The magic of discovery is a feeling like no other. It is the experience of stumbling upon something new, something unexpected, and something that captivates our curiosity. It is the thrill of exploring uncharted territory, whether it be an unknown place, a new idea, or a hidden talent within ourselves. Discovery can happen in many forms. It can happen through travel, when we find ourselves in a foreign land, surrounded by unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. It can happen through reading, when we open a book and are transported into a different world, where we meet characters and learn about their lives.

Witch Hat Atelier

In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem…

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Rating: 10+

Status: ONGOING

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Fantasy Supernatural

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A history of re-imagining the world

For over a century, Kodansha has relentlessly pursued quality and creativity, which allows us to continuously reimagine what could be. We see the world without restrictions. A place of diverse passions, profound perspectives and limitless potential. Filled with curious minds and unexpected voices. And as we continue to shine a light on them, there is no telling how much further we can go.

Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1

In a world where everyone takes wonders like magic spells and dragons for granted, Coco is a girl with a simple dream: She wants to be a witch. But everybody knows magicians are born, not made, and Coco was not born with a gift for magic. Resigned to her un-magical life, Coco is about to give up on her dream to become a witch…until the day she meets Qifrey, a mysterious, traveling magician. After secretly seeing Qifrey perform magic in a way she’s never seen before, Coco soon learns what everybody “knows” might not be the truth, and discovers that her magical dream may not be as far away as it may seem…

Genres MangaFantasyGraphic NovelsComicsYoung AdultMagicFiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 23, 2017

About the author

Kamome Shirahama

It can happen through reading, when we open a book and are transported into a different world, where we meet characters and learn about their lives. It can happen through science, when we conduct experiments or research and make groundbreaking findings. But the magic of discovery is not just about the destination.

Ratings & Reviews

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I can't remember the last time i read a manga in which the talent of the artist was so apparent. I really think Kamome Shirahama is one of the most talented mangaka I've ever read.

The story of this first volume is pretty simple: a girl wants to be a witch in a world where, she believes, people have to be born with magic powers, and she wasn't. Nothing extraordinary; nonetheless, the sheer ability of the artist with her pen is what made this book a work of art.

I love the two main characters, and I found it a wholesome, whimsical read. I finally understand why so many people are talking about this. recommended to every Studio Ghibli fan and for everyone who prioritizes the artwork when enjoying a manga.

172 books 38k followers

Tried this on a rec from a manga-reading friend, in part for the artwork, which is just lovely. The slightly art-deco style reminds me somewhat of the elegant pre-WWII picture books still drifting around my house when I was a child -- Snip, Snap, and Snurr is a title that floats up, possibly slightly misremembered.

Base plot is not unusual, young girl discovers her magical powers, is drawn into adventures, adventure-thwarting parents variously got rid of. Dad predeceased the tale. Widowed mom was not killed off, exactly, points for that, but instead put into magical cryofreeze from which she will need to be rescued when the plot gets around to it. Best draw for me is the very fetching magical mentor character, whose name starts with a Q and which I cannot guess how to pronounce.

One volume is not enough to judge how the series will develop, but it certainly looks promising at this point.

Later: I checked on a whim -- by gosh, it was Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr, and the books are still around. https://www.goodreads.com/series/208655 I only ever saw the one when I was a kid, the one with the horse, natch -- I'll have to look up the rest, now, which I never knew existed.

Later still: Have now finished all 7 extant volumes of Witch Hat. My friend was correct; it just keeps getting better. But now, of course, I'm up against the hazard of finding a manga series that is both good and new ; it's not finished, and it won't be for a loooong time. I now need to kind of forget about it for maybe two years, argh, then circle back to see what's up.

Qifrey is turning into a veritable smorgasbord of all my favorite type-tropes. Hah.

“For when man has the power to do anything, then anything he will do.”

this was such a cute start to a story about a girl who has been intrigued by magic her whole life, only to realize that it has been at her fingertips in wait. also, the magic system in this is so smart and unique - i am very in love with it and even more in love with the visual learning incorporated into this story! but there are a lot of secrets in this first volume, one big one being a magical school/apprenticeship that is going to change how she has viewed the world for her entire life.

but why i gave this volume four stars was truly because this has some of the most beautiful art i've ever seen. from castles, to trees, these panels were able to evoke so much emotion from me, so very unexpectedly. one of the most impressive mangakas i've ever laid m eyes upon, truly.

i am so thankful so many friends recommended this one to me. i couldn't resist already purchasing volume two!

trigger + content warnings: brief mention of loss of parent to illness in past, fire, hurt parent

6 books 31.7k followers

Thanks to the rave review from Lauren, and this has to be one of the best new manga I have read in the last couple years, the story of Coco, a girl who wants badly to be a witch. But as everyone knows, you have to be born a witch and can't just become one. Still, one day she finds a spell book, copies some spells and the magic gets a tad out of control. But (cute) Qifrey (another witch) takes her on as one of her apprentice to help her learn. Oh! So maybe there's a loophole witches maybe didn't want everyone to know!

