The Journey of Eleina is not a bright happy-go-lucky story. It's not your typical, she went on a journey and lived happily ever after story. No. This anime is about the beautiful yet cruel world, and that's what makes this a masterpiece. Everything is honest and down to earth. A lot of people may not like this anime because it's too real, it's too vivid, but it's actually a reflection of real life and the challenges of the world we live in. The anime is told like a collection of fables, with each story having its own underlying message or theme. That's what makes this anime so unique!
16 Reviews
The Adventure of Ashen Haired Witch.
marcacealegre16 March 2023
Ondering Witch Elaina, "Every journey begins with a single step. We just have to have patience."
The story isn't all adventuring to fun nations; it gets dark from time to time. The story shows that the world isn't always a bright place, especially since magic isn't always used for good, and there are wars going on...
Elaina's character display is a realistic portrayal of personality that isn't being shown on some anime nowadays. If you notice every little detail, and character interactions, you'll start to feel that some of this is not being shown on some typical anime that you've already watched. If you are the type who enjoys Fantasy, Slice of Life and somehow a little dark twist, then this one is just for you!
That being said, this is the type of show that you will very much enjoy from the start to the very last episode.
The story isn't all adventuring to fun nations; it gets dark from time to time. The story shows that the world isn't always a bright place, especially since magic isn't always used for good, and there are wars going on...
Elaina's character display is a realistic portrayal of personality that isn't being shown on some anime nowadays. If you notice every little detail, and character interactions, you'll start to feel that some of this is not being shown on some typical anime that you've already watched. If you are the type who enjoys Fantasy, Slice of Life and somehow a little dark twist, then this one is just for you!
That being said, this is the type of show that you will very much enjoy from the start to the very last episode.
Adventures of a Wander witch
WeAreLive11 April 2022
The plot is as follows
The anime centers on a girl named Elaina. When she was a kid, she loved reading books. And among all the books she read, there was a series called 'Niike's Adventure', which was her favorite. It was a collection of short stories about the witch Niike's adventures around the whole world, based off of the writer's own life experience. Elaina liked Niike's adventures so much that starting her own adventure became her all life's dream.
Even though the story is generally on the dull side but it still well done if you want something short.
The animation, voice acting and OST is good too.
The anime centers on a girl named Elaina. When she was a kid, she loved reading books. And among all the books she read, there was a series called 'Niike's Adventure', which was her favorite. It was a collection of short stories about the witch Niike's adventures around the whole world, based off of the writer's own life experience. Elaina liked Niike's adventures so much that starting her own adventure became her all life's dream.
Even though the story is generally on the dull side but it still well done if you want something short.
The animation, voice acting and OST is good too.
All in one anime
nikunjkhangwal22 December 2020
Get ready for darkest stories
ashomkarp24 October 2020
Very similar to kino's journey
masonfewel25 June 2021
On the surface, this show is about a cute adventurer witch that goes on fun adventures throughout the world. However, this isn't quite the reality. Yes, most of the episodes are fun and cute, but there are some that aren't as well. The first two episodes are basically what you would expect, with only a hint or two of what is to come. Then, in the 3rd and 4th episode, and a few later ones, things turn dark.
In my opinion, this is EXTREMELY similar to kino's Journey. A young girl goes on adventures throughout the land, encountering various beautiful, fun, exotic, and some dark and violent things. For the most part, there is one location per episode, and there are some recurring characters. That's the premise for both shows.
To be honest, I enjoyed watching this show, but it wasn't exactly my favorite thing ever. I also gave kino's Journey a 7, but I did like this show a little more.
The artwork is fantastic, the locations are some of the best parts about this show. You can tell the background artists in particular gave a lot of thought to their work. The animation isn't bad, but it's nothing special. The music is a little above average, but nothing to write home about. The op and ed are also just ok.
The characters in this show aren't very nuanced, and don't go through much character development, but most of them are fun and good additions even if their traits aren't very deep.
