English Dub Review: Witch Hat Atelier “A Nightmare Stained In Black”

Overview:

In the latest episode of Witch Hat Atelier, “A Nightmare Stained in Black,” Coco deals with feelings of guilt just as Qifrey starts an investigation all his own.

Our Take:

With a title like “A Nightmare Stained in Black,” fans have already dreaded the whimsical series taking a dark turn. Granted, this is an anime that starts out with a girl petrifying her own mother. Things start out innocuously enough, with the girls continuing to train under Qifrey.

Coco’s feelings are once again tested. She once again deals with the guilt of what happened to her mother. Added to that, she is the only one of the apprentice witches who hasn’t grown up in a world of magic. For her, it has always been a fantasy. But now that a chance to join the magic world has become real, she doesn’t even know what kind of witch she wants to be, further cementing that she might be in over her head.

Meanwhile, Qifrey is dealing with the truth about the Brimmed Caps. Viewers are treated to small visions, revealing that they took something from him, only hinting at the bigger story. Emphasizing the change in the story’s tone, things literally appear to get darker as Qifrey seems to go through these inner struggles while drowning in the magic ink. Which is where the title comes into play.

The story highlights the parallels between the two until the fatigue from making herself study even more drives Coco sick. Qifrey must jump into action to help her, complete with Tartah, who happens to be dealing with someone erasing Nolnao’s memory. Some he suspects is close by.

Overall, this episode marks a shift in tone, especially as viewers finally start to see the cracks in Qifrey’s composure. It’s safe to say that a new arc is set to begin in this story. Even the final scene will leave viewers worried about what Qifrey will do next, let alone what he is capable of.