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Little Witch Academia (リトルウィッチアカデミア Ritoru Witchi Akademia?) is an anime adaptation[9] to the original eponymous film and its sequel, The Enchanted Parade. It began broadcasting on January 8, 2017, in Japan[1] on TV at 01:55 AM [10] and January 9, 2017, in the Netflix streaming site. The series ran for 25 episodes for one season split into two cours and released across nine Blu-ray Disc/DVD volumes in Japan.[11]

The first cour, labeled as "Season 1" by Netflix, was released worldwide on June 30, 2017, while the second cour, labeled as "Season 2", was released on the same platform on August 15, 2017, both by Netflix.

In late 2017, Little Witch Academia won the award from Comicbook.com for Best Non-Shonen Series.[12]

In April 7, 2020, a new season for the series has been planned, but was up put into a hold for a time being due to unknown circumstances. [13] The actual reason of the hiatus however, was Michiru Shimada's unfortunate passing in December 2017.


Production[]

Masahiko Ōtsuka, the writer of the anime series and previous films, stated as an update to The Enchanted Parade's Kickstarter, that if the sequel performs well, they may potentially look into producing a TV series or a full-length film.[14] According to Tatsuru Tatemoto, it was Ōtsuka who intended the would be anime TV series of the franchise to be lighthearted despite Yoshinari's original pitch in which the show being as dark as Puella Magi Madoka Magica.[15] Indeed, despite the series' second cour notably had darker tone than its first cour, it nonetheless much tamer in comparison.

Later, it was shown the official announcement of the series on June 24, 2016, following the final episode of Space Patrol Luluco.[16]

The series began airing in Japan from January 9, 2017, in the Netflix streaming platform.[17][18][19] All the episodes would be released through nine volumes in BD and DVD format, from April 19, 2017.[20]

In an event where the first three episodes of the series were premiered, it was confirmed that the anime series would contain 25 episodes and an international premiere on Netflix coming soon.[21]

On March 25, 2017, the official website of the series announced that the second part of the first season would be released in April 2017, with the introduction of a new antagonist character, Croix Meridies.[22] As confirmed in the interview with the producer, the second part has the focus on Akko's growth, more serious storyline, and foreshadowing of a secret character in 11th episode which later confirmed to be Croix herself.[23][24]

In an interview with the now defunct site Fighting For Nippon on November 26, 2017, Yō Yoshinari and Naoko Tsutsumi confirmed Netflix began its involvement in the series since the success of The Enchanted Parade, where they contributed through funding and later, dubbing the anime TV Series[25], stated by Tattun on 4chan several months earlier on March 18, 2017, in response to a fan inquiring him on whether Pawn Stars cast member, Austin “Chumlee” Russell will be the VA for the Café Proprietor, who was confirmed by the producer on 4chan to deliberately have his likeness modeled after him to pay homage to Chumlee and a show of respect for his Japanese dub actor Akihiro Matsushima[26]. While he acknowledged the production of each episodes of the anime TV series to be worthwhile, Yoshinari nevertheless lamented the studio's tighter schedule compared to when working on short films.[27]

At AnimeExpo 2017 during the Trigger panel, Yoshinari revealed that the sequel series will focus more on other witches such as Amanda, Jasminka, and Sucy.[28] In another interview, Yoshinari also planned to work on spin-offs either centered around Ursula's backstory or Night Fall — the in-universe book series Lotte happened to be a fan of — as a stand alone series.[29][30][31] In an interview, Yoshinari also mentioned that he would likely focused more on would-be second season's animation and character design with Shūhei Handa directing it in his stead. [32] Shiori Miyazaki also expressed her interest for the TV series' newer installments.[33]

Plot[]

Little Witch Academia takes place at the Luna Nova Magical Academy, a prestigious school for young girls training to become witches. Having been inspired by a witch named Shiny Chariot, a girl named Akko Kagari enrolls at Luna Nova Magical Academy to become a witch but struggles due to her non-magical background. This all changes when she discovers the Shiny Rod, a powerful magic relic left behind by Chariot. The television series follows Akko and her friends, Lotte and Sucy, as they experience many magical adventures together, and recounts everything seen in the previous films.

Episodes[]

Main article: List of TV Series episodes.

Original soundtrack[]

The series' music is composed by Michiru Ōshima.

For the first part of season 1, the opening theme is "Shiny Ray" by YURiKA while the ending theme is "Hoshi Wo Tadoreba" (星を辿れば If You Follow the Stars?) by Yuiko Ōhara.[34] Both songs were released in CD format on February 22, 2017, in Japan, with a cost of ¥1,728.[35][36]

For the second part of season 1, the opening theme is "Mind Conductor" by YURiKA while the ending theme is "Toumei na Tsubasa" (透明な翼 Transparent Wings?) by Yuiko Ōhara.[37] Both songs will be released in CD format on May 24, 2017, in Japan, with a cost of ¥1,836.[38][39]

Trivia[]