The places that elaina travels to are definitely a strong point. They aren't nearly as good as in kino's Journey, but they definitely interesting. Honestly I wish the locations were more of a focus than they were, because with a tiny bit more depth they could have been phenomenal, but for now they are just really good.
The action isn't great, it's mostly just a bunch of magic stuff with no real magic system or any weight behind anything, but the visuals are fun to watch. It's good for a show that isn't centered around action, but compared to any action show ever it's worse.
Overall, I enjoyed watching this show. It will not knock your socks off, nor do I think you will hate it. It's not a generic show, but it's definitely not breaking any boundaries. It's mostly in the middle for most things, but because I still liked it I'm giving it a 7.
In my opinion, this is EXTREMELY similar to kino's Journey. A young girl goes on adventures throughout the land, encountering various beautiful, fun, exotic, and some dark and violent things. For the most part, there is one location per episode, and there are some recurring characters. That's the premise for both shows.
To be honest, I enjoyed watching this show, but it wasn't exactly my favorite thing ever. I also gave kino's Journey a 7, but I did like this show a little more.
The artwork is fantastic, the locations are some of the best parts about this show. You can tell the background artists in particular gave a lot of thought to their work. The animation isn't bad, but it's nothing special. The music is a little above average, but nothing to write home about. The op and ed are also just ok.
The characters in this show aren't very nuanced, and don't go through much character development, but most of them are fun and good additions even if their traits aren't very deep.
The places that elaina travels to are definitely a strong point. They aren't nearly as good as in kino's Journey, but they definitely interesting. Honestly I wish the locations were more of a focus than they were, because with a tiny bit more depth they could have been phenomenal, but for now they are just really good.
The action isn't great, it's mostly just a bunch of magic stuff with no real magic system or any weight behind anything, but the visuals are fun to watch. It's good for a show that isn't centered around action, but compared to any action show ever it's worse.
Overall, I enjoyed watching this show. It will not knock your socks off, nor do I think you will hate it. It's not a generic show, but it's definitely not breaking any boundaries. It's mostly in the middle for most things, but because I still liked it I'm giving it a 7.
this anime story is good and light
estehmaniz17 February 2022
Happiness is a way of travel
Mysterygeneration13 January 2024
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina is a unique anime that doesn't view karma as an infallible law, instead focusing on the characters' intentions and the consequences of their actions. While some viewers may misconstrue these themes as pretentious, Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina doesn't reject optimism or idealism. Karma and morality are treated as open-ended questions with no inherently correct answer, often influenced by luck. The show's various happy and unhappy endings demonstrate the complexity of these themes.
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina is an enchanting story with an unpredictable pattern of storytelling. The story features happy, nature-inspired episodes that warm the soul, while darker, less frequent episodes challenge the characters' actions and beliefs. Even in quieter moments, subtle themes are explored, such as the construction of a wall in a small town. These themes complement the story on a wider scale, showing facets of Elaina's personality that are not explored in more serious episodes. The story is as much about Elaina herself as about the adventure, as travel is personal and inherently about the traveler.
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina is an enchanting story with an unpredictable pattern of storytelling. The story features happy, nature-inspired episodes that warm the soul, while darker, less frequent episodes challenge the characters' actions and beliefs. Even in quieter moments, subtle themes are explored, such as the construction of a wall in a small town. These themes complement the story on a wider scale, showing facets of Elaina's personality that are not explored in more serious episodes. The story is as much about Elaina herself as about the adventure, as travel is personal and inherently about the traveler.
Mismatched Storytelling with Unappealing Protagonist
arorashadow_200327 December 2020
Wandering Witch isn't so much your classic character's journey as much as it's just a bunch of happening in a world that happens to have some semblance of magic and fantasy. With that every week is a new adventure but it's an adventure with no goal, no purpose no appeal.
