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A review by littlebookterror
Atelier of Witch Hat 07: Das Geheimnis der Hexen by Kamome Shirahama
5.0
I want to go on a quick tangent that I appreciate both the inclusion of darker skin tones and textured hair, as well as the existence of disabled characters. The story has given all these characters the same treatment in terms of personalities, looks, and backstories without forgetting their difference. And I like how the disabilities are linked with magic (colourblindness that means you cannot use magic, a wheelchair that functions through magic, vision loss that can be alleviated with spells). I know the discussions comes around every few month that "magic should erase all disabilities" but this shows beautifully hat you can incorporate it and offer commentary.
This volume gives us a lot about Quifrey's backstory!Quifrey and Olruggio have a long-lasting friendship and we get to see some of early momens this time. And Beldaruth tells Coco how he first found Quifrey - under terribly sad circumstances - but few details on their falling out.
I loved how Coco's wish for a (simple) answer on how to help her mother was mirrored by Quifrey's journey as a young boy and that he offered her an alternative way so she would not feel as much despair as him. We are coming closer to the limits that magic has and that are enforced by the Pointed Hats (but it's clear by now that while their rules are informed by history, one could question their legitimacy).
Olruggio goes off for a little side quest that shows off his negotiation skills before he finally can talk to Quifrey - and oh my god?! Quifrey reveals that he is still haunted by his missing past and with him slowly losing his vision (and therefor, his ability to do magic), he is on a time limit to stop the Brimcaps. And to my utter shock, he then erases his own friend's memories so will not remember their conversation! He seems to be torn between his newfound happiness as a teacher and the burden of what he knows...
Oh, and that quiet moment with Beldaruth and Lilliphin was illuminating, in how Beldaruth now views their relationship. And Quifrey calling his atelier home!
This volume gives us a lot about Quifrey's backstory!
I loved how Coco's wish for a (simple) answer on how to help her mother was mirrored by Quifrey's journey as a young boy and that he offered her an alternative way so she would not feel as much despair as him. We are coming closer to the limits that magic has and that are enforced by the Pointed Hats (but it's clear by now that while their rules are informed by history, one could question their legitimacy).
Olruggio goes off for a little side quest that shows off his negotiation skills before he finally can talk to Quifrey - and oh my god?! Quifrey reveals that he is still haunted by his missing past and with him slowly losing his vision (and therefor, his ability to do magic), he is on a time limit to stop the Brimcaps. And to my utter shock, he then erases his own friend's memories so will not remember their conversation! He seems to be torn between his newfound happiness as a teacher and the burden of what he knows...
Oh, and that quiet moment with Beldaruth and Lilliphin was illuminating, in how Beldaruth now views their relationship. And Quifrey calling his atelier home!