Doremi Harukaze, 3rd grade student at Misora Elementary School, claims to be the world's unluckiest
pretty girl. Fascinated by witchcraft, she is drawn into a mysterious shop where she meets Majo Rika
and is able to deduce that this lady is in fact a real witch. Being exposed by a human triggers a
curse that transforms witches into magical frogs. To regain her original body, Rika must turn Doremi
into a witch by teaching her how to use magic. Thrilled by this odd development, Harukaze becomes a
witch apprentice. Unfortunately, her two best friends, Hazuki Fujiwara and Aiko Senoo, discover that
Doremi has become a magic user. Afraid that Harukaze might become a magical frog too, Majo Rika
recruits both Hazuki and Aiko and makes them witch apprentices too. The trio has lots of adventures as
they try to triumph the necessary trials to become real witches.
(Source: Anime News Network)
~~~Well, I’m in it now. Makin’ a review on this site, best make it good enough to read.~~~ img(https://i.imgur.com/puVGpQ5.jpg) ~~~_Ojamajo Doremi_, or Useless Witch Doremi, or Magical DoReMi (who thought that was a fitting name while dubbing?) is a magical girl anime produced by Toei of ‘that big anime studio’ fame in 1999 planned only for one season.~~~ ~~~Ojamajo Doremi tells the story of Harukaze Doremi and her greatest wish to be a witch, heh, as if magic were real… Oh wait shit, she outed a suspicious woman named Makihatayama Rika selling “magic goods” as a witch, turning her into a Witch Frog and becoming a witch apprentice as a result. The shy rich girl Fujiwara Hazuki and the athletic Naniwa-ku transfer student Senoo Aiko also join the team after finding these things out as well.~~~ ~~~What unfolds is an episodic series focusing on solving people’s problems that they accidentally happened to create or come across along with furthering their own abilities through exams and even helping out (for free) at the Maho-dou so Majo Rika doesn’t have to be an alcoholic anymore. It’s not exactly a modern ‘monster-of-the-week’-type magical girl anime and it actually leans more into older magical girl anime story-telling surprisingly, which I think helps it stand out a fair bit more.~~~ ~~~The main characters get developed really well through these almost repetitive arcs due to strong writing and strong performances, and even the entirety of class 3-2 gets developed which very much gives me _Great Teacher Onizuka_ vibes (Which is another anime I’d recommend, but it’s completely tonally different.)~~~ ~~~There are also some overarching subplots introduced however they, along with the main ‘plot’, really do not take center stage as, at its core, Ojamajo Doremi is about all kinds of kids growing up and figuring out how to deal with their problems as well as adults.~~~ ~~~Somehow this show got super popular, which makes a lot of sense given just how much effort and care was put into this show to make audiences continue watching and as things tend to happen….Sequels. But I'll get there when I get there.~~~ ~~~Personally, over the course of these 51 episodes I happened to fall in love with this anime, from seeing a joke piece of art months ago, to finding out the artist and name of the anime and now to finally finishing it I can safely say that this is a good anime that deserves its popularity, you seen those painted backgrounds yet? It’s also kinda hard to spoil this anime as there’s a lot of detail within each episode that stays for later use but still somehow feels self-contained? And the only big changes don’t actually impact much aside from gradual differences but it still stays pretty much the same throughout.~~~ img(https://i.imgur.com/VaBD5ut.jpg) I am afraid of how long it’ll take for Doremi to take over my life once I get to that new film. ------------------------------------------------ ___Happy! Lucky! Minna no totoke!___
Ojamajo Doremi is a difficult series to recommend because I'm sure many people are going to write it off immediately for a myriad of reasons. It's a show aimed at little girls, its over 200 episodes long, and it's just a slice of life with a very thin over-arching plot. However, even as a 23 year old male this series was able to grab me right off the bat and never really let go, so I'd like to throw together a quick little review describing why I think this underrated gem is worth your time, no matter your age, gender, or personal preference in anime. The true strength of Ojamajo Doremi can be found in the three main pillars that support the entire series: the characters, the animation, and the moments of greatness. The characters in this series truly surprised me. Seldom do I find a series where every single member of the main cast is outstanding, but Doremi's main five girls each endeared me for different reasons. None of the five girls are very similar in any way, each of them have clearly defined motivations and all of the characters play off one