Flying Witch
Flying Witch (Japanese: ふらいんぐうぃっち, Hepburn: Furaingu Uitchi) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Chihiro Ishizuka. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine since September 2012 and collected into fourteen tankōbon volumes as of November 2025.[1][2] An anime television series adaptation produced by J.C.Staff aired for twelve episodes from April 9 to June 25, 2016.[3] The story centers on Makoto Kowata, a 15-year-old apprentice witch who relocates from Yokohama to rural Aomori Prefecture to live with her cousins Kei and Chinatsu Kuramoto, continuing her magical training under the guidance of her aunt.[3] Accompanied by her black cat familiar Chito, Makoto navigates daily life in the countryside, practicing spells such as broom-flying and potion-making while encountering subtle supernatural elements amid ordinary routines like school and farming.[4] The series is classified as a slice-of-life comedy with magical themes, emphasizing an iyashikei (healing) atmosphere that highlights the wonder in everyday experiences.[3] Flying Witch earning praise for its relaxed pacing and blend of fantasy with realistic rural Japanese settings.[1] The manga has been licensed for English release by Kodansha USA, with digital volumes available since 2017.[4] The anime adaptation, directed by Katsushi Sakurabi, further popularized the series for its serene depiction of witchcraft integrated into mundane life, often described as evoking a sense of calm and subtle magic in the ordinary.[3]Synopsis
Plot
Makoto Kowata, a 15-year-old novice witch, leaves her home in Yokohama to undergo formal training in witchcraft by living with her distant relatives in the rural town of Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, accompanied by her black cat familiar, Chito.[4] Upon arrival, she integrates into family life while attending high school with her cousin Kei and spending time with his younger sister Chinatsu, gradually introducing them to subtle magical elements amid everyday routines.[5] Her initial challenges include adapting to the countryside's slower pace and practicing basic spells, such as attempting to fly on a broomstick, often with humorous mishaps that blend magic into mundane activities like schoolwork and chores.[6] As the story progresses chronologically across the manga's volumes, Makoto's training deepens through a series of episodic adventures. In early chapters, she explores local supernatural phenomena, such as encountering fairies during a cherry blossom festival and receiving flying lessons from her visiting older sister Akane, who also helps resolve a minor grudge involving a magical acquaintance.[6] Subsequent events involve visits to a witch-run café haunted by otherworldly patrons, beach outings where she befriends a mysterious sea creature, and her first official assignment from the Witch Society, which starts simply but escalates due to her developing powers, leading her to acquire an item that reveals hidden magical presences.[7][8][9] Mid-series arcs highlight seasonal integrations of magic, including summer trips back to Kanagawa to investigate a perpetually rainy temple curse caused by mischievous spirits, and interactions with local youkai during festivals that mix traditional rural celebrations with subtle enchantments.[10] Later developments, up to volume 14 (as of June 2025), feature advanced training milestones like crafting magical garments, confronting immature spells gone awry, and preparing for the Great Sabbath—a global witch gathering every 20 years—with Aomori as a potential host site, where Makoto collaborates with Akane and mentor Maria to thwart sabotage while aiding Chinatsu through a spiritual crisis.[11][12] Throughout these beats, Makoto's encounters with spirits, such as shy ghosts and sky-borne animals, underscore her growth in balancing witchcraft with rural daily life.[8] The narrative employs an episodic structure, prioritizing slice-of-life vignettes over a continuous linear plot, with each chapter or arc focusing on self-contained magical mishaps and discoveries that advance Makoto's journey toward becoming a proficient witch without overarching conflicts.[4] This format emphasizes the wonder in ordinary moments, such as seasonal festivals where spells enhance community events, allowing the series to span multiple years of Makoto's adolescence up to volume 14.[13]Characters
