Witch Hat Atelier Episode 13 [FINAL]

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW?!?!?!!?!?!? THEY DID NOT JUST FREAKING END IT LIKE THAT. NO WAY, THAT CAN’T BE IT, YOU— ARE YOU INSANE. YOU EXPECT US TO WAIT THREE MONTHS FOR THE REST?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I’m going insane right now. THEY AREN’T GONNA MAKE US WAIT LONGER THAN THREE MONTHS, RIGHT?! RIGHT?! PLEASE DOn’T dO tHiS TO US!

This episode felt way too short for it to end like this, which is straight up diabolical because we barely begun this arc and now we gotta wait for the rest. It did successfully make me to want to read the manga immediately, and if that’s the intention– they passed with flying colours. However as much as I want to dive in and read, I’ve been holding back all this time because the anime’s been doing such a great job with this, that I kind of wanted to experience it first this way. But now… I’m not so sure if I have the patience for that, hahahaha!

Seriously though, where do I even begin? I guess we’ll start with Agott, because that’s sort of where things really set the domino effects of things going downhill real fast. Initially she had the right survival idea: Coming up with the fastest way to safely get through the cave, and hope they could outrun the Brimmed Cap thanks to the combination of their spells, and Coco’s exclusively made Rocket-Sylph shoes to help propel them onward.

But, the moment Agott realized that the Brimmed Cap’s real target was Coco, she thought she could buy time and make a bold bluff about her not being present, having no memories of magic, and that they are wasting their time here and should leave them alone. Oh how tragically naive that was. Agott didn’t account that the Brimmed Cap could have (and in-fact, probably had) seen Coco when they’ve first arrived. And worse, she gravely underestimated their deep pleasure of inflicting horrors and sufferings onto others, as well failed to consider they were being used as bait and hostages to force Coco’s hand. As result, she was about to become a victim of Forbidden Magic, with the Brimmed Cap about to tattoo a Forbidden Spell on her. And if they had, everything she has been working hard for would be all for naught. Luckily thanks to Richeh’s and Euini’s quick thinking, they were able to successfully save her before that happened.

Tragically however… while Agott was saved, Euini ended up being the victim of it instead– and that was real horrible and upsetting to see. I was distraught for the kid. Bloody hell… This poor kid has the absolute worst luck. He was finally feeling better about himself and then THIS MOTHERFUCKER DECIDES TO CAST A FORBIDDEN SPELL ON HIM WITHOUT HIS CONSENT. They had decided to punish him by giving him a form he’d want to truly hide. What’s even more disguisting, is that they didn’t necessarily know the outcome of the forbidden spell, making him nothing more than a living test subject for their whims. That’s why they weren’t expecting the scalewolf fur used to make the cloak would integrate with him in that manner. Nevertheless, the consequences is still incredibly grave. It seems to be the type of spell that’s seems to consume the individual in its entirety, making them lose their original self, not just physically but as a whole identity altogether. Ugh! I’m so devastated for him! I really hope they’ll be able to save him. It feels like it’s just so much more difficult if he got it tattooed on him. GOD DAMN IT, I WILL NOT ACCEPT EUINI DYING HERE. WE MUST SAVE THIS BEAN!!! I will cry so much if they don’t!

And now this is where Richeh comes in. She was rightfully furious, but as much as she wants to save Euini– she can’t. This event it a brutal and tragic reckoning, forcing her to understand how powerlessness she is due to the lack of knowledge of basic, everyday spells. When they needed to propel themselves faster, Agott needed additional wind magic, but Richeh didn’t know how to draw it. Euini was able to help her by lending her his spell-book he had prepared in advance for the test. That was the first time it really dawned to her, but what solidified her helplessness in consequence of her longtime stubbornness was when Agott told her she didn’t have enough knowledge to help Euini. She was told the best thing she can do right now is safely escort the Myrthons to the other side, and seek for more aid. Richeh hates that she’s useless right now, especially when she really wants to save Euini. It really sucks to be learning this the hard way at the worst possible time and circumstances.

As if that wasn’t enough shit hitting the fan, oh no– nobody’s getting out of this unscathed. That motherfucker seemed to have reactivated one of the ancient forbidden spells: the serpent’s golem, which attacked Qifrey, Coco and Tetia, dragging them inside to the deepest depth. Qifrey ended up sustained severe injuries, from being impaled by falling debris, and even his face around his eye due to his glasses shattering. Since Coco was the first to regain conscious thanks to Brushbuddy waking her up, she had noticed he was bleeding badly from the left side of his face (the side of the tinted lens), that’s covered by his bangs. She was going to check up on it, but Qifrey had regained consciousness fast enough to reflexively stop her from looking further.

