“I’m not your typical anime fan,” says just about every anime fan at one point or another. What does it mean (at least, to me) when I say it? When I say “I’m not like them other [ninjas],” I acknowledge I wasn’t a Toonami-born anime fan. However, I don’t look down on people who had their first experiences while singing “DRAGON DRAGON, ROCK THE DRAGON” or “FIGHTING EVIL BY MOONLIGHT.” I can go down a list of “things Speed thinks about on a daily basis, anime-wise.” But I don’t like seeming elitist, even if I think I know my sh*t. After all, everyone who is an anime fan knows/thinks about something that the others in the circles, groups, pages, Reddits, etc. don’t.

I say this to preface the following: Witch Hat Atelier is, for me, a series that deserves its flowers, but maybe not the whole bouquet just yet. Don’t hurt me, internet. Before you light effigies throughout my social media feeds, please read the TL;DR–and then read on.

TL;DR: Witch Hat Atelier season one, story-wise, is solid. Your mileage may depend on your tolerance for cute girls (and creatures) doing cute things in the midst of a “dark” world–and first seasons dedicated to world-building that are reminiscent of other series. That said, stay for its appreciation for “the little things” and the small victories in life. That’s where WHA truly shines.

Now that the TL;DR is out of the way, if you’re still here, let’s talk Witch Hat Atelier season one. Please note that I’m basing this solely on the anime, as I haven’t gotten that into the manga. The 2026 high fantasy series is a solid show that has, admittedly, some of the best animation I’ve ever seen. Bug Films did their damned thing on WHA, which makes sense considering it took over three years to finish season one. Not the seven it was rumored to have taken, but still a long time. The animation is damn-near impeccable. The story, however, is a 7/10. Not earth-shattering, not cheeks, just adequate.

The thus-released 13 episodes remind me of a mix between a moe Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, elements of Harry Potter and The Owl House, a teeny pinch of Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Frieren. Yes, I know that Witch Hat Atelier predates Frieren and The Owl House, so don’t @ me. Also, my likening it to a “moe FMA” isn’t meant to be dismissive, as it quite literally has adorable girls, creatures, etc. doing adorable things. In another timeline, it could’ve been a series similar to I’ve Been Killing Slimes for Over 300 Years (minus the Isekai, of course). While I’ve Been Killing Slimes does have its moments of political intrigue, they’re, 98% of the time, pushed aside from comedy, heartwarming moments and the like.

WHA, on the other hand, deals with very optimistic and funny/cheerful moments, like I‘ve Been Killing Slimes and FMA. However, it also leans heavily into those darker moments and darker discussions on humanity and society–like FMA. It presents its world as one where systemic classism and racism, heavy loss, war recovery, etc. exist. It’s definitely not a world where someone can rest on their laurels and do absolutely nothing but frolick with friends and with magic.

Our WHA hero, a young girl named Coco, is a very intelligent and inquisitive girl who’s the daughter of a dressmaker.

She starts off episode one being denied her dream of being a witch. That’s because, since she’s not an innate magic user, she (in theory) doesn’t have the ability/right to utilize magic. Coco meets Qifrey, a powerful witch. She notices how Qifrey uses magic, which is specifically through drawing runes and glyphs. So, with the help of a book she bought (from someone she didn’t realize was a witch), Coco begins experimenting with magic, draws a forbidden spell, and tragically crystalizes her mother. At least Coco didn’t have to give up her own physical body to cast the spell.

As things unfold, we learn more about the series’ world and its history of magic. Without giving too much (more) away, we see more about the world pre-story. We watch Coco learn more about magic with Qifrey and his other apprentices. We sit with Coco as she learns more about the spell she crystalized her mom with and becomes more confident in her own magic abilities. We get to see the factions at play in the series, including the Brimmed Hats, witches who want to make magic available to everyone through methods you’ll have to watch to fully get. Most importantly, we learn that the story, like life, isn’t wholly about the destination but, like Frieren, instead the journey.

There is, and this is something that I really love about Witch Hat Atelier, a true appreciation for the little things. As mentioned, it’s about the journey like Frieren. It’s also about celebrating wins, even in a world that seems hellbent on tearing you down for one reason or another. It’s a show that, in some ways, holds our mouths open and forces us to swallow and accept the idea that “it’s okay to appreciate the little things and celebrate the small victories.” For instance, the story may not be earth-shattering, but there’s something magical about Coco learning to fly or pass her first real tests as an apprentice. There’s something beautiful about watching Coco and her somewhat-misunderstood apprentice-mates bond and learn to appreciate and depend on each other. It may not be a A-1 plot, but it’s definitely a good-enough one that you’ll want to stay for the “wins.”

Like Frieren, though, your mileage may vary depending on how much you can tolerate the characters. For example, Frieren herself is, at times, a bit of a troll and kind of a smart idiot. She’s nigh-omnipotent but how many random spells does she really need to accumulate? That’s something that can push potential fans away (along with the flashbacks). In WHA, your mileage with the story may depend on how much CGDCT you can tolerate. Well, that and the story takes a while to really get going. We get hints and tidbits along the way, but the last two or three episodes is where everything comes more into focus. If you’re a slow-burn sort of fan, it may be perfect for you. For me, it was a tad bit too slow (and familiar). Thankfully, it’s not Rent-a-Girlfriend slow because while there isn’t ACTION EVERY SECOND, there is progression.

Few things are.

I probably faked you out when I said on social media that I couldn’t understand the hype. That’s for the story itself. But the joy I felt throughout the series? The wins? The quiet moments that made you just feel good? That’s why I do recommend it. Come for a decent story, stay for the celebration of the little things that make life grand.