The magic spells occur in this book not through words or even sounds like abracadabra; they happen though drawing, and with a special ink that comes from a certain tree. In this inaugural volume, we learn about the visual dimensions of spells (which for me happens to coincide with my rewatching the Buffy series and seeing Willow's growing fascination with magic.

I love the artwork and the characters early on are great! I'm in!

Coco, the daughter of the village seamstress, dreams of being a witch. And she gets her chance at being one after a mysterious figure at a fair sells her a magic book and wand. Except she doesn’t know what she’s doing and accidentally transforms her mother into a statue! Luckily, a good witch – Qifrey – is nearby to save her from herself and decides to take her in as one of his students at his atelier. Coco must study magic to pass the Four Trials of the Librarians, gain access to the Tower of Tomes, and use what she finds there to undo the spell on her ma!

I didn’t have any expectations for this one which is maybe why I was pleasantly surprised to kinda enjoy the first volume of Kamome Shirahama’s Witch Hat Atelier. The art is some of the best I’ve ever seen in a manga – it’s so skilfully drawn with a gorgeous line and laid out so elegantly. Too often manga pages are crammed with panels but the pages here have room to breathe with fewer, larger and less busy panels – it’s a refreshing change. The character design of the evil witch is brilliant, very eye-catching and compelling and I liked Qifrey’s triple glasses. The scenery is beautiful, fantastical and romantic, the town’s design is very whimsical (the tree in the shop!) – it’s basically everything you’d want for a kid’s manga about wonder and magic.

I like the idea that magic is done through drawing with a pen on paper (even if it seems a bit self-congratulatory – “drawing is magic” says person whose profession is drawing!) but it’s weird how much trouble Coco has with the diagrams given that a lot of them don’t seem that complex.

The story starts slow and isn’t helped by the fact that Coco isn’t a terribly interesting protagonist – at times she acts like the standard manga character (exaggerated behaviour when embarrassed) but kind and innocent are hardly the most exciting characteristics for a main character to have. Her mother turned to stone seemed derivative of any number of mythological stories (and the ‘90s Conan the Barbarian cartoon!) and the story reuses The Chosen One trope which was an unimaginative choice. I wasn’t that engaged either with the parts in the atelier (setting out the rules of magic, etc.) or Coco’s contrived rivalry with the mean girl.

But I liked the sentiment that any skill is a kind of magic, and the flying boots with the sigil on the soles were awesome. Coco’s first trial on the Dadah Range (sort of like the sky scenes from Avatar) was fun and really cleverly written too, combining her newfound knowledge of magic and her tailoring experience to get her out of trouble. And the book ends on a tantalising note that makes me excited for the next one.

It’s not the most original or consistently engaging story but there’s enough to the writing, and the stunning art, to make Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 stand out as an interesting kid’s manga.

1st impression: Wow, these color plates are wonderful!
2nd impression: Oh, the black and white illustration is really good, too, although a bit too influenced by anime motion.
3rd impression: Fun fantasy plot.
4th impression: although the regular-kid-goes-to-magic-school, has mean antagonist roommate thing is kinda generic.
Final impression: well drawn, not as original as I hoped, interested in the larger arc and will continue reading.

3.5
Very precious and almost cozy? I flew through it and enjoyed the story of a young girl obsessed with magic and witches and must learn to save her mother. But nothing wowed me but the ending has me intrigued to read the next volume.

I just read this digitally. I now have all six physical volumes ordered and making their way towards me. I'm a little upset with myself for not starting this sooner - yet at the same time, I am pretty darn excited that I have something to look forward to now.

Holy balls. I friggen love it. The art. the story. just the whole package, really.

Now if you'll excuse me.

*Goes and sits in front of the door until his order shows up*

My favourite new manga series! I am IN LOVE!

Just by reading the blurb I knew Witch Hat Atelier was going to be a unique and fascinating manga which would leave me feeling utterly spellbound.

The story follows a girl named Coco who purchases a spell book from a mysterious figure and begins to copy the spells she finds in it. However, the magic she unleashes is potentially dangerous and a chance encounter with Qifrey (the witch) sees her being taken on as one of his apprentices to learn about and study the practice of magic.

The illustrations in this book are PHENOMENAL - easily one of the most beautiful manga books I own. The magic system too is unique and is borne from ink boiled from the root of a specific tree. There are different parts to creating seals too - sigil, signs and ring which seals the spell.

