Witch Watch is a manga that feels like it covers quite a few genres. We have a situation where two teenagers with special abilities appear. There are suggestions that one person, a witch named Nico, will eventually be in danger and need her bodyguard/familiar, an elf named Morihito, to come to his aid. Sometimes it seems like some elements of romantic comedy come into play, as the duo share some chemistry. From the very beginning, however, what really ensures it works is the sometimes ludicrous dynamic and the situations the two encounter as a young wizard trying to do good and a young man trying to do good. Try to save her from herself.
Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities for Witch Watch to be silly. The dynamic between Morihito and Nico is a prime example. He is a very grounded and pragmatic person. He’s usually down-to-earth. She is more idealistic and naive. It gives Nico a chance to rise above, while Morihito can be the voice of reason and save the day.
A good example is when Nico showed Morihito what her magic could do. She wanted to show how she could use a spell to turn anything into paper. Since he didn’t want to provide any of his own as an example, since she broke his favorite cup with another spell, she cast it herself. Then she… blew away. He chases her and needs to destroy a wall so that she doesn’t suddenly become 3D again when stuck in a crack between two buildings.
It also means we get moments where we see Nico’s idealized version of a situation and reality of it all. For example, Morihito and Nico’s reunion is a prime example. She expected a scene from a shojo manga. A place where the two instantly blushed, promised never to part again, and walked away like a couple. In fact, she dashed through the porch glass, he was in business when they reintroduced themselves, and immediately saw it as an “inevitable” situation.
This is all a good setup for upcoming events. The Witch Watch manga suggests that something bad is coming. That’s part of the reason why Morihito was her bodyguard in the first place. By setting this tone, it is possible to understand what the momentum might be. This stage is being set for both characters to develop. This first episode demonstrates Nico’s desire to help people. There is her willingness to try. We also see Morihito come to accept who he is and his powers. As the story continues in the early chapters, we see him willing to use his powers for the benefit of Nico and the others.
Witch Watch is fun, that works for it. We had an idea, things were going to get serious eventually. There are also hints of powers that both Morihito and Nico will possess. But it seems Kenta Shinohara understands that there is no need to rush in the face of dire situations. As such, now everyone can only enjoy the silence of the situation. That shows the dynamic between the characters and their personalities, which works quite well.
Witch Watch Volume 1 is available in English from Viz Media. New chapters also regularly appear on its website.
