Witch Hat Atelier Vol. 12

とんがり帽子のアトリエ [Tongari Bōshi no Atelier] #12

by Kamome Shirahama

Coco and Agott spun a well-received spectacle at the Silver Eve procession, but the wonder is quickly dispelled when an enormous terror descends upon the streets of Ezrest. The crowd is thrown into a frenzy, and the Knights Moralis, the King, and the Wise Ones rush forth to keep destruction at bay. Coco turns to Qifrey about Custas and Dagda, but no one's safety can be guaranteed once the intentions of all are laid bare under the starry sky

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

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 22, 2023

About the author

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

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down my top favorite fantasy manga series ever, 5 stars as always. Now tell me why it took the German publisher over one and a half years to release this volume? It's such a well-known series and there's an anime coming and everything. They must hate their readers ...

[Hosein · Rating 4 out of 5]

اصلا نمی‌تونم بگم این سری مانگا یکی از بهترین سری‌هاییه که خوندم، مخصوصا اینکه از والیوم هشت به بعد (آرک آخر) یکم افت می‌کنه و داستان خیلی کند پیش می‌ره. اما با این حال برای من یکی از دوست داشتنی‌ترین و سرگرم‌کننده‌ترین مانگاهاییه که خوندم و خیلی تحسینش می‌کنم. این ریویو یکسری از دلایلیه که چرا ویچ هَت آتلی‌یر اثر ارزشمندیه.

اولین چیزی که توی این مانگا اهمیت داره نوع طراحی متفاوتشه. نوع چینش پنل‌ها تقریبا جدیده توی این مدیا و همین باعث می‌شه زمان و حرکت نوع دیگه‌ای باشن. توی خوندن سریع و بدون دقت، پنل‌ها فقط متفاوتن، ولی اگه با دقت بخواین دنبالش کنین متوجه می‌شین که بعضی وقت‌ها یک پنل چندین صفحه ادامه پیدا می‌کنه و با کمک شکستن کادر و استفاده از فضای منفی داره این تصور رو می‌سازه که پنل‌های متفاوتی رو می‌بینیم. تکنیک‌هایی که برای این کار استفاده می‌کنه توی دوازده جلد شاید دو بار یا سه بار تکرار شدن، بقیه‌ی دفعه‌ها همشون خاص بودن. نمی‌تونم تصور کنم که چه قدر یک نفر باید خلاق و قدرتمند باشه که بتونه این کار رو بکنه.

از بحث طراحی که دور بشیم، داستان توی والیوم‌های اول شبیه ترکیبی از هری‌پاتر، قلعه‌ی متحرک هاول و یکسری از آثار مخصوص کودکانه. اما مثل خیلی از مانگاهای دیگه، ویچ هت هم به مرور تاریک‌تر می‌شه. بعد از اینکه دنیا به طور کلی معرفی می‌شه، یکسری از جزئیاتی که برای خواننده‌های بزرگساله وارد داستان می‌شه. مثلا اگه بخوام موضوع اصلی این مانگا رو بگم، باید اشاره کنم که در مورد قانون و محدودیته. اینکه شاید بهترین قانون که خردمندان گذاشتن هم می‌تونه اشتباه باشه و صرفا ایجاد محدودیت قرار نیست مشکل رو حل کنه، فقط مشکلات جدیدی می‌سازه.

شخصیت‌ها توی نیمه‌ی اول مانگا خیلی متفاوتن از هم دیگه، معرفی شدن و پیشرفتشون خیلی تاثیرگذاره و حتی از نوع حرکاتشون می‌شه اون‌ها رو تشخیص داد. اما به طرز عجیبی این کم‌کم از بین می‌ره و شخصیت‌ها خیلی شبیه هم دیگه می‌شن. با اینکه هنوز خاص و متفاوتن، یکسری رفتارهایی رو نشون می‌دن که منطقی و درست نیست، بیشتر این حس رو می‌دن که نویسنده نیاز داشته این کاراکتر فلان تصمیم رو بگیره، پس بدون اینکه اون رو توی موقعیت مناسب قرار بده یا انگیزه‌ی جدیدی براش بسازه، این کار رو کرده. این توی چند والیوم آخر اذیت کننده می‌شد و اون شخصیت‌پردازی جالب اول رو تحت تاثیر قرار می‌ده.

