W.I.T.C.H.

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!

I have read some reviews comparing this show to Harry Potter and Sailor Moon among things. That is entirely untrue. I don't see anything resembling a magical school, and that in itself is refreshing. Not that there's anything wrong with that concept, but Witch doesn't fall into that category and I like that. These girls are real girls tackling real life issues alongside having to deal with learning a new side of themselves as Guardians with extraordinary powers. The tassling Blunk being described as a Dobie type character is also wrong. He is not a house elf or servant of any kind, but as with many animated shows for kids, fills the role of comic sidekick or mascot quite nicely. The only similarity I see with Sailor Moon is some of the transformation sequences where the girls turn into their slightly older, guardian forms, but that is where it ends. You do see that in some newer cartoons these days, inspired by Sailor Moon and others like it in Japan, and there is nothing wrong with that so long as it's not a blatant rip off. Witch is no such thing.

I also enjoy Winx Club, but noticed someone mention that Witch is girlier than Winx? I do believe Winx to be much more girly than Witch could ever hope to be, since the girls in Winx fuss over themselves and their clothes a bit much, their costumes are also extremely geared that way and a bit too revealing for very small girls to want to emulate in my opinion... kinda like Brats. I love the Witch costumes, and they vary in style from girl to girl to show a little individuality, even if they share the same overall elements and color scheme. Think of some (not all) superhero groups that have the same type of costume theme within their group and you'll get that from Witch. It's also nice they look good without being overly revealing. Another thing I've noticed is the storytelling is a bit rushed and stiff in Winx and lacks good transition between scenes at times. I feel Witch has better overall animation and production value in those areas.

Plus I can think of some guys not being too embarrassed to admit they like Witch, since it has some good action scenes with the guy characters and a darker atmosphere, where not too many guys would admit the same with Winx, with it's elements of glamour, sparkly stuff, mushy romance, and girls acting and talking - well - very girly. I think it's all well and good for girls, and I am one who enjoys the girly stuff just as much as the more boyish stuff (GI Joe, Transformers, and more), but I can spot a show that caters to both genders a little better in the long run, and Witch does just that. I know a guy personally that would sit and watch Witch and enjoy it but wouldn't touch Winx with a 10 foot pole for all those reasons, as well as a lot of other cartoons I watch. That's saying a lot.

I am also a big fan of animation, having watched everything from anime to animated movies, and all sorts of cartoon shows, and I find the animation in Witch to be very nice. I've seen some very weird or crappy looking animation,but this is far above that. Some of the action scenes alone and the way they are executed would blow your mind.

As for difference between the show and books, I have yet to read the books series to form an opinion on that. But I know I love the show and would tune in to watch another season if they ever release one.

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.

I love this show because of that! I thought it would be another anime rip off of Sailor Moon, like WINX, but it wasn't. There was an interesting, unpredictable story, with lovable funny characters who can really fight well.

My brother was laughing at the show because he said their powers were like the kids in Captain Planet. So I watched Captain Planet to investigate. I realized yes the WITCH characters have the same powers, Earth, Wind, Fire,Water but they are so creative with it. I love that, that's why I love X-men too. Will and her friends are so clever. I remember an episode where Hay-Lin used her wind powers to hear a sound from far away. I was really impressed by the ingenuity. The Planet Brats don't even compare. Cornelia controls Earth and that means she can control everything to dealing with Earth, but all the guy in Captain Planet can do is throw dirt in the air. If u ask me Gaia the Spirit of the Earth really screwed those kids.

I am as I say a fan of animation, there are films and shows I love, some I hate. W.I.T.C.H is one of those shows I actually love. I don't quite put it up there with the best, but it is one of the better animated shows of the past decade or so.

The animation is done with lots of detail. The backgrounds have an ethereal quality to them, and the colours are both vibrant and atmospheric. The character designs are also believable, as are the transformation sequences.

I love good music. W.I.T.C.H has that. Not only in the fitting background music, but also the theme tune is catchy, cool and sets the tone of the series very well.

Also W.I.T.CH is very well-written. W.I.T.C.H has humour without it ever becoming slapsticky or clichéd, but there is also room for the dramatic and tense parts which are done effectively without overdoing it.

W.I.T.C.H benefits from engaging stories with relateable themes and interesting characters with personalities that don't grate and are unique.

Voice acting is also strong, the lead quintet consist of five very promising voice actresses who couldn't have been more perfect for their parts, and the support roles are dynamic.

Overall, love it. 10/10 Bethany Cox