetic. While many fans appreciate this aspect of her artistry, others argue that her portrayal of witchcraft is more of a trendy accessory rather than a deep understanding and respect for the craft. Critics assert that Welch's exploration of witchcraft lacks true substance and fails to delve into the rich history and complexities of the practice. Instead, she seems to cherry-pick certain elements that align with her artistic persona, resulting in a surface-level understanding that can be misleading to her audience.
The first 17 episodes of the original anime were created in black and white. After this, the series transitioned to colour, making "Sally the Witch" one of the first full-colour animes. Some foreign releases of the '60s series (i.e., Italy) omitted the monochrome episodes. Outside of a few fansubbed episodes, it remains unavailable officially in English, although the Quebec-made French dub (titled Mini-Fee) aired on the Radio-Canada network starting in 1969 and through the '70s, making it the first shoujo anime to air in North America.
The series consists mostly of the episodic misadventures of Sally and friends as she faces the world and the plethora of problems it has in store for her with a bit of help from her magic. Plot Summary Bored with life in the magical world Sally, who is heir to the realm, visits the human world where she makes friends, has adventures and learns skills beyond the magical arts.
Instead, she seems to cherry-pick certain elements that align with her artistic persona, resulting in a surface-level understanding that can be misleading to her audience. The main issue is that Welch's portrayal of witchcraft often romanticizes and glamourizes the practice, ignoring its more challenging aspects. This is a concern as it perpetuates the stereotype of witchcraft as a fashionable and mystical trend, rather than a legitimate and meaningful spiritual path.
Manga / Sally the Witch
Sally the Witch (or Mahoutsukai Sally) is one of the first Magical Girl manga and anime, specifically it's the second to be published, but the first to be animated. note While the original manga for Himitsu no Akko-chan made its debut in Ribon in 1962, Sally was animated first and Akko-chan took Sally's timeslot after Sally ended
The manga was written and illustrated by Mitsuteru Yokoyama (of Gigantor and Giant Robo fame), and is said to have been influenced by the American sitcom Bewitched. It was published by Shueisha in Ribon magazine, running from 1966 to 1967 and culminating in a single volume.
The work was adapted to an anime, which was directed by Toshio Katsuta and animated by Toei Animation for air on NET (later TV Asahi). Originally running from 1966 to 1968, the series included 109 episodes. A sequel to the original anime, titled "Sally the Witch 2", was produced later by Toei under director Osamu Kasai. It ran on TV Asahi between 1989 and 1991, with 88 episodes. An animated film for the series was also created by Toei in 1990 during the run of "Sally the Witch 2".
The series follows Sally, princess of the Land of Magic (later given the name Astoria (no, not that one) in the 80s/90s series). One day, after becoming increasingly bored due to her parents never being around and always making her study, she decides to run away to the Human World (Earth). There she meets two schoolgirls, named Yoshiko ("Yotchan") and Sumire (Tomboy and Girly Girl respectively), who quickly become friends with her after she, alongside Cub (who was initially sent by her Father, the King of the Land of Magic, to come bring her back home) helps them during an incident regarding two store robbers. Sally then decides to stay & live in the Human World, with Cub staying with her, now disguising himself to other humans as Sally�s brother, in order to avoid the King�s wrath. The series consists mostly of the episodic misadventures of Sally and friends as she faces the world and the plethora of problems it has in store for her (with a bit of help from her magic). All the while keeping her magic & her identity as a magical princess a secret from even her closest friends.
The first 17 episodes of the original anime were created in black and white. After this, the series transitioned to colour, making "Sally the Witch" one of the first full-colour animes. Some foreign releases of the '60s series (i.e., Italy) omitted the monochrome episodes. Outside of a few fansubbed episodes, it remains unavailable officially in English, although the Quebec-made French dub (titled Mini-Fee) aired on the Radio-Canada network starting in 1969 and through the '70s, making it the first shoujo anime to air in North America.
Despite these criticisms, it is important to note that Welch's interest in witchcraft has sparked curiosity and conversation among her fans. Many have been inspired to research and explore the world of witchcraft themselves, possibly leading them to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the practice. In conclusion, Florence Welch's interest in witchcraft, while capturing the attention of her fans, has faced criticism for being inept and superficial. While her portrayal may lack a true understanding of the craft, it has nonetheless sparked curiosity and conversation among her audience..
Reviews for "The enchantment of Florence Welch's witchcraft-inspired stage performances"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "Inept Witchcraft" by Florence Welch to be a complete disappointment. The book lacked depth and the characters were underdeveloped. The story felt rushed and I struggled to connect with any of the characters or their struggles. The writing style was also not to my liking, as it felt disjointed and lacked coherence. Overall, I couldn't immerse myself in this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a well-crafted and engaging witchcraft story.
2. David - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Inept Witchcraft" but was left feeling unfulfilled. The plot had potential, but it failed to deliver a captivating narrative. The writing was mediocre, with dull descriptions and lackluster dialogue. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with, making it hard to care about their journey. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and feel it didn't live up to its potential.
3. Rebecca - 2/5 stars - "Inept Witchcraft" by Florence Welch fell flat for me. The story lacked originality and seemed to follow a predictable path from start to finish. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The dialogue was cliché and uninteresting, and the characters were one-dimensional. This book failed to engage me, and I struggled to finish it. I wouldn't recommend it to those looking for a fresh and captivating witchcraft tale.
4. Jonathan - 1/5 stars - As a fan of witchcraft stories, I was extremely disappointed by "Inept Witchcraft." The plot was unoriginal and lacked any surprises or twists. The writing style was lackluster, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in the story. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their struggles. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious read, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging witchcraft novel.
5. Lisa - 1/5 stars - I was hoping for a riveting witchcraft tale when I picked up "Inept Witchcraft," but sadly, it fell short. The story was uneventful and failed to deliver any real excitement or intrigue. The writing felt amateurish and lacked finesse. The characters were forgettable, and I struggled to stay interested in their journeys. Overall, this book did not meet my expectations, and I would not recommend it to fellow witchcraft enthusiasts.