Burn the Witch is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tite Kubo. The series was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from August to September 2020 and collected into one volume. Burn the Witch Volume 1 adapts the entirety of the series, consisting of four chapters. The story is set in the same universe as Kubo's previous work, Bleach, but takes place in London, England. It follows the adventures of two witches, Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole, who work as "Wing Bind" witches for the Western Branch of the Soul Society. They are tasked with protecting and managing the dragons that reside in the Reverse London, a hidden realm unseen by ordinary humans.
They are tasked with protecting and managing the dragons that reside in the Reverse London, a hidden realm unseen by ordinary humans. Volume 1 introduces the readers to the world of Reverse London, where the existence of dragons is hidden from the general public. The witches of the Wing Bind organization are responsible for protecting and supervising these dragons.
“Are you an Akko or a Diana?” Sorting out the magic of Little Witch Academia.
Sometime last year, I hired a young man who was fresh out of university and had just been married. After working with him for a week, I discovered that he is a rare type of anime fan: one who watches currently-airing series without being plugged in to any sort of anime commentary, be it Anime News Network, anime blogs, MAL forums, social media outlets; you name it, he probably hasn’t read it. Additionally his wife, who is not as much of an anime fan as he is, relies on him to scout out series that she will like, namely shoujo romances. He watches the majority of things in a new season and cherry-picks a select one or two series to watch with her. If he can’t find anything from the current season, he’ll suggest that they watch an older, more established series together.
I recommended Little Witch Academia to them as something that they could watch together that was fun, didn’t require a large time investment – unlike his most recent suggestion that they watch Kare Kano – and most importantly, legally free. The result was somewhat surprising. He, the established anime fan, liked it well enough, but she loved it. Loved it so much, in fact, that the next time she visited him at work, she made it a point to seek me out to talk about it. In that conversation, where she excitedly spoke of why it resonated with her, she asked me this question:
“So…are you an Akko or a Diana?”
I’ve spoken previously about how easy it is to classify ourselves by hobbies and subsequently seek out others who have similar interests. Furthering this idea, there are always certain properties that will play to this tendency, and the conversation that I had with my coworker’s wife on Little Witch Academia reminded me of excited sorting arguments that I had with my high school friends as we made our way through the Harry Potter universe together. Before we were to discuss Harry Potter in earnest, it was far more important to discern which Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry house each of us would belong to. Thinking about it now, it fascinates me that we spent far more time on this than speculating what was to happen within the series itself.
This tendency to classify one’s self within set guidelines or boxes that a property has set up highlights the self-centered nature with which we sometimes approach reading fiction, or viewing anime. Participating in watching something often becomes primarily about how it relates to us, or how we may organize ourselves, rather than production values, overall content, and story. Above all, it’s about who we resonate with, and where we can sort ourselves into the story, especially when it comes to the intriguing, magical worlds of both Harry Potter and Little Witch Academia. Not only do we want to relate to the characters, we want to be witches and wizards too. We want these series to inform us about our own characters and where we would fit in.
Little Witch Academia is fortunate enough to have no small amount of things going for it – an interesting setting, emotional resonance, tight writing, visual bookending, fluid animation – which could go a long way in explaining how it thoroughly decimated its recent Kickstarter goal for a second episode in a matter of hours. Everyone I’ve spoken with who has watched it has made it a point to mention their favorite character when discussing the series, be it Akko, Diana, Lotte, or Sucy. Their assertions, and mine when I mention whom I believe myself to be the most similar to in the Little Witch Academia universe, either reinforce certain things I already knew about their personality, or offer new avenues through which to explore in growing closer to them. I honestly felt that I learned a lot more about my co-worker’s wife through the fact that she identified herself as “a Diana.” Regardless of whether she embodies what I know of Diana’s character, her assertion informs me of certain traits that she appreciates within herself.
As for me, I am neither an Akko nor a Diana. I see myself as more of a Lotte. Take that as you will.
Akko doesn't like Diana at all for her somewhat arrogant personality, and sees her as a rival, while Diana sees her as a simple lowly witch who doesn't understand the true meaning of magic. Akko is always trying to prove herself better than Diana. The fact that Diana is a much more competent witch is very frustrating to her. Another reason why Akko dislikes Diana is because she does not like Shiny Chariot, though unaware that Diana herself used to idolize Shiny Chariot. Despite their rivalry, Diana isn't derogatory towards Akko unlike Hannah and Barbara; instead of outright insulting her she criticizes Akko's dreams. Even so, their relationship seemed to improve upon Diana gaining some respect for Akko's passion and great determination.
Noel and Ninny are assigned to investigate an incident involving a dragon that has been causing havoc in London. As they dig deeper into the mystery, they uncover a larger conspiracy that threatens the safety of Reverse London. The volume showcases the unique abilities of the witches and the diverse dragon species that exist in this world. Readers are introduced to different characters, including the charismatic Chief of the Western Branch, Bruno Bangnyfe, and the enigmatic dragonologist, Wolfgang Slashhaut. Various action-packed scenes, comedic moments, and character interactions add depth to the story. Kubo's signature art style is on full display in Burn the Witch Volume 1. The detailed illustrations and dynamic action sequences bring the story to life. The vibrant colors and distinct character designs help to differentiate the various dragons and witches. Overall, Burn the Witch Volume 1 is an exciting introduction to a new world within the Bleach universe. It sets the stage for future adventures and leaves readers wanting to know more about the mysteries of Reverse London and the fate of its inhabitants..
Reviews for "Enflaming Your Sewing Skills: Insights from Burn the Stitch Volume 1"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I found "Burn the Stitch Volume 1" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters were one-dimensional. The plot was predictable and there were no surprises or twists that would have made it more interesting. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, it felt like a generic and forgettable read.
2. John - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Burn the Stitch Volume 1" but ultimately, it fell short of my expectations. The artwork was decent, but the storyline felt disjointed and confusing. It was difficult to follow the narrative and understand the motivations of the characters. The dialogue was often cliché and lacked depth. I found myself struggling to connect with the story and it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
3. Emma - 2/5
I regret picking up "Burn the Stitch Volume 1" as it failed to captivate me. The plot was convoluted and lacked coherence. It felt like the story was trying too hard to be unique and edgy, but it ended up being confusing and uninteresting. The artwork, while visually appealing, couldn't compensate for the weak storyline and lack of character development. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing read that didn't live up to the hype.
4. Michael - 1/5
I couldn't get through "Burn the Stitch Volume 1" as it was extremely dull and unengaging. The plot was slow-paced and meandering, with no clear direction. The characters were bland and their interactions felt forced. The dialogue was flat and lacked any real emotion or depth. I was hoping for an exciting and gripping story, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling read.
5. Jennifer - 1/5
I found "Burn the Stitch Volume 1" to be a complete waste of time. The artwork was decent, but the story was nonsensical and poorly executed. It seemed like the author was trying to be avant-garde and experimental, but it resulted in a confusing mess. The characters were uninteresting and their motives were unclear. I struggled to find any enjoyment or meaning in the story, and I would not recommend it to anyone.