Introduction to Witch Watch

If the anime releases of 2024 are any indication, fans of the shonen genre are increasingly interested in watching romantic comedies with a supernatural twist. In anticipation of this trend, Gkids has released a theatrical version of the first three episodes of Witch Watch, a new anime from Shonen Jump, ahead of its premiere on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu. Although the comedic style of Witch Watch may take some getting used to for Western audiences, it has left a positive impression and could potentially be the forerunner to 2025’s most entertaining romantic comedy.

The Story of Witch Watch

Witch Watch, animated by Bibury Animation Studios, tells the story of two childhood friends, Nico and Morihito. Nico is an extremely outgoing young witch, while Morihito is an introverted ogre boy. When Morihito’s father decides that they must live together to protect Nico from an impending disaster, Morihito sees this as an opportunity to become closer to Nico and safeguard her. However, while Morihito is focused on protecting Nico, she views their living situation as the beginning of a romantic relationship. The series follows their comedic misadventures as they navigate supernatural events in their hometown and figure out their one-sided relationship.

Nostalgic Feelings and Comedic Style

Witch Watch evokes a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of the early gag manga by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama and the romance found in Urusei Yatsura creator Rumiko Takahashi’s works. Although some of the early comedic moments may not translate well for Western audiences due to cultural differences, the show quickly finds its footing with situational humor between the leads and referential humor to other shonen anime.

The Dynamic Between Morihito and Nico

At the heart of Witch Watch is the manzai style dynamic between Morihito and Nico, with Nico as the funny man and Morihito as the straight man. Nico has a kind heart and often uses her magical abilities to help those in need or impress Morihito, but her spells frequently backfire, leading to comedic situations. Morihito then has to cover for Nico or save the day with his demonic powers. This dynamic creates hilarious moments, especially when Nico’s overzealous spells are punctuated by reality TV-esque confessionals in her imagination, where she talks up the progress in their relationship.

Referential Humor

The other half of Witch Watch‘s comedic success is its referential humor to other popular manga series. As a Shonen Jump series, Witch Watch doesn’t shy away from name-dropping well-known anime titles in its punchlines. This is evident in sight gags and characters like Morihito and his teacher Yuri Makuwa. The show’s ability to incorporate references to big shonen titles like Hunter x Hunter, Demon Slayer, and Dragon Ball Z adds to its humor and will be interesting to see if it includes niche titles in the future.

Conclusion

The theatrical premiere of Witch Watch has set the stage for an anime that could be 2025’s most charming and lighthearted romantic comedy. With its potential for continued humor and heart, Witch Watch is anticipated to cast its spell on anime fans when it premieres on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Hulu on April 6.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.