Tsue to Tsurugi no Wistoria

One of my favourite fantasy, magic academy animes. Wistoria Wand and Sword is a perfect blend of shonen, comedy and fantasy. Some of the best things about it are the amazing animation that isn't over the top but makes everything look extremely clean and fresh. The characters are all good and actually feels like they're the age they are canonically which many animes don't do for some reason, the development isn't the best however is still very solid, overall they are good in every category. Another amazing thing is pacing, for a 12 episode anime usually pacing is either slow or extremely fast but this felt very well rounded with nothing feeling rushed or forced. Finally each arc is actually solid, even thought the anime is only 12 episodes and has like 3 full arcs, I think they were all well done. Some cons I will have to give are that this is an anime that is specific to the viewer, many people have complains about this anime because it doesn't fit their taste which makes sense because Wistoria while having a generic plot at first is actually quite different from most fantasy school animes and that probably is what most people don't like. Also that the characters are actually teenagers and act like them in their actions and words, which is something I think is very well done and should be done more but I've seen many complaints about this which in my opinion don't make any sense. In general this is an extremely enjoyable, decently written and great anime that I suggest if you're looking for something quick and good.

One of the best magic related Fantasy anime for sure. The story is very interesting and it is very similar to the anime black clover but shows a different perspective of this. As for the world building it already show different type of topics we can dig it to and discuss with other fans. For example the dungeon levels, magia vanders, different races, type of magic...etc. It also give other minor characters to glow up as well, but still focus on the main character. Character design are 10/10 specially for the two villains appeared in the end. This is an anime I would be looking forward to a second season.

Wistoria: Wand and Sword is a 12-part anime that oddly echoes Harry Potter in terms of magic and swordsmanship, especially in the scenes like magical academy, spellcasting and all sorts of magical events. But also, it shares strong resemblances to Mashle: Magic and Muscles in terms of magic users and non-magic users being put under tight restrictions of society classes. Unlike Mashle, in which the arrogant hero was extremely overpowered, Wistoria has the protagonist working toward his deserved power level, engaging the audience more in battles and action sequences. Writing solid action stories keeping up the pace with great narration that portrays backstory of many characters has shown that there are indeed some childishness, but it generally remains interesting. These sword magic sequences thus bring an exciting flavor to all fights making a delight for all the fantasy as well action-anime lovers. Fun show: maybe not push-the-envelope new, but definitely enjoyable and entertaining. This really brings it to life for magic academy fans with a different take on things.

Wistoria has some excellent components that are greater than the sum of it's parts; in other words, it's nothing that special in spite of it's few great points. If you've seen even a couple of shounen anime in the past, then chances are you'll know exactly how this show ticks and how it's gonna progress. The story and it's characters are nothing special and rather generic. You've seen these tropes before, and they don't really do anything to subvert expectations on that front. It's hard to really describe them any further in detail because most viewers simply have seen these multiple incarnations of these characters in other popular shows. I wouldn't go as far to say that they're completely one-dimensional, but let's say that there won't be any YouTube videos doing a deep deconstruction of them. All that being said, I don't believe that makes the story and characters bad per se, but you just gotta be okay with expecting your usual shounen affair when watching this, and for some people that's enough. However, I'd rather touch on what I believe Wistoria did very well, which is the animation, world building, and action scenes. If you've heard anything about this anime, it's likely that this is it. The animation is nothing short of gorgeous, and it hardly feels like corners were cut with low-detail characters even off in the distance. It almost feels like every aspect of this show has sakuga even in non-action sequences. And well, the action sequences just speak for themselves. Very well choreographed and keep you on the edge of your seat. More importantly, it keeps up the pace not dragging out inner monologues for too long so it's consistently exciting until the very end of each battle. The premise of the main character Will being an extremely adept swordsman in a world of magic leads to some very interesting and unique battles where he uses his few magic gambits to assist in his swordplay thanks to his friends, such as using magic tools to gain the initiative or using a magically-charged sword to increase his power even more. The world building is nothing that'll leave you in awe, but I think it's well done regardless. Despite the whole magic school setting being pretty overdone at this point, the way the students gain credits, the leaders in charge, and the way magic shapes their world was interesting enough that it left me wanting to learn more. Unfortunately, I believe the first season of the anime barely even scratched the surface of the world, so there isn't a ton to sink yourself into. Regardless, what is there I felt was interesting enough to keep me engaged throughout it's 12 episode run. Overall, I do ultimately feel mixed on whether I recommend this anime or not. It really comes down to how much of a shounen nut you are. As someone who isn't necessarily into the genre, I believe most people can admire the fantastic animation and action enough to be engaged to the end, but might not leave you wanting for a second season. If you're super into shounen though and don't mind it being more on the bland side for it's characters and story, I believe it's worth your time.

