bill_allison

I gave the first episode a 7, in which a lot of background was given to set up the story. After watching the delightful second episode, I am raising the rating to 8. I think a review will be helpful to those unfamiliar with the story. The script appears to follow the novels, so I anticipate action, humor, drama, romance and various surprises for the viewers.

The animation, artistic design and editing are excellent. I am pleased with how many fine animations are now being produced.

The story is about Monica Everett, a young math genius who is painfully shy. She is the only magician to use unchanted magic, hence the name The Silent Witch. She can barely speak in front of people, so she learned to create complex magic formula in her mind then activate them silently. Her great skill caused her to be selected as one of the Seven Great Sages of the Kingdom. She is frightened of people's attention, so she hides in a remote mountain cabin. Her unhealthy, hermit lifestyle is about to end. Another of the Great Sages, Louis the Barrier Mage, drags her out and is forcing her to guard the Second Prince by the King's command. She will attend the same school as the prince, and hide behind a fake identity.

You can expect a well thought-out world of magic, nobility, and intrigue. An important theme is personal growth as Monica faces her anxieties and learns to interact with people. The other characters also have secrets or personal problems to deal with. The result is an interesting story not stamped out with a cookie cutter or A. I. I hope they make several seasons of this anime.

I recommend you give this a try!

In a world ruled by nobles, the monster population is increasing. Soldiers can fight them, but real victory needs the help of rare Saints, women who can use magic to defeat and suppress the monsters. Saint Philia is currently the most powerful of the saints. Raised by indifferent parents and trained by a harsh mentor, she is also engaged to the crown prince. She is filled with self-doubt and keeps herself tightly self contained and emotionless as she is constantly criticized and harassed. The narcissistic Prince believes she is cold and superior, so he decides to sell her to a neighboring kingdom that is desperate to acquire a saint.

In this story, Philia's old fiance happily moves on without her, while Philia cautiously travels to her new home.

The setup for this story is well done, though (for me) the details of the writing don't always live up to its potential. The animation is reasonable quality and the Japanese voice actors are good. If this had an English dub, I might have scored it a little higher. It is worth a look and you may want to read the novels English translations if you want more depth.

Sophia, a shy girl who lacks confidence, is blessed by the Gorilla God and suddenly finds herself over-powered. She wants to hide in the background, but given her new powers, she is ordered to try out as an apprentice knight. Her plan was to deliberately fail and return to obscurity, but when she sees a very handsome knight, she decides maybe she will try after all.

What follows are a number of funny slap-stick moments caused by her new super strength. Her low self esteem gradually improves as she makes new friendships among the knights. The romance that develops is innocent and sweet. There is also some light action, often with a humorous twist.

The animation is straight forward but competent. The voice acting is good.

When you are in the mood for some light entertainment, I recommend you give this a try.