[Anime Review]/Little Witch Academia

Well, figured it was time to get off my butt and do this one. Not only because it's started popping up everywhere, but also because it had been recommended to me by quite a few people over on Google+ and I just can't pass that up. That and it's just really damn good. Scroll down and watch it in full or read on, I mean what's not to like about cute girls killing ugly monsters and hunting for treasure while in school? (Seriously, where was that class when I was in high school?!)

That said, this short by Trigger for Anime Mirai 2013,  definitely gives off the feeling of being part of something grander. A whole world seems to be fleshed out here and we're only getting a slight glimpse. By the time it ended I was left wanting to see more of this world and the adventures of Akko, Sucy and Lotte during their years of schooling. Akko, the protagonist of the story is enamored with magic after seeing a magic show by a witch named Shiny Chariot. From that moment on she apparently wants to become a witch so she enrolls at Luna Nova, a school for young witches to learn their craft. However, her enthusiasm for Shiny Chariot is seen as misguided by not only her friends but the stuck up, talented and arrogant at times Sucy and her little group of followers/friends.

Not only that but it appears that Akko, who doesn't come from a magical family at all, is extremely behind the curve in just about everything from flying on a broom to even using more advanced magic that the other girls can harness. She's got spirit though and her ambitions are high in wanting to become just like Shiny Chariot. (There's a great scene in her dorm room that explains her love and the others disdain for her idol.) So, I'm sure you can see where this is going and I won't spoil anything at this point in case you haven't seen it or figured it out yet.

As I said before, there is a huge underlying feel of Harry Potter here in all of this, but our heroine is no perfect chosen one (neither was Harry but he was gifted in areas, Akko...not so much!). Not only are there references to things such as the philosophers/sorcerers stone but also a ton of other mythologies and even Tolkien references flying about, not very unlike the world of Harry Potter if one's completely honest with things. That's about the only similarity though since witches are out in the open and it seems to be a girls only affair in this universe.

Overall the combination of the animation, which Trigger has nailed, and the smoothness of the voice acting with likable characters and a great sense of tension, make this a must watch for anyone of the fantasy genre or just a fan of well done anime as well. Here's to hoping that Trigger sees the support along with others and they can make this a full fledged series!

If you're looking to watch it, you can find it on YouTube and also Crunchyroll....or just watch it below! We don't mind if you stick around, just don't spill too much popcorn.