مورد بعدی‌ای که جالب بود، سیستم جادویی جالبشه. اولش خیلی شبیه کارهای قرن بیست و یکمی فانتزی شهری بود و به مرور ازشون جدا می‌شد. نویسنده برای همه‌چیز علت داشت و سعی می‌کرد توی داستان و در کل، دنیاسازی، این دلایل رو نشون بده. تمام طلسم‌هایی که توی مانگا می‌بینیم در اصل با دقت زیادی طراحی شدن و دارن یک الگوی مشخص رو پیروی می‌کنن. طلسمی که باد رو درست می‌کنه خیلی علامت‌های مشابهی با طلسم طوفان شن داره و حتی چندباری توی داستان توضیح داده می‌شه که این الگوها حدودا چطور کار می‌کنن.
اما اینجا باز هم یکسری مشکل هست، اونم توی دنیاسازیشه. به نظرم از یه جایی یادش می‌ره که این دنیا رو گسترش بده و کلا همه چیز رو توی چندتا لوکیشن مشخص پیش می‌بره و همین یکی از دلایل افت داستان توی والیوم‌های آخره.

و بالاخره بزرگترین مشکل!
دو والیوم آخر (یازده و دوازده) مترجمشون با قبلیا فرق دارن و ترجمه اصلا جالب نیست. یکسری جاها مطمئن بودم که ترجمه اصلا درست نیست چون به متن نمی‌خورد. یکسری از کلمات رو متفاوت با قبل ترجمه کرده بود و بدتر از همه...خیلی بریتیش بود... یعنی کاراکترها یجوری صحبت می‌کردن انگار عضو گنگ‌های خیابونی لندنن. امیدوارم ترجمه‌ی بهتری ازشون بیاد.

در کل من خیلی این مانگا رو پیشنهاد می‌کنم و حدس می‌زنم بعد از پخش شدن انیمه‌ش قراره یکی از معروف‌ترین مانگاهای دنیا بشه.

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an action packed volume that sticks more closely to Coco, which is what I want out of the series. I'm still frustrated by the overload of new characters who I'm struggling to keep tract of. But the art is so stunning I'll probably keep reading.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any soul out there who tries to restrict the things you learn is only doing it to keep you square under their thumb.

And in one sentence, a random side character sums up the problems with the story's world.

[Bogi Takács]

#BogiReads Patreon | Twitter | Bsky | Instagram | Facebook | Website

Possibly my favorite currently ongoing manga series - great art, great storytelling, a lot of creativity. The first half of this volume was slightly more haphazard than I'd expected, but then it hit its stride, and the bonus story and bonus worldbuilding page were cool too.

Without spoilers: I was thinking to myself, oh, this volume has a lot of action but not as much deep drilling into the main themes, but then it kind of did have both :) In fact just thinking about it made me see something from my own life in a different perspective, which is a really high bar for any form of literature to clear - and it did it so casually.

I am also always here for the positive magical mentorship, so much of fantasy is the exact opposite that this series is a breath of fresh air. Plus it's not just one character, or two, but several - and their mentoring relationships are not cookie-cutter, each of them is different.

I'll need to wait until 2025 to get the next volume...

_____
Source of the book: Bought with my own money

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

4.5 ⭐️

That leech thing is fucking terrifying.

[Starr ❇✌❇ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the sudden turn to body horror right in the beginning of this! Also, I appreciate Witch Hat's body diversity the series as a whole, but I especially loved it in this volume. Honestly, this is my favorite volume we've gotten in a long while- there's a good balance of the hopeful, story moving moments mixed in with the dark and creepy as well as the political dread. As always, I love how nothing is black and white here, how the politics are not separated between the good (the law) and the bad (the villainous rule breakers) but that the law itself is being analyzed by these individuals and they're finding themselves dealing with it in all different ways, some falling into one faction or another, some trying to be outside of it. Seeing the girls' realization about medical care and restricted knowledge and how they have to interact with the Knights was a bit harrowing and made me even more excited for the next one!

[Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The creature/monster designs in this series are so good

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

5⭐️

The darkness has descended! These witches are getting busy. The overall plot arc is getting to the peak in this volume. There is a shift in the danger as it gets closer and bigger. I couldn't love this series more, I gush.

[Nea Poulain · Rating 5 out of 5]

No me voy a cansar de decir que este es el mejor manga qué se está serializando actualmente, no acepto otras opiniones.