Makoto Kowata is the protagonist of Flying Witch, a 15-year-old apprentice witch who relocates from Yokohama to Hirosaki, Aomori, to live with her cousins and advance her magical training as per witch tradition. Clumsy in her spellcasting—often failing at basic tasks like broom flight or potion-making—she remains earnest and persistent, approaching her studies with a gentle, optimistic demeanor that endears her to those around her. Her role drives the narrative's exploration of growth, as she balances high school life with witchcraft, occasionally drawing on her black cat familiar, Chito, for support.[4] Makoto's closest relationships form with her cousins, the Kuramoto siblings, who provide both a familial anchor and opportunities for magical discovery. Chinatsu Kuramoto, an elementary school girl and Makoto's younger cousin, initially encounters magic through Makoto's arrival and quickly develops a fascination with it, aspiring to become a witch herself. Cheerful and wide-eyed, Chinatsu's enthusiasm leads to her apprenticeship under Makoto, fostering a mentorship bond that promotes mutual learning—Makoto gains confidence in teaching, while Chinatsu experiences the joy of simple spells like levitation. This dynamic underscores themes of inspiration and sibling-like affection in the story.[3] Kei Kuramoto, Chinatsu's older brother and a high school student, serves as Makoto's classmate and offers a skeptical, rational viewpoint on witchcraft. Initially dismissive of Makoto's abilities, viewing them as tricks or imagination, Kei gradually engages with magical events, such as witnessing broom flights or encountering spirits, which challenges his worldview and promotes personal development. His budding friendship with Makoto bridges the ordinary and supernatural, as he assists in practical matters like school projects infused with subtle magic, highlighting his role in grounding the group's adventures.[3] Supporting characters expand the world by blending magical mentorship with local connections. Anzu Shiina, a junior high school witch living nearby the Kuramoto house, adds an element of intuition to interactions through her dreams and observations that sometimes foreshadow events; her quiet, beautiful demeanor complements the group, and her insights subtly influence decisions, such as preparing for seasonal magical occurrences.[14] Makoto's older sister Akane and mentor Maria act as key guides, with Akane's talented and laid-back approach to advanced spells and Maria's structured training providing lessons during visits; their relationships with Makoto encourage her progress, emphasizing community among witches.[15][11] Local figures like Hiroshi and Riko further illustrate the fusion of mundane and magical lives through their friendships with the protagonists. Hiroshi, a pragmatic schoolmate of Kei, initially reacts with bewilderment to magical mishaps but becomes a reliable ally, participating in activities like exploring haunted sites that reveal hidden enchantments. Riko, an energetic friend of Chinatsu, brings playfulness to the group, joining in magical games and helping Makoto navigate social norms; their relationships drive scenes of collective growth, such as group outings where everyday fun intersects with witchcraft, strengthening bonds across worlds.[3]Production
Manga development
Chihiro Ishizuka, a manga artist from Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture, drew inspiration for Flying Witch from the rural landscapes and cultural elements of her hometown, blending everyday life with subtle nods to local Japanese folklore such as seasonal spirits and traditional festivals. The series originated as a one-shot published in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine (August 2010 issue, on sale July 9, 2010) before transitioning to full serialization in the September 2012 issue of Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine, which debuted on August 9, 2012, and has continued bimonthly since then.[1] Ishizuka's artistic style features clean, expressive character designs paired with meticulously detailed backgrounds that evoke watercolor paintings, capturing the serene Hirosaki countryside, traditional wooden houses with intricate grain textures, and overgrown natural elements to immerse readers in the setting.[16] Magical elements are integrated subtly into these everyday scenes, such as broomsticks gliding over familiar rural vistas or familiars interacting with folklore-inspired creatures like mandrakes, creating a seamless fusion of the ordinary and supernatural. Over the course of the series, early volumes emphasize character setup and initial witchcraft training amid daily routines, while later installments, up to the 14th volume released on June 9, 2025, delve deeper into Aomori's folklore through events like seasonal harbinger encounters and mystical festivals.[16][17] Kodansha began releasing the manga in tankōbon format with the first volume on December 9, 2013, and has since compiled 14 volumes by mid-2025. In North America, Vertical Communications (an imprint of Kodansha USA) licensed the series in 2016, with English editions starting March 28, 2017, allowing international audiences to experience Ishizuka's portrayal of rural Japanese life infused with magic.[18][5]Anime adaptation