another in different ways, which adds a lot of depth in moments when the characters are struggling with something or fighting with one another. Despite this being a "show for kids", Doremi's characters have a lot of depth to them and experience a wide range of problems that feel more mature than an average kids show, such as topics including social isolation, divorce, suicide, death, racism, etc. These problems are usually written in ways that don't treat the audience like a bunch of immature idiots like a lot of American children's TV series do, but instead tackles a lot of issues head on in a very upfront manner, which is a really cool thing to see. It's like the writers actually cared a lot about the kids watching their show and really wanted to create relatable situations for absolutely everybody. If you're a kid struggling with divorced parents, Aiko presents herself as a perfect role model for a lot of tough situations that a divorced kid might be in, same thing with Onpu and never being able to see her father, Momoko with being a foreigner etc. Furthermore, these characters experience a lot of great overarching character arcs, which I won't spoil but can be best described as "growing up and maturing is magic within itself". Another incredible aspect of Doremi is it's background characters. Never once have I seen a series that takes place in school get the viewer familiar with every single member of the class besides Doremi, and because of this by the end of the series I felt a lot more connected with every member of the school, having seen their hardships and how they dealt with them. There are obviously some let downs in the cast that I'll get to later, but all in all I'd say the characters are the true driving force behind this series's magic. The animation in Doremi is absolutely superb. Not only are the character designs unique, popping with color, and full of emotion, but Doremi makes it a point to be constantly moving as much as humanly possible. I've described this show before as "the most ADHD thing I've ever seen" because it is always trying to maximize the emotion of every single frame. If a scene is supposed to be wacky and crazy, you're gonna bet that the music is going to ramp up and the absurd facial expressions are gonna come up, but if a scene is going to be sad then everything will come back down to earth in a really satisfying way. This seems to be a trademark directing trick of Junichi Satou at this point with series like Aria utilizing it to great effect, but it is especially prevalent here. Umakoshi's designs are once again on point, and overall the animation in this show is fantastic, even if it may seem a bit dated to the modern anime viewer. I touched on before how this series can dive into topics not normally tackled in kids shows, and these topics usually are prevalent in some of my favorite episodes, however the best episodes of the franchise include specific moments of greatness that make Doremi even more enjoyable. If you haven't seen the series already, about 90% of the episodes are just fun episodes that usually revolve around a classmate or something going on in the witch world, however Doremi has the ability to come through on incredible moments of emotion and feeling in some episodes. Not every episode in Doremi is a winner, and there were even stretches of episodes where I felt the series was turning dull, however on the flip side there were also many moments that were done just absolutely perfectly, and in the long run I feel that those are going to be the moments that I will remember the longest. With all that being said, Doremi certainly isn't perfect. Characters like Oyajide and Pao-chan are just straight up obnoxious and it would be way better if they weren't there (and Hana too when she's a child), every season is constructed exactly the same which can feel repetitive and uninspired (besides Na-i-sho), and there are some stretches of episodes that feel boring or uninteresting as stated before. Not all seasons of Doremi are equal in my eyes, with my favorites being Na-i-sho and Mo~tto, however I gave every season of Doremi a score between an 8 and a 9, so overall I enjoyed this series a lot. If you are interested in a fast-paced and hyper slice of life with fun magical powers in an elementary school setting that tackles a wide range of emotions, well Ojamajo Doremi is perfect for you. But for everyone else, give it a shot anyways. From moments of gut busting laughter to genuine tears, I feel that Ojamajo Doremi does a whole lot of things well, and it gets a strong recommendation from me. img500(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/ojamajowitchling/images/9/90/04.51.02.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20160223011516)
