English Dub Review: Witch Hat Atelier “Forbidden Magic”
Overview:
Witch Hat Atelier has recently dropped “Forbidden Magic,” the thirteenth and final episode of its inaugural season.
Our Take:
When we last saw the witch apprentices, Agott and Richeh, as well as Euinui, were participating in the Second Test and the Serpentine Cave. They each seemed to use their own personalities to try to maze their way through the labyrinth, showing a contrast of boldness, thought, and fear, respectively. However, this was all just teasing what was really to come: Alaira was caught by the Brimmed Caps, discarded her hat, and shared the warning not to trust what the Brimmed Caps would say.
As the next episode starts up, Qifrey is seen waiting with Coco and Tetia on the sidelines. Qifrey sees Alaira’s discarded hat, revealing that it was sent as a warning. The three then face off against a golem sent by the Brimmed Caps. Meanwhile, Agott, Richeh, and Euinui still have to finish their test.
In a touching moment, Euinui asks Richeh to summon a wind spell to help them escape from the spell. When she admits that she doesn’t know any, he willingly gives her one. Agott herself gets flashbacks to Tetia during their past confrontation in the dragon’s own labyrinth.
Unfortunately, a monstrous figure appears, tempting the apprentices to hide themselves away in a world of shadow, even noting that Coco would give in to the temptation if given the chance to save her mother. Agott manages to fight back.
However, Euinui appears to succumb to the darkness, with a Brimcap tattooing a seal into his skin against his will, which gradually transforms him into a monstrous beast: a scalewolf. The being leaves them, taunting them with how they could possibly save him.
Meanwhile, things end as the story cuts back to Coco and Tetia with Qifrey. Soon, they come across what was left among the people who fought against the witches of the area: all transformed into living decorations of gold. Qifrey steps up, ready for the battle, as he fades into an array of light. This is when the chapter ends.
Overall, this episode is compelling, though it leaves the season on quite a few cliffhangers. The story made sure to give Euinui a tender moment to make his fate all the more cruel, spurring viewers on to see the other apprentices save him (and, naturally, demand more episodes.) Arguably, the best animation is saved for its final scene, with Qifrey, ready for the attack, turning into a literal work of art.
