There are a lot of mysterious things in our world, and one of them is magic. Do you believe in magic? Well, it's not that I reject its existence, but I don't really believe in most that practice them; however, there are some cases that made my disbelief in magic waver. Witches—witches are said to be beings that have magical powers that they can use either to help or curse. But are they real? I don't know, but growing up with some superstitious people made me believe they're somehow real.
Anyway, whether they are or not, the anime I've finished watching yesterday featured a world where magic and witches exist. Like in real life, they're also often subject to prejudice and persecution. Speaking of persecution, that's where our MCs come in because they're the ones who were tasked to protect and retrieve witches. Their intentions were unknown, but one thing is sure, and that is they're capable enough to do their missions. So with that, join me as Guideau and Ashaf travel across various lands to complete their missions and fulfill their intentions in The Witch and the Beast.
About the Anime
The Witch and the Beast (Majo to Yajuu) is a seinen anime that premiered last winter of 2024. It aired from January 12, 2024, to April 5, 2024, and was animated by Yokohama Animation Laboratory. It's a 12-episode anime series that has action and fantasy. It featured witches, magical beings, and the battles that involved them, so naturally its themes are urban fantasy, gore, and adult casts. This is based on the on-hiatus manga that was written and illustrated by Kousuke Satake.
In their world, witches are one of the beings that are mostly feared. With their beauty and power, they're often seen as a threat—a threat that most of the people wanted to eliminate. People regarded them as a villain, and some of the witches got fed up with that treatment, and, of 'course, they retaliated. That's where the Order of Magical Resonance—an organization that deals with any case that's connected to any forms of magic—comes in. They contain, retrieve, and even protect the witches they find, and among the people that worked under them are Ashaf and Guideau.
Forced to work with Ashaf to achieve his/her revenge for the witch that cursed him/her, Guideau mostly does the work that is related to beating. Since he/she is always hot-blooded and reckless, especially when they encounter cases involving witches, Ashaf usually keeps him/her in check. Even though their personalities are completely different, they are somewhat an oddly balanced pair, with Ashaf being the calm and rational one and Guideau the hot-blooded and reckless one. Together they've been solving cases related to magic—some connected with witches and some not.
They traveled across different continents to both do their work and find the witch who cursed Guideau. They're pretty used to those cases because they've been doing that for years, however, some of them are quite tacky to do because they involved other organizations that are certainly not friendly. It's a race to find and save the witches, and of 'course Ashaf and Guideau were not the type to give up. With the experience they've got from the years of retrieving them, they're pretty accustomed to how to contain them in the most convenient manner. However, as they travel towards their goal, there are more peculiar and perilous things that happen. Their world is sure full of mysteries and danger, and with that they need to brace themselves for anything that may come in their way.
Like the previous anime I've watched, its ending is definitely a cliffhanger, but this one is much more hanging. There are really a lot of things that I expected to be cleared at the last episode, but I guess they're saving it for the next season. Also, for me the plot isn't that new or out of the box, and some plot twists (or most of them) are predictable, but even though its plot turns out that way, I still felt the tension and excitement. The characters were not really well-introduced, which I find quite interesting because it adds to its mysteriousness.
There isn't much improvement in their characters, or perhaps their characters are already developed because it isn't the usual anime that begins with MCs meeting each other for the first time, for those two had already been partners for years. They already know each other well, and I know that at some time in those years they had been working together, they achieved improvement, though their present dilemmas seemed to challenge it. I know there is still a lot to uncover—especially Ashaf, who I really find suspicious. Rational and refined anime characters just don't sit right with me; I mean, there's surely a flaw in their character—one that would make them snap out.
So much for the characters; the pacing of the story was totally fine with me because it doesn't dillydally on trivial things that would just distract viewers from the main story. Well, except for that necromancy part—I mean, how those people are exactly connected to the MCs? And how they are supposed to be relevant to the main plot? Nevertheless, I enjoyed watching that arc, and its end was definitely satisfying.
The art style was undeniably one of the reasons why I watched this anime. Their pale skin and the gloomy settings really remind me of the vampire animes I've watched before, which I find brilliant because it somehow foreshadowed something that I somehow didn't see coming. Also, I really like their character designs because they really look cool and mature (especially Ashaf hehehe). Further, its studio didn't really shy away from showing blood and gore. Its animation and background music and effects really did well in delivering gripping scenes that are definitely enjoyable to watch. By and by, its soundtrack is also nice, especially the opening song which really sets the anticipation high with its catchy beat.
Overall, my personal rating for this anime is 8.9/10. I know there's definitely more of its lore and plot, and I'm really looking forward to it. Its last episode was indeed an effective way of making the viewers anticipate its next season, which I hope will be adapted soon. It ended in a promising way—and I'm totally up and looking forward to more Ashaf and Guideau missions! So if you're up for an engaging and gripping seinen anime with a fair share of mysteries and action, then let this review be your sign to watch The Witch and the Beast.