Basically Black Clover mixed with Harry Potter with a fair amount of spectacle but barely have half of the substance. If you think I’m joking the summary is basically: magicless sword wielder wants to be the best in a magic school to obtain a high title that he promised to a friend… What else am I missing? - Art, (8/ 10): Even with anime coming out in the 2020s raising the bar of anime quality, this show often meets that standard. The magic & fight choreography helps push it above that bar and one of the main draws for the show. It you’re looking for pretty boys, you’ll find a few to pick here. - Story, (6 / 10): Typical “I want to be the best as part of a promise” storyline that you’d find in most shonen with not much to make it stand out from them though. The fact the we’re not introduced to the potential main villains until the last 3rd is a bit disappointing. - Sound, (6.5 / 10): Nice medieval music you expected from a fantasy show, oddly satisfying SFX from the spell, and overall solid. - Character, (4.8 / 10): All the characters are a**holes, and boring one on top of that. Aside from the MC, his initial friends, & one of the teachers, everyone else is classist or some form of discrimination that instantly make them unlikeable. The level of rudeness doesn’t balance out how the MC befriends or make acquaintances with them.There would need to be a bit more funny banter like in the last episode to make up for that. - Enjoyment, (6.3 / 10): This is some nice looking shonen junk food. It looks nice and scratches that shonen itch, but it doesn’t do much beyond that. If this had subpar animation, I would only watch this as a show to play in the background while I’m doing something else. I would only recommend it to someone for a similar reason or if this was their 1st fantasy shonen to just dip their toes into the genre with sometime light & recent.

A great action anime, with a decent story and characters to boot. The animation is flashy, even if it is a little rough occasionally. The character detail is generally pretty high, that being said the backgounds are not always all that good due to CG being used. Those are more nitpicks than anything the animation is very good, but could use work in some areas. The characters are decently deep and lend themselves well to the story and atmosphere. The story itself isn't exceedingly original, but it is very well executed. The world building it decent and the plot intriguing. The pacing is also fairly gripping and easily keeps the viewers attention. The voice acting is somewhat of a let down. It's fine, but not particularly noteworthy. I guess that's a dub for you. The soundtrack is pretty decent, but lacks some impact from time to time. The op is a little run of the mill. Not to say it's bad, it even fits the anime quite well. I just don't think it was very outside the box. I actually liked the ed more, even though it didn't match the tone of the show as well. Overall, I really enjoyed this anime. The down sides are the background and cg, as well as the climax action scene falling a little short of some of the other scenes that I found more impressive. That plus the let down that was the voice acting. However, it's a very well rounded anime. It's premise is fairly typical, but it defies expectations in the execution of what would otherwise easily be a dull anime. I'm really looking forward to season 2, and hope to see this level of quality continue. 8.10/10 Dubbed

Decent fantasy story about magic and swords. A "talentless" kid(MC) who overcomes obstacles and tries to follow his talented friend to a place of great importance. The whole season can be summarized in a few paragraphs with all the "twists" and whatnot, but thankfully the animation and fights are nice and well drawn and pick up slack where you would die of boredom otherwise. Motivation of MC is underwhelming and mostly unclear. Why does he want to reunite with his friend so badly? Why the hell cant she just come down on weekends or invite him to hang out sometimes? And why does she look like she is in her mid-20 and he is somewhere around 15, but they supposed to be about the same age? No idea or explanation. If you ignore the lack of decent reasons for the characters' behavior and the presence of boring lore dumps about magic, it is a decent watch.