In July 2015, Kodansha announced a television anime adaptation of Chihiro Ishizuka's Flying Witch manga, to be broadcast on networks including Nippon Television and Aomori Broadcasting Corporation.[19] On January 6, 2016, J.C.Staff was confirmed as the production studio, with Katsushi Sakurabi appointed as director, drawing on his experience with atmospheric series like Heaven's Memo Pad.[20] Deko Akao handled series composition and scripts for multiple episodes, focusing on the manga's subtle blend of everyday life and witchcraft.[3] Masato Yasuno served as character designer and chief animation director, adapting Ishizuka's original illustrations to emphasize expressive, whimsical features suited to the story's young witches.[20] The production team, including art director Yasuhiro Okumura and director of photography Yoshio Ōkouchi, prioritized detailed depictions of rural Aomori scenery to capture the manga's serene, seasonal ambiance.[3] Sound director Yoshikazu Iwanami oversaw audio elements to highlight subtle magical effects integrated into daily sounds.[3] Adapting the slice-of-life format into 12 episodes presented pacing considerations, with scripts distributed across Akao, Hiroko Fukuda, and Yuki Enatsu to maintain a relaxed rhythm while advancing Makoto Kowata's growth as a witch-in-training.[3] Yoshiaki Dewa composed the original score, incorporating gentle, acoustic arrangements that evoke the series' folkloric and countryside themes. Voice casting was revealed progressively, starting with main roles in February 2016. Minami Shinoda voiced protagonist Makoto Kowata, bringing a youthful energy to her clumsy yet earnest demeanor.[15] Eri Suzuki portrayed Chinatsu Kuramoto, Makoto's curious non-witch friend, while Shinsuke Sugawara handled Kei Kuramoto, Chinatsu's skeptical brother.[15] Additional key roles included Kana Aoi as the senior witch Akane Kowata and Ai Kayano as the talking cat Chito.[3]Media
Manga
Flying Witch is serialized in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine, beginning with the September 2012 issue released on August 9, 2012, and remains ongoing as of November 2025. The series follows a bi-monthly publication schedule, with chapters collected into tankōbon volumes published by Kodansha. As of November 2025, 14 volumes have been released, each typically containing 4 to 6 chapters focused on the protagonist's gradual immersion in witchcraft amid everyday life.[12] The early volumes emphasize Makoto Kowata's adjustment to rural Hirosaki and her foundational magical training, while later arcs, such as volumes 10–12, incorporate encounters with spirits and explorations of regional traditions.[21] The following table lists the Japanese tankōbon volumes with their release dates and brief non-spoiler summaries of key thematic arcs:| Volume | Release Date | Chapters | Arc Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 9, 2013 | 5 | Introduces Makoto's arrival in Hirosaki and her initial steps in witch training with family. |
| 2 | June 9, 2014 | 4 | Explores Makoto's daily routines and first magical experiments in the countryside.[22] |
| 3 | April 9, 2015 | 5 | Builds on training through seasonal activities and subtle magical discoveries.[23] |
| 4 | October 9, 2015 | 4 | Delves into friendships and minor magical mishaps during autumn. |
| 5 | April 8, 2016 | 5 | Focuses on spring festivals and advancing magical skills. |
| 6 | September 9, 2016 | 4 | Highlights summer adventures and family bonds. |
| 7 | March 9, 2017 | 5 | Examines winter preparations and deeper magical insights. |
| 8 | August 9, 2019 | 4 | Introduces broader travels and cultural magical elements.[24] |
| 9 | June 9, 2020 | 5 | Centers on personal growth and seasonal witch practices.[25] |
| 10 | June 9, 2021 | 4 | Explores spirit-related events and local folklore ties.[26] |
| 11 | June 9, 2022 | 5 | Continues spirit encounters with community involvement.[27] |
| 12 | June 8, 2023 | 4 | Deepens mystical explorations in familiar settings.[28] |
| 13 | June 7, 2024 | 5 | Features preparations for larger magical gatherings.[29] |
| 14 | June 9, 2025 | 4 | Ventures into otherworldly experiences and reflections.[12] |