Elaina who is a bright young girl becomes a certified witch and sets off to explore the lands and well that's pretty much it. The big drawback is Elaina as a main character is so unappealing because it feels like she matters little to the story. Bouncing between a character who is only looking out for her self interests or a character who is just a passive player in her own story. Honestly by the fourth episode you'll be wondering, what is even the point?
Pro tip, if you're going to make your character a generic blank slate for us to see the world through their eyes, make sure the world is actually interesting. Elaina's world is one of joy and sorrow and the show does its best to replicate that, a noble pursuit but the results are mixed and being so cynical of the main character, doesn't make me care all that much. That said the world of this fantasy, isn't very fantastic at all. Frankly, if you stripped Elaina of her broom stick and gave her a horse, motorcycle or her own two feet, there wouldn't be a lot about this story that would change, that leaves this setting feel more like a pseudo historical backdrop and there's already plenty of boring isekai shows that do this already.
Elaina is a pretty looking show with very vibrant colors and lovely animation, and the CGI is also great too, when it's used for anything worthwhile which isn't very often.
Between the terrible character, boring stories saved by a few memorable moments and nice art, Elaina is probably my most disappointing show this year, even more so than Magia Record, but with Magia Record I already had low expctations going in, this was hopefully going to be different. I'm in need of a good fantasy that is just a fantasy and not another character reborn into another generic MMORPG yet again.
Elaina who is a bright young girl becomes a certified witch and sets off to explore the lands and well that's pretty much it. The big drawback is Elaina as a main character is so unappealing because it feels like she matters little to the story. Bouncing between a character who is only looking out for her self interests or a character who is just a passive player in her own story. Honestly by the fourth episode you'll be wondering, what is even the point?
Pro tip, if you're going to make your character a generic blank slate for us to see the world through their eyes, make sure the world is actually interesting. Elaina's world is one of joy and sorrow and the show does its best to replicate that, a noble pursuit but the results are mixed and being so cynical of the main character, doesn't make me care all that much. That said the world of this fantasy, isn't very fantastic at all. Frankly, if you stripped Elaina of her broom stick and gave her a horse, motorcycle or her own two feet, there wouldn't be a lot about this story that would change, that leaves this setting feel more like a pseudo historical backdrop and there's already plenty of boring isekai shows that do this already.
Elaina is a pretty looking show with very vibrant colors and lovely animation, and the CGI is also great too, when it's used for anything worthwhile which isn't very often.
Between the terrible character, boring stories saved by a few memorable moments and nice art, Elaina is probably my most disappointing show this year, even more so than Magia Record, but with Magia Record I already had low expctations going in, this was hopefully going to be different. I'm in need of a good fantasy that is just a fantasy and not another character reborn into another generic MMORPG yet again.
Recommend!
hoangnongls22 December 2020
I Can't Help But Be a Bit Disappointed
larrimus9 July 2022
I think the reason I've seen such a surprising amount of video essays praising a show that I find so lackluster is because it's different. If you're tired of all the Isekai that have been coming out, I can see how a show with an overpowered protagonist with a darker tone seems like a breath of fresh air. However, Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina seems a little jarring to me.
Maybe that's what makes the show good, but in my opinion, if your protagonist is going to be boring, they have to be at least somewhat altruistic to make up for that lack of personality. Overlord (to offer a contrast) certainly gets edgier than this show (though perhaps not as dark) but it feels far more tonally consistent to me. Though, I do have criticisms for Overlord as well.
The only reason I can give this show a 6/10 instead of 5/10 is because of one of the darkest elements in episode three that was so subtle that I actually missed it the first time watching that episode. That's a rather mature piece of writing for a show like this, and I really didn't expect that. I will say that them specifically referencing and joking about how boring Elaina is in the last episode helps, but it's not enough to boost this shows score. Especially, given that they call her "the protagonist." She simply isn't anywhere near altruistic enough for that title in my opinion.