Seeing that it's an Omori story, I was afraid that it would become a Danmachi 2.0, fortunately this was just a fear. We're not going to exaggerate and say that Omori wrote something completely different from what he did with Danmachi. There are concepts and ideas that were recycled for this story, this doesn't mean that it's a bad thing. On the contrary, I would say that this recycling allowed him to work a little more on his characters and try to make them feel different from any other in one of his stories. The theme of the warrior in a world of magic is not something new or fresh, but it is still enjoyable. Especially when it comes to seeing Will running around the battlefield because you give the animation freedom to get creative and give you a game of cameras and explosions that keep you glued to the screen. More than the magic system, the most interesting thing is the entire school credit system that was established to give an attempt at a scale of power and to know how powerful a certain magician or creature is. The character design is more notable for those with the Magia Vander title, who would be the strongest people in this world. The main sextet, I do feel, need something more to give them a good design. On the negative side, we could put the fights above all the one at the end of the season. The development of the fights is good, they are captivating but their endings tend to be a bit anticlimactic, instead of ending with a great sequence, they end with a powerful blow and that's it. Also the slowness of the story, if you are used to Omori's stories maybe you already know what to expect, but if it is your first approach you could have noticed that this was only an introductory season. It feels like we haven't seen anything of the world and its characters because they focused so much on showing us Will, his potential and the secondary characters along with the beginning of their personal conflicts. So many concepts are mentioned to familiarize us with the world and its system but they are not explored further, because they are things that will be used later. It's a story that I would recommend, especially if you're looking for something to binge-watch or watch while you relax. A story that doesn't demand much from you and that's why it's so enjoyable. P.S. I will always be a true believer in Rosty x Will, and I will live in denial even if they reveal the truth about the character to me.

Wistoria: Wand and Sword is an engrossing magical adventure story that takes place in a world where warriors and wizards coexist and compete for supremacy. The show centers on Will Serph, a regular boy without magical abilities living in a world where strong magic users rule. Despite lacking natural magical ability, he is determined to ascend to the top of the magical realm using a sword—an unusual weapon in a world where wands are the norm. The animation is really bright and insanely beautiful, with the action scenes standing out as fluid and intense. The magical spells, and character designs are visually appealing. With an engaging narrative, the pacing strikes a balance between action and storytelling, enabling viewers to fully enjoy Will's journey. The character development in Wistoria: Wand and Sword is one of my favorite aspects in the series. The plot is made more complex by Will's interactions with other characters, each of whom has special skills and motivations. Will's perseverance and personal development are at the heart of the narrative. The anime also addresses themes such as tenacity and the conflict between innovation and tradition; Will's use of a sword serves as a symbol of his defiance of social norms. Even though Wistoria follows a formula that is common to many shounen anime, it offers enough unique elements to keep viewers interested—especially those who love underdog tales. Though the show occasionally falls back on genre clichés, the world-building could use more development as some aspects of the magical system are still unclear. All things considered, Wistoria: Wand and Sword is such a thrilling journey brimming with magic, action, and heart. If you love Mashle and Black Clover, then this is the next series you should watch next!!

I understand why people are calling this series basic and have no interesting story. But even so I found myself thoroughly enjoying every episode of this series. It also does a good a good job at making you like the main cast albeit the clicheness of the character. Particularly speaking, I like the Shion which remind me so much of the Bakugo from MHA and I can his potential as a character. For now, the MC is still basic at most and I do hope we get to see more of his character growth in the future This first 12 episode feel like only the beginning, and I cant wait to see what the series has in store going forward.

I haven't seen Black Clover, nor do I plan to anytime soon because 170 episodes is a bit much, but I really loved Wistoria's premise. I was hooked from the first episode, and Will immediately became the centrepiece of the show for me. After Ep. 2, I spent the rest of the season invested in his journey and everything he stands for. Watching him overcome such overwhelming adversity while remaining so pure of heart and unwavering in his determination to reunite with Elfaria may be cliché, but it still made his story surprisingly emotional. His journey is driven by the promise he made to the person he loves most, which gives his seemingly impossible goal so much heart. The discrimination against Will can get frustrating, especially when characters like Sion, Julius, and Edward are so obnoxiously stuck-up that it sometimes feels forced. Thankfully, Will has an amazing support circle in Colette, Workner, Rosti, and of course Kiki, who keep the story from becoming too bitter. The magical academy also drew me in, and I'm convinced there's much more to the world and its lore than we've seen so far. I only wish we got more of Will and Elfaria's past, because without that context, it can sometimes feel like he's chasing after a ghost. The production more than makes up for it, though, with spectacular action and incredibly polished visuals. I'm already committed to seeing this story through to the end.

