REVIEW: ‘The Witch And The Beast’ Episode 3 — “The Witch’s Pastime: Final Act”

Yokohama Animation Labratory’s anime adaptation of The Witch And The Beast (Majo to Yajuu) by Kousuke Satake’s Kodansha-published manga has been stellar. Capturing the blend of beauty and grotesque moments, each subsequent episode has embodied a blend of fantasy and detective noir that makes for a unique anime. In The Witch And The Beast Episode 3, “The Witch’s Pastime: Final Act,” Guideau (Yō Taichi) and Ashaf (Toshiyuki Morikawa) solve the case they began in the last episode, and it’s not what it seems.

In the last episode, the witch-hunting duo joined detective Kiera Haines to solve the serial killing witch case. Dubbed the Witch’s Pastime, the murder case has shot up to over 40 victims with odd messages left behind. The first of which is “I live on and on without change. I bear heir after heir without change.”

Clearly, playing a game, the answer to the riddles is always a witch. With gruesome murders continuing and the police at the center, Ashaf and Guideau must track down the perp. They only find that Kiera has a personal connection. Everyone who loves Kiera has died at the hands of the witch, including her adopted children. As we learn about Kiera’s past and her connection, Ashaf and Guideau come face to face with the witch, only for them to lose.

When it comes to pacing, Yokohama Animation Laboratory expertly uses the score and action to build tension and mystery. At only 23 minutes, it’d be easy for a mystery to feel half-baked, but in The Witch And The Beast Episode 3, it never does. The series blends fantasy with a detective story, and this episode feels the most like a crime thriller than we’ve seen before. Then Haines comes face to face with the witch, or witches, behind the murders of her colleagues and loved ones.

Ultimately, the case itself is anticlimactic in a way. We don’t see Guideau’s monster form come out and wreak havoc. At the same time, the reveal of Kiera’s very personal connection to the witch is fit for any detective story. Guideau is no closer to finding her witch, but the world of The Witch And The Beast is larger thanks to the magic it expands in Episode 3.

The last episode began by explaining items that can give sorcerers power. This episode makes good on that. With the introduction of grimoires and their power to control and the need for blood, the series takes an even darker turn. Another layer of magic added to the story of the series, the intricacies are fantastic. This isn’t just witches and their curses but so much more.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 3 offers up an emotional ending, a look at Ashaf’s care for Guideau, and executes its detective inclinations to perfection. The only issue is that it’s hard to think that this story needed to be split into two like it was. While some of the setup in Episode 2 has merit, much of it could have been rolled into this story. While the current pacing is fantastic, it makes Episode 2’s existence feel even more empty.

As a whole, The Witch And The Beast Episode 3 solidifies the series’ identity. It’s a genre-blending narrative that uses fantasy, crime, and thrilling violence. We see that all on display in this episode.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 3 is streaming now on Crunchyroll, with new episodes every Thursday.