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 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 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

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.