Manga Review - 'Little Witch Academia, Vol. 1' by Yoh Yoshinari and TRIGGER (Story), Keisuke Sato (Artist)

I decided to reread this manga, after many years now.

It's been even longer since I saw the first season of the 'Little Witch Academia' anime (I should get around to rewatching the whole series), and the first volume of the manga is similarly magical, cute and funny. The characters are especially funny, memorable, and stand out as unique, daring and endearing individuals. Look at these witch girls: Akko Kagari is just like a female version of a Shōnen Jump hero - headstrong, determined, one-track minded and obnoxious - and Sucy Manbavaran is like Wednesday Addams fused with a poison-type Pokémon, and the regal, sophisticated rival Diana Cavendish, who is secretly a fangirl, in actuality isn't a mean girl at all!

How I'm reminded of how similar 'The Owl House' is to 'Little Witch Academia'.

However, the volume is a mess. Narratively, thematically, and in planning in general. It starts out well, and exciting, in how it adapts the anime introduction to the series. But after the second chapter, 'Little Witch Academia, Vol. 1' practically abandons its main plotline and becomes serialised and anecdotal. It includes stories episodes that are not that interesting, and that matter very little by the end. It should be too early for filler content already! It glosses over and brushes aside side characters, such as the entire Luna Nova Magical Academy staff (apart from Ursula Callistis and one or two bit-part professors, their names are not even revealed). Poor Ursula is underutilised, and then plain forgotten after the third chapter. MacGuffins, props and motifs are similarly discarded. I mean, seriously, what happened to Chariot's Shiny Rod after Akko used it to portal to Luna Nova? It's never mentioned again, as is Akko's living Alcor bird plushie, and her Shiny Chariot card.

Stuff that happens in the anime are referenced, but they are not included in the manga itself; such as Lotte Jansson being able to communicate with spirits, which apparently everyone somehow knows about. Why is there suddenly a dragon at the end, and what the heck is the Sorcerer's Stone and why is it so important? Very confusing and frustrating. The introductory volume has too many details missing from it. It's an adaptation that does not competently stand on its own.

Akko can be a selfish, inconsiderate and thoughtless pain in the backside, too. And sometimes her stupidity can be too much, too puzzling, too baffling. Not to mention that she is at fault for a lot of trouble, as in she starts her own problems, and doesn't end up resolving them - it's usually one of her friends who have to bail her out and fix the messes she caused in the first place.

At least Lotte and Sucy receive stories that reveal their backstories and develop their characters.

There are so many witch boarding school stories and franchises out there, it can be hard to find one that stands out. That strikes the eye, and is slightly more original than the last (and the next). I think what makes 'Little Witch Academia' distinct is its emphasis on humour. It's a comedy, while retaining its magic, and magical, shining heart. Plus it's cute! A cute all-ages anime. We're barely shown any actual schoolwork and themes of an academic nature - ironic, given its title!

Sadly, the manga version is too scatterbrained, confused and random (and surprisingly mundane with little stakes) for me to enjoy, despite liking the characters and comedy. I'm sure others will really fancy it, hold it to high esteem, and be entertained by it, toad warts and all. But I'm afraid I am not one of them.

Oh dear.

Oh well, maybe the anime will fully replenish my witch-loving heart. My magical girl child heart.

Final Score: 3/5