Lately, we have seen the rise of fantasy mangas—aside from the isekai subgenre—that have their own unique flair of creatively standing out through strengths that's uniquely for them, ranging from Freiren’s captivating storytelling to Delicious in Dungeon’s appetizing flair of culinary visuals. Another one to add to it's roster is a manga that's been running for almost 8 years now (as of January 2024), has slowly been catching off steam in the manga community, and will be getting an anime adaptation later on in the year, and that is Witch Hat Atelier. ***

Witch Hat Atelier follows Coco, a young girl who has a dream of becoming a witch—which she does through various circumstances—while also battling through challenges, insecurities, morality, and the overall responsibility and what it means to be a witch—while also having storytelling spices alongside. Most fantasy animes are often overblown or overwhelming to certain readers—especially when it's a quest-related fantasy adventure with beyond-the-earth characters. Not with Witch Hat Atelier.

Coco is just as down to earth as the next person, with moments where you can relate to her and understand her thought process and feelings towards situations—especially when moments where she degrades herself, which feels human in some aspect. This trend follows through other characters that surround Coco, namely Argott, Richeh, and Tetia, who you may have labeled as archetypal characters at the start, but they start to deviate away from that and become well-rounded and well-minded characters where you sometimes sympathize and root for their own personal beliefs. That goes with Qifrey—Coco's Teacher and a Witch—who may seem distant and fantastical at first but later becomes a far more grounded character than readers would expect.

While the series has its lighter and wholesome moments sprinkled throughout, it doesn't also shy away from providing dramatic moments as its main push of its story. We'll get to see that from the first few chapters, where we'll be hit with a significant moment for our main character, Coco. The series, however, does not play all of its cards to have an immediate tearjerker moment just to push it aside right after the next chapter, but it is a background slowburner that lingers within the characters—and even stacks with many worries and insecurities, making the blowout page far more impactful.

This lingering element also applies with the mystery of the series, where they don't show the objectives and goals immediately but subtly give you hints across many chapters—putting clues specifically to the reader and making them puzzle the entire intent of said conflict—until the confrontation.

The manga’s story and characters are perfectly synergized by the fantastical world-building this series provides. The concept of witches in this world is in the sea of familiarity among many fantasy-related animes, but there are subtleties hidden behind curtains—or should I say “between the lines” of dialogues among characters that widens the door of many possibilities this series opens itself—and they mostly deliver at its own pace. Another aspect is the power system, which is by far one of the most unique systems in modern manga. It doesn't have that Shounen action flair where visual proceeds it's mechanics, but it still provides that awesome factor by having a mechanic on casting spells by drawing—something we have seen similarly on Episode 1 of Mushishi—but further expanding on that concept and conquering a more interesting and captivating visuals of its power systems.

This manga wouldn't be as popular as it is now without its main attraction: its art style. The art is filled with unique, finely-detailed backdrops among jaw-dropping moments where you can really feel the grand scale of this lived-in world. Added with many areas where one feature stands out the most—and perfectly synergizes with what arc is coinciding throughout. Magic spells that felt more grandiose with it's captivating liquidly—yet aggressive form. Even down to it's characters, where you can feel the finer details of their clothes. It's one of the most unique and eye-catching artworks you will see in many fantasy mangas. ***

Witch Hat Atelier is one of the most intriguing modern fantasy mangas. Along with its relatable down-to-earth characters, captivating mysteries, grandiose yet carefully constructed world building, and jaw-droppingly detailed art style, this makes it an easy recommendation for people who are seeking a new manga—for instance, a fantasy manga—to read. ***