I am completely enchanted by the story, the characters (I can really relate to Coco's fangirl moments (of which there are many) and Qifrey who is very easy on the eye) and the artwork. I just know that if the series continues in the same vein as this opening volume, WHA will be the manga I recommend to EVERYONE!

3.5 stars - This is a very charming beginning to a magic school/secret magical society type fantasy story! While I wouldn't call it super impactful, I enjoyed my time with the characters and in the world, and likely will continue the series at some point

توی تمام ریویوهایی که خوندم در مورد آرت استایل جالب و متفاوتش صحبت شده بود که به جزئیات دقت داشت. ولی دوتا چیز به نظرم خیلی اهمیت داره.
اولینش درکیه که کامومه شیراهاما در مورد زمان و پنل‌ها داره، اینکه سه نوع پرسپکتیو رو برای تغییر پنل استفاده کرده تا زمان رو قطع نکنه ولی همزمان حرکت رو نشون بده. بی‌نظیره! من تا حالا ندیده بودم کسی این کارو بکنه. یا استفاده از پنل‌های نامرئی رو به یه سطح جدیدی رسونده بود.
مورد بعد در مورد "شروع" عجیب داستانه. خیلی از مانگای بزرگ دستکم بیست چپتر نیاز دارن تا بتونن نشون بدن کاراکتر کیه، کجا زندگی می‌کنه، اخلاقش چطوره و. در همون چارچوب اولیه‌ی شخصیت پردازی انجام بدن. بعد اینجا توی شصت صفحه تمامشو انجام داد. من یادم نمیاد توی هیچ مانگایی این سرعت رو دیده باشم در حالی که کیفیت حتی یک ذره کم نشده باشه.

This was a beautifully presented manga, where the artwork was amazing. The artist involved is obviously very talented, and each page was a pleasure to read and look at.

The story itself is centered around a witch, and overall, the story is actually very simple, but the dramatic artwork brings it to life. The characters were interesting and likeable, and I think they all blended fairly well together.

I'd recommend this to anyone that can appreciate grand artwork when they see it.

Decided to read this series solely based on how badass this character's mode of transport is:

I love it when disabled characters get a chance to exist in fantasy worlds. The "wheelchairs didn't exist" excuse is lame.

Update: I have finished this and am so excited to release my full review.

Як же давно в мене жевріла ідея написати щось про манґу, але обрати, про яку саме довго не міг. Загалом ринок коміксів у нас дуже молодий, а про ринок манґи взагалі мовчу, бо українські видання можна перелічити на пальцях обидвох рук. Але вибір зроблено, звісно, не без допомоги намальованого знаку на листку, який допоміг впоратися із рішенням у відповідальний момент.

Як можна стати чарівником чи чарівницею? Потрібно народитися із даром чи можна здобути потаємні знання тяжкою працею? Думаю багато читачів проведуть схожі паралелі із літературними творами. У світі Камоме Шірахами, щоби стати чарівником необхідно народитися з особливим даром. Коко, дівчинка із забутого села, з малку захоплювалася чарами і стати чаклункою є її заповітною мрією. Але вона проста дівчинка, яка навіть не мала можливості побачити, хоча б якесь дрібне диво. Та одного разу в рідне село Коко заглянув чарівник на ім’я Кіфлі. І тут вона твердо вирішила, що, хоч один раз у житті повинна побачити чари на власні очі. Вона підгледіла, як чаклун створює знак та спробувала повторити весь процес самостійно. Після цього її життя змінилося назавжди.

Так сталося, що Кіфлі узяв її в учениці всупереч правилам та законам цього світу. Тепер вона буде жити та навчитися чарам у його домівці разом з іншими дівчатами. Звісно, що тут також будуть чекати її буденні справи, несправедливість та докори, але наснага довести іншим, що навіть така проста дівчинка, як Коко, заслуговує на дрібку магії у своєму житті вестиме її вперед.

Окрім самого устрою навколо, саме вичаровування магії за допомогою знаків є однією з унікальних особливостей цього фантастичного світу. Тут, звісно, можна знайти паралелі із Гаррі Поттером, Сталевим Алхіміком чи іншими відомими творами. Але на противагу їм, тут перебуває якась особлива магія, яку створила саме художниця Камоме Шірахама, а не авторка Камоме Шірахама.

