The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Kamome Shirahama’s critically acclaimed manga series, “Witch Hat Atelier” (Tongari Boushi no Atelier), will now premiere in 2026, officially delayed from its originally planned 2025 broadcast. The production committee announced the postponement, citing a commitment to “deliver the series with the highest possible quality and to fully showcase its charm.”
The news comes after months of speculation among fans regarding the anime’s production status, with the lack of recent updates contributing to anticipation of a potential delay.
Official Statement on the Delay
According to the official announcement, the change in the broadcast schedule from 2025 to 2026 is specifically to ensure the highest quality for the animated series. “We sincerely apologize to everyone who has been looking forward to the broadcast,” the statement read, adding that the staff is “working with the utmost dedication and care on the production.” Further updates are expected to be announced via the official team.
Production Challenges and Studio Background
The delay, while disappointing for fans, was not entirely unforeseen within the anime community. Animation studio Bug Films, responsible for the “Witch Hat Atelier” adaptation, has previously faced production challenges with other titles, notably “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead.” The representative director of Bug Films, Hiroaki Kojima, who serves as the animation producer for “Witch Hat Atelier,” had previously acknowledged that the production was a “battle against time.”
Kojima reportedly told Anime Trending last year that the biggest challenge was fitting everything they wanted to do into the schedule, expressing confidence in the completed animation but questioning the sustainability of the current setup. This transparency hinted at the demanding nature of bringing Shirahama’s intricate fantasy world to the screen.
What is “Witch Hat Atelier”?
“Witch Hat Atelier” is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kamome Shirahama. It began serialization in Kodansha’s seinen manga magazine Morning Two in July 2016. The manga has garnered significant critical acclaim, winning awards such as the Harvey Award for Best Manga and the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia in 2020. As of April 2025, the series has 14 tankōbon volumes released in Japan and boasts over 5.5 million copies in circulation.
The story centers on Coco, a young girl from a non-magical family who dreams of becoming a witch. Her life changes when she secretly witnesses the mysterious traveling magician Qifrey performing magic, leading her to discover that magic can be illustrated, and she embarks on a journey to become a witch’s apprentice. Crunchyroll has licensed the anime series for streaming worldwide outside of Asia.
Anticipation and Fan Reaction
The anime adaptation was first announced in April 2022, with a trailer and a 2025 premiere date revealed at Anime Expo 2024. Ayumu Watanabe (“Summer Time Rendering”) is directing the series at Bug Films, with Kairi Unabara as character designer and Yuka Kitamura composing the music.
Fans of the manga have expressed understanding regarding the delay, prioritizing a high-quality adaptation over a rushed release. Many believe that the extra time will allow the studio to faithfully capture the manga’s detailed artwork, complex magic system, and compelling narrative, which are often compared to the works of Studio Ghibli. While disappointed by the wait, the consensus among the community appears to be that a delayed but polished product is preferable to a compromised one, especially given the source material’s reputation.