Maybe that's what makes the show good, but in my opinion, if your protagonist is going to be boring, they have to be at least somewhat altruistic to make up for that lack of personality. Overlord (to offer a contrast) certainly gets edgier than this show (though perhaps not as dark) but it feels far more tonally consistent to me. Though, I do have criticisms for Overlord as well.
The only reason I can give this show a 6/10 instead of 5/10 is because of one of the darkest elements in episode three that was so subtle that I actually missed it the first time watching that episode. That's a rather mature piece of writing for a show like this, and I really didn't expect that. I will say that them specifically referencing and joking about how boring Elaina is in the last episode helps, but it's not enough to boost this shows score. Especially, given that they call her "the protagonist." She simply isn't anywhere near altruistic enough for that title in my opinion.
Had potential, but flawed main character ruined it
david-232974 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I stopped watching after episode 4. The main character Elaina discovers a field of poisonous plants and a person being eaten by the plants. She just flies away. Then she discovers a family keeping a girl as a slave. She just flies away.
mage with flying brooms
ambitiondara7 June 2021
All over the place
MasterChiefrei11 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Out the gate I could empathize with Elaina and was on board. Animation is beautiful, fluid, and it's an open enough concept to where possibilities are endless. Even though I like variety pick a struggle. Or rather I wish the story was more consistent when it comes to how it approaches...well anything. I don't mind dark themes and levity inbetween but it's so randomly done that it borders on whiplash. Sadly after the first couple of episodes I started to dislike Elaina and her lack of depth and empathy. Maybe that's the point because the story becomes self aware in one episode. If she had redeeming qualities, got over herself, or developed at all it wouldn't be an issue. Also the comedy is all over the place and doesn't land. It's like they threw random tropes in a hat and picked a weird theme per not dark episode. In the end I could care less about the main character, her inflated self importance, or her shallow journey. She tries to say she cares about the people in her life or that they matter but as the viewer I didn't buy it. Thankfully it's fairly short but even so a waste of time. If you've watched nearly all the anime available or want to see how not to write a story watch this.
Like it if you want, but good lord.
icedracojj21 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I just couldn't watch it. The show started off actually really well, i was expecting a much better experience that i ended up with in the second, third, and forth episodes.
I won't spoil the show, and I understand others will enjoy this show. So please, don't take my personal opinion as gospel and give the show a watch to see if it's right for you.
First off, what i did like about the show. The art is very well done. I love the character designs, and they did a fantastic job with how the environments architecture and feel for the world are displayed.
Sound was also very well done, the animations and sound matched, and they created a strong feel from the audio, helping you to know whats happening. The music was also no slouch, and easily one of my favorite openings.
However, none of this makes up for the one part I just couldn't stand, the main character. I really liked the character at first, as mentioned, the first episode, the premise and concept of the story that was presented in that first episode, really did hook me right away. That was unfortunately quickly thrown out the window by the second episode.
Every episode after that, the personality of the main character shifted to an absolute garbage of a human being. Which only gets worse as the show goes on. Admittedly i did not get past the fourth episode, so there is a possibility things could have gotten better. Which is why I again, Recommend you watch the show for yourself.
So to clarify a bit on my dislike of the MC, is that she does... well... nothing. She is consistently patting herself on the back at how amazing she is, but does... literally nothing to show how "great" she is. She barges into peoples homes without a care in the world because she's a "witch" and for some reason that just gives her the right to do it. The strongest magic i see her perform outside the first episode is basically a mending spell on some roof tiles, which she does again later on.
She's so full of herself, witch I don't really mind in a character, if it's justified. She's narcissistic as hell, and does literally nothing to help anyone around her with her "all powerful magic". She walks around with hee nose held up towards everyone because she thinks of herself as amazing and better then everyone. She even states it in the opening of the show, "who's that beauty that even the sun would squint to look st her, me of course". Like holy crap can you be more full of yourself.