Ця манґа приваблює не тільки гармонійністю видуманого світу, але й тим, як сама ідея магії знаходить відображення в малюнку. Шірахама творить, зображуючи на малюнку фантастичний світ і населяючи його героями, які, у свою чергу, творять магію за допомогою малювання знаків. Таким чином, малюнок перетворюється в таку собі магію, що наповнює світ дивовижними фарбами. Узагалі, про малюнок можна говорити багато. Хоча він і чорно-білий, але постійно під час читання зупиняєшся на кілька хвилин на одному чи іншому кадрі. Клопітке ставлення манґаки до деталей якраз і створює цей неперевершений момент подиву від малюнку в манзі.

Щодо видання, то воно зі всіх сторін прекрасне. Невеликий зручний формат, м’яка обкладинка та ще й красива суперобкладинка. Якраз для того, щоб усюди брати із собою та торкатися частинки магії створеної Камоме Шірахама навіть у дорозі.

Якщо ви боїтеся взятися за читання цієї манґи, то просто можна намалювати знак, який витисне цей страх із середини. І в результаті залишиться тільки познайомитися із новим фантастичним світом та дівчинкою Коко. І її відчаєм та надією…

П.С. Ледь не забув важливу річ. Цьогоріч ця манґа взяла премію Айзнера 2020 у категорії «Найкраще американське видання іноземного мальопису (Азія)». Думаю цей факт також може зіграти хорошим аргументом, щоби придбати та прочитати «Ательє чаклунських капелюхів» Камоме Шірахама. Вірте у магію, бо вона навколо!

Tongari Boushi no Atelier
Witch Hat Atelier

Coco, a humble dressmaker's daughter, has always been fascinated by magic and the witches who cast it, despite the strict precautions they take to hide their methods from the public. However, when Coco takes advantage of a golden chance to spy on the skilled witch Qifrey, she realizes that her favorite picture book was a disguised magic book all along! In her excitement, she immediately starts testing out the various spells.

When a spell causes a disaster in her home, Qifrey rescues her just in time and decides to train her, realizing that she is the first lead he has found that could help him track down the Brimmed Caps—a dangerous group of heretics who experiment with forbidden body-altering magic and spread magical artifacts among the commoners. But before Coco and Qifrey can confront the Brimmed Caps, she is going to have to improve her magical skills and learn to get along with Qifrey's other apprentices.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Tongari Boushi no Atelier has been published in English as Witch Hat Atelier by Kodansha USA since April 9, 2019. The series has also been simulpub through K Manga.

The manga was nominated for the 11th Manga Taishou Award in 2018 and was nominated for the 42nd and 44th Kodansha Manga Award in the General category in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

It is about the journey as well. It is about the process of seeking, questioning, and exploring. It is about the moments of uncertainty, when we are unsure of where the path will lead us. It is about the excitement and anticipation that builds up as we get closer to our goal. The magic of discovery is also about the joy of learning. It is about the satisfaction of acquiring new knowledge and understanding. It is about the sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming challenges and obstacles along the way. It is about the growth and personal development that come from stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing the unknown. Discovery has the power to inspire and transform us. It opens our minds to new possibilities and broadens our perspectives. It ignites our imagination and fuels our creativity. It connects us with the world around us and with ourselves. It reminds us of the vastness and complexity of the universe, and it humbles us in the face of its mysteries. In a world where so much information is readily available at our fingertips, the magic of discovery is something that should be cherished and nurtured. It is a reminder of the wonder and beauty that exists in the world, and it reminds us to never stop exploring and seeking knowledge. Whether it is through travel, literature, or scientific inquiry, the magic of discovery is a gift that should be embraced and celebrated..

Reviews for "Uncovering hidden stories: the magic of historical research"

1. Jane - 2 stars - Although "The Magic of Discovery" had an intriguing premise and beautiful cover, I found the execution to be severely lacking. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. The plot was predictable and lacked depth, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in the outcome. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.

2. Mike - 1 star - "The Magic of Discovery" was an absolute bore. From the start, the pacing was sluggish, and the writing was uninspiring. The author attempted to create a magical world, but it felt forced and poorly developed. The dialogue was stilted and the characters were flat, making it difficult to engage with the story. I had high hopes, but unfortunately, this book fell far below my expectations.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had heard so much hype about "The Magic of Discovery," but it failed to live up to the praise. The writing style was pretentious and overly descriptive, which made the reading experience tedious. The story lacked substance and seemed to rely on tired tropes. The climax was anticlimactic, leaving me unsatisfied with the resolution. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others looking for an engrossing read.

4. Mark - 2 stars - I struggled to connect with any of the characters in "The Magic of Discovery." They felt distant and unrelatable, making it difficult for me to care about their journey. The plot meandered aimlessly, and the pacing was off, leaving me impatient and unengaged. Additionally, the writing was filled with cliches and predictable twists. Overall, this book failed to capture my attention and left me feeling disconnected from the story.

The wonder of earth's history: the magic of geological discoveries