Overview
- Witch Watch is poised to captivate a broad audience, featuring impressive animation right from the outset.
- The plot revolves around the hapless witch Nico and her ogre guardian, integrating elements of romance that engage viewers.
- Directed by Megumi Ishitani, the opening sequence of Witch Watch is already being hailed as a contender for “opening of the year.”
Quick Navigation
Witch Watch ranks among the most eagerly awaited anime for the Spring 2025 season. Given the strong track record of Shonen Jump adaptations, many are anticipating this series to achieve significant success.
This anime is already accessible across various streaming platforms. But can Witch Watch meet the high expectations? So far, it has made a promising start and is likely to engage a large audience, particularly fans of recent hits like Dandadan.
The Clumsiest Witch Is Back In Town
The narrative centers around Morihito Otogi, a resilient ogre who initially refrains from retaliating when faced with adversity. After a challenging encounter, his father reveals that he is to become Nico Wakatsuki’s familiar—Nico being a witch who has just returned to town after a lengthy training period with her mother.
Despite Morihito’s initial reluctance, he ultimately embraces his new role, which resembles that of a bodyguard. A prophecy foretells impending peril for Nico, prompting the decision to assign Morihito as her protector—interesting enough, Nico remains unaware of this dire prediction.
Reflecting on their past, Morihito recalls how Nico’s clumsiness often led to unintended danger during her magical practices. Though she has returned as a “full witch,”her spellcasting skills are still a work in progress, filled with comedic mishaps.
In the first episode, whenever Nico attempts to cast a spell, it humorously backfires. Fans of Kenta Shinohara’s storytelling style will appreciate these comedic elements, such as when Nico inadvertently makes herself as thin as paper or causes chaotic transformations with her spells.
It’s Not Just Training; Romance Is in the Air Too
Following Nico’s return, she and Morihito venture out for shopping. He expresses concern about her visibility as a witch, suggesting she should remain discreet while training. Nico counters, stating that magic is meant to help others, and she improves through social interactions.
This narrative choice preemptively addresses potential audience concerns regarding Nico’s public presence, affirming her belief that isolation would hinder her growth.
The subtle romantic undertones between Nico and her childhood crush, Morihito, emerge, hinting at mutual feelings. Witch Watch appears poised to captivate audiences in a similar vein to Dandadan, which may be the strategy of platforms like GKIDS, Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu.
Kicking Off with Stunning Animation
Looking ahead to future episodes, Nico and Morihito are set to embark on high school adventures, likely leading to more humorous predicaments. Although the prophecy adds an element of seriousness, the overall tone of the series skews towards lighthearted slice-of-life storytelling.
This genre typically lends itself to easier animation, as it doesn’t necessitate elaborate action sequences. The animation showcased in the inaugural episode has met, if not exceeded, viewer expectations.
Stylish Opening Sequence by Megumi Ishitani
Watch the Opening SequenceWatch the Opening Sequence
Fans have been treated to an exceptional opening sequence, helmed by Megumi Ishitani (known for her work on One Piece Fan Letter). Ishitani shared in a social media post that series producer Taniguchi invited her to direct the opening storyboard during her temporary assignment at Bibury Animation Studios.
“Opening the content was a huge undertaking, and it was a great opportunity to lead the project with some amazing talent from Toei. I worked diligently to make the experience engaging for viewers!” – Megumi Ishitani
Combined with an opening theme by YOASOBI, Witch Watch stands as a strong contender for “opening of the year,”promising to attract substantial interest this season.
You can catch Witch Watch streaming on platforms like Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix, with dubbed versions set to air soon.