Wistoria certainly won't be liked by everyone, but it's not likely you'll hate it either. Most likely, this anime will give you quite mixed feelings. I'll start by saying that from the very first episode, this anime feels like it was made pretty much for kids, but at the same time, it tries to be deeper than just a kids show. It introduces you to a very magical and wonderful world with edgy character designs, common archetypes, with the good guy main character, good girl side character and bad guy side character presented to you right away. This made me think that this does not worth a watch initially, but later episodes have proved that not everything is that simple. I also haven't watched any of the entries other reviewers talk about, so no Black Clover or Danmachi. I will review it keeping the show itself in mind, not comparing it to any other so-called "shounen", because this show seems pretty self-sufficient for me. It can be argued that the whole premise of the show is bad - it's shown that the MC is a cuck right away, and that his main love interest just kinda had everything in her life easy, and though she still remembers the main character, she's not eager to even, like, meet with him occasionally, but somehow the viewers are supposed to believe that she actually loves him. MC being her love interest is said in the first episode directly, but the problem is, that while MC tries to prove himself to, like, reunite with her, she instead does nothing and just slacks off. The main character himself is a student in a magical academy, but he is not a mage himself, and there's no sane explanation why would he study in this academy (MC can't literally close his school locker because he's not a mage). He's just, like, capable, and is good with a sword, and they keep him around because of this. And, of course, main character has a cutie-pie supporting girl on his side, and there's a douchebag that bullies the MC, and of course MC is not mad at the prick because he's a "good guy". Not to mention the femboy roommate of the main character. Some may consider such plot and setting too simple compared to something like Mushoku Tensei, but by the 4th episode I personally was into it. Rich world and plot was not the goal of this anime - instead, it tries to immerse you in the feelings of the characters or, saying simpler, just trying to play with your emotions. Characters are straightforward, their actions are straightforward, the plot is quite predictable, but shit, it still evokes your emotions and keeps you entertained. One of the main reasons it works is because the art is especially unique. It's not something like Chainsaw Man, but it's clear that a lot of effort went into the directing the scene - the anime features a lot of panoramic views, full-body shots, shots with immersive lighting, all of which are pretty captivating. This, in particular, pulls you in - the battles are very stylish, even the simplest shots feature some kind of interesting lighting, and they further affect how you interpret the scene. While watching this anime, I've come to an opinion that it's definitely not bad. It could be good if the plot was better, if the characters were not that plainly and stupidly written, but it is what it is. Despite having a questionable narrative, it managed to hook me up after some time, and I genuinely started to care about the characters and what happens next. And at the same time, I perfectly acknowledged that the thing that will happen next... will probably won't make much sense, at least for such a tempted viewer as me. So in conclusion, while the plot may seem stupid and childish at first, this anime does not strive to be narrative-heavy. If this is unacceptable for you, you will not like Wistoria, but if you can just shake it off, then you'll be presented with quite an entertaining and beautiful show. It managed to make me care about the main character enough to like the show, but it might not work for you, and even for me, it took a couple of episodes. Some episodes I'd rate 8/10, some I'd rate 2/10. Some moments are good, other are questionable. Overall, it's 5/10 with quite mixed feelings. Would've been 6/10 if MC went with Colette.