_This review covers Ojamajo Doremi as a whole, but spoilers will be light_ In 2012, I watched Clannad for the first time. I was just 10 years old at the time and wasn't entirely sure what exactly I was watching. However, I knew I cried, and I loved it. I've rewatched it multiple times since and have grown to love the show more and more. It taught me life lessons that I still carry with me to this day and has shaped my overall perspective on media. The reason I bring up Clannad is because it became the standard by which I measured other shows, something unbeatable that other media had to aspire to be. For over 10 years, I believed that nothing could ever surpass it. But I was mistaken, completely mistaken. Not only does Ojamajo Doremi rival Clannad in terms of show quality, but it has also transformed my perspective on media in general. However, I'm not here to share my life story; I'm here to discuss Doremi, my all-time favorite anime, as a piece of work. ~~~__Overview__:~~~ Ojamajo Doremi is essentially a magical girl show that predates the Precure franchise. Doremi, Hazuki, and Aiko become witch apprentices with the task of returning Majo Rika to her original form. To achieve this, they must undertake witch exams and gradually improve their magical abilities. That's the essence of the first season without delving into any spoilers. Speaking from a personal perspective, when I initially started watching the show, I consistently had a good time, but I was often left wondering about its purpose. It felt like mindless entertainment lacking depth, which bothered me enough to put it on hold after around 15 episodes. Ojamajo Doremi is, frankly, a slow burn at the beginning. Unless you're truly into the weekly magical girl boss genre, the first season of Doremi doesn't seem particularly exceptional as a standalone. However, what Doremi manages to do effectively is immerse you in its world. It explains how the magic system works, clearly showcases the characters' personalities, and establishes the tone for the type of show Ojamajo Doremi is. Instead of forcing you to care, it provides reasons for you to become invested, which I believe is a well-crafted approach to setting up the narrative. While the majority of the first season offers mostly mindless entertainment, there are a few episodes that contribute to the show's dynamics, infusing new life into it. These episodes give you a taste of what Doremi will eventually evolve into. ~~~__What makes Ojamajo Doremi special?:__~~~ Ojamajo Doremi, starting from its second season, goes through a big shift in how it's presented. It's like a rollercoaster, with some really great moments and a few not-so-great ones. The show mixes comedy and drama, just like those labels suggest. This is where both these things really stand out. By now, you're totally familiar with what's going on, the world, and the characters. This lets the funny parts stretch out and grab you more, especially since you've probably started liking the show. At the same time, the drama gets a big boost. Ojamajo Doremi deals with real-life stuff, not the flashy kind but things most people face. It covers everything from taking care of kids, to issues about fitting in and features a lot of family themes. Ojamajo Doremi has this interesting way of showing how the characters change over time. This is especially cool for younger viewers who can relate to how the characters grow, kind of like they're growing up alongside the cast. The show is planned out really carefully. It goes on for four seasons spread across four years. That means the characters start when they're in 3rd grade and finish when they're leaving elementary school. This setup makes their growth seem real, not like they suddenly change from one thing to another. It's like watching your little sibling or cousin growing up – it's slow and sometimes you don't even notice, but it happens. This makes the characters feel super real and the character development really hits home. Even though they change a lot, their core stays the same. The show doesn't push you to feel certain ways. It lets you get deep into how characters change, making them the most important part of your feelings. You connect with them, instead of being told when to feel sad or happy. Of course, not everything I mentioned is true all the time. Sometimes there's drama that makes you scratch your head or episodes that aren't so interesting but it's to expected when a show has over 200 episodes. Moreover, another facet that significantly resonates with me is the show's adept handling of everyday moments. These seemingly ordinary instances, such as shopping for clothes, watching a friend's play, or observing a companion play the piano, possess a distinct charm in real life. However, in a show's context, they sometimes risk appearing mundane. This is not the case with Ojamajo Doremi. The characters' considerable growth lends a layer of excitement even to mundane activities. Did they go shopping for clothes? Doremi finds a way to make it intriguing. Did they go on a school trip? Doremi