Witch Craft Works – 04
Maybe if they attack Ayaka from all sides?
Ahh, the start of the week. It sucks because it’s back to work, but it’s great because Witch Craft Works! So how was Takamiya-kun and his ijiwaruna imouto?
Kasumi-chan
Kasumi trolls Honoka so hard…
We learned two major things about Kasumi-chan, Honoka’s little sister. The first is that she’s a giant troll. She knows everything that’s going on, but still hangs Honoka up and lets him twist in the wind with leading questions and statements to keep him going, trying to dig himself out of the bigger and bigger hole he’s digging. And even after she busts him on being involved with Ayaka, she keeps stringing him along, even guilt tripping him about being harassed by “Hime-sama’s” fans because her brother is involved with her.
Of course a bear beats a bunny
The second thing that we learn about her is that she’s a Workshop witch. Her witch abilities center on animating stuffed animals, mainly the teddy bear that is frequently with her. And she can definitely hold her own when it comes to witch battles. Instead of seeing Ayaka fight this week, we get a daikaiju battle between Kasumi’s teddy bear and Tanpopo’s teddy bunny. And while it’s fairly even for a while, the addition of Rin’s dinosaur makes Kasumi decide to end it by making her bear about 2000 feet tall and just squashing them.
Of course Ayaka has to butt in
It’s kind of hard to tell how much of a brocon Kasumi is for Honoka. She’s definitely kind of one, but she doesn’t really seem to be the fawning kind that gets on my nerves. And she has been assigned to be his protector at home and on weekends (in case you were wondering why the Tower witches didn’t just attack him at home), so mixed in with the brother complex is a bit of personal pride, in that she doesn’t want people stepping on her turf, even if it is Ayaka. Plus, she’s pretty annoyed that Honoka’s reaction to her being a witch is “Oh yeah, I’m surprised” but his reaction to Ayaka being attacked is tears and being really worried.
It really is a giant teddy bear…
The Plot Thickens
They do better playing with dolls
Of course, this episode’s attack was encouraged by Chronoire, who tells Team Ro, er, the Ivory Quintet what she thinks is the key to beating Ayaka (it’s not). We don’t really see any of Ayaka’s fight against Mei, Kotetsu, and Kanna, but the impression that it gives is that there wasn’t much of a fight, even without Honoka there to power up Ayaka. And of course, Tanpopo and Rin never really had a chance against Kasumi either. So it’s pretty clear that the Workshop witches are just much stronger than at least those Tower witches.
That outfit is appropriately scary
And that’s kind of surprising, given what else we learn about the Ivory Quintet. Their master is Medusa, a Tower witch who seems to be so feared that she’s locked up in a giant cube, and rumored to be able to destroy the world if she gets loose. And there’s apparently enough competition between Tower Witch Masters that Chronoire is hesitant to be openly helping them, even if Team Rocket doesn’t really see it as a big deal. But the big news at the end of the episode is that Medusa has escaped, presumably to head to where everyone else: trying to get Honoka. And Chronoire’s rounded up all the other tower witches
Bonus Hint Time
Really another great episode. Having a daikaiju fight in town was great, especially with Kazane’s reaction when she turned on the TV, trying to enjoy the horoscopes with her snack (maybe she’ll have a little tea with those sugar cubes?) and sees the town all destroyed… again. I also like how they played Kasumi as her own character. She’s not completely beholden to Honoka, but there’s definitely a connection there. And again we see more of a deep relationship between Ayaka and Honoka, even if they spend very little time together. I do wonder how Ayaka’s suggestion of moving in together will go over, whether that was serious or would get approved by Kazane. I also hope that Honoka’s reaction to seeing Ayaka is indication of how much he cares for her personally, but there’s still a little doubt in my head what his true feelings are for her. He’s too stuck on the tropey “I’m not good enough for hime-sama,” and when Ayaka says he missed her he doesn’t really agree, more that he was just worried about her. Hopefully he gets over himself and falls in love with her.
About Highway
Proving that you don't have to be young to love anime, I enjoy all genres and styles of shows. If it's not hurting anyone else, you should never be ashamed of what you like!
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Nice hat but I think the hats are too plain. I would actually go for a nice simple tiara. Jadis’ ice-tiara is nice. Lilith’s HAT is nice. As a witch, your hat must be presentable.
