Summary
- Witch Watch is a fun anime with a mix of romance, magic, and humor, perfect for all audiences.
- The dynamic partnerships in Witch Watch and In/Spectre add depth to supernatural adventures.
- Witch Watch shares similarities with other anime like Familiar of Zero and Sailor Moon, offering a unique blend.
This anime season, Kenta Shinohara's Witch Watch debuts its animated adaptation. The story follows the young witch Nico and her childhood friend Morihito as they go through daily life while juggling the consequences of Nico's magic. It's a silly show full of fun references to other anime and pop culture that everyone can enjoy.
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There are many facets to Witch Watch. On the one hand, it's a romantic comedy between childhood friends, and on the other, it's a slice of life that uses absurdist humor. However, it also has a supernatural and magical element to it, which helps each episode stay interesting. Because of its eclectic mix of traits, this anime is similar to many others, but it remains unique due to the way everything fits together.
12 In/Spectre
A Couple Of Supernatural Peacemakers
In/Spectre
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 12, 2020
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Brain's Base
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- MyAnimeList Score
- 6.92 (Season 1)
Part of what makes Witch Watch fun is the partnership between Nico and Morihito. Although their personalities are quite different, it's clear they still care for one another. It's the same for the pair in In/Spectre. Kotoko and Kurou are a couple, and despite their differences, they manage to keep the peace between the yokai and humanity, solving problems big and small to maintain order.
Like Nico and Morhito, Kotoko and Kurou are a combo of magical girl and monster boy, but instead of a witch and an ogre, they're a medium and a hybrid yokai. The dynamic between them is incredibly interesting, especially because of the work they do. Their relationship is just as important to the plot as all the mysterious events that occur.
11 Familiar Of Zero
A Good Traditional Isekai
The Familiar Of Zero
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2012-00-00
- Network
- AT-X, Chiba TV
- Directors
- Koji Kobayashi, Jiro Fujimoto, Yuta Maruyama, Tomio Yamauchi
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Number of Episodes
- 49
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.21 (Season 1)
Witch Watch's story begins with Nico returning from her witch training to make Morihito her familiar. This isn't the first time a male protagonist has become a witch's familiar, either. Saito Hiraga is summoned to another world in Familiar of Zero due to Louise's ritual, and he has no choice but to obey her commands. Of course, their relationship is very different from Nico and Morihito's.
While the Witch Watch duo are equals from the start, it takes time for Saito and Louise to learn about and understand each other, especially when Saito's special powers are revealed. They're able to become good partners despite their differences and eventually fall in love. This anime is much more of a typical Shōnen adventure, but it can be just as silly and fun.
10 Yamada-kun And The Seven Witches
An Unexpectedly Fun Harem Anime
Yamada-kun And The Seven Witches
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 12, 2015
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- LIDENFILMS
- Number of Episodes
- 12
Despite the way it looks, Yamada-kun And The Seven Witches isn't a typical harem anime with tons of fanservice. It tells a decent story with fun and interesting characters. What happens is Ryuu Yamada transfers to a new school to salvage his reputation, but by his second year, he's relapsed into his old ways. After an accident, he collides with Urara Shiraishi, kissing her in the process, and that small mistake leads to their bodies being swapped.
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The rest of the story follows the two as they learn about the other witches in the school, leading to multiple romantic encounters. It's not the most unique anime out there, but it does what it's meant to do without being overly sexual or explicit. The plot and characters are pretty well-rounded. The biggest complaint most people have is that it's rushed, having only twelve episodes to work with.
9 Beyond The Boundary
A Fantastical School Romance
Beyond the Boundary
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2014-00-00
Beyond The Boundary is another anime that mainly features a supernatural duo, but rather than friends, these two start as enemies. Mirai Kuriyama is a warrior who hunts and fights youmu, and her job in the story is to kill Akihito Kanbara, a half-youma hybrid. Unfortunately, Akihito's powers make him immortal, so with no other choice, the two start a tentative friendship that soon grows into something more intimate.
Unlike Witch Watch, this anime has more of a serious tone, and the events in the plot are mostly set up for the finale. There's definitely more drama and tension in this story, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun. There are a fair number of silly moments and even a whole episode dedicated to forming an idol group. It's a good combination of slice of life and traditional shōnen storytelling.
8 Flying Witch
A Relaxing Story About Witches And Farming
Flying Witch
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2016
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- J.C.Staff
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.50
For another magical slice-of-life anime, Flying Witch is the best choice for a relaxing experience. Similar to Witch Watch, the story follows a young witch, Makoto Kowata, who moves in with her relatives so she can train to be a full-fledged witch. There are some minor conflicts here and there, but for the most part, it's a show about living a peaceful life in a rural village.
