Wistoria won't just whet the appatite of any lover of Fantasy or Isekai, it will leave you chomping at the bit for just a taste more.

Whilst Wistoria does have a fairly generic premise especiially when compared to how good fantasy series have been recently. See Frieren, Dungeon Meshi and the much anticipated Witch Hat Atelier for citations. It no less delivers on it's simple albeit well crafted entry into the summer 2024 anime season.

The aforementioned premise takes place in a world, which may or may not have a name - if it was mentioned I was was sick that day and didn't catch it, where magic is the dominant force in everything from the most basic spells to help with everyday tasks to the overwhelming power in warfare. The most powerful magic users are a group of 5 individuals known as the Magia Vander and it's this rank that our Protag-kun: Will Serfort, has his heart set on in order to re-unite with his childhood friend and fellow orphan Elfie - who has has already become a Magia Vander.

The only thing standing in his way however is himself because in a world that is dominated by Magic, Will can't use it - at all.

One gets tones of 'if Mashle took itself seriously' mixed with a Kaiju No8 style "I'll stand by her side" with this one.

Will therefore must relay upon his skill with a sword in order to pull through at Magic school, earning enough credit through monster slaying and dungeon crawling to graduate and keep his dream alive.

This is were the main focus on the series takes place, Will trying to prove himself as capable of becoming a Magia Vander in a school that would rather pretend that he doesn't exist and the subsequent bullying that comes with that. a society that places no value in him save for a few and opponents who, if he slips up even a little, would annihilate him.

Now for any fan of Isekai (despite this not being an isekai) where say an entire class of students are given abilities and not just the protag, the bullying is a ruthless and vile as you would come to expect. All-most every student partakes in Will's belittlement simple for the crime of his existence in their presence. Maniacal laughter, extreme close ups of VERY sharp teeth curving into a demented smile - emphasis on the VERY and dialogue that sounds make every bully sound so unhinged i'm convinced that every single one of them are moments away from just rampaging in this school.

Which is both a detractor and a champion of this series because despite the almost cartoonish, 'I can't believe it's not Isekai' flavour of the bullying which gets formulaic and predictable by about episode 4 coupled with the twisted, demon-lord like cackles make these characters very unlikable - which is the point. You're supposed to hate them so that when when Will absolutely wrecks them, it's incredibly satisfying. it's Will's determination and sheer bad-assary with a sword that makes the fight scenes really shine, and BOY DO THEY SHINE.

Let me ask you a question - Are you a fan of crazy, stupid, sheer f**king awesomeness cranked up to infinity?

No? Then take comfort in your own company, I doubt you will ever find happiness.

The fight scenes in this anime absolutely POP OFF! Every detail and every moment is lovingly and beautifully crafted into some of the best sakuga outside of One Piece and it really gets you hooked.

I cannot recommend this series enough for anyone looking for another fantasy series to really sink their teeth into and given that Wistoria already has a Season 2 announced, it's the perfect time to jump on this train.