manages to make the experience memorable. Were they participating in a test of courage? You've got it; it becomes entertaining. The cool thing is, the show lets me enjoy every bit by saying that what makes it awesome is these normal everyday things. The characters growing and the story fitting together just make the show better, not just the show itself. They didn't cram anything in unnaturally; the creators making it just did it because they really loved it. The love behind the show oozes out and it's evident that the creators care about each character, making them feel real and not simply there for the story. __~~~Conclusion:~~~__ Ojamajo Doremi does not immediately reach its highs, yet subsequent seasons bring dramatic highs and a touch of lows. Balancing comedy and drama, it excels in both realms, immersing you in its world. As characters evolve, so does the emotional resonance, grounding in relatable, real-world dilemmas. What truly sets it apart is its gradual character growth, mirroring real-life maturation. Ordinary moments hold extraordinary charm, creating engaging episodes. The show’s core lies in its creators’ love, fostering a tangible connection with every character. Everything simply converges to the single best conclusion I have ever witnessed in media. It might sound incredibly pretentious, and it is so, but for special review-effect I'll claim that Ojamajo Doremi isn't just a show; it's a transformative experience. It transcends boundaries, encapsulating growth and emotion. The journey echoes beyond screens, cementing its place as my favourite anime of all time. As a bonus, it's completely changed my taste in anime and what I like now. I prefer more down-to-earth stories, and I don't require emotional peaks anymore. Instead, I can simply enjoy the mundane episodes of shows for what they are. Thank you, Ojamajo Doremi! If you decide to watch the show and want someone to talk to about it, feel free to hit me up! I'm always interested in knowing what people think of the show, whether it's positive or negative. I hope that whoever decides to pick up this gem has a great time and experiences at least a fraction of what I did from the show! There's so much more about this show I love that I didn't mention but I actually want people to read this!
# ~~~ **✧ This review will cover the franchise as a whole, with light spoilers also, so don’t read if
you’re going in blind!!! ✧**~~~
~~~img500(https://media.tenor.com/Hr0poms0UY4AAAAd/ojamajo-doremi-dokkaan-witch-apprentice.gif)~~~
Witch-obsessed Doremi Harukaze walks into a creepy looking store...
The anime series Ojamajo Doremi depicts the growing up of Doremi and her close friends Hazuki, Aiko,
Onpu, and Momo. We learn about their everyday obstacles, which are genuinely realistic to the
challenges that real individuals could face and how they confront it. We learn about Hazuki learning
how to open up, Aiko’s struggles due to her parents divorce, Onpu learning how to be a great idol,
Momo getting over her grief and Doremi uncertainty for the future. Along with learning about the
stories of the five main girls, Doremi's classmates and the witches are also explored.
The worldbuilding and magic system is fantastically detailed. There’s a clear set of rules,
limitations and such which is not disobeyed much. If you get discovered by a human, you turn into a
witch frog, can't heal magic otherwise you inflict the pain on yourself, can't control minds without
consequences, etc. You need certain levels to use some magic which the series is quite strict on. You
learn so much about the witch world throughout the 200 episodes.
The format for every season of Doremi is identical; the girls have to take an assortment of exams in
order to prove that they are capable witches (or that they have the ability to take care of a baby).
Even though the tests might be repetitive at times, watching girls demonstrate their abilities is a
very satisfying experience. The topics covered are mature, and aren't dumbed down for the target
audience (which is children) so even adults not interested at all in kodomo anime can enjoy it.
What makes Doremi a truly beautiful series is the characters. During the span over the four years
which the series covers, they develop a ton and are full of depth. It really feels like you are
watching real girls grow up.
Doremi is such an nuanced and interesting character, despite the fact that she initially appears to be
a stereotypical magical girl protagonist who is clumsy, not exceptionally smart, and obsessed with
steak. No other character could possibly compare to Doremi's compassion because she is such a kind
girl. She is determined to support everybody around her. Even if she is powerless to do something at
times, she will find a way to help.It's nice that most problems are able to be solved without the use
of magic since it makes supporting the characters infinitely more genuine.