Witch Watch is full of chaotic moments, but it also has great scenes where Nico and Morihito are just normal people. Flying Witch will appeal to those who enjoy the daily life segments in the anime and want something to cool down with after watching other, more exciting shows. It's perfect for decompressing after a stressful day.
7 Gugure! Kokkuri-san
A Chaotic Gag Anime
- MyAnimeList Score: 7.55
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: 2014
- Genres/Themes: Comedy, Supernatural, Gag Humor
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
Another unlikely anime duo is Kohina and Kokkuri from Gugure! Kokkuri-san. In this anime, the doll-like Kohina Ichimatsu summons the fox spirit Kokkuri to make a wish, but with fewer people visiting shrines and praying, he's lost his power. When he sees Kohina's poor living conditions, he takes it upon himself to take care of her by cleaning, cooking, and just being around.
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This anime is based on a series of short comics with the same title, so it should be clear what the style of humor will be. Kohina herself is the gag most of the time, and her lack of common sense and understanding is the catalyst for the story. It's incredibly similar to Nico's clumsiness with magic in Witch Watch. There's a lot of spontaneity and chaos, but that's what makes it fun.
6 Sailor Moon
The Most Iconic Magical Girl
Sailor Moon
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1992 - 1997
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 200
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.74 (Season 1)
In Witch Watch, Nico is a young girl with magic powers, and although she's a little clumsy, she has good intentions. If that sounds familiar, that's because Usagi (or Serena) fits the bill exactly. Sailor Moon's protagonist is another clumsy magical girl. Although her shtick is fighting for love and justice, Usagi is also a normal teenage girl who likes going to the arcade, shopping, and being with her friends.
Whether it's the original or the reboot, Sailor Moon is a fantastic anime to pick up or revisit. Not only is it based on themes of friendship and unity, but it's also a classic story that paved the way for other female-led narratives. Its repetitive nature can be attributed to the time it was produced, but that should stop someone from enjoying a show full of drama, action, and genuinely funny moments.
5 Kamisama Kiss
The Daily Life Of A Local God
Kamisama Kiss
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2012 - 2016-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment, V1 Studio
- Number of Episodes
- 25
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.11 (Season 1)
Supernatural couples are pretty common in anime and manga, especially in romance. In Kamisama Kiss, however, Nanami Momozono accidentally becomes a local god and enters a contract with the fox familiar Tomoe. Although the two are at odds in the beginning, they slowly build a relationship, and it's not until much later that they become more romantic.
For the most part, this anime is a slice-of-life story that leans more into romance, so it's a little less exciting than Witch Watch, which seems to balance more genres and themes. However, for people who like more cutesy anime romances, Kamisama Kiss is great, and it even features some magical hijinks with spirits and other supernatural entities.
4 Hinamatsuri
A Strange Girl's Ordinary Life
Hinamatsuri
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018
- Directors
- Masashi Ishihama
- Writers
- Masashi Sogo, Yûsuke Kishi
- Studio
- feel.
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.12
In Witch Watch, Nico literally crashes into Morihito's life with her entrance, breaking his glass door. In Hinamatsuri, Hina appears similarly, falling out of the sky and into Nitta's apartment. Hina is a young girl with telekinetic powers that allow her to move objects with her mind, and she uses them to force herself into Nitta's life, making him take care of her. The two have a strained relationship at first, but eventually they become something like a family.
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Witch Watch and Hinamatsuri actually have many things in common, namely the writing and comedic style and overall plot. There are tons of funny asides and out-of-pocket moments, and combined with multiple absurd scenarios, it makes for a pretty entertaining show. It's an incredibly enjoyable anime with jokes that anyone can appreciate.
3 SKET Dance
A Story Of Anime's Best Helpers
Sket Dance
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2011 - 2013-00-00
- Studio
- Tatsunoko Production
- Number of Episodes
- 77
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.21
Fans of Witch Watch will want to check out Kenta Shinohara's other big title, SKET Dance, which is based on the manga of the same name. Since they're written and illustrated by the same person, they have similar comedic writing and use many of the same plot devices. Although SKET Dance is in a more mundane setting, it's still just as odd and exciting, which makes some of the events that happen even more outrageous.
The story is about the SKET Brigade, a school club made up of three friends who dedicate themselves to helping people. Whether they're students or faculty members, the SKET Brigade will do their utmost to make their wish come true. This usually means some silly antics, but some wholesome and touching moments ground the story.