Once Upon a Witch’s Death: Season 1 – A Heartfelt Journey Through Magic and Mortality

Once Upon a Witch’s Death (Aru Majo ga Shinu Made), a 2025 anime adaptation of Saka’s light novel series, weaves a poignant tale of life, death, and the pursuit of joy. Premiering on April 1, 2025, and concluding on June 17, 2025, this 12-episode season, produced by EMT Squared, follows apprentice witch Meg Raspberry as she faces a deadly curse. With only one year to live, Meg must collect 1,000 tears of joy to create a “seed of life” and defy her fate. Blending modern and magical worlds, the series offers a fresh take on the slice-of-life fantasy genre, balancing emotional depth with lighthearted moments. Below is a detailed review of Season 1, exploring its narrative, characters, themes, and production under unique and informative headings.

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A Curse That Sparks a Quest: The Premise That Captivates

On her 17th birthday, Meg Raspberry, voiced by Yoshino Aoyama (Japanese) and Hannah Alyea (English), learns from her mentor, the Eternal Witch Faust (Yoshiko Sakakibara), that a congenital curse will age her rapidly after her 18th birthday, leading to death unless she can create a seed of life. This requires collecting 1,000 tears of joy within a year—a daunting task, as genuine joy is rare and fleeting. The premise sets Meg on a journey that’s less about magical battles and more about human connection, as she uses her witchcraft to bring happiness to others, hoping to gather their tears in a magical bottle.

This narrative hook is both unique and emotionally resonant, framing mortality not as a distant threat but an immediate, personal challenge. Unlike typical fantasy anime with clear antagonists, the series’ conflict is internal and existential, with the absence of a traditional villain refreshing the storytelling. However, the show’s pacing falters in the middle episodes, where some stories feel rushed or unresolved, slightly diluting the emotional weight.

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Meg Raspberry: The Goofy Heart of the Series

Meg is a standout protagonist—energetic, slightly clumsy, and endlessly empathetic. Her goofiness, like her penchant for dramatic reactions, injects humor into heavier moments, making her relatable and endearing. Aoyama’s vibrant performance captures Meg’s youthful exuberance, while Alyea’s English dub adds a warm, earnest tone. Meg’s growth from a sheltered apprentice to a witch who understands the value of emotional bonds is the series’ emotional core. Her interactions with characters like Fine Cavendish (Rumi Okubo) and Sophie Hayter (Hina Yomiya) highlight her ability to bridge joy and grief, as seen when she helps a grieving family find closure or aids a friend in fixing a cherished watch.

Yet, Meg’s relentless optimism can feel one-dimensional at times, and the series doesn’t fully explore her inner turmoil until the later episodes. Her childhood friend, whose chemistry with Meg sparkles, and the quiet Sophie add depth to the supporting cast, though some characters remain underdeveloped due to the season’s brevity.

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A World Where Magic Meets Modernity: Unique Setting and World-Building

The series’ setting is a fascinating blend of contemporary life and subtle magic, with familiar landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Eiffel Tower coexisting alongside witches and spells. This fusion creates a grounded yet whimsical backdrop, where Meg’s magic—used for tasks like helping spirits or preventing a tsunami—feels integrated into everyday life rather than otherworldly. The world-building, while intriguing, leaves some questions unanswered, such as the mechanics of the curse or the broader role of witches in society, which could be explored in a potential second season.

The lack of a fully fleshed-out magical system is a minor drawback, as the focus remains on emotional storytelling rather than intricate lore. Still, the modern-magical aesthetic, paired with the series’ exploration of technology and ethics (e.g., environmental devastation), adds a layer of intellectual intrigue that sets it apart from traditional fantasy anime.

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Tears of Joy and Sorrow: Themes That Resonate

Once Upon a Witch’s Death tackles profound themes—mortality, emotional healing, and the interplay of joy and grief—with a delicate touch. Each episode centers on Meg helping others, from a bereaved father and daughter to a woman searching for a lost love, reflecting the series’ core idea: true joy often emerges from shared vulnerability. The show’s comparison to Violet Evergarden is apt, as both explore healing through empathy, though Witch’s Death leans lighter with its comedic undertones.

The series doesn’t shy away from heavy topics like death or societal expectations, but it avoids definitive answers, letting viewers ponder alongside Meg. However, the cliffhanger ending, hinting at unresolved questions about the curse and Meg’s nightmares of a lone witch in a ruined city, may frustrate those seeking closure. The emotional depth in standout episodes, particularly toward the season’s end, makes these themes linger long after the credits roll.

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Visual and Auditory Enchantment: Production Quality

Directed by Atsushi Nigorikawa, with character designs by Yuki Shizuku and scripts overseen by Keiichirō Ōchi, the anime boasts solid production values. EMT Squared delivers vibrant visuals, with Meg’s expressive design and the lush, modern-fantasy settings standing out. The animation shines in emotional scenes, though some middle episodes suffer from inconsistent pacing and simpler art during less critical moments.

The soundtrack, composed by Akiyuki Tateyama, complements the tone, with Maaya Sakamoto’s opening theme “Drops” and Aoi Teshima’s ending “Hana-saku Michi de” (composed by Yuki Kajiura) evoking the series’ bittersweet heart. These songs enhance the emotional highs and lows, making key moments—like Meg’s tear-collecting successes—feel triumphant yet tender.

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Critical Reception: A Mixed but Promising Spell

Critics and audiences have praised the series’ emotional depth and unique premise, with a weighted mean rating of 6.801/10 on Anime News Network, based on 127 user votes. Reviewers highlight Meg’s likability and the show’s refreshing lack of an antagonist, calling it “a fun little series” with “heart and lots of laughs.” However, some note its uneven pacing and unresolved cliffhanger as drawbacks, with Anime-Planet describing it as “fantastic” at its best but “shaky in the middle.” Goodreads reviews of the light novel laud its “beautiful heart” and world-building, suggesting the anime captures much of the source’s charm.

The series’ ability to balance lighthearted moments with weighty themes earns it a B-grade across storytelling, characters, and production in reviews, with potential for growth in future seasons. Its streaming availability on Crunchyroll and Apple TV, including Hindi and English dubs, broadens its accessibility.

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A Spell Worth Casting: Final Verdict

Once Upon a Witch’s Death: Season 1 is a heartfelt, if imperfect, exploration of life’s fleeting joys and inevitable sorrows. Meg Raspberry’s quest to collect 1,000 tears of joy is both a literal and metaphorical journey, blending humor, magic, and human connection. While the pacing stumbles and the ending leaves questions unanswered, the series’ emotional resonance, likable characters, and unique modern-magical setting make it a standout in the 2025 spring anime season. For fans of introspective fantasy like Violet Evergarden or slice-of-life adventures, this is a spell worth casting. A second season could elevate it further by deepening the world-building and resolving Meg’s fate.

Rating: 7.5/10 – A promising debut with room to grow, perfect for those who love emotional storytelling with a touch of whimsy.

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Sources: Information compiled from Anime News Network, IMDb, Goodreads, Crunchyroll, and other web sources.