The adaptation of Kamone Shirahama’s Witch Hat Atelier is finally here and it’s a work of art. The animation is beautiful, the storylines are something you can get lost in, and Qifrey and his qiflings have become the center focus of many FYP’s thanks to some truly stunning fan edits. But if you’re still looking for a reason to watch this anime, we’ve got 5 reasons you should watch Witch Hat Atelier!
1. Qifrey is more than a pretty face
Witch Hat Atelier‘s Qifrey is more than just a pretty face or the alter ego to Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Gojo. He’s a kind and highly skilled witch who guides his apprentices with care, patience, and an understanding that they’re still learning. He nourishes their curiosity, is a goof when it calls for it, and will do anything to protect his apprentices.
Keeping all that in mind… there is a darkness in Qifrey. Behind the kind smile, there is an fierce witch with his own desires and anger. And trust me on this that at the drop of a dime he can go from delightful to cold-blooded. That’s especially true if you’re watching the English dub with Joshua Waters. They are the perfect Qifrey. Trust us.
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2. The emotional heart that is Coco
The emotional heart of Witch Hat Atelier is Coco and why she’s training to be a witch. And it all has to do with her mother. Without giving too much spoilers, something happens to her that sets her on the path to train with Qifrey. And she lets that love she has for her mother guide her in everything that she does, from her spells or just finding that inner strength to face the trials of being a witch in training.
Then there’s just Coco herself. The world of witchcraft is scary no matter how beautiful and cozy this show looks. But Coco keeps going. She does it scared. She does it with her new friends at the atelier. And she does it with a deep appreciation for the craft that she is learning. Basically, she’s a heroine you can’t help but cheer for because she doesn’t bend to the will of this world. She remains Coco.
3. Qifrey and his qiflings
The way that Qifrey is with his students (Coco, Tetia, Richeh, and Agott) reminds me of Gordon Ramsey. Because when he’s hosting Masterchef Junior, Ramsey is absolutely delightful. He’s really supportive of the young chefs and makes them feel welcome to learn at their own pace in a stressful environment. When he’s on Masterchef with the adults though… he’s pointed, loud, and speaks his mind with no hesitation. That’s Qifrey with his qiflings.
But honestly, if I were to ever join an atelier in some magic anime world, I would want a teacher like Qifrey. He’s their teacher but he’s also their guide in the crazy world of witchcraft. And he wants them to succeed through all the challenges they may face, whether it’s going through one of the many trials to become a witch or just baking something. Basically, he’s a single mom who works two jobs, who loves her kids and never stops. With gentle hands and the heart of a fighterrrrr. Wait… that’s Reba. But you get the point!
4. The stunning artwork
Creator Kamone Shirahama’s manga Witch Hat Atelier is already a stunning work of art. Yet somehow production studio BUG FILMS not only brought the manga to life without losing the heart of it, they elevated it. The colors are stunning, everything has this atmosphere of whimsy and warmth, and there’s an attention to detail that feels unmatched. If you love animation, you have to watch this show, especially for the art.
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5. The unique magic system
The magic system in Witch Hat Atelier is grounded in drawn spells. Falling into five main groups of fire, water, earth, wind, and light, they can be altered with different signs and sigils. But what’s really cool about this magic is how the drawn spells are adapted for everything. These spells can destroy and save lives, of course. But they can also be used to light paths, make carriages fly, or even take water from the very air.
This magic system is further supported by the actual laws, towns, and society that pointed cap witches follow. They have their own leaders, law enforcement, and fortified city. And Qifrey’s atelier is basically a master of witchcraft training a small group of students in a more hands on focused environment.
Finally convinced? Watch the subbed and dubbed trailers below:
Witch Hat Atelier is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
