Little Witch Academia
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Novice witch discovers her inner powers in anime series.
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Little Witch Academia
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What's the Story?
LITTLE WITCH ACADEMIA tells the story of an aspiring witch named Akko (Erica Mendez), who enrolls in the Luna Nova Magical Academy to learn the craft and follow in the footsteps of her idol, Shiny Chariot. Not being of a magical heritage, Akko finds herself lagging behind her classmates' skills and being somewhat disillusioned by the unremarkable content of the curriculum. But then Akko discovers the legendary Shiny Rod that once belonged to Shiny Chariot, and this ne'er-do-well witch finds new inspiration and hope for her future as a witch.
Is It Any Good?
Akko's story will appeal to viewers with a soft spot for underdogs. She's eager and hard-working, but even that isn't always enough to bring her up to snuff with her magically superior classmates. What she does have is an unwavering belief in herself and a role model who inspires her to reach for the stars. And with her best friends Lotte (Stephanie Sheh) and Sucy (Rachelle Heger) by her side, Akko slowly comes to discover her inner witch.
With its story set in a boarding school, Little Witch Academia has its fair share of tween drama, especially when Akko's arrogant classmate Diana (Laura Post) is in the mix. But there also are decent examples of friendship, reminders of the value of holding tight to your dreams, and the recurring theme that believing in yourself is the greatest power of all.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the feeling of being an outsider. Have you ever been in a situation that made you feel that way? How do you break the ice when you're around new people? Do you go out of your way to make others feel welcome when they're new? How does Akko handle being an outsider in Little Witch Academia?
Akko is inspired by her role model, Shiny Chariot. Who are your kids' role models? Do they know them personally? What characteristics do they admire in them?
What does this show suggest about how tween girls relate to each other? Do the characters help encourage each other, or are they more competitive? Can both be good qualities? Who among these characters stand out as positive female role models, and why?
How does Akko demonstrate her ability to persevere in challenging situations? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 9, 2015
- Cast: Erica Mendez , Stephanie Sheh , Rachelle Heger
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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