The White Witch should be the minimum standard of Witchery.
POWUH: Meta Resident and LN Informant with 1529 comments
Tower Witches win in terms of fashion variety compared to Workshop Witches, since Towers put more TLC into their cloak and hat designs.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Seriously, the hats are quite horribly done. They are like roadcones with a brim with poor shading.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
The Workshop witch hats are perfect. Granny Weatherwax approves. The only thing she’d approve of more is if they’re all black.
It’s not about the shininess or fanciness or being pretty. It’s about the world knowing you’re a witch and giving you the respect you deserve. One look at Ayaka and Kasumi, and you know, without any doubt, that they are witches. That’s exactly what it’s about.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
I think people are missing the point. Its not the shininess etc., it’s the way its drawn. Case in point: Granny Weatherwax – apart from the secret compartments, it is designed as a simple typical witch’s hat but it’s done in a realistic way. To Heart is another case in point. Here it’s like triangle sombrero.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
You think? I think it’s about perfect. Sure it’s oversized, but I like the look. The cloaks are oversized too (that’s why Ayaka’s is all ragged at the hem, from dragging on the ground). It’s the very essence of ‘witch-ness’ to me. Tanpopo’s hat, in contrast, looks like something I’d expect to see ridiculed at the Kentucky Derby.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
The true essence of ‘witchness’ is not how you look but how you use your power. Hermione needs no headgear and neither does Bellatrix.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
And neither did the Witches Quintet and their Serara.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
Careful now, I’ve been to a few Derby’s. I made fun of some hats. Got attacked. Not by the ladies, but by the hats. They have some deep complexes. It must come with the goose feathers.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Heehee. Ditto on Melbourne Cup Day for the Australian version. I believe the English have their version too.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I guess they want to show they’re witches but that they’re not into gothic stuff.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
I can agree with that. The Tower Witches use their own original design for clothing and hats while the Workshop Witches go with the standard look.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
I wasn’t on board with this show until now. Hmmm Giant Teddy Bears.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I thought you said that last week? 😉 I know you were in for the Tower Witches last week, did Kasumi pull you into both sides now? I think it’s pretty amazing that they’ve come up with so many different expressions of magic and witchcraft for the show. Have we even seen two witches with similar powers?
I’m still kind of surprised at the huge gulf in power level between Ayaka and Kasumi and the Tower witches. It really is like they haven’t broken a sweat. The only time Ayaka was even challenged was vs. Chronoire, when there was obviously something else going on, and they were in Chronoire’s trap. And even then, Ayaka was able to brute force her way out of it.
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10998 comments
😛
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Care Bear Stare trumps it.
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
Only thing i can say about this episode is: Let’s get ready to rumble
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
I liked a lot of the nuances of the fight, especially of the teddy bear’s behaviors. Like holding himself up by grabbing the building and then after the end of the fight, just kinda sitting on the building in the fading light. If I could put up 20 screenshots for a show like this, I would, because I think the show is that well put together. But alas, we don’t do that.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
There’s only one problem: No bell was ringing. 😉
POWUH: 600-699 with 691 comments
the fight was much better than i expected, they show is indeed very good
and
yeah…it’s a shame that we didn’t have a bell… or something like:
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
Honoka resolved himself to keep his and Ayaka’s secret from his family, huh? Well, that plan got ruined before it even had a chance.
Right now, Kasumi is the stereotypical, attention hogging, stalker, brother complex sister so much can’t be said about her because it’s already out in the open. I’ll have to see more of her character to make a solid opinion.
The thing that annoys me is that Honoka failed to ask how Kasumi is a witch at all when they’re siblings who’ve known each other for years. Something that significant should have been addressed the moment the fight against Tanpopo ended.
POWUH: Meta Team and Spammy Tamer with 7115 comments
Honoka’s just working from a complete information deficit. He doesn’t know what other people know.
I hope they’re not making Kasumi be *too* much of a brocon, although I think a little bit is funny. Like I said, the way it was played, I think there’s a legitimate question about whether Kasumi was mad at Honoka and Ayaka for having a date because it was stepping on her turf, or because she seriously has a thing for her brother.
I know just a little bit more about the situations, which is why I put up that picture about hints. The second hint is something that is not necessarily obvious, but when you know, you’ll be like ‘ohhhhh’. I think it’s fun that the show is working things like that in.