Review: THE ELEGANT COURTLY LIFE OF THE TEA WITCH

Of course, the world of light-novel-based fantasy has its own share of witches including this one.

THE ELEGANT COURTY LIFE OF THE TEA WITCH (Kocha no Majo no Yuganaru Kyutei Seikatsu: Cheat wo Hita Kakusu Saijaku Madoushi no Madogiwa Life), based on the light novels by Ameko Kaeruda with art by Yorifuji.  First published in 2022 and first published in North America in 2024.

PLOT:

The land of Shtora was once the site of a fierce war waged by armies of opposing court mages.  The land has been peaceful for years, but priority is still given within the court to the mages with the flashiest and most battle-ready powers...and that's precisely how Remy likes it to be.

Remy is the court tea witch, perfectly content to do nothing but hang around the castle gardens and provide the perfect cup of tea from her magic teacup.  That becomes much harder to do when the crown princess decides that Remy should be her new best friend, to say nothing of the assassins gathering in the shadows trying to destabilize the kingdom's fragile peace.

Review: SPELL OF DESIRE

This October I want to look at some manga about some decidedly un-wicked witches, such as this josei romance title. 

SPELL OF DESIRE (Majo no Biyaku), by Tomu Ohmi.  First published in 2011 and first published in North America in 2014.

PLOT:

Ever since her grandmother died, Kaoruko has spent her time running her grandmother's herbalist shop, fending off both pests and the attention of other men.  Her quiet days come to an end when Kaname Hibiki steps through her door with some stunning revelations.  Kaoruko is the latest in a long line of witches, and not only is Kaoruko's long-absent mother still alive, but a witch queen.  Kaoruko possess the same magic potential as her mother, but that same power makes her enticing to both strange men and strange creatures.  Her only defense is Kaname, a magical knight who can defend her from all threats and seal her runaway magic with a kiss.

Review: OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB

But if we're talking about school-centric shojo manga, then we have to talk about one of the best-known titles from the 2000s, one I have somehow not properly reviewed until now.

OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB (Oran Koko Hosuto Kurabu), by Bisco Hatori.  First published in 2002 and first published in North America in 2005.

PLOT:

Ouran is one of the wealthiest, most elite high schools around...not that such things matter that much to Haruhi Fujioka.  She's there on a scholarship and just wants some peace and quiet away from all these rich weirdos.  Her search leads her by accident to the school's own host club, led by the ditzy yet charming Tamaki Suoh.  It also leads to her accidentally breaking one of their vases, so to repay them she must become a host herself.  Now Haruhi has to deal with menial chores, the snobbery of the student body, and the increasing (and increasingly manic) attempts by Tamaki to get her attention.

Review: THE FAILURE AT GOD SCHOOL

Let's take a look at some modern shojo school stories, starting with this recent title.

THE FAILURE AT GOD SCHOOL (Kami-sama Gakko no Ochikobore), based on the light novels by Natsu Hyuuga and character designs by Seikaisha with art by Modomu Akagawara.  First published in 2021 and first published in North America in 2025.

PLOT:

In a Japan not too different from our own, there are "Himiko," people who possess supernatural powers like telekinesis, telepathy, or the ability to manifest or manipulate the elements around them.  These people are tracked and classified by the government and most are sent to specialized schools to further refine their abilities so that they can aid their communities.  Only a select few possess potent enough powers to be classified as "gods," and Nagi is in desperate need of a god.

Her grandmother was a god who once staffed the local shrine.  Nagi's twin brother Takeru was supposed to take her place after her death, but his powers are lacking and his social anxiety has turned him into a hikikomori who communicates with her telepathically through a plush bear.  Nagi thought she didn't have any powers at all...until she gets an acceptance letter to Kannagara Academy after saving a missing neighborhood boy.  Now it's up to her to make friends, try and figure out what skills she might possess, and why she was sent there in the first place.

Review: ALICE THE 101ST

Of course, there are plenty of shojo titles about schools (and music schools in particular), but few of them are as messy as this one.

ALICE THE 101ST (101 Hitome no Alice), by Chigusa Kawai.  First published in 2007 and first published in North America in 2010.

PLOT:

There is no academy that can compare with the Mondonville School of Music.  Only the most talented kids are admitted, and only 100 students are admitted each year.  That's why everyone is surprised when there's an extra boy on this year's list by the name of Aristide Lang.

Aristide (nicknamed "Alice") comes from a long line of violinists, and while he's got an incredible ear for music he struggles with actually playing and the formality of the school's curriculum and students.  This combined with his short stature and pretty face makes him a target for bullies like Richard de Diamant, the wealthy second chair violinist who sees his place in the school as his birthright.  He doesn't understand why his late grandfather insisted that he come to this school, but Aristide is willing to work hard, make friends, hone his skills, and prove his worth.