Little Witch Academia is a popular anime franchise that originated as a short film in 2013. It revolves around a young witch named Akko Kagari who enrolls in Luna Nova Magical Academy to fulfill her dream of becoming a witch like her idol, Shiny Chariot. The franchise has gained a significant following due to its charming characters, vibrant animation, and heartwarming storyline. In terms of the storyline, Little Witch Academia follows Akko as she navigates through her school life and overcomes various obstacles. Alongside her friends Lotte and Sucy, Akko takes part in magical classes, embarks on exciting adventures, and encounters mythical creatures. Throughout the series, Akko's passion and determination inspire her classmates and teachers alike, reminding them of the true meaning of magic.
Throughout the series, Akko's passion and determination inspire her classmates and teachers alike, reminding them of the true meaning of magic. The animation style of Little Witch Academia is visually appealing and captures the whimsical nature of the magical world. The characters are expressively designed, with vibrant colors and distinct personalities.
A ‘Magical’ Treatment Helps Zayden Stand Tall
Every time 6-year-old Zayden Rainey comes to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, something magical happens: He grows a little taller.
It happens quickly—in less than two minutes—but no hocus-pocus or magic spells are involved. Even better, there’s no surgery. Instead, David Skaggs, MD, MMM, simply places a powerful magnet on Zayden’s back, presses a button and—voila!—Zayden walks out of the office a few millimeters taller and straighter.
A few millimeters may not seem like much, but for Zayden, it’s life-changing. That’s because the Yuma, Arizona, kindergartener was born with scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine. Before coming to CHLA last June, his spine had a near-90-degree curve.
“He literally was bent over to his side,” says his mom, Aracely. “He had to walk on his tippy-toe on his right leg so he wouldn’t lean all the way over.”
Using magnets instead of repeated surgery
A friendly, outgoing kid who loves riding the school bus, playing T-ball and making mac ‘n’ cheese and other culinary delicacies, Zayden had his first surgery when he was 9 months old. But even after several operations in Arizona to try to correct the rapidly progressing scoliosis, his spinal curve had only slightly improved.
“He was in pain,” says Aracely. “He would say, ‘Mom, I can’t put my foot down; it hurts too much.’ He was always asking me to carry him.”
With his Arizona doctors unable to help him further, Zayden was referred to Skaggs, chief of the Division of Orthopedics and director of Spine Surgery at CHLA. Skaggs recommended removing the traditional growing rods that had been implanted in Zayden and instead using a new technology: a magnetically controlled growing rod.
While traditional growing rods have to be surgically adjusted every few months as a child grows, a magnetically controlled rod requires only an initial surgery to implant the rod. After that, each adjustment or “lengthening” is a simple in-office procedure using a noninvasive magnetic device on the patient’s back. The gradual straightening mimics normal spinal growth.
The magnetically controlled rods were approved by the Food and Drug Administration in early 2015; CHLA is participating in several multicenter, international studies on the rods.
“It’s kind of a miracle,” says Skaggs. “We literally stretch kids out using magnets instead of surgery.”
A long drive and a bright future
Zayden had a magnetically controlled growing rod implanted at CHLA in August 2015. Since then, he and his family—his mother, father Kane and older sister Lina, 11—have been traveling to Los Angeles every four months for Zayden’s in-office “lengthenings.”
"We drive 5 ½ hours there, go to the appointment, have lunch, and then drive 5 ½ hours back home the same day,” Aracely says. “But it’s absolutely worth it.”
So far, Zayden has grown nearly 2 inches, and the degree of his spinal curve has
been reduced by more than 50 percent. Best of all, he’s not in pain, he’s standing much straighter, and he doesn’t have to walk on his tippy-toe.
His prognosis? Excellent. He will need a spinal fusion surgery by age 10 or 12 to complete his scoliosis repair, but right now, he’s busy learning to tie his shoes, learning to spell (not his favorite subject) and getting ready for T-ball.
His family couldn’t be happier.
"To see how Zayden looks, how he feels—it’s such a big difference from before,” Aracely says. ‘It’s amazing.”
You might even say it’s like magic—only better.
How you can help
To help kids just like Zayden, consider making a donation to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Visit CHLA.org/Donate.
been reduced by more than 50 percent. Best of all, he’s not in pain, he’s standing much straighter, and he doesn’t have to walk on his tippy-toe.
The animation also showcases intricate details in the magical spells and transformations performed by the witches. One of the standout features of Little Witch Academia is its fascinating world-building. The series introduces viewers to a magical society where witches attend school, magical creatures exist, and spells are cast using wands and incantations. Luna Nova Magical Academy, the main setting of the series, is portrayed as a grand and enchanting institution where aspiring witches learn and hone their magical skills. Furthermore, Little Witch Academia explores deeper themes such as friendship, perseverance, and self-discovery. Akko's journey emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and pursuing one's dreams despite setbacks and criticism. Her unwavering determination resonates with viewers and serves as a powerful message of empowerment. Overall, Little Witch Academia captivates its audience with its endearing characters, magical storytelling, and visually stunning animation. The franchise has expanded beyond the original short film, spawning a television series, video games, and merchandise. Its popularity and positive reception demonstrate the widespread appeal of the magical world of Little Witch Academia and its enduring impact on fans worldwide..
Reviews for "Little Witch Academia: From Short Film to Anime Series"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I found "Little Witch Academia" to be quite disappointing. The plot was weak and unoriginal, following a young girl who is trying to become a witch at a magical school. The characters were also underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect or care about their journey. Overall, I was expecting more depth and originality from this series.
2. Mark - 2 stars - "Little Witch Academia" lacked the magic it promised. The animation was subpar, with stiff movements and unimpressive visuals. The humor was also lackluster, relying on tired cliches and predictable jokes. I was hoping for a visually stunning and witty show, but unfortunately, it fell short in both aspects.
3. Emily - 3 stars - I didn't hate "Little Witch Academia," but I didn't love it either. While the animation was decent, the characters felt too one-dimensional and their development was lacking. The story had potential, but it failed to fully explore its magical world and left many questions unanswered. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with the show's execution.
4. Samantha - 2 stars - "Little Witch Academia" felt like a generic magical girl anime with nothing new to offer. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The character designs were cute, but their personalities were shallow and forgettable. I was bored throughout most of the series and had to force myself to finish it. Definitely not one of the better anime out there.
5. Alex - 1 star - "Little Witch Academia" was a complete waste of time. The story was incredibly childish and lacked any real depth or substance. The animation quality was poor, with choppy movements and subpar visuals. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and disappointing experience that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.