REVIEW: ‘Witch Hat Atelier’ Episode 7 – “Who Is Magic For?”

By combining the soothing, learning moments from Episode 6 and the action of Episode 5, Witch Hat Atelier Episode 7 continues to shine a light on the strengths of Kamome Shirahama’s work. “Who Is Magic For?” is yet another stunner, evident from the opening moments, which show the world through Aggot’s  (Hibiku Yamamura) gaze, one overwhelmed by the overcast weather and the abundance of nature surrounding them as she and Olruggio (Yuichi Nakamura) race to rescue the fallen carriage. This establishing shot, on its own, shows the caliber of talent working on the series, where not a single transitional or introductory frame is any less than excellent. 

There are two vital elements in Witch Hat Atelier Episode 7 that speak to the profundity of the series central thesis. The first examines how we learn and how we teach. And the second is the consequences of ignorance. Both are central themes in Shirahama’s work, exploring how they affect our ability to interact with the world and grow beyond our self-perception. 

We see this most clearly with Agott. Agott, who, clearly, is running away from a tough upbringing where her own family told her she wasn’t good enough to become an apprentice. She argues for her right to accompany Qifrey (Natsuki Hanae) and Olruggio in helping rescue the group of travelers by the river, believing that her own hard work and tireless efforts have earned her this chance. She goes as far as to passively accuse Qifrey of not letting her grow, asking, “Shouldn’t the master seek more opportunities for his apprentices to gain experience?”

Witch Hat Atelier Episode 7 depicts different approaches to magic. 

On face value, it’s a damning statement and, in any standard shonen-style series (of which this obviously isn’t), it would be the impetus of the protagonist’s growth. And, in a way, that is the case here. Because Agott (along with Coco, Tetia, and Richeh) can tag along. And at the end, Agott can showcase her quick thinking and skills to help save the boy, Custas, who falls into the river. But it’s not a charmed path she walks on, and she must reckon first with her own shortcomings while recognizing Coco’s (Rena Motomura) strength to get there. 

After she delivers that scathing question to Qifrey, he has his own observations, both internal and shared with Olruggio. Instead of being caught up in the joy of all she has learned, Agott is instead preoccupied with the frustrations of what she still can’t do.

And despite being the one first to allow Agott to join, Olruggio is more upfront with his concerns, calling her impatient and asking her to think about the main question at the heart of Witch Hat Atelier Episode 7: “Think carefully about what magic is for.” 

Agott’s magic unexpectedly saves Coco. 

Up until now, it would be easy to assume that magic, to Agott, is a tool in which she can prove herself capable. To prove her intellect and cunning, and to prove the family that turned her away wrong. And that, in its own way, is a tool for vengeance, a striking dissimilarity to Coco. Coco, who, despite having her life overturned by the dark possibilities of magic, still sees it as a means to create joy and a tool to save lives. All of which comes to a head when they’re forced to save Custas on their own after he falls into the river in an effort to save fallen cargo. 

Agott struggles as Coco, who has also fallen into the river, works to find a way to get Custas out from under the rock pinning him, believing in magic and her friends’ abilities to save the day. Agott beats herself up for only being able to produce a distraction to force the onlookers not to catch wind of how magic is actually performed. But it’s her spell that acts as the catalyst for Coco to figure out how to save Custas. Seeing the dazzling spell Agott casts, she recalls others she’s watched to move the rock and get her and Custas to safety. 

In Coco’s own words, Agott’s magic saves her. Not in a typical way, but one that speaks to what magic is for – a guiding light, a source of inspiration, and a way to save someone. Of course, this moment of triumph is short-lived, with the Knights Moralis showing up so quickly, believing that Coco and Agott are involved with the Brimmed Hats.

The dangers of ignorance are a pivotal theme in Witch Hat Atelier. 

Because while Coco thought she’d just used Richeh’s spell to break rocks down into sand, she accidentally turned the entire riverbed to sand. And it’s that which reminds us that while magic is powerful, how little Coco knows about it remains a force of potential widespread destruction. 

The way the series guides these learning moments is so pivotal to the type of story it is trying to tell. Because this isn’t Jujutsu Kaisen or My Hero Academia, where 15-16-year-olds are constantly forced into the line of danger. Qifrey and Olruggio’s first course of action is to prioritize the health and safety of their apprentices.

Olruggio allows Agott to come, but only lets her use the magical contraptions he’s made. When the two split off, each brings one apprentice with them who has shoes with the flight glyphs. Qifrey is constantly kneeling, keeping himself at eye level with his students. 

The mechanics of magic in this world continue to stun. 

These are details that enrich the world and constantly, pointedly remind us that the apprentices are kids. Yes, they’re children who possess knowledge which gives them great power, but that doesn’t negate their youth. And it’s such a refreshing perspective for the series to take, as it gives even greater depth to both master and student.

Witch Hat Atelier Episode 7, usurpingly, also looks phenomenal. A particular highlight is the introduction of Qifrey’s sword, “Raincleaver,” which he can use to confront and slice through the incoming tides of the river. The sword, engraved with magical seals, is dangerous enough that he won’t let his students hold it. And it, along with Olruggio’s windows that let the students travel from the Atelier right to the riverbed, also shines a light on how much effort and craftsmanship go into making this magical world tick. 

It’s just so profoundly difficult not to be a massive nerd about this series. Harder still to be a nerd and not have all of the words to articulate the breadth of skill and artistry taking place on screen. The specificity of the worldbuilding and the artisan style work that goes into to highlighting the details of each element is simply breathtaking. From the markings on Raincleaver, to the way that the shadowy figures haunting Agott resemble the pens they cast with, to her beacon spell that moves the brush strokes of her ink, each frame comes to life with bustling, kinetic vigor. It makes me wish I knew more to lavish better praise. 

Ending on another thrilling cliffhanger, Witch Hat Atelier Episode 7 highlights the themes crucial to Shirahama’s narrative. Emboldened by the artistry of the team at Bug Films that continues to find gentle, understated ways to highlight the beauty of any given scene, “Who is Magic For?” is yet another breathtaking installment that speaks to the inherent brilliance of the source material, allowing the adaptation to play and flourish. 

Witch Hat Atelier Episode 7 is available now on Crunchyroll. 

Previous Episode | Next Episode