All of this i could look past to at least some degree, if she just... did something to justify her claims. Even the premise of the story, a Witch that Wanders around and explores the world is basically lost, because she does absolutely nothing at any of these places she visits. At least DO something when you visit a new place.
All we ever get, is some preachy quip about life as she watches someone else's life essentially fall apart in front of her. She makes the smallest amount of effort to help, and gets upset at the slightest amount of questioning towards who she is. How dare they even speak against me, can't they see my broach!
Now don't get me wrong, i do understand that she went through a decent amount to get where she was. I appreciated that even when I first started the show. However any sense of humbleness is just tossed out the window, and she becomes so pompous that I just, couldn't keep watching. Every time I heard her speak was just another tick against her, and though i really liked the voice actor's voice for the character, i just... could not stand the combination of that personality with that voice. It screamed evil villain you're supposed to hate.
I can't again, express how much i do urge others to not take my personal opinion as the end all be all for the show. If you truly think the show looks good, please give it a watch and decide for yourself. I give it 2 stars because again, it's still a well made show. However the writing, dialog, and actual plot of the show is just... absolute garbage to me, and it's not something I can recommend.
I won't spoil the show, and I understand others will enjoy this show. So please, don't take my personal opinion as gospel and give the show a watch to see if it's right for you.
First off, what i did like about the show. The art is very well done. I love the character designs, and they did a fantastic job with how the environments architecture and feel for the world are displayed.
Sound was also very well done, the animations and sound matched, and they created a strong feel from the audio, helping you to know whats happening. The music was also no slouch, and easily one of my favorite openings.
However, none of this makes up for the one part I just couldn't stand, the main character. I really liked the character at first, as mentioned, the first episode, the premise and concept of the story that was presented in that first episode, really did hook me right away. That was unfortunately quickly thrown out the window by the second episode.
Every episode after that, the personality of the main character shifted to an absolute garbage of a human being. Which only gets worse as the show goes on. Admittedly i did not get past the fourth episode, so there is a possibility things could have gotten better. Which is why I again, Recommend you watch the show for yourself.
So to clarify a bit on my dislike of the MC, is that she does... well... nothing. She is consistently patting herself on the back at how amazing she is, but does... literally nothing to show how "great" she is. She barges into peoples homes without a care in the world because she's a "witch" and for some reason that just gives her the right to do it. The strongest magic i see her perform outside the first episode is basically a mending spell on some roof tiles, which she does again later on.
She's so full of herself, witch I don't really mind in a character, if it's justified. She's narcissistic as hell, and does literally nothing to help anyone around her with her "all powerful magic". She walks around with hee nose held up towards everyone because she thinks of herself as amazing and better then everyone. She even states it in the opening of the show, "who's that beauty that even the sun would squint to look st her, me of course". Like holy crap can you be more full of yourself.
All of this i could look past to at least some degree, if she just... did something to justify her claims. Even the premise of the story, a Witch that Wanders around and explores the world is basically lost, because she does absolutely nothing at any of these places she visits. At least DO something when you visit a new place.
All we ever get, is some preachy quip about life as she watches someone else's life essentially fall apart in front of her. She makes the smallest amount of effort to help, and gets upset at the slightest amount of questioning towards who she is. How dare they even speak against me, can't they see my broach!
Now don't get me wrong, i do understand that she went through a decent amount to get where she was. I appreciated that even when I first started the show. However any sense of humbleness is just tossed out the window, and she becomes so pompous that I just, couldn't keep watching. Every time I heard her speak was just another tick against her, and though i really liked the voice actor's voice for the character, i just... could not stand the combination of that personality with that voice. It screamed evil villain you're supposed to hate.
I can't again, express how much i do urge others to not take my personal opinion as the end all be all for the show. If you truly think the show looks good, please give it a watch and decide for yourself. I give it 2 stars because again, it's still a well made show. However the writing, dialog, and actual plot of the show is just... absolute garbage to me, and it's not something I can recommend.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
