Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo

Yamada and the Seven Witches

Aired Date:2015-04-12

Status:FINISHED

Ratings:73/100

Genres:Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural

Season:1

Total Episodes:12

Duration:24 min/ep

Studio:A-Sketch

Source:MANGA

Format:TV

Director:Seiki Takuno

Review:50/100

Watch Online: Official Site Crunchyroll Twitter YouTube

Synopsis

Ryu Yamada is a second year student at Suzaku High. Ryu is always late for school, naps in class and gets abysmal grades. His life is a dead bore. The beautiful Urara Shiraishi, on the other hand, is Suzaku High's brightest student. One day, without explanation, their bodies are swapped! Ryu ends up in Urara's body, and Urara in Ryu's.

Trailer

Characters

Ryuu Yamada MAIN

Urara Shiraishi MAIN

Toranosuke Miyamura MAIN

Miyabi Itou MAIN

Noa Takigawa SUPPORTING

Rin Sasaki SUPPORTING

Maria Sarushima SUPPORTING

Haruma Yamazaki SUPPORTING

Shinichi Tamaki SUPPORTING

Kentarou Tsubaki SUPPORTING

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches: A Supernatural Rom-Com Packed with Heart and Humor

In the vibrant world of shonen manga and anime, Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches stands out as a delightful blend of supernatural mystery, romantic comedy, and coming-of-age drama. Written and illustrated by Miki Yoshikawa, this series, serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 2012 to 2017, captured hearts with its quirky premise and engaging characters. Adapted into a 12-episode anime by Liden Films in 2015, a live-action drama, and two original anime DVDs (OADs), the story of Ryu Yamada and his quest to unravel the secrets of the “seven witches” at Suzaku High remains a fan favorite. Here’s a deep dive into what makes this series a unique gem in the anime and manga landscape.

A Freaky Friday with a Magical Twist

The story kicks off with Ryu Yamada, a second-year student at Suzaku High School, who’s notorious for his delinquent behavior—late arrivals, poor grades, and a knack for getting into fights. Bored with school life, Ryu’s world turns upside down (quite literally) when he accidentally tumbles down a staircase with Urara Shiraishi, the school’s top honor student. After an unintentional kiss during the fall, they wake up to find they’ve swapped bodies. This bizarre discovery sets the stage for the series’ central hook: a kiss can trigger supernatural powers, and Suzaku High harbors seven female students, known as “witches,” each with a unique ability activated by locking lips.

Guided by the mischievous student council vice-president Toranosuke Miyamura, Ryu and Urara revive the Supernatural Studies Club to investigate this phenomenon. They’re soon joined by Miyabi Itou, a supernatural enthusiast, and later by others like Kentaro Tsubaki and Nene Odagiri. As Ryu uncovers the witches’ identities—each with powers like body-swapping, telepathy, or memory manipulation—he learns he has a rare ability to copy a witch’s power through a kiss, making him a key player in a larger mystery tied to the school’s history. The quest to find all seven witches, while navigating high school drama, friendships, and budding romance, forms the heart of the story.

A Cast That Shines

One of the series’ greatest strengths is its colorful ensemble. Ryu Yamada, voiced by Ryōta Ōsaka in the anime, is a rough-around-the-edges but loyal protagonist whose growth from apathetic troublemaker to dependable friend is deeply satisfying. Urara Shiraishi (Saori Hayami) balances intelligence with vulnerability, her evolving relationship with Ryu providing the series’ romantic anchor. The witches themselves—ranging from the enigmatic Rika Saionji to the shy Maria Sarushima—each bring distinct powers and personalities, ensuring no two story arcs feel the same.

Supporting characters like Miyamura, with his playful scheming, and the earnest Miyabi add humor and depth. Miki Yoshikawa’s knack for character development, honed from her time as an assistant to Hiro Mashima (Fairy Tail), shines through in the series’ ability to balance comedic chaos with heartfelt moments. Fans on platforms like Reddit have praised the voice acting, particularly Ōsaka and Hayami’s chemistry, noting how their performances elevate the body-swapping gags into laugh-out-loud gold.

