Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
    Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

    Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

    08/29/2025
    Star Wars Visions Volume 3 Black

    ‘Black’ Sets The Tone For A Bold New Mixtape In ‘Star Wars Visions: Volume 3’

    08/28/2025
    Olivia Colman in The Roses

    ‘The Roses’ Is A Reimagining, Not A Remake, And That’s Why It Works So Well

    08/27/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘The Witch And The Beast’ Episode 2 — “The Witch’s Pastime: Opening Act”

REVIEW: ‘The Witch And The Beast’ Episode 2 — “The Witch’s Pastime: Opening Act”

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez01/18/20243 Mins ReadUpdated:02/01/2024
The Witch And The Beast Episode 2
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

The Witch And The Beast (Majo to Yajuu) anime from Yokohama Animation Laboratory got off to a powerful start. With dreamy animation, violent action sequences, and an aesthetic that hits, the series based on Kousuke Satake’s Kodansha-published manga of the same name made itself one to watch this season. But that quick pacing slows in The Witch And The Beast Episode 2, “The Witch’s Pastime: Opening Act.”

Each episode of the season so far has opened with a storybook, teaching the audience small pieces of lore. For The Witch And The Beast Episode 2 adds clarity to what we assume are Ashaf’s ( Toshiyuki Morikawa) powers as a mage. Items of sorcery that give the wielder access to the magic and strength of witches require sacrifice. It presents an ominous lore dump that is still presented beautifully. But then, the episode then forgets that intro and doesn’t engage with it again.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Instead, The Witch And The Beast Episode 2 is all about setting the scene of Guideau (Yō Taichi) and Ashaf’s next case. However, Guideau’s frustration mounts as witch-related cases prove hard to come by until a string of horrific serial murders answers her prayers. With a body count pushing 40, the duo head to Hayden, the capital city of Pheres, to confront the witch and assist the city’s local police force.

Meanwhile, the city police force’s only mage, Kiera Haines, has her own ideas about the case. With flashbacks of a building on fire, Kiera’s connection to the serial killings isn’t apparent, but it’s clear that they are unlocking something in her. She is dedicated to solving the witch’s crimes and she is isolated because of it. With people Kiera cared for killed by the witch, she is slow to trust Ashaf and Guideau when they show up, and her silence drives the series’ mystery.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 2

“The Witch’s Pastime: Opening Act” is an apt title. There is nothing more than set up in this episode, and somehow it works. The way the series has chosen to show violence and build tension is akin to detective noir stories. Despite nothing happening in The Witch And The Beast Episode 2, the European-esque city aesthetic and the witch’s horrendous acts all stand out.

The animation holds you even if the story doesn’t capture you. Which I can understand since its essentially a misfit duo taking on a new crime each week. I’m not entirely interested in the Order of Magical Resonance. But I am deeply invested in Guideau, her other form, and her grudge. Additionally, this episode gives the audience a deeper look into Ashaf and Guideau’s relationship.

The polar opposite in temperament, Guideau needs Ashaf, and Ashaf obliges with joy. The duo bump heads like people bonded well below the surface. They bicker like people who know each other inside and out. The way the chemistry is handled in animation, as well as dialogue, brings it all home. Right down to Ashaf, giving Guideau a bone to calm her down. It’s adorable and sincere in a very weird way.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 2 is very much a part one. And while it may be a slowed change of pace, its worldbuilding is absolutely superb.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 2 is streaming now on Crunchyroll, with new episodes every Thursday.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 2 — "The Witch's Pastime: Opening Act"
  • 8.5/10
    Rating - 8.5/10
8.5/10

TL;DR

The Witch And The Beast Episode 2 is very much a part one. And while it may be a slowed change of pace, its worldbuilding is absolutely superb.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleEverything Announced At Xbox Developer Direct
Next Article SUNDANCE 2024: ‘Your Monster’ Is A Cathartic Genre-Blending Tale
Kate Sánchez
  • Website
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Kate Sánchez is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of But Why Tho? A Geek Community. There, she coordinates film, television, anime, and manga coverage. Kate is also a freelance journalist writing features on video games, anime, and film. Her focus as a critic is championing animation and international films and television series for inclusion in awards cycles. Find her on Bluesky @ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

Related Posts

Marin in My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 9
8.5

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 9 — “Because I Don’t Intend to Sleep Tonight”

08/30/2025
Shiki in Tougen Anki Episode 8
5.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 8 — “The Unreliable Hero”

08/30/2025
DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 9
8.0

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 9 – “I Want to Rebuild the House”

08/28/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 18
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 18 – “Kanaguri”

08/27/2025
Captivated By You Episode 1
6.0

REVIEW: ‘Captivated By You’ Episode 1 — “Someone Adorable”

08/25/2025
Marin in My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 8
7.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 8 — “The Only Way I Can Think to Express That Gratitude Is With Money”

08/23/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Cosmic Spider-Man card details Features

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

By Kate Sánchez09/02/2025Updated:09/02/2025

An exclusive look at a new 5-Color Spider entering Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set, and Cosmic Spider-Man is going to be a tough one to take on.

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall Events

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

By Adrian Ruiz08/31/2025Updated:09/03/2025

Hololive EN turned Radio City in New York City into the pure expression of fandom: chants, penlights, and community in perfect sync.

Foundation Season 3 Episode 8 promotional still from APple TV+
9.0
TV

RECAP: ‘The Foundation’ Season 3 Episode 8 — “Skin In The Game”

By Will Borger08/29/2025Updated:08/29/2025

Still barreling toward a knock-down, drag-out fight between Gaal and the Mule in Foundation Season 3 Episode 8 ups the stakes.

Karl Anthony Towns in NBA 2k26 But Why Tho
8.5
PS5

REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

By Kyle Foley09/03/2025

NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh in the latest yearly release.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here