[Soňa · Rating 4 out of 5]

PODCAST is here :)
Coco is successful in showing off her creation in the Silver Night Parade, however, her brief happiness is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a monster in the city of Ezrest. While the island's inhabitants are in the midst of complete chaos, the sorcerers, wise men and the king are doing everything they can to prevent the damage. In the meantime, Coco finally reveals the secret to saving Dagda and Kustas. Under a starry sky covered by a monstrosity, the expectations of people and wizards intertwine.

Ohh, this was good... yummy yummy.. almost like that Indian dinner I had :) Action, revelations, problems and solutions, new friendships and breaking the rules... ahh, all in one...
And now the trouble of the fact that the new volume comes on at the end of February 2024...

First sentence: Inescapable. Such is a witch's dilemma.
Last sentence: There might not be anything we can do to save him!
Goodreads Challenge 2024: 13. book

[Chantaal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be excellent, and the art never fails. This volume includes a ton of action, and while we check in with a ton of different characters, we do get some great character moments.

Take it from me, little witch. Any soul out there who tries to restrict the things you learn is only doing it to keep you square under their thumb.

[eva ⚘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my fav volumes I'M SCREAMING!!!

like, we got:

☆ gays FINALLY winning
☆ qifrey, olly and coco kicking ASS
☆ one of the most wholesome bonus chapters EVER

oh, witch hat atelier, what would i do without you...

[syd]

spending the day rereading this series after being absolutely wasted the night before was the best way to recover

[Ethan Pehowich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series genuinely might be my new favourite manga. The art is so original, tying in classic manga characteristics with almost medieval art. I’ve never seen a manga with more creative panelling, it makes each page so refreshing and it adds so much more meaning and metaphorical value to each page.

I also really appreciate that the children in this series actually act and feel like children. I can tell the author put a lot of time and effort into to every line of dialogue written and panel drawn. And the themes of the story are STRONG. There is a big focus on societal norms and rules, and how children can see past them, unlike the adults who have had these parameters built into their very being as they have grown up.

The cast of characters are so unique and the world is truly brimming with magic and diversity. This is the first manga series I have read that has so casually integrated characters of different skin colours, sexualities, etc. Yet, this doesn’t distract you from the story at all, it just feels natural and it is SO GOODD.

Ultimately, this is peak.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the series as it comes out.

[Alo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love with this manga, my favorite of all time !!!! ❤️

[Olive · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many leeches killed, so much cunt served

[Mandy Szewczuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stunning volume. In a world of magical school literature, it's always good to read one where the adults aren't all bumbling idiots and the teachers actually notice when their students struggle or hide secrets (because kids aren't that good at hiding them). Quifrey, the witch that you are! Also, loved the extra with Estus and Euni! (And nobody touch me, I'm crying with Atwert.) The magic action scenes are just as well drawn as the quiet moments, the details kill me as always.

[Alexa (Alexa Loves Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do enjoy when things get a bit more action/conflict-oriented in this series. Not only is it just cool to see the magic or might used, but it also tends to stir up some interesting thematic debates or questions. Bonus points for more Qifrey badassery, of course!

[bratzargenta · Rating 5 out of 5]

qifrey, the man that you are
Hasta el momento, es el tomo con más acción y sangre del manga.

✩｡:*•.───── "Las personas que restringen tu aprendizaje, sólo buscan controlarte"

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Solo alguien que quiera controlarte tratará de limitar tu aprendizaje."

[Eressea · Rating 3 out of 5]

這套得到Inaugural American Manga Awards的最佳翻譯
但....對我來說英文實在太難了
連都是字的哈比人也比這套的英文好懂Orz
只能靠畫面多猜點劇情

而且我覺得...作者實在不擅長講故事
畫面再美劇情一直不知所云也是會審美疲勞的

[Veros · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

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

4,5 ⭐

[Rocío García]

Me encanta, es que me encanta... de los mejores mundos mágicos

[Lucía · Rating 5 out of 5]

i cannot say this is my favorite volume because it has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but it clearly shows the transformation of this story. all the chapters have been packed with action and moral dilemmas about the magic system set in this world. shirahama continues to provide readers with splendid manga panels. I'm so excited for the next volumes.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10

Oh, we’re deep in the horrors now… I’m scared but also need vol 13 immediately I need my sillies to get through this pleaseeee!!!

[Diego · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to impregnate qifrey

[bailey elizabeth smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

Wow that was so incredible! You always knew there was a darkness lurking in the background, but this was definitely the darkest so far.

Really loved the side story at the end because I was wondering where their story was at.

[Âme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toujours aussi incroyable et les dessins 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