Ep 1. Experiencing Wonder for the First Time in Six Years

Slightly nervous and unsure, teenage witch Makoto Kowata arrives in the small town of Aomori to live with her cousins Kei and Chinatsu. Her task is to complete her training and become an accomplished witch, but after a six-year absence from everday human life, she is still getting used to the ways of society. Kei leads her around town and helps her get her bearings, and the three bond over snacks and familiar sights, as Makoto marvels at a world that feels both new and old to her.

As they explore the marketplace, Makoto spots a man with a cow on a leash, something she's never seen before. She tries to keep her cool in front of her cousins, but the sight of the adorable creature is fascinating. Kei is amused by her innocence and politely asks the man about the cow, and it's revealed that dairy cows are brought into town to promote milk products and entertain the locals. Makoto is excited to learn about new things she never expected to see in her training, as she begins experiencing wonder after so many years of living in isolation.

As the cousins make their way back home, they cross over a stream, where Makoto watches joyously as small fish dart about. She's amazed at how small and colorful they are, and decides that she wants to try catching them. Using her magic, she creates a makeshift fishing rod and makes several attempts to catch a fish. Kei points out that it would have been easier to just use a regular fishing pole, and Makoto is mildly embarrassed by her mistake. But she's also pleased with herself for having had fun trying, and the two cousins indulge her with a tasty lunch of charsiew pork.

Later, they visit a local store that sells traditional Japanese sweets. Makoto is amazed at the wide variety of colors and textures, and has a hard time choosing which ones to buy. Chinatsu helps her select a few, and after tasting them, Makoto is delighted to find that they're as delicious as they are lovely. The cousins continue their tour of the town, and although Makoto doesn't know it yet, she's already starting to feel like she belongs in this place. She's happy to have gotten to know her cousins a bit better, and is excited for the adventures that await her in this new world.

The action is slow and easy-going in this first episode, as Flying Witch introduces us to Makoto and her new surroundings. There is little in the way of conflict or tension, as much of the episode is devoted to the joy Makoto feels at experiencing the ordinary. What could have been a fairly run-of-the-mill slice-of-life show is elevated by the gentle magic that Makoto wields, and the fact that she, like us, is seeing everything with fresh eyes.

The artwork and animation are soft and pretty, with muted colors that suggest a tranquility that suits the show's laid-back pace. The music is mostly guitar- and piano-based, with occasional flourishes of other instruments, charmingly underscoring the show's overall mellowness.

The first episode will give viewers a sense of Makoto's personality, as well as her two cousins and the town they live in. It's an easy watch, and while it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's a good fit for those who enjoy slice-of-life shows or gentle magical stories. It may lack the high-stakes drama of other shows in the magical genre, but what the show has is a sense of appeal in its simplicity and purity, and the joy it helps Makoto and the audience to find in everyday life.