Doremi's benevolence truly shines through in Sharp. Doremi turns out to be an amazing parent to
Hana-chan. Of all the girls, she cares about Hana-chan more than anything else. Doremi's character in
Dokkaan expands so much more. Her worry about being left behind is totally relatable. The
representations of her feelings in these episodes are outstanding. Everyone will encounter uncertainty
at some point in their life, just like she did. Dokkaan somehow manages to make her character much
more endearing.
~~~img220(https://media.tenor.com/pLgnJn41K9kAAAAd/ojamajo-doremi-sharp-royal-patraine.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/_j0t4hXZVHYAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-magical.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/PBE09rgJNpcAAAAd/ojamajo-doremi-sharp-harukaze-doremi.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/5bA429XNVPUAAAAC/anime-ojamajo.gif)
~~~
Hazuki is the second character to be introduced to the audience. Hazuki comes from a wealthy, caring
family. Perhaps even a little too loving at times. Hazuki is a sweet girl who really cares about her
friends. Often, she puts their happiness above her own. Hazuki struggles to express her true emotions
due to frequently feeling obligated to live up to her parents' high expectations. She takes offence
whenever the other characters criticise her, which results in a few disagreements.
~~~img220(https://media.tenor.com/ihklgkZCucwAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-clapping.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/S54lr9_JuFwAAAAd/ojamajo-doremi-sharp-worried.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/HZ7cgQQRq7IAAAAd/ojamajo-doremi-fujiwara-hazuki.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/yeG7BJx1zn8AAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-fujiwara-hazuki.gif)~~~
Aiko appears to be your stereotypical "tomboy" character, however she has a feminine side that she
embraces happily. She is a transfer student from Osaka who makes her debut early in the first season.
It is revealed that Aiko's parents divorced, and although it initially seems impossible, Aiko's main
ambition is to get them back together. She is loyal and determined to all of her friends. Due to her
harsh nature, Aiko is frequently taken for being rude. She appears very mature but keeps all of her
worries and weaknesses hidden. When someone sees through her facade, she becomes flustered.
~~~img220(https://media.tenor.com/0nMSBfXNHBkAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-clapping.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/rF2LfdCurd8AAAAC/wink-ojamajo-doremi.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/8yQvTWe63roAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-senoo-aiko.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/wdBfExtdE8wAAAAC/magical-ojamajo-doremi.gif)~~~
Onpu is the final character to be introduced in the first season. Due to her selfishness, she is
initially an antagonist who controls the feelings of others. She often becomes the focus of her male
classmates' attention since she is a beloved child idol and highly renowned child actress. She learns
to appreciate those around her and joins the squad with the help of Doremi, Aiko, and Hazuki. She is
extremely busy and is often absent from episodes whilst she is at work, yet she makes up for her
absence by helping whenever she can. Her parents place a lot of pressure on her to succeed so that
they can selfishly achieve their own aspirations. Onpu learns what is important to her and she needs
to be a remarkable idol as the story goes on.
~~~img220(https://media.tenor.com/PvAvpZhWdkcAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-sharp-ojamajo-doremi.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/-NnASCBaPwgAAAAC/onpu-loulou.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/zpKeDlw3b8IAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-naisho-segawa-onpu.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/flH4IEYw5sMAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-dokkaan-walking.gif)
~~~
Despite Momoko's late introduction during the third season, she has equally as much complexity as the
other characters. She was born in Japan but moved to New York when she was very young because of her
parents' career. Because of the language barrier, she found it difficult to make friends with people
when she first moved to New York. Fortunately, a kind witch taught her the language and helped her
befriend the neighbourhood kids. Tragically, the witch died after spending so many years with Momoko.
