But after watching a few dozen anime I now just picture cute girls riding on brooms. To celebrate that evolution of mental imagery, we’re going to count down some of the best witch-themed anime worth wagging your finger at.
15. Maria the Virgin Witch
This show is set during the 100-years war between England and France, and has the witch Maria as the protagonist. Maria isn’t really a fan of all the bloodshed going on. So she starts interrupting the soldiers and tries to make peace. How noble, right? But then the heavens open up and tell Maria that if she keeps meddling in human affairs, her powers will be taken away. Also, if she loses her virginity the same punishment applies. The title makes a lot more sense now, doesn’t it? So not only is Maria trying to keep the peace, but she’s also trying to keep it in her pants.
14. Black Clover
This show might not be exclusively about witches, more so wizards, sorcerers and everything in between. But witches still do pop up here and there. Plus, everyone rides around on brooms, which really fills that witch aesthetic. But if you truly want a witch-only experience just look towards Vanessa. She’s as representative as they get. Okay, except maybe the alcoholism. And there’s an entire arc in the Forrest of Witches where she’s in the limelight, if that truly tickles your fancy.
13. Witch Craft Works
If you dislike the moe, protect-her-smile approach to witch characters and want more of that strong independent woman scenario, then Witch Craft Works might just be the show for you. The female lead is a very tall witch who’s so beloved in her school that she could probably sell the air that she breathes. The male protagonist, on the other hand, isn’t as lucky. He usually fades into the background. But as luck would have it, the two are now intertwined. And let’s just say it’s obvious who wears the broom in this relationship.
12. Little Witch Academia
Now if you do want your witches to be extremely moe, then you can’t go wrong with Little Witch Academia. The plot setup feels a lot like My Hero Academia, where the protagonist doesn’t have any magical powers, but enrolls in a magical school anyways and just hopes to figure it out along the way. So of course the high school drama/comedy aspect is very present in the show. But we also get some neat action and very solid animation. It just feels like mediation honestly. Especially if you’re into the cute girls do cute things genre, plus also some magic involved.
11. Izetta: The Last Witch
Okay this is the second time a witch has been involved in a kind of historic anime where war is taking place. In this scenario Gemania is attempting to invade a much smaller country called Elystadt. Besides having an odd name, the country is also in crisis, as their princess is nearly taken hostage. Luckily Izetta, the last witch, recognizes the princess and saves her. She swiftly swears to use her magical powers to turn the tides of the war. And a lot of fighting ensues.
10. Burn the Witch
This movie is rather new as it came out in late 2020. Also very short, barely over an hour, but very entertaining. Surprisingly enough considering the name, the show actually has nothing to do with the Salem Witch Trials. But it’s rather all about dragons. In this world, dragons exist. And they just kill a whole bunch of people. But not everyone can see dragons, and even fewer people can actually deal with them. That’s where the witches come in. It’s their job to manage the dragons the best they can so that London doesn’t become a ghost town.
9. Flying Witch
Flying Witch is just one of those feel-good coming of age stories. The plot is rather simple: witches exist in the world and it’s customary for witches to become independent and go to school at the age of fifteen. The story of our protagonist begins right about that tender age, and the story just follows her as she learns about her powers and the world around her. And considering that magic is very much present, the world around her is rather fantastic, and sometimes even a bit whacky.
8. Witch Hunter Robin
As you probably could have guessed from the title, this show isn’t about witches going to school or being good guys. In fact, in this world witches are usually killed by special military force. Our protagonist, Robin, joins one such unit. But there is a twist. Instead of just murdering them on the spot, her unit opts for capturing them alive in the hopes that they can learn more about the witches. Let’s just say that witches don’t really go down easy, and don’t want to cooperate just because you promise not to murder them.
7. Mary and the Witch’s Flower
You know how the saying goes “curiosity killed the cat”? Well how the turntables… This movie opens up with Mary living her normal average life. But then she sees a particular cat, and follows it into a nearby forest where she finds some odd flowers. She follows the cat again the next day and finds a broom. And before you know it she’s somehow dropped off in front of a school for witches, and has to figure out what the hell is happening. And all because she was curious about a little anime cat.
6. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
It’s somewhat unclear whether Magi Madoka can be classified under witch-related, or just general magic girls. But I’m going to include it anyway. This is primarily because Magi Madoka is one of the best shows you can watch in general. I know it seems like your average magic girl show where everyone is defeated through the power of friendship. But trust me, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I don’t want to spoil exactly what happens. But let’s just say that the darkness present in this show by the end is definitely more akin to the tag of witches than magical little girls.
5. Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches
Now this anime has such a specific premise that I feel like you’ll immediately know whether you’ll like it or not, based on the premise alone. So the hook is (and stay with me here) that in Suzaku High there are seven female students who are actually witches, even if they might not know it. How could they not know of such an important detail? Because their powers can only be activated through a kiss. That’s right, the plot was set up after the male lead had one of those classic “whoops I tripped and landed in your mouth” moments. Also, for a show with a plot this ecchi. The writing is actually very solid. So don’t discount it as just a fanservice anime.
4. The Familiar of Zero
To best understand this show you need to understand the protagonist. Basically just imagine Noelle from Black Clover, head-strong, proud, and absolutely terrible at controlling magic. Only she doesn’t have the noble status here, so everyone makes fun of her. But instead of a ragtag group inviting her to join their squad, our female MC gets saved when she accidentally summons an extremely powerful familiar. It’s also important to note that said familiar isn’t a cat or some sort of fairy, but a boy. You can guess how that turns out, now can’t you?
3. Sugar Sugar Rune
We’re getting about as low stakes as you can get. Just a peaceful anime you can watch when life is too stressful. Don’t believe me? Here’s the entire plot: there are two witches who also happen to be best friends. They’re competing for the title of Queen, and their task is to get as many human hearts as they can. But instead of just ripping them out, they go to the human world and kind of chill out and make some friends. Doesn’t that just sound relaxing as hell?
2. Tweeny Witches
Now this feels like an Alice in Wonderland anime with witches in the spotlight. The protagonist, Arusu, gets transported into a different world. A world where the fantastic is hiding in every nook and cranny of life. There are witches here, but they’re far from well-mannered like in our previous entry on this list. No, these witches capture other creatures and only do things out of self-interest. Arusu, being the little bundle of joy and positivity that she is, isn’t too fond of the whole captivity thing. So she tries to change it. But like Americans learned, ending slavery isn’t that easy.
1. Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s Delivery Service is a true Ghibli classic. It’s a coming of age story of the titular Kiki, and is nothing short of beautiful. Kiki is a witch by title. However, in order to become a fully-fledged witch she needs to go to a different town and basically transition into adulthood. She soon discovers that painful grown-up truth known as paying rent. So she creates a delivery service, riding around on her broom. The movie just has so much heart. And if you look through the fantastical elements and at the symbols, you will see a truly human story in here.
