The List

Six Underrated Anime Witches

Studio Trigger's Little Witch Academia television anime was just released from its streaming prison at Netflix, which means fans will finally get to follow Atsuko, Sucy, and Lotte on their magical adventures at Luna Nova High School. Witches come in all shapes and sizes, but the European style of broom-flying casters in tall hats have a storied history in anime. While some of these titles are more widely celebrated like Kiki's Delivery Service and Flying Witch, other anime witches could use a little extra TLC.

Tweeny Witches I'm always impressed when anyone remembers Tweeny Witches. Studio 4°C animated this series dreamed up by Keita Amemiya, the same mind behind Iria - Zeiram the Animation and the live-action tokusatsu show Garo, and its art design was particularly unique for the time. The story follows Arusu, a girl who desperately believes in magic and then finds herself pulled into a magical world where witches are real. Much to her dismay, magic isn't used for fun and games, and her colleagues in training are a bunch of fuddy-duddies. Even more bothersome is the way witches treat the magical creatures around them, so Arusu decides to revolutionize magic herself. Media Blasters released Tweeny Witches once upon a time, but the series is now out of print.

Witch Craft Works I still remain surprised that Witch Craft Works didn't become a thing. It seems to have all the makings of a fun magical school series. There's slapstick comedy, a central romance that shakes things up a bit, and decent battles between witches specializing in different types of magic. Main character Ayaka Kagari is a stoic fire witch who ends up shacking up with Honoka Takamiya and becoming his protector against other witches who also happen to be his classmates. The anime streamed on Crunchyroll and Vertical picked up the manga series, but no home video release has ever been announced. At this point, the series has faded into the background of fan consciousness.

Sugar Sugar Rune Moyoco Anno's Sugar Sugar Rune is experiencing a revival of sorts in Japan, but outside of the manga release 10 years ago, the anime adaptation never gained any ground here. The series follows two competing witches who leave the magical world to go to Earth, obtain the hearts of boys, and turn them in for points. Witches Chocolat and Vanilla masquerade as regular humans to win boys' affection, but there's always the risk they'll fall in love themselves, a disastrous outcome for witches. Of course, I'm sure that definitely, absolutely won't happen in this shōjo series.

Kuromajyo-san ga Tōru!! Roughly translated, Kuromajyo-san ga Tōru!! translates to "Black Witch-san Passes by!" It's a 60-episode series of shorts about occult fan Chiyoko and her newfound powers as a witch after she accidentally summons "Gubid" instead of "Cupid" and becomes her apprentice. Chiyoko usually ends up rectifying wacky problems within her large roster of classmates, although sometimes she finds herself in the world of demons or chasing giant squirrels. Kuromajyo-san ga Tōru!! is a kids' show through and through, something that could probably air on Nick Jr. without any problems.

Magimoji Rurumo Remember this show? It was the witch show from 2014 with the off-putting color palette and the unlikable horny protagonist. The series still remains unlicensed, but it's anybody's guess as to why. It could be Kōta's perving on the witch Rurumo, who looks pre-pubescent, but it's not like fanservice has hindered a license before. It even has the Wataru Watano pedigree, although that's where the similarities stop. Looking over Amy McNulty's episode reviews, it doesn't look like audiences are missing much; the series is another case of "read the manga" non-ending and Kōta's contract with Rurumo is never resolved.

Magical Sisters Yoyo & Nene Magical Sisters Yoyo & Nene is a film by ufotable focusing on familial love. Sisters Yoyo and Nene are witches that specialize in both cursing and de-cursing people, a skill that comes in handy when a giant tree appears in front of their home. The tree acts as a portal to the modern day, and the two sisters will have to help another pair of siblings when their parents are cursed to become monsters. Daisuki has streamed the movie for anyone who wants a bit of fun, low-stakes entertainment, but otherwise there is no physical English release for Yoyo & Nene.

The new poll: Which of the Anime Expo announced new manga/light novel series are you most excited to read?

The old poll: Who is Takahashi's best girl?

1. Kagome Higurashi (InuYasha)
2. Sango (InuYasha)
3. Lum Invader (Urusei Yatsura)
4. Kyoko Otonashi (Maison Ikkoku)
5. Ranma "Ranko" Saotome (Ranma 1/2)
6. Akane Tendo (Ranma 1/2)
7. Kikyo (InuYasha)
8. Kagura (InuYasha)
9. Sakura Mamiya (RIN-NE)
10. Shampoo (Ranma 1/2)