Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 13

とんがり帽子のアトリエ [Tongari Bōshi no Atelier] #13

by Kamome Shirahama, 白浜鴎, Stephen Kohler (Translator)

CROSSING PATHS

The true mastermind responsible for the havoc in Ezrest is subdued at last, but not without exacting a heavy price on Coco. She is still eager to rejoin the search for Custas, and fortunately Beldaruit knows just the spell to allow her to do so without worrying Qifrey. Meanwhile, the other witches are called to where they are most needed in the aftermath. As strings of fate never meant to interact are further entangled, the starlight reveals society’s true nature.

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Comics, Young Adult, Fiction, Magic

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2024

About the author

Kamome Shirahama (白浜鴎) is a Japanese manga artist.

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kinda melted when Beldaruit called Coco "apprentice of my apprentice". He really is her magical grandpa. 🥹

[Igel :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapters 69-81
Now I have to wait for the next chapters to release 🥲 I hope they are going to release fast . Until the next chapters releases I'm going to cry (If you haven't read this series yet, I highly recommend you reading it. Kamome Shirahama's artstyle is so beautiful and unique. The world building is also amazing. Witch Hat Atelier is always going to be one of my favorite manga series of all time.)

[vin .ᐟ (hiatus)]

the release schedule for this series is killing me bc ur telling me that i’ll prob have to wait 6+ months for the next volume??? after THAT ending?? whYYYY OH WHYY

[Avery]

All caught up now I have to wait for new chapters with everyone else 😭

This manga is so beautiful. I know the recent parts have been slower and not all of the fans agree, but I think this arc is really solidifying the overarching themes of the story. I love the way every character is confronted with situations that challenge their perceived views of wrong and right, as well as the structure their society is built on. This story begs the question who should hold the power to dictate access to resources, if anyone?

What I really appreciate the story, however, is its attention to the nuance of that question. We see that the witch society with its rigid rule structure continually puts themselves at a disadvantage to truly help the underserved populations in meaningful ways. Yet, the bringers who oppose those structures often act equally cruelly, intentionally or not. Oftentimes the banned practices are banned because of the consequences. Bringing someone back to life seems good on the surface, but causes emotional distress and repeated pain to the victim. What seems a universal good on the surface may well have reasons to be restricted.

The mangaka created a rich world with a magic system that really supports investigating these larger themes, and the emotional journeys of the various characters as they find themselves confronted by complex moral dilemmas. I cannot wait to see how this arc resolves and where the characters are taken next, and how they continue to find new angles to examine their fractured world.

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25💫

The downside of bingeing an unfinished series… now I have to wait 😭

[Diana H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s written to be so compelling,,, everything from the magic system, to the verbiage, to the integration of magic into a day to day make the world building that much stronger. It’s a really immersive series, and you can tell how well all the kinks have been ironed out.

Fantasy genre troupes aside, the characters are so unique and likable. I love the little things brought up in footnotes and afterwords that just add that much more to the world. Qifrey and Ollie have swapped tassels. Riche and her brother have twin ribbons. Whatever Galga was cooking with his lover. It’s all really good,,,

Custas really hits me in the feelings too, I’m an absolute sucker for the grasping-at-straws type characters.

The art is also INCREDIBLE. It really nails the flowy, pen and ink look you’d expect from a fantasy manga. I especially love the way expressions are captured too.

On a side note, because it matters to some people, diversity is handled really well too. You see multiple skin tones, hair types, and face shapes in the series, and it really feels like the world is a cohesive blend of races. No claymore type action here.

10/10, I’d rate higher if I could.

[Stef · Rating 5 out of 5]

No puedo expresas todo lo que me ha hecho sentir este tomo

PD: Shoutout a mi abuela lesbiana favorita

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable volume of Witch Hat, although I did miss our girl group not being together.

This volume mostly focuses on the ramifications of using forbidden magic, and how the answer is not always so black and while.

It also ends on an abrupt and shocking note. Not sure exactly what happened, but I know I want to find out soon!

