The Extraordinary Magic of Ichi the Witch
A Witch and a Hunter: The Unexpected Charm of Ichi the Witch
Shonen Jump, the undisputed king of anime and manga, constantly seeks the next big thing. With recent powerhouses like My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen concluding, and established series like Sakamoto Days and Witch Watch nearing their ends, the question of what will fill the void looms large. Fortunately, two contenders have emerged: Kagurabachi and Ichi the Witch. While Kagurabachi gained initial popularity through internet memes, Ichi the Witch, despite not achieving the same viral status, has garnered significant success since its debut and holds a unique position due to its unusual creation.
An Unlikely Partnership
Ichi the Witch is the brainchild of writer Osamu Nishi and artist Shiro Usazaki. These two accomplished women form the first female artist-writer duo in Shonen Jump's history. Shiro Usazaki previously worked on the manga act-age, which garnered praise for its portrayal of acting and emotions through stunning visuals, but the series was abruptly canceled due to the writer's misconduct. Usazaki's career faced uncertainty, but her editors recognized her talent and sought a suitable writer for her to collaborate with, leading to her partnership with Osamu Nishi.
Osamu Nishi is known for her successful fantasy comedy, Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, a flagship title for Weekly Shonen Champion. The unexpected move of Nishi pitching a second weekly manga to Champion's rival, Shonen Jump, initially raised concerns. However, recognizing Nishi's value, Champion eventually allowed her to pursue the project, leading to the debut of Ichi the Witch in September 2024, with Usazaki as the artist. The existence of this manga feels like a remarkable stroke of luck given the extraordinary circumstances of its creation.
A World of Magic and Trials
The story unfolds in a world where beings called Majiks grant humans magic in exchange for completing trials. Ichi, a mountain boy, encounters the witch Desscaras while she hunts a Majik. Defying the belief that only women can acquire magic, Ichi captures the Majik and becomes the first male witch. Desscaras takes Ichi under her wing, teaching him about Majiks as he dedicates himself to hunting them.
The premise is simple yet intriguing, blending fantasy, action, and comedy. The trials Ichi faces to acquire new Majiks range from intense battles to fashion contests, creating a narrative that effortlessly shifts between high stakes and humor. Usazaki's art complements this range, delivering intense action spreads, hilarious character expressions, and awe-inspiring visuals of magic.
Breaking the Mold
Ichi the Witch occupies a unique space within Shonen Jump as a fantasy manga rather than a traditional battle manga. This distinction grants the series greater flexibility in its narrative, focusing on the immediate needs of the story, whether it be action or humor. The manga's tone evokes the spirit of early Dragon Ball and One Piece, offering a refreshing alternative to Jump's more recent offerings.
Nishi's storytelling approach, reminiscent of her work on Iruma-kun, centers each story arc around new or existing characters, expanding the world through their experiences. The Bakugami arc exemplifies this, exploring the importance of grief through Ichi's confrontation with a Majik who provides perpetual joy but robs citizens of their ability to mourn. This arc showcases Nishi's ability to blend action with heartfelt exploration of complex themes.
A Cast of Memorable Characters
Nishi excels at creating compelling characters. Despite the manga's relatively short run, she has assembled a strong ensemble of personalities. Kumugi serves as the straight man to Ichi and Desscarass, while Uroro, bound to Ichi, constantly plots his demise. The main duo, Ichi and Desscarass, are particularly well-developed.
Ichi, raised in the mountains, is a wild child with a strong hunting instinct and a loose sense of morality, making him both entertaining and unsettling. Desscarass, a powerful mentor figure with a large ego, is constantly exasperated by Ichi's antics, making her a fan favorite.
Their relationship, initially played for laughs, gradually becomes important to both of them. Desscarass takes responsibility for Ichi, and he begins to value their bond, showcasing the manga's ability to shift between whimsy and heart.
A Promising Future
Success in Shonen Jump is never guaranteed, but Ichi the Witch has been met with a positive reception. With its colorful characters and tonal flexibility, the series offers a consistently charming read. Whether it reaches the heights of Jump's biggest hits remains to be seen, but its strong start suggests a promising future.