Art and Animation: A Visual Treat

Yoshikawa’s manga art is crisp and expressive, with a style reminiscent of Fairy Tail but distinctly her own. Her hand-drawn black-and-white illustrations, colored digitally, split her creative process evenly between story and art, as she revealed at Anime Expo. The anime, produced by Liden Films, brings this to life with vibrant colors and fluid animation, especially in comedic scenes where body-swapping antics take center stage. Directed by Tomoki Takuno, with character designs by Eriko Iida, the series captures the manga’s energy, though some fans note pacing issues due to the 12-episode runtime compressing multiple arcs.

The soundtrack, featuring an opening theme by Weaver and ending songs by Mimi Meme MIMI, complements the show’s playful yet emotional tone. Standout tracks like “Time Machine Nante Iranai” by Atsuko Maeda, used in the live-action drama, add a nostalgic vibe. Whether it’s a tense witch confrontation or a tender moment between Ryu and Urara, the music hits the right notes.

Themes and Reception

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches is more than just a supernatural rom-com—it’s a story about trust, redemption, and the messy beauty of high school relationships. The series tackles themes like bullying, self-acceptance, and the courage to change, often through the witches’ backstories. For example, Urara’s struggles with isolation resonate with Ryu’s desire to break free from his delinquent label, creating a bond that feels authentic.

Critically, the series has been well-received for its humor and heart, though not without caveats. MyAnimeList users rank it as “Very Good” (7.45/10), praising its unique premise and voice acting but noting that the anime’s rushed pacing leaves some plotlines underdeveloped. The manga, spanning 28 volumes, offers a more complete story, concluding in 2017 with a satisfying ending arc that fans on X hailed as “perfect.” The live-action drama (2013) and OADs (2014–2015) added to its popularity, though the anime remains the most accessible adaptation, available on Crunchyroll and Prime Video.

The series’ light fan service and same-gender kisses sparked some discussion. Yoshikawa clarified that the latter were “an inevitable outcome” of the kissing mechanic, not targeted at any demographic, emphasizing the story’s focus on universal themes. While some viewers found the ecchi elements unnecessary, others appreciated the soft approach compared to more overt harem anime.

An Unfinished Anime Legacy

Despite its acclaim, Yamada-kun fans lament the lack of a second anime season. The 12-episode run covers roughly the first 90 chapters, leaving major arcs—like the “second witch war” and Ryu’s full backstory—unadapted. Reddit posts from 2020 reflect this frustration, with users calling the anime a “teaser” for the manga’s richer narrative. The manga’s conclusion in 2017, announced via X by Crunchyroll and YonkouProd, wrapped up all loose ends, but the anime’s cliffhanger ending leaves viewers wanting more.

The live-action drama, starring Yusuke Yamamoto and Mariya Nishiuchi, condensed the story into eight episodes, earning praise for its humor but criticism for its rushed finale. The OADs, bundled with manga volumes 15 and 17, offered fans extra content, including hot springs scenes, but didn’t continue the main plot. With no new adaptations announced as of June 2025, the manga remains the definitive way to experience the full story, available digitally via Crunchyroll Manga and in print through Kodansha USA.

Why It Resonates

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches thrives on its ability to balance absurdity with sincerity. It’s not a traditional harem anime—only Urara and a few others develop feelings for Ryu, and the male cast, like Miyamura and Tsubaki, keeps the dynamics grounded. The body-swapping premise delivers hilarious scenarios (imagine Ryu in Urara’s body acing exams) while exploring deeper questions about identity and empathy. Ryu’s journey to understand the witches’ powers, tied to their desires, mirrors his own quest for purpose, making the series relatable to anyone who’s felt lost in their youth.

For newcomers, the anime is a great starting point, streaming on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Prime Video, with English dubs available. If you love the characters, dive into the manga for the complete tale, which spans 243 chapters and includes a heartwarming epilogue. Fans on X, like ReinaScully, have urged others to give it a chance, calling it a hidden gem that defies harem stereotypes.

Final Thoughts

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches is a love letter to high school chaos, wrapped in a supernatural mystery that’s equal parts funny and touching. Miki Yoshikawa crafts a world where a single kiss can change everything, yet it’s the friendships and romances that leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re drawn to Ryu’s redemption, Urara’s quiet strength, or the witches’ quirky powers, this series offers something for everyone. While the anime may leave you craving more, its infectious energy and the manga’s fulfilling conclusion make it a must-experience for fans of rom-coms with a magical twist.

Sources:

• Wikipedia: Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches
• MyAnimeList: Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo
• Anime News Network
• Reddit and X posts reflecting fan sentiment
• Penguin Random House and Kodansha USA