It was tough for Momoko to keep quiet about the death of someone who had taken on the role of a mother
to her. When Momoko moved back to Japan, she had forgotten all the Japanese she learnt when she was a
child and was yet again isolated. Thanks to Doremi and her friends though, she managed to make plenty
of friends in the class, and improved her Japanese. Momoko progressively becomes more energetic as she
gets more comfortable with her new friends. She is a very goofy character, often resulting in very
comedic scenes. Like Aiko, due to cultural differences Momoko can often say what she thinks directly
which upsets other characters.
~~~img220(https://media.tenor.com/Z8nmxBXZzrAAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-motto-ojamajo-doremi.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/lg7py4ycVzEAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-asuka-momoko.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/g7FziUbaiaAAAAAd/motto-ojamajo-doremi-asuka-momoko.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/IATyDIATAT4AAAAC/motto-ojamajo-doremi-ojamajo-doremi.gif)
~~~
Lastly, there is Hana-chan. Hana is a baby during Sharp and Motto, however she magically grows up
during Dokkaan so she can go to school with her mamas. Naturally, being a baby in a sixth graders body
she can be quite clueless, nevertheless her role provides more than just as comic relief. Due to
Hana’s upbringing, she is a lot like Doremi; compassionate, empathetic and a great leader. She adores
her mamas greatly and would do anything for them. Who would’ve thought a baby could be so interesting?
~~~img220(https://media.tenor.com/wJDCzaQ5ncgAAAAC/motto-ojamajo-doremi-hana.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/Tqy64ilysk0AAAAd/ojamajo-doremi-dokkaan-makihatayama-hana.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/FSTKa85HUogAAAAd/ojamajo-doremi-dokkaan-dancing.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/zLRm2aUpKv4AAAAd/motto-ojamajo-doremi-hana.gif)~~~
There just isn't enough time in the world to discuss each and every side character separately, despite
the fact that they are all equally great as the main protagonists. You will definitely resonate with
one of their stories in some way. Something which stands out about Ojamajo Doremi is the fact that the
witches are not all stereotypical grumpy old hags, a lot of the witches are actually very kind.
The music in Ojamajo Doremi is pretty standard for shows of its time, all the music fits in the right
places, nothing in the OST especially stands out too much. Some of the opening songs are bangers, and
super catchy. Throughout my watch through of Ojamajo Doremi I was constantly humming the tunes. All
the girls know how to play one instrument, Doremi has the piano, Hazuki has the violin, Aiko has the
harmonica, Onpu has the flute, and Momo has the guitar. This makes the song which plays at the end of
the series “Friends” especially impactful. It’s genuinely one of my favourite moments in the whole
series since it’s so bittersweet.
The animation in Ojamajo Doremi is simple, but it does its job perfectly! The expressions are
exaggerated which adds to the comedy, and the colours are very colourful which adds to the magic of
Ojamajo Doremi. The character designs are all super unique and the witch apprentice outfits are
especially cute! One of the things I like about Ojamajo Doremi is that the characters all look like
real people. They have different facial features, different body types etc. None of the characters
look similar (except of course, the twins).
~~~img220(https://media.tenor.com/E70XXKxevPkAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-harukaze-doremi.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/nird2aFvHo0AAAAd/ojamajo-doremi-dokkaan-hana.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/odbDSwnqYDoAAAAC/motto-ojamajo-doremi-tears.gif)
img220(https://media.tenor.com/kzCUAhinkxMAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-sharp-majo-rika.gif)~~~
As you can tell from this excessively long review, I love this franchise. I really do! I don’t think
another anime I’ll watch will ever compare to the love I have for Ojamajo Doremi. Shit, this is
probably one of my favourite things from any medium. I went into Ojamajo Doremi expecting it to be
good, but not *this* good. If you are on the line about watching this, just watch episode 40 of
Dokkaan. That episode deserves a review on its own. I would recommend Doremi to everyone who is
reading this. Watching this series is the best decision I have ever made, so please try it.
~~~img500(https://media.tenor.com/_NTxz4Bp21kAAAAC/ojamajo-doremi-dokkaan-ojamajo-doremi.gif)~~~
#####~~~(hope my review was at least tangible