Before I end this review, I gladly share with you its trailer, so—
Have you seen this anime already? Or is this your first time encountering it? Feel free to comment on your thoughts about this anime. That's all for now, minna-san... I hope you enjoyed reading my review!
Arigatou and tanoshinde ne~
The pictures that didn't have source were screenshots from the anime while the last picture was edited in Canva.
se ve interesante, la historia buena, la pondré en mi lista jeje
looks interesting, good story, I'll put it on my list hehehe.
Se ve bastante interesante y el tema de brujas es de mis favoritos ☺️☺️ el estilo de dibujo si llama mucho la atención ☺️
Sí, su estilo artístico es realmente otra cosa. El concepto de brujas y sus poderes enganchaba y la animación era realmente agradable. Es realmente una visita obligada si te gustan el misterio y la fantasía. De todos modos, espero que despierte tu interés lo suficiente como para que lo veas.
Magical movies maybe entertaining for many. However, those are all illusions that reflect humans' wish for instant solutions either good or bad.
Not exactly illusions; rather, they're aspirations of what we somehow yearn for. Magic is not really convenient all the time, and certainly they're not only for entertainment, but they also serve other purposes.
The design of the characters catches my attention, they look very good and the animation is very well done. I saw the trailer, I have not seen any chapter but maybe I will dedicate myself to watch it.
Definitely a must-watch! Its art style is really eye-pleasing, and the animation did enhance the enjoyment I felt while watching it. I really had fun watching it, so I hope you'll like it also.
If magic exist, I want Teleportation Magic please, charrr, lol. Buy seriously, I've been hearing good reviews on this series diko lang talaga sya ma simulan. And mejo diko bet ang animation style nya. But the plot is really interesting. I'll give this a chance maybe, soon. Kapag waka na ko mapanood, lol
I know that not all people like its animation, but its interesting plot did somehow make up for it. You definitely need to give this a chance because I know it's worth it, and ahahaha, I dunno if there will be time na mauubosan ka na nang panonoorin, so I hope you'll really give this a shot.
I'm a fan of horror/anime. Visually are just astonishing. And for me it represent a very mature way of animation as well.
Yes... It's art style and characters are definitely mature, and I like how they portray the lore of witches in a somehow entertaining way. Also, I really like its concept, tho I kinda expected that its plot would be somehow unique and unpredictable (which there wasn't much of that), but nevertheless I enjoyed it, and I definitely would rewatch it if there's a need to!
Just by seeing the animation I can tell there is something special right there. Fascinating story you brought here for all of us, darling. Loved this concept
Thank you for sharing this post with the community and for preferring us, it is a pleasure for us to have you here.
We hope to see you soon. Best regards!
It's my pleasure as well @theanimerealm! Thanks for stopping by.
This anime looks very interesting. I will also try to watch this anime
Yay! I'm happy that my review was able to pique your interest about this anime. Hopefully, like me, after watching this, you'll also enjoy and like it... Btw, thanks for stopping by, and see you around!
I love the dynamic between Ashaf and Guideau—it seems like their partnership really adds depth to the story.
Yessss, their duo is well-balanced, and there's really the right amount of mystery with the depth of their relationship... I mean, Guideau's personality is often intolerable, and Ashaf's concern for her/him is really something else. I'm not labeling it as something fishy, but I'm on the borderline of that ahahhaha... Anyway, despite its flaws, it's really a nice and entertaining anime to watch.
From what I see in the pictures, this anime has excellent animation. I'd love to see The Witch and the Beast, it looks good.
Thanks for bringing us the review of the anime.
Regards.
It's really a must-watch if you're into gripping action and fight scenes. Its animation and character designs are so eye-pleasing for me, so if you have time, you definitely need to try watching this anime!
Btw, you're welcome, and regards as well.
This anime is one of the best hidden gems I've seen recently. The mix of drama with action and dark fantasy is fascinating, as is its incredible animation quality and fluidity. What is said about the characters, with a mysterious and well-developed appearance and interesting as the story itself. I don't know why many people say that this is a bad adaptation of the original work, I really liked it, although I haven't read the manga, to be honest.
Good review.
The manga's art is stunning and beautiful. I know those fans are expecting a really mind-blowing animation, but I think it was nice enough to portray those fight scenes. Now that you've mentioned the manga, I'm really contemplating, up until now, if I'll continue reading it or if I'll just wait and stick with the anime. It's still on hiatus, so I'm really hesitating to continue it because I don't want to get another cliffhanger once I finish reading it.
Btw, you're welcome!