“Witch Watch,” the fantasy romantic comedy manga and anime series by Kenta Shinohara, continues to charm audiences with its blend of magic, humor, and slice-of-life scenarios. Episode 4, which premiered in April 2025, introduces a new character and explores themes of friendship and rivalry. This article delves into the plot, highlights, and critical reception of “Witch Watch” Episode 4.
Synopsis of Witch Watch
“Witch Watch” revolves around Nico Wakatsuki, a teenage witch, and Morihito Otogi, her childhood friend who is also a human-looking ogre. After completing her witch training, Nico moves in with Morihito, who is destined to be her familiar and protect her. The series follows their daily lives as they navigate the supernatural world and deal with the unpredictable consequences of Nico’s magic. Along the way, they encounter various supernatural beings and legendary figures, adding to the comedic and fantastical elements of the story.
Episode 4: “Kanshi Kazamatsuri, The Tengu”
Episode 4, titled “Kanshi Kazamatsuri, The Tengu,” marks the full introduction of Nico’s newest familiar, Kanshi Kazamatsuri, a tengu (a Japanese supernatural creature often depicted with bird-like features). Kanshi is a childhood friend of Nico from her witch training days. Due to ancestral history, he views Morihito, who is from an ogre bloodline, as an enemy.
Plot Summary
The episode begins with Kanshi appearing before Nico and Morihito, declaring his intention to protect Nico as her crow familiar, as requested by Ibuki, where Nico trained in magic. This immediately creates tension, as Kanshi harbors a deep-seated animosity towards ogres due to the long-standing rivalry between their respective clans. Morihito, on the other hand, is indifferent to this rivalry but is wary of Kanshi’s intrusion into Nico’s life.
Nico, wanting her two companions to get along, attempts to use a friendship spell to make them more amicable. However, the spell backfires, causing Morihito to become overly friendly towards Kanshi, leading to humorous and awkward situations.
Later, Nico receives a new outfit seemingly sent by her mother, but it turns out to be cursed by a malicious magic user who intends to kidnap her. Despite the danger, the situation is played for comedic effect. Kanshi and Morihito are forced to work together to save Nico. They devise a plan where Kanshi uses his tengu powers to launch Morihito into the air, allowing him to destroy the cursed clothing.
In the end, after seeing Morihito’s dedication to protecting Nico, Kanshi decides to move past the ancestral grudges and attempt to become friends with him. The episode concludes with Kanshi and Morihito playing Yu-Gi-Oh!, symbolizing their newfound camaraderie.
Highlights and Themes
- Introduction of Kanshi Kazamatsuri: Kanshi’s character brings a new dynamic to the series. His energetic and sociable personality contrasts with Morihito’s stoic demeanor, creating comedic friction.
- Friendship and Rivalry: The episode explores the themes of friendship and rivalry, highlighting the challenges of overcoming historical animosities and personal differences. Despite their initial conflict, Kanshi and Morihito find common ground in their shared desire to protect Nico.
- Humor and Goofy Hijinks: “Witch Watch” continues to deliver its signature blend of humor and goofy hijinks. The episode is filled with comedic situations, from the backfired friendship spell to the absurd scenario of the cursed clothing.
- Character Development: Episode 4 hints at Morihito’s character development. Nico reveals that Morihito’s self-sufficiency has led him to avoid forming close relationships with others. Kanshi’s presence could potentially help Morihito open up and develop meaningful friendships beyond his bond with Nico.
Critical Reception
Episode 4 of “Witch Watch” has received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the episode for its humor, character dynamics, and the introduction of Kanshi. Others criticized the episode for sidelining Nico and not giving her a strong role in the plot.
Positive Aspects:
- Humor: Reviewers have noted the episode’s comedic timing and the humorous interactions between the characters.
- Character Dynamics: Kanshi’s addition to the cast has been seen as a positive, adding a new layer of complexity to the relationships between the main characters.
- Animation and Pacing: The animation quality and pacing of the episode have been praised, with some reviewers highlighting the fluid action sequences.
Criticisms:
- Nico’s Role: Some critics have pointed out that Nico’s character is reduced to a plot device in this episode, with her not having a significant impact on the story’s outcome.
- Narrative Depth: A reviewer mentioned that the episode lacks narrative depth.
Overall Impression
“Witch Watch” Episode 4 is a fun and entertaining installment that introduces a new character and explores themes of friendship and rivalry. While the episode has its flaws, such as the sidelining of Nico’s character, it maintains the series’ signature humor and charm. The introduction of Kanshi Kazamatsuri promises to bring new dynamics and comedic opportunities to the series. Fans of “Witch Watch” will likely enjoy this episode for its lightheartedness and character interactions.
The “Witch Watch” Anime and Manga
“Witch Watch” is written and illustrated by Kenta Shinohara. The manga began serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump in February 2021. As of April 2025, twenty-one volumes have been released. The manga has been licensed for simultaneous publication in North America by Viz Media. The anime television series adaptation, produced by Bibury Animation Studios, premiered in April 2025.
Kenta Shinohara
Kenta Shinohara is a Japanese manga artist known for his works such as “SKET Dance” and “Astra Lost in Space.” He began his manga career as an assistant to Hideaki Sorachi, the creator of “Gin Tama”.
Reception of the Series
“Witch Watch” has been well-received by readers and critics. In June 2021, it was nominated for the seventh Next Manga Award in the Best Printed Manga category. As of November 2022, the first eight volumes of the manga had over 1.1 million copies in circulation.
Critics have praised “Witch Watch” for its blend of comedy, romance, and supernatural elements. The series has been compared to other popular manga series such as “Blue Box” and “Don’t Blush, Sekime-san!”
“Witch Watch” continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of fantasy, comedy, and romance. Episode 4 is a testament to the series’ ability to introduce new characters and explore themes of friendship and rivalry while maintaining its signature humor and charm. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how the characters develop and how the overarching plot unfolds.
