Translated by Stephen Kohler
156 pages
Published 2022 (English translation published 2022)
Read August 9
Rating: 4 out of 5
We’ve reached the end of my self-allotted ration of Witch Hat for the month. In September, I’ll read volumes 11 and 12, and be all caught up with the translated books. Sad face.
After the emotional tension and thematic knots laid out so beautifully in Volume 9, this tankōbon feels a bit like a muddle, quick-cutting through storylines for all the girls (and Tartah and Custas too) while also introducing fresh complications in the form of King Deanreldy and his son Prince Eoleo.
It all feels important to Shirahama’s themes of power, its risks, and who decides who gets to wield it. It gives us the most visceral glimpse yet into why certain practices of magic have been banned in this world. But the storytelling felt a bit like a plateau after the breathless build of Volume 9.
Not that I didn’t like it, by any means. Shirahama continues to expertly weave tragedy and dread throughout the seemingly innocent fantasy. Certain other series about young people learning to be witches could never maintain this level of quality.
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