Witch hat atelier Number symbolism theory Ch98 (and Ch88~)
Reposting this here as Whacord may be taken down soon.
This is a theory based on potential number symbolism with the chapters, and trying to predict Ch98 and maybe more future chapters. Theory is made by me , @lilyinyapdanlee , and helped by @kessho0108
This is my first theory I've properly made so it might not be very good but here it goes;
So basically I'm speculating that ch98 will have something big happen, likely related to custas and his Silverwood, or someone else's even, this is based off the symbolism of 8 being related to being "infinity" or a "cycle" which is what we can say Qifrey is in, having his/Olly's memories erased in order to keep the Silverwood away, now the chapter in which qifrey is revealed to have silver wood seed implanted in him is coincidentally ch88, two cycles(?), maybe also talking about custas in that sense(?) , although this may be a stretch we could say that this decision to reveal this on ch88 with 8 meaning a cycle could be intentional. Ch8 cover art was qifrey after all. But where ch98 being significant caught my mind is how 9 is symbolised in the Bible to mean divine completeness, finality and new beginnings. Now this is where it gets interesting because 98 could mean the new beginnings or completeness of a cycle, or both maybe hinting at something with custas, qifrey or somebody else? Now this would be way more of a stretch if we also didn't have the fact that this month the chapter was cancelled to be next month.. on the 10th anniversary of witch hat atelier, meaning that this chapter could be significant or big enough that it was intentionally scheduled on the anniversary. (And if you believe in the dog counter stuff you could also say the dogs are pretty high [and qifrey dog post too] )
From Lily:
The monthly release being cancelled definitely feels intentional, especially with the anniversary coming up. The fact that Qifrey is so related to the number 8 is interesting, I had not thought of the cover order and him being on the eighth one. Plus, if we continue on the cycle thing, his cycle is related to Olly's, which is usually associated with the star from the star/silverwood tale. The star has eigth spike, remember.
Now 88 was certainly interesting. Coco being now aware of what Qifrey is, it's just like it's starting a new cycle for the both of them : the cycle with Olly continues and the one with Coco starts. We could also think this might be a reference to Custas having that cycle beginning as well, because of the Silverwood. So it could also be Olly (star)/Qifrey (Silverwood) and Tartah (star)/Custas (Silverwood).
Number 9 is the number of completion and new beginnings. Cover number 9 is Easthies, it is also where the Silver Eve starts. Easthies has his rampage going one, which causes Custas to find Dagda again and tree, Dagda dies, a new cycle is complete : Dagda, a new one begins : Silverwood, and it continues : Tartah.
If we look at Qifrey, this could be a ref to Coco, perhaps, beginning a new cycle with herself, especially with that hat scene from chap 94.
We could also think that this new cycle could be related to a third party : if Qifrey's cycle was with Olly, then Coco is the one to start a new cycle for them both. If we look at Custas, it would certainly be Ininia, who will be replacing the old fated trio member, now the Restylings
Extra:
Ch93 could also be number symbolism as 3 symbolises harmony and wholeness, maybe symbolising Olly and qifrey's harmony, and the Olly sharing the burden of qifrey's cycle and harmonising together
Notes:
There could be a chance that the cancelation was concidential, but for the 10th anniversary it feels like there would be something big to happen on that chapter, enough that shirahama needed extra time, we also don't know exactly who will be prominent in this chapter , my bets are on Custas being highest chance, qifrey second highest, and then somebody else or new being the third, like jujy or tetia perhaps
I'm thinking it could expand upon custas more with his Silverwood and the "cycle"
Expand more on qifrey's or something happens to him.
the start of a new "cycle"
maybe it's something related to Silverwood in general
Could also be about the dragon eggs in ch96 , and something about the life and death cycle.
With jujy it could involve hiehart and his life and death "cycle"
And if course could include more lore on qifrey and his experiences
Basically a lot could happen next chapter, but it like all connects to the beginning and completeness of a cycle.
There is a very strong chance that next chapter is about the starting of a cycle but that could entail a lot of things like following custas, qifrey, hiehart/jujy, the dragon eggs, or possibly just be about the silver wood in general
Edit 6/28:
It turns out that the newest chapter of kitchen heavily references Silverwood with something about a plant that grows in comfort(?) I haven't read it yet just heard from somebody else, but seeing as if qifrey was in it quite a bit, maybe it could be more not so subtle foreshadowing to what Ch98 could contain.
Also this theory made by someone else also helps support the idea of qifrey next chapter with the possibility of him treeing, explaining how things are adding up to that:
💬 31 🔁 397 ❤️ 1671 · I have a sinking feeling about Qifrey and where his story is headed. [EDIT 5/28: NOT PERMANENTLY!!!!! I THINK HE WILL
Edit 7/9: I had forgotten to add this earlier but after some recent interview/questionnaire with shirahama we have learnt that apparently we are in a 'big turning point in the manga' but are gonna be winding down or having like a break before 'shit hits the fan'. She also said that upcoming chapters will be revolving around a dragon, and in the next arc there will be a "dragon island with people who have dragon pets!" this all comes from someone who was at the event telling us what shirahama said, and also a transcript from a interview shirahama had with Dana terrace.
This definitely leans more into the idea of it being the "cycle of life" of the dragons/eggs, rather than being about the Silverwood, but I also think there is still a high likelihood qifrey will be quite involved next chapter from what we've seen, although maybe not something as serious happens next chapter as we thought, but we can't be entirely sure.
Edit 7/15: After discussing a bit in discord I came to learn about some more symbolism surrounding tetia, that also can connect to the life and death cycle premonition surrounding her, the creator has made a theory here:
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Edit 7/21: one day before the chapter, I'm so excited for it and to see if my theory was just me going crazy lol, will update after en translation releases to talk about it.
Slight raws spoilers incoming:
Edit 7/23: okay not going to talk about if fully till english comes out, but.... It didnt come true really, I did have someone suggest that maybe it had some of it? But case in point it wasn't what I was expecting, although I still think the other tetia symbolism and qifrey stuff maybe still be possible, number symbolism for chapters being an apart of this seems way more unlikely, there's is a slight mention of the life and death cycle with the dragon but it's not exactly that much really, id say it makes sense, but it's only a crumb. You could also maybe argue shirahama was going to do more stuff this chapter but didn't have time due to the events she went to, and perhaps she wanted put out more but didn't have time , but didn't want nothing to release on anniversary? I'm just speculating ofc, and it could just be the case she simply didnt have time/ energy or this was planned. If shirahama needs a break she should totally take it, and I feel like if this chapter wasn't on anniversary day, we would've not gotten a chapter this month due to shirahamas being more busy, she probably didn't want to give us nothing at all on the anniversary I theorize, so it was a shorter chapter.