I think I misjudged Wistoria (SEASON 1). Its narrative approach is quite unusual compared to what we normally see. The MC is already a largely complete character living in a deeply flawed world. His struggles are mostly internal and stem from a society that simply doesn’t allow him to fit in. The story is built around the gradual, organic, and sometimes violent evolution of that environment to reach his level, despite his status as an outcast. What I find exceptional is that, while constantly delivering payoffs, the series carefully builds a final conflict through steadily accumulated tension. The world initially seems fairly well defined, but the last episodes hint at an almost addictive depth through the lore, expanding on previously established elements that were left intentionally vague. The action is on point, the animation is solid, and beyond its somewhat unconventional narrative structure, it doesn’t take major risks or make particularly bold bets. It delivers, entertains, and keeps you invested. 7.5/10

TL:DR: This will probably be an epic anime to binge once it's completed, but until then, we'll probably be drip-fed 12 episodes a year trying to get to the "meat and potatoes" of the story. I'll get straight to the point. I binged both seasons of this show in 3-4 days, and mostly enjoyed doing so. My main issue with the show is the fact that it hints at things that promise to be interesting, only to leave them for later seasons. I wouldn't really call it a pacing problem, as each episode leaves you wanting to see more, but after 12 episodes, it just feels like we never really got into the "meat and potatoes of the story. Season 1 definitely leaves you wanting to watch season 2 to get to the "good stuff," but after watchhing season 2 it's the same feeling, and season 3 will probably take another year to provide more of the same. If this were a completed series, this wouldn't be much of an issue, but there were more than a few things hinted at or introduced in season 1 that we don't know much or anything more about after season 2. Overall, the show looks good, with good animation and some pretty peak combat scenes. I just wish there was "more meat on the bones" as far as the underlying story the author(s) are trying to tell. With that said, I never got bored watching and will be waiting for the next season to air. If you could somehow hold off for a few years until the story is completely animated and released, I'm sure you'll be in for a treat.

Wistoria provides nothing new to this genre where MC is considered worthless. In the magic dominated world, he strives to stand at the top with no magic power and just pure strength to show. Plenty of other anime have the same content but the execution is what separates them and makes it memorable. The MC, Will, is considered worthless and ridiculed throughout the series because he cannot use magic. However, he has exceptional strength which he cultivated with years of dungeon training and honing his battle skills. He is motivated to join the top most skilled mages in the world, called Magia Vanders, through pure strength and determination (and love). Throughout the series, nothing stuck me as memorable. Rather, I was restless to complete the season as soon as possible. The animation however, was smooth and fluid throughout. The action scenes were great but nothing innovative. The same concept was executed perfectly by Mashle, which I enjoyed thoroughly. Although it is rated 7.8, I couldn't enjoy the premise. Maybe, S2 has something else to offer but S1 was disappointing for me.

Decided to watch it after reading the synopsis. I would suggest it to people who liked animes like black clover or mashle. I have watched a good amount of magic type of animes and i thought i would get bored but the characters really pulled me in. especially the mc, for some reason he reminded me of deku from mha. him and sion ( red hair dude) lowkey gave me deku and bakugo vibes. apart from that, I liked all the characters personalities. and the pacing was pretty good. If your a new anime watcher and love flashy fight scenes, would totally reccomend.

The story is definitely incomplete, so do not go into this show expecting a conclusion. There are many mysteries and open plot threads introduced even in the final episode, so for now I cannot explicitly recommend watching this show. If you are fine with this, then you will probably find that this show is a fairly competent struggle power fantasy story about a misfit exceeding expectations through hard work and grit. Lots of flashy fight scenes and the show is entertaining to say the least. It's essentially like a version of Mashle where everyone is a model, but without the hiding. There is a fair amount of substance, although much of it is delivered through flashbacks. I really struggle to enjoy shows that only provide context at critical moments, since it often feels like there is no real weight to the revelation if behavior is portrayed in a completely different light without reason for us to understand why the show was hiding it. In the context of this story, this is best exemplified with the rivalry between the MC and the fire mage, which is completely ruined by the added context even though it could have been compelling. Had even a sliver of the extra context been hinted at in the initial viewings of these scenes, or seeing it all from the perspective of the MC, it would have made everything much more meaningful instead of feeling like a pointless setup to get where they were going. Same with the ice mage and his power, how it could have been referenced in the initial scenes with the MC and his childhood friend instead of just being used to make them feel weak in the moment, it could have been great foreshadowing. Like a single scene where the MC is getting ganged up on or something would have done WONDERS for the show. It repeatedly falls into this trap where there were obvious opportunities to grant the viewer some satisfaction in that, but the show instead relies solely on this "as late as possible" reveal mechanic that ultimately sullies the reveals in most cases. The characters that were handled the best were definitely the normal magic professor, the elf wind mage, the rock and lightning mages, and the roommate. Ultimately a lot of characters end up enamored or in love with the MC due to his hard work ethic and ability to keep up with others despite his lack of talent for magic. There's something to be said for how other characters may end up being more impressive in the future in terms of their writing, but at least while this show has only one season, these are the only standouts. The animation is wonderful most of the time, although it definitely falls into a sort of "more is better" trap sometimes where things feel over-designed for no reason (the golems and magic items for example). It's all simply to present the world as sophisticated, but in an almost tacky way, and it doesn't feel intentional. There are also some shots that genuinely distracted me. The panning shots of the colosseum always made me focus on how the outer wall in the distance doesn't move the way it should (if you see it you can't unsee it) and many of the enemy designs again fall into that "more is better" style of design where it becomes distracting and your immersion is sucked away. Definitely one of the better shows in the genre and I can see why people like it. But as it stands, for a single season, I can't wholeheartedly recommend it. It is fun though and if you don't mind wasting time like I do then you will probably enjoy it a lot.

