Witch Watch

Kenta Shinohara, acclaimed for SKET DANCE, returned to Shonen Jump with WITCH WATCH, inspired by an interest in magical everyday chaos blended with classic school comedy.

The series aims to refresh the magical girl trope by throwing in a rough-around-the-edges cast, pop culture, internet humor, and dynamic character dynamics.

The author draws on his signature comedic timing and love for character-driven stories.

The setting is a world where witches, familiars, and humans coexist in secrecy.

Modern witches, descended from those who fled witch hunts overseas, undergo training before blending into society.

Powerful magical clans hide among regular people, maintaining old traditions through new generations.

Familiar clans, originally animals granted the ability to become human, have flourished over centuries — creating ogres, tengu, and other beings from folklore.

Magicians use their powers to help or hinder others, with good-hearted “White Witches” standing against corrupted “Black Witches.”

Within this world, a prophecy looms: a great calamity will befall Nico within a year.

Her mother, a prophetess witch, enlists Morihito’s ogre bloodline to serve as Nico’s protector, kickstarting their new magical household life.

Morihito Otogi, an ogre-descended teen, has tried to hide his supernatural power out of fear he might hurt others.

Six years after their separation, his childhood friend, the vivacious and slightly accident-prone Nico Wakatsuki, returns from witch training and moves in with him.

Almost immediately, Nico’s freewheeling spells cause chaos, leading to Morihito reluctantly becoming her familiar under their families’ arrangement.

Unknown to Nico, a prophecy predicts disaster will strike her within a year.

To avoid this fate, Morihito is charged with guarding her at all times.

As high school freshmen, the pair’s secret identities unravel within days, astonishing classmates but earning acceptance for their uniqueness.

Their circle grows: Kanshi Kazamatsuri, a chatty crow tengu and part-time job enthusiast, joins as another familiar thanks to a debt to Nico’s witch mom.

Keigo Magami, a former figure skater and now subculture-obsessed YouTuber, is revealed as a werewolf familiar who once bargained with a black witch to heal his mother.

After being freed from his forced allegiance, Keigo joins the magical household.

Meanwhile, the introverted but oddly endearing vampire familiar Miharu Kiryuu, cursed by his own power needs, moves in after his abilities are stabilized by the team.

Together, this unruly group battles magical threats, solves supernatural mysteries, supports classmates with enchanted solutions, and deepens their chaotic friendships — all under the shadow of the impending “Day of Disaster.”

Witch: Individuals born with magical potential. Most witches are women, but men can awaken their powers under certain circumstances. “White Witches” use their gifts for good, while “Black Witches” are corrupted by selfish desires.

Familiar: Traditionally animal companions of witches, some have interbred with humans to become various types of magical beings—ogres, tengu, werewolves, and more. They’re now like magical roommates or loyal sidekicks.

Light Butterflies: Manifestations of Nico’s magic, these ethereal butterflies grant anyone temporary magic if absorbed. Retrieving them is key to restoring lost powers.

Day of Disaster: The central prophecy predicting calamity for Nico. The assembled team must band together to prevent this dark fate, battling powerful black witches and hidden enemies.

WITCH WATCH began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2021 and quickly became a success, inspiring translations in multiple languages (English, German, French, Chinese).

A highly anticipated anime adaptation aired from April 2025 on MBS/TBS "Nichigo" timeslot, with streaming through numerous platforms.

Blu-ray releases are scheduled monthly throughout 2025 and 2026.

Voice comics, official YouTube shorts, and spin-off audio skits have further expanded the series’ universe, featuring a lively voice cast and engaging fans via social media.

The anime is produced by Bibury Animation Studios, directed by Hiroshi Ikehata, with character design by Haruko Iizuka and music by Yukari Hashimoto.

The writing team thoughtfully rearranged story arcs for the screen to enhance character development, especially Keigo’s episodes.

Notable animation episodes include solo work by animator En Oshima, which caught attention for its unique style.

The energetic opening theme, “Watch me!” is performed by YOASOBI, based on a special short story written by the manga’s author.

The ending, “Magic is Spice,” is by group Aooo, establishing the quirky, feel-good tone.

WITCH WATCH claimed the comicspace Prize at the 6th Tsutaya Comics Awards, noted for its enthusiastic online following.

It was also runner-up in the 2022 Next Manga Awards for best ongoing comic series.

WITCH WATCH quickly became a standout hit in Shonen Jump, praised for mixing supernatural action, heartfelt slice-of-life moments, Internet-savvy gags, and heartfelt explorations of friendship and personal growth.

The series has cultivated a passionate fanbase, especially for its meta-humor, surprising plot twists, and endearing character relationships.

Crossovers with Kenta Shinohara’s previous hit, SKET DANCE, delighted longtime readers, forging connections across both series’ universes.

WITCH WATCH features a playful, meta-fictional sense of humor, exemplified by its “Uron Mirage” manga-within-a-manga, itself adapted into a voice comic and promotional video.

Original characters and social media tie-ins, like YouTube channels and “in-universe” creator interviews, draw fans deep into its magical, mischievous world.