W.I.T.C.H.

I loved this show as a kid, I've always been into magical girl type shows. The show definitely has that unique, pseudo-anime flavour most shows of the mid-2000s have. While many criticise this, this feels awfully nostalgic for those like me who were preteens in this era. The show is creative, yes maybe it takes inspiration from those like Sailor Moon, but in it's own unique self it is it's own great show. If you think Sailor Moon is better, go watch Sailor Moon, enough said. I like Sailor Moon, but stop trying to compare everything to something else, and let it be it's own thing. I can never seem to get why people hated this show so much, a lot of the times their reasons seemed shallow (I don't like their voices, their outfits are ugly, etc etc). While I don't disagree that these can be valid points, they don't attack the main point. Also, anyone who says that Winx Club has better animation and calls themselves an "animation lover" needs to get their eyes checked. While I never go into the Winx Club, let me say the animation looks quite cheesy and reminds me of animated Bratz films, while W.I.T.C.H. looks much more professionally done. Interestingly however, the book series happens to be from the same country as WC (Italy). The animation, however, reminds me of shows like Totally Spies (which happens to be from France, same place the animators behind W.I.T.C.H. happen to be located).

I've been watching cartoons and anime for pretty much my whole life but I have to say this is one of my personal favorite shows. It's right up there with Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, Transformers, G.I. Joe, Jem and pretty much any other cartoon or anime that I've ever seen. The books are a lot more detailed, yes, but being exactly like the books would be boring. The animation is great, the storyline is great and the artwork is very cool. That makes this the number one cartoon on TV right now right up next to Justice League Unlimited. I think that people saying this is a Sailor Moon ripoff should also be aware of the fact that Japan itself has more than one Sailor Moon type show and the fact that W.I.T.C.H. has a passing resemblance does not constitute it being a ripoff. Not that I don't respect people's opinions but, give it another shot. I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. Take it from me.

I have to strongly disagree with some of the other reviews of this show. I am the father of three young girls and they all love W.I.T.C.H. The show revolves around five girls (the first letter of each of their names makes up the team name, W.I.T.C.H.) that have been selected as Guardiens of the Veil that protects Earth from a parallel universe (Meridian) and the evil (and some good) that resides there. Each girl has one power over the elements (Water, Earth, Wind, Fire) and additional powers they develop as the show goes on. The strength of this show is that it shows girls as powerful and capable. It also stresses teamwork and how to treat other people. Each character is developed to the point girls of many different backgrounds can relate to one of them. The character development is better than what you see in most movies nowadays! My girls even dressed up as W.I.T.C.H. this Halloween! There is some teenage "drama" (crushes, homework, parents, etc) in the script, but most of that blows right over my preteen girls. One character, Irma, has some great one-liners that usually only the parents get but they are hilarious (Q:"Why is it always so dark here on Meridian?" Irma's A:"It's time zones. Evil is five hours ahead of us!"). The girls parents have different jobs: Chinese Restaurant owner, Policeman, Judge, Divorced Mom-Executive, and one you never see but her parents are obviously very rich. There are a series of books and comic books that are based on the show and I read them to my girls...they love them. Boys will like the Rebels in the evil world who are fighting against the evil prince and his Henchmen. The rebel leader (also a teenager) has a sidekick that is kind of half-human, half-frog that never takes a bath and always smells...boys'll like him too. The animation is great, the music is catchy and the website can show you a lot more about the show. I love it. You will too!

W.I.T.C.H. is a brilliant show and I highly recommend it.

First of all there are the main characters, Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia and Hay Lin (hence W.I.T.C.H.) are interesting and likable, each with a distinct personality that works well with the others.

Another thing I like is that the characters are fallible. Too often in shows like this, the characters get their powers and instantly work like clockwork. In W.I.T.C.H., the Guardians can and do make mistakes. We get to see how they practise with their abilities to get better at them. Additionally, it's very good that when they transform into Guardians, they do actually transform, in that they become slightly older and sprout wings (compare that to shows like "Power Rangers" where all that happens is they get a change of clothes.)All these help lift it above most other shows.

The episodes are good, with a fine balance of humour and drama. What I enjoy is that unlike say, "Teen Titans", the show takes itself seriously, even when it's humorous (plus it doesn't have the ridiculous 'exagger-mation' or whatever it's called). That is, it's funny without being silly. The animation and artwork are also very good.

WITCH was originally a book series from Italy which has grown very popular in Eurpoe.Meridian is a separate world from Earth ruled by the evils of Prince Phobos and unfortunately,Phobos is breaking the line that separates Meridian from Earth.Now that Earth is threatened once again,the five guardians are needed to seal the one veil protecting Earth but now the next generation of guardians are called.Meanwhile Will,a timid yet honest new girl in town has made new friends with Irma,a feisty and funny girl,Tarane,a quiet and shy girl,Cornelia,a high-strung and independent girl and Hay Lin,a friendly and creative girl.After school,Hay Lin invites them all to her parent's Chinese restaurant and that's where the story begins.Her grandmother tells the story of Meridan close to invading Earth and that they're the next generation of guardians blessed with special powers.Will holds a necklace with the ability to transform her and the others into their battle costumes and open and close portals called the Heart of Kandrakar.Will also has the power of energy allowing her to communicate with household objects with her energy powers.Irma has the power of water allowing her to manipulate seas and stop flowing water in it's tracks.Taranee has the power of fire allowing her to summon fire and control existing fire.Cornelia has the power of Earth allowing her to rapidly make plants grow and bore holes in walls.Hay Lin has the power of Air allowing her to create a gust of wind and fly unlike the others.Together,the five call themselves WITCH because of their initials and casually save the world day after day while having to deal with their own teenage problems. When I heard the WITCH series were being made into a TV series,I decided to do a little research on WITCH.It really caught my attention when I found out about the characters and their witch costumes were pretty cool.The storyline shows true talents of a writer.Unfortunately the WITCH series was different from the books which is a huge disappointment to me.Disney did a little makeover on the costumes and made them look sort of ugly.In the series,I liked how Will's hair looked in the books but in the series,they make her hair look more shaggy than it did in the books.Disney also made Cornelia more of a cold-hearted dumb-blond when in the books she stood up for Will when some guys were teasing her.Instead,she doesn't want to be friends with Will just because she's new.Disney doesn't even make episodes of the books which was what I was looking forward to the most.Other than that,it can be okay.The lines are cleverly written and it's really great to have something like this on TV and very good for a girl to watch especially younger girls.I give this series a 5/10.