Crunchyroll's Witch Hat Atelier Isn't The Frieren Replacement Fans Think It Is - MCE Notices | California State Portal

Witch Hat Atelier is the new premier fantasy anime franchise. It’s taken Crunchyroll by storm, and fans across the globe have referred to it as one of the Big Three of the genre, placing it next to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Delicious in Dungeon.

While the comparisons aren’t too outlandish, Witch Hat Atelier lacks a few key components that Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has in spades. They are two different series, and now that the first season of Witch Hat Atelier is almost over, that fact is more glaring than good.

Witch Hat Atelier has a lot of potential, but it shouldn’t be compared to Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Frieren might be one of the greatest anime series of all time, and despite its strengths, Witch Hat Atelier isn’t even close.

Witch Hat Atelier Is Considered One of the Big Three of Fantasy Anime

Witch Hat Atelier has a lot of strengths. The magic system used in the series is unlike any other, and that alone deserves praise. In a world where it feels like every fantasy anime either uses incantations or hand-signs, Witch Hat Atelier struck gold with its incredibly simple, straight-to-the-point magic system that adds to the story immediately.

The series’ main character, Coco, is almost always a joy to watch as well. Her love of magic is pure, and she often feels like a stand-in for the viewer in the best way possible. Since she, like the viewer, is new to the world of magic, her reactions to extraordinary activities feel refreshing and relatable.

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There is an underlying darkness to Witch Hat Atelier, and that might be the best part so far. The series is filled with positivity, whimsy, and self-belief, and under it all is an ocean of anger and obsession held by Qifrey. He’s an amazingly powerful Witch capable of extremely intricate spells, but it’s his twisted devotion to finding the Brimmed-Cap Witches that really brings his character out.

While he’s a highlight of the series, his character is the only one that doesn’t feel like it’s bringing the series down. Coco, Agott, and most recently, Richeh have felt like highly unlikable characters that are hard to watch more often than not.

Witch Hat Atelier Isn’t Great at Developing Characters

Almost every anime character is going to go through a few low moments on their way to becoming the heroes they’re destined to be. Naruto was a brat who vandalized the Hidden Leaf Village, Spike spent most of Cowboy Bebop running from his past, and Deku turned his back on his friends when he felt like he was only bringing them down.

This is all part of character development. Most stories are made better by showing a character overcoming their inner obstacles and becoming better for it, but Witch Hat Atelier takes it too far. The characters are way too unlikable early on, making every episode feel like you’re walking through mud.

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They’re tedious, annoying, and never worth the effort. Frieren’s characters have their flaws, but not to this extent. Frieren has a hard time connecting with others, Fern has the same issue on a more intimate level, and Stark can be both cowardly and blockheaded. The difference is, however, that these aspects make Frieren’s characters more endearing.

Agott’s blind devotion to becoming a better Witch, Richeh’s unmoving stubbornness, and Coco’s consistent naïveté are beyond frustrating. They’re all decent enough characters, but watching them is like watching an animal trapped in a cage. They’re all so blind to their own inner workings that it feels like it’ll take years for them to ever even begin the road to progress.

Frieren Is in a League of Its Own

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is in a league of its own. Every few years, we anime fans are blessed with a series like Frieren, a series so monstrously good that it puts the entire art form of anime into perspective. If Frieren is going to be compared to anything, it should be Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Attack on Titan, two franchises that defined the years they were released in.

Frieren feels otherworldly. When most anime series focus on the here and now, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End looks to the past as a means of adapting to the future. The premise is amazing, fresh, and unique, three qualities rarely found in fantasy anime in the modern era.

Fantasy anime is defined by magical people and magical worlds, but Frieren has more. It has incredible characters filled with flaws, hopes, dreams, fears, and everything in between. Watching Frieren learn more about relationships is cathartic, and watching Fern and Stark develop their own romance is beautiful.

There aren’t any true Frieren comparisons: even Delicious in Dungeon doesn’t have the same calming aura that Frieren brings to every episode. It’s a series we’ll look back on in 20 years with nostalgia and joy, the same way modern fans look at Cowboy Bebop, Gurren Lagann, or Neon Genesis Evangelion, and that’s a feat in and of itself.

Witch Hat Atelier May One Day Be Worthy of a Frieren Comparison

witch hat atelier characters standing around each other smiling

Witch Hat Atelier has amazing animation, a great character in Qifrey, and an intriguing world waiting to be explored. There are a myriad of problems too, though: the main characters are grueling to watch, the series’ world is filled with more rules than we can count, and the unique magic system feels like it can be more limiting than freeing.

Witch Hat Atelier isn’t anywhere near Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, but that shouldn’t be the priority. Instead of being compared to what is easily one of the best anime of the past decade, it should focus on becoming watchable. It’s been a pretty frustrating first season for what is supposed to be one of the Big Three of fantasy anime, but hopefully the second season can change everything.