Needless to say, I do have some a list of suspicions, from either he has silver-wash condition in that eye, missing an eye (perhaps stolen by the Brimmed Caps because they are twisted mofos), or there’s a signature of forbidden spell either cast by himself (as we know Qifrey’s not necessarily opposed to using it when he deems it’s necessary), or (what would be worse), the Brimmed Caps either tattoo’d something awful on that side of his face, or even the eye itself—and I have little doubt that there’s a purposely spell concealed under that tinted glass. And now that it’s shattered, it’s the spell is broken, revealing whatever is being hidden under his bangs. After-all, there has to be a damn good reason for that side to be covered and tinted in the first place.

But the mystery regarding Qifrey’s secret will remain that way for a while longer, as there’s far more pressing concerns at hand. Since they’ve fallen into the depths, they are in grave danger. Last week we learned that one part that led to the Romonon’s demise was the in-fighting that flared up when they decided they would transform live people they’ve regarded as incompetent, into gold decorations. And those people are still alive, deep within the depths of the cave… bearing an awful grudge against Witches for having subjecting them to their twisted judgment.

The girls are in no way prepared or experienced enough to fight these guys, so even though Qifrey is quite gravely wounded, he’s not about to let his precious disciples get hurt on his watch. He’s about to do something absolutely even more epic than that golden water dragon, no doubt about that. The animation went so fucking hard in that last scene before they ended it right then. ARGGGGG QIFREY WHY ARE YOU SO FUCKING COOL!?!?!?!

As for the Brimmed Cap monstrosity #2, well there’s only so much that can be said about this motherfucker at the moment. So more in depth analysis will have to wait until the second cour— let it only be three months… let it only be three months… let it only be three months… But for the mean time, Richeh and Agott made a crucial observation about this individual. They are able to bypass the spells that has existed in that cave since it’s creation. Besides the fact Brimmed Caps are passionate about exploring Forbidden Magic, a part of me does wonder if perhaps this individual may be a Romonon descendent or perhaps… even crazier, an immortal survivor from that time period. If so, then that could explain why they would know how to defy the traps in the cave. Otherwise, it might just be they’ve been there so often testing things out, that they know the ins and outs like the back of their hand.

Anyhow, with Qifrey injured and having his hands full with the gold-turned Romonon victiums it may be a while before Agott and Richeh get further aid. Coco’s obviously the main target here, so it’s hard to say whether or not the bastard has decided to prioritize reaching her, or he’s still wandering around, waiting to attack Agott and Richeh next. Well, only one way to know sooner than later— time to read the books!

Final Thoughts

This show been an absolute roller-coaster of emotions and I’m HERE FOR IT! It has just about everything that I’ve been starving to watch for a long, long time, which is really bringing out something fresh by going back to the more traditional old school roots of the magic/fantasy genre. I love the magic and world building of this series, the characters are awesome, and most of all, the series’ art was simply magnificent. Everyone in the staff involved with producing this show has done such an unbelievable job of bringing alive the manga’s breathtaking art, and maintaining and even going above and beyond with the delivery, from the visual presentation, all the way to the sound production which was just— I need the Original Soundtrack yesterday. All twelve episodes were such a delicious treat to the eyes, and they absolutely nailed conveying both the beauty and horrors of the magic. I absolutely cannot wait to be back covering the second cour or season, whichever it’s going to be! Hopefully it’s only a three months wait for a second cour… but when you consider the insane quality they’ve been dishing out for us, after calming down, I can understand why they might say we need to wait a year.

And if that’s the case, well… I’m not sure if I’ll be able to hold off reading the manga that long, hahaha!
I’m sad the first boxset is still sold out… I’ll get it… eventually…

With that said, I do truly believe this how does deserve a freaking 9/10. Obviously there’s flaws here and there, but when you account the unbelievable animation quality, and the pure enjoyment of the story, honestly I can’t give it anything less.

Final Verdict: 9/10
START WATCHING IT IF YOU LOVE TRADITIONAL MAGIC STORIES!
Or wait for the the second cour if you don’t want to hold-off reading the manga bit longer. But if you’ve read this post, you’re already know what’s coming hahaha!