[khaz. · Rating 4 out of 5]

qu'on m'injecte les dessins de Shirahama directement dans les veines merci

[Brooke (B for Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟
“In excess, good herbs become poison. As do good spells”✨🪄

[Nea Poulain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que gran portada tiene este volumen. La verdad es que Kamome Shirahama es una grandísima artista. Y una gran narradora también. Todo el volumen esta dibujado precioso y me encanta (aunque también me duele el corazón) en cómo ha profundiza do en la historia de Coustas.
De verdad este es el mejor manga en emisión del momento, no hay otro.

[Flox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shirahama nunca decepciona 🥹

[bailey elizabeth smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

"Let us not rush to judgment or ignore each other's pleas to be heard. How else may we learn the truth, if we don't listen?"

Every time I read a new one, it is somehow better than the last! This keeps ramping up with each volume from its masterful storytelling, conflict, and dynamic characters.

I specifically love the panel with Coco and Custas back to back because it really outlines that they are two sides of the same coin, and the different paths they took due to the opportunities they were given.

And now....a cliffhanger until the next volume is translated in MARCH!

[soph ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’ll never get tired of saying that this is truly the best manga series i’ve ever read. i don’t think anything will ever compare. it’s not only the drawing style, so unique and delicate, but the philosophical questions that sprout every turning page are so important to engage with, especially during these troubled times.

[Manoek (manoeksbooknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perdiendo la cabeza completamente con la storyline de Kusters y con la razón que tiene... fantástico que todes estén hartes de los polis magos.

[Bookbringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did quite enjoy the first volumes of this series. But I have felt for a while that I'm not really interrsted anymore, and this volume kind of confirmed it.

I'm grateful for what Witch Hat Atelier has given me, but think this is the end for me. I won't pick up volume 14 when it comes out.

[LindSlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. The story telling is wonderfully captivating and continues to draw me in deeper and deeper with every volume. Every character is unique and compelling and the story continues to bloom with every page leaving me more in aw then the last. Between the art and the world building I have fallen so deeply in love with both. I feel like this volume might be the first time I felt a real shift in view points where most characters now are starting to all come to the same realization. I'm eager to see where this goes on the overall journey.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much and this is another great installment. I do kind of prefer the smaller scale, simpler things in it where it focuses on the characters, but the heart is still there for the bigger more action packed things like we see happening here. I don't know how I'm expected to wait for the release of Volume 14!?!

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

no se cansa de ser el mejor manga slay

[Rocío García]

Durísimo, pero ese final... a ver cuándo sacan el siguiente.

[Hesbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been over an entire year since I read The last volume, so I was pretty foggy on where the story left off, but I got sucked right back in again. Gorgeous art and wonderful storytelling!!

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

“… difference is the one quality we all share.”

Ooo of course this one ends on a cliffhanger. Concerned dad Qifrey and grandpa Beldaruit you have my heart.

[Arien Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

shirahama te quiero mucho

[mangacaptor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The volumes always end too soon 😭

[Delta M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

DON'T piss me off

[chromAyshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

oruggio t'es où :(

[Kamilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

can't stop thinking about this series! such compelling visual story telling and lovable well developed characters. It also has some very thoughtful representation of disability and inequality, and of course every page is a absolute masterpiece .

[Anon Ymous · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comic is starting to suffer from scope creep. Many introduced characters and they’re meeting in coincidental ways to tie their stories together. In places where I expected more grim and grit it wasn’t there. There was less food for thought moments and allegories such as the wolves and their scales and Euini story growing with richeh. Agott looking upon the wolves/them and judging. Less of what I loved. And in climatic moments I just expected more. So many rules were introduced that I think the author may of forgot. But now rules that weren’t explained in detail prior are being challenged. I’m still processing it.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘Fear and unease, if let be, have a tendency to give way to violence and oppression. Particularly in times of crisis….it is up to each of us to speak, share our stories and spark awareness for the hardships we know.’”

Talk about “on the nose”.