As a casual watcher I really enjoyed this season. Imagine if you mixed Mashle, Solo Leveling, MHA and Black clover together and you have this. The animation is incredible, its smooth throughout the whole season and looks like a mix of Solo Leveling and Takopis Original Sin. But its falts are noticeable, for example i just finished the first season and the only names i remember is Will, Collete, and Finn, also the antagonists just felt the same except one has ice, one has fire, and one has trees and illusions. If your looking for something with deep themes to inspire you or something like Frieren then look elsewhere, but if you want something to turn of your brain to and let your monkey brain run free at the dungeon fights then consider checking this out.

Wistoria starts out like your normal power fantasy. There's a childhood promise, ridiculed hero, and plenty of moments to make the hero look cool. I will say, the first 6 episodes drag on for quite a while. You're introduced to characters, the setting, and some of the world that make up the whole anime. Characters: The characters are nothing to write about, for the most part. There are moments they shine and there are some that are very enjoyable to watch. Elfaria has minimal screen time but manages to steal the show every time she's on the screen on account of her personality and the animation. The dwarves that appear a few episodes in are an enjoyable bunch and add a lot to the world that it makes watching their interactions interesting. But the main cast, not much to say. Will in particular starts out like your beta protagonist who doesn't assert himself much but still is strong. But, they do improve starting episode 7. Sound: Music is pretty good. Not the top I would say but "Calculated Prowess" is a banger every time it comes on the screen. Worldbuilding: Unfortunately, you get little in the worldbuilding. It establishes the main part of the world inside the academy with some cultural differences amongst the elves, but that is it. Animation: This is where the anime really shines and what honestly drove me to watch it. I almost dropped it after 5 episodes but the fluid animation made me what to go farther. BUT I WILL SAY THIS. A rated it a 6 out of 10 primarily for the fact it gets interesting episode 7 and on, which is half the time for a 12 episode anime. But I still recommend watching this anime, or at the very least watch it after Season 2 starts. I've read the manga and I can say that the story picks up to 100 and gets amazing and the characters and worldbuilding issues that occurred in this season are mostly fixed. As long as they give season 2 the same love they gave season 1 with the animation and story, it will be a must watch for everyone.

I never write these but this one deserves it. The production teams took their time with this show and is visually appealing from beginning to end. The story does feel rushed though but I cannot say much on the matter since I have not read the source material (manga). To elaborate on what I'm talking about. These days I feel anime studios will make their shows visually appealing for the first couple of episodes then just not put as much care into making the show. This makes the last three-quarters of the shows look like every other show airing that season. The pacing of the show seems very fast in my opinion and I would have loved to learn more about the characters the MC was interacting with. I'm also happy it's not an isekai due to the amount of volume of that genre we have now. Old-fashioned fantasy is the forgotten king of anime these days and this show will bring that back a little for you if you are a long-time watcher of anime. I was going to give this show a 7 but decided to respect the hard work put in by everyone from the studio so I gave it an 8. Y'all did an amazing job. Please don't let season two flop with the animation. I am a patient person please take your time. Don't look at my page for reviews or score reviews. I'm a weeb who loves trash anime and trash isekai.