Bug Films is a relatively new animation studio, with only one anime production to its name and assisting on other projects since its founding in 2021. Their first anime, Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, earned praise for its gorgeous first episode, but the series was plagued by production delays, culminating in a three-month break before the final three episodes aired. Hopefully, with their second show, Witch Hat Atelier, they will avoid similar issues, because based on its first two episodes, it’s shaping up to be a series worth keeping an eye on.
We open in a world brimming with magic, where even the streams can cleanse impurities within moments, allowing for safe drinking water for animals and a place to clean clothes for Humans. Our story follows Coco (Rena Motomura), a young girl who dreams of becoming a witch, despite the fact that only those born with innate magical ability can practice it. However, her life is turned upside down when she meets a witch named Qifrey (Natsuki Hanae) and discovers the true nature of magic in this world.
Coco, as a character, will make or break your enjoyment of Witch Hat Atelier. As a pre-teen, her hyperactive naivety can be charming, especially when the animation leans into off-model expressions to heighten the comedic beats. At the same time, it can become overwhelming, making the series feel more tailored to younger audiences or families than to a more mature crowd. That said, Coco is a lovable lens through which to explore this world, and her enthusiasm for magic and for becoming a witch is undeniably infectious.
Qifrey is also a strong mentor figure, never using his ability to wield magic as a reason to look down on others. Instead, he views the specialised skills people have mastered as their own form of magic. He contrasts perfectly with Coco’s exaggerated personality, creating a dynamic that’s genuinely fun to watch. Rena Motomura and Natsuki Hanae, as Coco and Qifrey respectively, deliver compelling performances that make it easy to become enamoured with the world they inhabit.
The first two episodes of Witch Hat Atelier aren’t perfect. While much of the animation is stunning, blending different styles, such as traditional anime aesthetics with pop up picture book elements, and at times, the animation becomes extremely fluid in motion. However, there are noticeable inconsistencies. One moment, when Qifrey grabs Coco and flies out of her bedroom as a spell overtakes the landscape, is genuinely beautiful. But in episode two, the animation has far less movement and is nowhere near as expressive. It’s not bad by any means, but it’s clear that episode one had a higher budget than episode two.
In addition, while the story has a strong hook, by the end of episode one, I was genuinely invested and eager for more. There’s no clear indication of how much time has passed between the two episodes, so when characters mention that a rumour about Coco is already spreading, it feels perplexing. It comes across as though only a few hours have passed since the inciting incident, making the sudden circulation of gossip feel abrupt and a leap in logic.
Despite these issues, Witch Hat Atelier’s first two episodes are an enjoyable watch, and I’ll be keeping an eye on the show as the anime season progresses. With its engaging story, fun characters, and at times breathtaking animation. Witch Hat Atelier gets off to an enjoyable, if slightly flawed, start.
★★★1/2
Available to stream on Crunchyroll from 6th April / Rena Motomura, Natsuki Hanae, Hibiku Yamamura, Kurumi Haruki, Hika Tsukishiro / Dir: Ayumu Watanabe / Crunchyroll
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