Fans of Kamome Shirahama’s acclaimed “Witch Hat Atelier” manga series have a new magical adventure to look forward to, as an official spin-off novel titled “Witch Hat Atelier: Special Stories” is set to be released on November 21, 2025, in Japan. The novel will feature three brand-new short stories not found in the original manga, penned by Jun Esaka with new illustrations and supervision by series creator Kamome Shirahama herself.
Delving into New Magical Tales
The upcoming novel, published by Kodansha, promises to expand the beloved “Witch Hat Atelier” universe with fresh narratives. Originally referred to as “A Special Anthology,” the title was officially changed to “Witch Hat Atelier: Special Stories” in October 2025.
The collection will include three distinct short stories:
- Olruggio’s Snowy Search: The first story follows Olruggio as he ventures into snowy mountains in search of the mysteriously disappeared Qifrey, encountering an unexpected discovery along the way.
- A Dragon in the Atelier: The second tale centers on the apprentices of Qifrey’s Atelier as they find themselves caring for a baby dragon that suddenly appears.
- Knights Moralis Undercover: The final story sees the formidable Knights Moralis embarking on an undercover mission after receiving reports of magic abuse.
Kamome Shirahama will contribute new cover art and interior illustrations, ensuring the novel maintains the distinct visual charm of the manga series. While the Japanese release date is confirmed, there is currently no public information regarding plans for translation into other languages.
The Enchanting World of “Witch Hat Atelier”
“Witch Hat Atelier” (Japanese: とんがり帽子のアトリエ, Tongari Bōshi no Atorie) is a fantasy manga series written and illustrated by Kamome Shirahama. It began serialization in Kodansha’s Morning Two magazine in July 2016 and has garnered significant critical acclaim, including the Harvey Award for Best Manga and the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia in 2020.
The story introduces Coco, a young girl from a small village who dreams of becoming a witch, despite the common belief that only those born with magical aptitude can practice magic. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Qifrey, a traveling magician, and witnesses him performing magic in a way she’s never seen before. After accidentally casting a forbidden spell that turns her mother to stone, Coco is taken in as Qifrey’s apprentice to learn magic and hopefully undo her spell.
The series is celebrated for its stunning artwork, intricate world-building, and compelling narrative that explores themes of creativity, discovery, and the responsibilities of magic. An anime television series adaptation produced by Bug Films is also scheduled to premiere in 2026.
The release of “Witch Hat Atelier: Special Stories” offers existing fans a deeper dive into the lives of their favorite characters and provides an exciting new entry point for those eager to explore the magical world created by Kamome Shirahama.
