One day I really want to write a long analysis of WHA clothing and how Shirahama just gets it on so many different levels. But now I just wanted to share one thought.
How an outfit of an apprentice represents their teacher.
1. The girls' outfits look like they are meant for children who like to play in a garden, get dirty and are very active. It really shows how Qifrey views a proper childhood. They are shorter, made out of less fancy looking but probably more durable material.
Euini's outfit doesn't look very comfy, nor like it's meant for a child. It looks like he is supposed to be still, focus on study and represent Kukrow well among other witches in the Great Hall.
2. Qifrey's apprentices are not just little copies of him. Yes, he made sure that this familiar teacher-apprentice bond, that is so important to witches, is visible in their clothing. What's more, the blue capes not only reference Qifrey, but also other members of his "witch family" - Olruggio and Beldaruit. Still, they are not just small copies, his students are his own people.
On the other hand, Kukrow made out of Euini his little and less fancy copy.
Witch Hat Atelier Episode 11 Review - Staying As She Is
I forgot to mention this last week, but Episode 10 marks the end of Volume 3 content and now we’re in Volume 4! The Second Exam arc is honestly a personal favorite of mine and I hope the anime-only viewers will get to see Richeh’s growth in this arc. This arc solidified her as my favorite character in this story, after all.
As you can tell, this arc will focus a lot on Richeh and there are some details about her that’s spotlighted. Richeh is a bit of a brat and selfish as she hates being told what to do and wants to stay as she is. She doesn’t read magic books as she doesn’t want to be contaminated. She only cares about making her own spells because she values her individualism above all else. Her lashing out at Qifrey might make her look bad, but it’s definitely a case of a parent signing up their child for an activity they didn’t want to participate in and without their knowledge. It’s an opportunity for Richeh to grow because he and Olruggio know that she won’t get anywhere if she still stays where she is.
Her love for her individualism does cement from her affection towards her brother Riliphin who admires that she can make her own spells as it makes Richeh who she is. However, as Qifrey mentioned, something bad happened with her previous teacher which is why she became the way she is—only caring about herself and not growing. It also makes sense why she’d have a disdain for adults.
I do like how the other characters have different outlooks on magic and isn’t easily influenced by Richeh’s demands or try to cater towards her. Qifrey and Olruggio want to see her grow and know she’ll stagnate if she keeps up her mindset. Coco thinks it’s great that she can make her own spells like the crystal ribbons and the hyperdimension cauldron, but she still thinks there’s value to learning from books and other people’s glyphs. Agott is someone who wants to grow up fast which is why she’s the most determined to take the test while Richeh isn’t. The way these characters are so unique makes me happy.
Another new character is introduced. I’m glad that people are adoring Euini. I certainly do, but I was worried that people might hate on him for being so timid, when his self-depreciation is all due to his scum of a teacher Kukrow. I can’t believe Kukrow is allowed to have students at all. Someone either needs to punch him or fire him from ever getting apprentices. I absolutely loathe him. He’s an example of a teacher who is terrible at his job, but is still able to work.
Riliphin is voiced by Mariya Ise who voiced characters like Killua from Hunter x Hunter, Serie from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Iwashimizu from Akane-banashi. Because this is a flashback, I do wonder if Riliphin will still be voiced by Ise when he appears in the present-day, which will be a lot later. In English, he’s voiced by Ciaran Strange who voiced characters like Pairin in The Apothecary Diaries, Griege in Fairy Tail and Jiro and Kotetsu in Daemons of the Shadow Realm. Euini is voiced by Hiiro Ishibashi, who voiced Yorita in The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity and Yanga in Pokemon Horizons. In English, he’s voiced by Justin Briner who’s most known for being the English VA of Deku from My Hero Academia. Kukrow is voiced by Hiroshi Yanaka who voiced Luomen in The Apothecary Diaries and Shinichi Saimori in My Happy Marriage. In English, he’s voiced by Barry Yandell who voiced Henry Henderson in Spy x Family.
There are rumors about this anime getting a second season or a second cour, so I can’t wait until it’s officially announced. All I can say is that this arc is going to crush people. Also, myrphons are adorable as heck. I didn’t expect the tips of their ears to be blue, but it does make sense. However, scalewolves being periwinkle wasn’t what I expected—I was thinking they were blue. Let me know your thoughts on this episode!
Kukrow is still an ass.... I mean, I don't like him lol but i didn't read all manga chapters, so maybe i will change my mind. But at the moment i feel sorry for euini to have such a master. And it doesn't make it better to see him animated.
hot take but i don’t think removing the euini and qifrey scene is that big of a deal. i get wanting to see that characterization from qifrey, and i was surprised when they skipped it, but it’s not like that’s the only scene that showcases qifrey caring about kids outside of his own apprentices. its blatant and provides the context apprentices choose their masters (the main reason i was surprised they skipped it), but i’m aware of future scenes that prove qifrey’s kindness just as well.
qifrey also still defends euini and reprimands kukrow for bullying his own student. plus by the end of this arc, there should be a flashback to qifrey approaching a crying child, asking her what’s wrong, and telling her he’ll believe her before she’s ever his apprentice (hopefully. that’d be wild to cut).
idk. i think as long as removing the scene doesn’t remove that characterization entirely, it’s fine. it’s disappointing because it’s a sweet scene, and it’s funny qifrey is trying to adopt another child, but i personally don’t mind.