  • As confirmed in an interview with Yō Yoshinari[40]:
    • The TV series started with Akko's journey to Luna Nova and set in its own continuity rather than picking up from where short films left off is because he find the world-building in the series' universe needs some work and implementing more ideas than in the former.
    • Yoshinari also intended the new installment enjoyable for its target audience (children) as much as adult considering Studio Trigger have yet to make such approach.
    • The anime TV Series' storyline is intended to balance unexpected development and the audience's expectations to contrast Gurren Lagann which followed usual pattern of super robot animes.
    • Takafumi Hori was chosen as the main animator owing to his skill in animating magical creatures and making them feel real at the same time.
    • He and his fellow Studio Trigger staff intended the anime TV Series to combine the feel of both a Japanese magical girl anime and the classical foreign image of a wizard (ex. Gandalf from Lord of the Rings and Merlin from Arthurian legends)
    • Lastly, he hoped that he could make the characters interesting and deep in the long term.
  • Yuka Shibata, storyboarder who made the opening theme of TV series' first cour, admitted how happy she was in her part despite wishing to do more.[41][42]
  • The decision to adapt Little Witch Academia into actual TV Series was well-received not just by fans, but also voice actresses involved (Megumi Han, Fumiko Orikasa, Michiyo Murase, Yōko Hikasa, Noriko Hidaka, Arisa Shida, Rie Murakawa, and Reina Ueda) as confirmed in the interview at the official site. Having worked on both original short and The Enchanted Parade prior, they are more than delighted by their eventual involvement in it.[43][44][45]

Gallery[]

For more images related to Little Witch Academia (anime), see the file category: Category:TV Series images.

Official art[]

Background Designs[]

ED Cuts[]

Main ED Cuts[]

Special ED Cuts[]

Other art[]

Videos[]

Trailers
Openings and Endings
Miscellaneous

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-12-01/little-witch-academia-tv-anime-promo-video-reveals-song-artists-january-8-premiere/
  2. LITTLE WITCH ACADEMIA, POUDLARD BOOSTÉ À L’ÉNERGIE SPIRALE
  3. Little Witch Academia's Netflix Release Date Announced - IGN
  4. [1]
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anime-spotlight/2017/winter/little-witch-academia/.111287
  6. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=77181
  7. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=113087
  8. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=133799
  9. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-06-24/trigger-little-witch-academia-gets-tv-anime-series/
  10. https://twitter.com/yottkun/status/821159605275197441
  11. http://littlewitchacademia.jp/tv1st/bddvd/09.html
  12. Comicbook.com - The 2017 ComicBook.com Golden Issue Award for Best Non-Shonen Series By Christian Hoffer - December 26, 2017
  13. https://gigazine.net/amp/20200407-bna-you-yoshinari-kazuki-nakashima-interview#click=https://t.co/2Pph0pqTAP
  14. Little Witch Academia 2, Message from Otsuka Masahiko
  15. Desuarchive info about Yoshinari's plan of Little Witch Academia being supposedly darker according to Tattun
  16. Trigger's Little Witch Academia Gets TV Anime Series
  17. Netflix to Stream Little Witch Academia TV Anime Series
  18. "Little Witch Academia" TV Anime Spotted For January 2017
  19. Little Witch Academia TV Anime Reveals More Cast, Staff, Visual
  20. BD/DVD
  21. "Little Witch Academia" TV Anime Reportedly Planned For Two Split Cours
  22. クロワ役竹内順子さんからコメントが到着!!
  23. 4chan info about interview with Little Witch Academia producer found at MANTANWEB
  24. Desuarchive info about interview with Little Witch Academia producer found at MANTANWEB.jpg
  25. Desuarchive info about Netflix's control regarding Little Witch Academia anime TV Series dub
  26. Little Witch Academia producer regarding UK travel for inspirations and Last Wednesday Society's proprietor as the homage to Chum Lee from 4chan
  27. Sprinkle of Magic – Little Witch Academia Interview w/ Yoh Yoshinari, Naoko Tsutsumi, and Yosuke Futami (Archive)
  28. Trigger Panel in YouTube (time: 25:30)
  29. http://www.inquisitr.com/4343044/little-witch-academia-season-2-release-date-on-netflix-episode-14-25-director-lwa-season-3-characters-akko-anime-news/
  30. Little Witch Academia Director Wants to Do Another Season, Spinoff (Archive)
  31. 『リトルウィッチアカデミア』 監督「やりたいことが多すぎて2クールじゃ全く足りない」「シャリオのスピンオフアニメも作りたい」 (archived)
  32. https://twitter.com/thomokasu33/status/888757992308461569
  33. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514214542/https://twitter.com/gomi_dame332/status/872860916018102274
  34. Little Witch Academia TV Anime's Promo Video Reveals Song Artists, January 8 Premiere
  35. Shiny Ray(アニメ盤) TVアニメ『リトルウィッチアカデミア』 オープニングテーマ
  36. 星を辿れば(アニメ盤) TVアニメ『リトルウィッチアカデミア』エンディングテーマ
  37. Little Witch Academia Anime's Video Previews 2nd Half, New Theme Songs
  38. MIND CONDUCTOR(アーティスト盤) TVアニメ『リトルウィッチアカデミア』 第2クールオープニングテーマ
  39. 透明な翼(アーティスト盤) TVアニメ『リトルウィッチアカデミア』 第2クールエンディングテーマ
  40. 4chan info about Yoshinari's approach for TV Series of Little Witch Academia
  41. Little Witch Academia Chronicles, Chapter 2, page 72
  42. LWA Chronicle Page 72
  43. http://littlewitchacademia.jp/tv1st/special/comment.html
  44. Little Witch Academia: Pre-Broadcast Cast Comments translations part 1
  45. Little Witch Academia: Pre-Broadcast Cast Comments translations part 2

External links[]

Littlewitchacademia-jp-favicon Official Little Witch Academia Trigger TV site (in Japanese)
Icon-netflix-22x22 Little Witch Academia NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
Icon-animenewsnetwork-22x22 Little Witch Academia
Icon-myanimelist-22x22 Little Witch Academia
Wikipedia Little Witch Academia
Icon-twitter2012-20x20 @LWA_jp (in Japanese)

Reviews[]

Essays[]

News[]

Interviews[]

Podcasts[]

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