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A review by luluwoohoo
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 3 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Witch Hat Atelier volumes 1-3 by Kamome Shirahama, translation by Stephen Kohler
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅
The first three volumes in this series of YA graphic novels set a whimsical, mysterious and wholesome tone that is reminiscent of my favourite Studio Ghibli films.
I first have to address the art itself, which is probably some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. The style is detailed and versatile and simply gorgeous to look at. Given that magic in this world is a visual/art-based system, the talent of the artist cannot be understated when it comes to the success of these graphic novels.
The storyline is simple and fairly straightforward: a young girl discovers that the world's perception of magic is a lie, and now that she's in on the secret she will train to be a witch in the hopes of saving her mother. What elevates the concept is the skillful way darker possibilities are hinted at throughout, keeping you intrigued in the long form plot, as well as the 'adventure of the week' style catastrophes that add tension and provide good opportunities for character growth.
Coco is so earnest and enthusiastic that she is a joy to read about. Her fellow apprentices and her teacher provide legitimate sources of feeding information on the magic system and worldbuilding facts into the story succinctly. The mysterious bad guys are equal parts creepy and fascinating.
The cliffhanger endings for volumes 1 and 2 left me frustrated that my holds at the library weren't fast enough to keep up with my speed reading through these! I can't wait to keep going with this series when I have the next few volumes available.
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅
The first three volumes in this series of YA graphic novels set a whimsical, mysterious and wholesome tone that is reminiscent of my favourite Studio Ghibli films.
I first have to address the art itself, which is probably some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. The style is detailed and versatile and simply gorgeous to look at. Given that magic in this world is a visual/art-based system, the talent of the artist cannot be understated when it comes to the success of these graphic novels.
The storyline is simple and fairly straightforward: a young girl discovers that the world's perception of magic is a lie, and now that she's in on the secret she will train to be a witch in the hopes of saving her mother. What elevates the concept is the skillful way darker possibilities are hinted at throughout, keeping you intrigued in the long form plot, as well as the 'adventure of the week' style catastrophes that add tension and provide good opportunities for character growth.
Coco is so earnest and enthusiastic that she is a joy to read about. Her fellow apprentices and her teacher provide legitimate sources of feeding information on the magic system and worldbuilding facts into the story succinctly. The mysterious bad guys are equal parts creepy and fascinating.
The cliffhanger endings for volumes 1 and 2 left me frustrated that my holds at the library weren't fast enough to keep up with my speed reading through these! I can't wait to keep going with this series when I have the next few volumes available.
"For when man has the power to do anything, then anything he will do."