In 2016, Kamome Shirahama would begin her masterpiece in the pages of Kodansha’s seinen manga magazine Morning Two. Selling over 7.5 million copies in circulation and an awards favorite, Witch Hat Atelier has the best of both worlds: magical girls that rival the likes of Sailor Moon, and a fresh spin on familiar fantasy tropes like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Whilst the ongoing anime adaptation produced by Bug Films has been an instant hit, Shirahama’s manga gets the hardcover treatment with the first volume of the Grimoire Editions being released.
Covering the first three volumes of the manga, Witch Hat Atelier centers on Coco, the kind and daydreaming daughter of a dressmaker who aspires to become a witch. However, because only innate magical users can practice and use magic, she has to give up on her dream. When she meets a witch named Qifrey, she witnesses how he uses magic by drawing magical runes and using magical ink. When Coco accidentally casts a spell – from a magic book by a mysterious mask fellow – that encases her mother and house in crystals, Qifrey takes her as his apprentice in order to undo the spell and allow her to fulfill her dream.
Similar to My Hero Academia, the story features a protagonist striving to prove their worth in a world that views them as an interloper. As Coco bonds with peers like Tetia and Richeh, the narrative reveals that even the cold Agott and the mysterious Qifrey are outsiders with their own burdens. While the hunt for the forbidden spellbook provides a compelling hook, the series—much like Frieren—finds its soul in its quiet, “cozy” moments and the evolving chemistry between its cast.
Kodansha
While Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings sparked a massive interest in high fantasy, magic systems in such works often feel arbitrary. In contrast, the magic system in Witch Hat Atelier is uniquely grounded and accessible. Because magic is conjured through drawing, the series serves as a meta-commentary on the act of creating manga; the way each character crafts a spell reflects their personal and artistic identity. This is best illustrated during Coco’s first trial to become Qifrey’s apprentice, where her background as a tailor becomes the key to her success. It’s a moment that transforms a technical skill into something truly magical.
By framing magic as an art form that is “easy to learn but difficult to master,” Shirahama mirrors her own mastery as an illustrator. While she utilizes familiar manga tropes—such as expressive, wide eyes and loose linework for comedic effect—it is her embrace of outside influences that truly elevates the series. She masterfully blends classic fantasy with the aesthetics of European art, most notably the surreal, detailed style of Moebius. This artistry is most apparent during world-building sequences, where Shirahama flexes her skills by transforming the page layout into something resembling a lush Renaissance painting or an ornate vintage storybook.
As much praise has been given towards Shirahama’s art, the Grimoire Edition – a gold-foiled large-size hardcover of nearly 600 pages, including color pages and bonus content – gives an even greater appreciation. From an interview with the author and her editor, to a bunch of sketches that show how the series from its initial inception, this is a story that Kamone Shirahama has long thought about and for almost a decade since its publication, Witch Hat Atelier has captured the hearts of millions and this Grimoire Edition is the perfect celebration for fans to collect.
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