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
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    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
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘The Witch And The Beast’ Episode 5 — “Beauty and Death: Final Act”

REVIEW: ‘The Witch And The Beast’ Episode 5 — “Beauty and Death: Final Act”

Kate SánchezBy Kate Sánchez02/08/20244 Mins ReadUpdated:03/15/2024
The Witch And The Beast Episode 5
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Last episode, The Witch And The Beast (Majo to Yajuu) shifted gears. The story changed its focus away from our leading duo, Guideau You Taichi) and Ashaf (Toshiyuki Morikawa). Instead, it’s now focused on the Necromancer Phanora (Saori Hayami) and Johan (Ryouta Oosaka). They are dispatched to deal with a rise in undead rampages across the city. The two uncovered a Necromancer who has broken every taboo and rule set around bringing the dead back to life. He has allowed their bodies to fall into disrepair, taken their minds, and is serving no one but his own selfish needs. Now, in The Witch And The Beast Episode 5, “Beauty and Death: Final Act,” their confrontation comes to a close in an epic and macabre way.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 opens with Johan being killed and his body taken hostage with Phanora seemingly at the renegade necromancer’s whim. Obsessed with beauty and resurrecting his wife in a new and perfect body, the necromancer’s unhinged behavior expands as he confesses to every transgression. He spits in the face of the rules that guard necromancy, and through it all, Phanora remains cool under pressure.

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

In the second part of a two-part story, Yokohama Animation Laboratory has taken care to adapt the manga by mangaka Kousuke Satake and localized in English by Kodansha Comics. Instead of condensing the stories, the team has adapted them at a near-perfect pacing that allows the world, narrative, and tension to build. The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 is a striking example of that with its stunning reveal and jaw-dropping finale. By embracing each pair of episodes as a chapter in a larger dark fantasy, the series is able to both throw its audience into its lore and carry them through it on a guided path.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 also easily lands itself among the best dark fantasy stories in anime. Before even discussing its breathtaking beauty in an animation sense, you have to praise its take on magic. When it comes to Necromancy, the focus of the “Beauty and Death” pair of episodes, it’s superb. There are elements we’ve seen before, the rules and reactions to raising the dead, and the grief associated with it is deep and thoughtful.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 5

Here, Necromancy is a pact. It’s a choice made not just by the magic user but a sacrifice made by the dead. The dead forgo an afterlife and enter the void once their time has come. The willfulness in how Necromancy is approached showcases its intimate nature. The way that the episode captures this with the relationship between Phanora and Johan is excellent. Vaguely romantic but wholly attached to each other, Johan is an example of a Necromancer who has maintained her creation to the point that he can pass for human. He can be his own person. And the respect the two show each other is on full display.

While it isn’t Ashraf and Guideau, Phanora and Johan also represent the show’s title. One witch and one beast. It’s a thoughtful twist that speaks to how large the world of the series is. It speaks to the depth of the Magical Order of Resonance. It also highlights the wealth of stories that can take place in it. I’m usually annoyed by focus pivots in storytelling, but here, it absolutely works.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 is also the most beautiful of the series. Like Episode 1, “Beauty and Death: Final Act” thrives in presenting beautiful sequences and stills that pull the audience in. But it never loses its dark edge. The beauty is always underscored by the macabre, and that is where it thrives. It makes you invest in the world’s vision beyond just its aesthetics but pushing you with its visuals.

Bringing “Beauty and Death” to a close, The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 cements the series as an effortless and unique fantasy story. It’s grounded by its darkness but excels because of its world-building beauty.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 — "Beauty and Death: Final Act"
  • 10/10
    Rating - 10/10
10/10

TL;DR

Bringing “Beauty and Death” to a close, The Witch And The Beast Episode 5 cements the series as an effortless and unique fantasy story. It’s grounded by its darkness but excels because of its world-building beauty.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Delicious In Dungeon’ Episode 6 — “Court Cuisine/Boiled in Salt Water”
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Cherry Magic!’ Episode 5
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

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

09/11/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 20
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 20 — “Mutual Fans”

09/08/2025
Tougen Anki Episode 9 still from Netflix
4.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 9 — “Momotaro Spirit”

09/06/2025
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 10 promotional image from Crunchyroll
10.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “So We’re Gonna Do It All Right Now?”

09/06/2025
Arknights Rise From Ember Rosmontis

REVIEW: ‘Arknights: Rise From Ember’ Is Phenomenal But Drags On Too Long

09/06/2025
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’ Episode 1 – “Rintaro and Kaoruko”

09/05/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

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