An exciting fifth volume! If you are looking for a fun, sci-fi, action-packed manga series, definitely give Ryu Mizunagi’s “Witchcraft Work” a try!
Image courtesy of © 2014 Ryu Mizunagi All Rights Reserved.
MANGA TITLE: Witchcraft Works Vol. 5 (ウィッãƒã‚¯ãƒ©ãƒ•ãƒˆãƒ¯ãƒ¼ã‚¯ã‚¹)
STORY AND ART BY: Ryu Mizunagi
FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Kodansha, Ltd.
PUBLISHED IN USA BY: Vertical Inc.
RATED: N/A
RELEASE DATE: June 30, 2015
Very little is publicly known about Ryu Mizunagi but the author’s birthday is March 23rd. Originally from Aichi, Mizunagi won the Kodansha Four Seasons Manga Award in 2004 with the pilot for Witchcraft Works. Mizunagi was able to continue the project through Kodansha Japan in 2006.
Weekend has returned and not only has she kidnapped Kagane (Kagari’s mother and the head of the Academy), but she has detonated a bomb around the city.   Will the humans be harmed? And why did the kidnapping and bombing of the city happen?
Find out in Ryu Mizunagi’s vol. 5 of “Witchcraft Works”!
What is “Witchcraft Works”?
In 2010, Ryu Mizunagi’s “Witchcraft Works” was serialized in Kodansha’s “Good! Afternoon” publication. Meanwhile, a 12-episode anime series from J.C. Staff aired on Japanese television in 2014 and was streamed on Crunchyroll.
With a total of eight manga volumes printed in Japan, Vertical has picked up the series and is releasing it in North America.
“Witchcraft Works” revolves around a normal student named Honoka Takamiya. He sits next to Ayaka Kagari, the most popular girl on campus and despite sitting next to her, he has never talked or interacted with her.
And when he does, he is often beaten up by her fanclub.
But one day, Takamiya is attacked by a Tower witch and he is saved by Ayaka Kagari, a Workshop Witch, who reveals to him that she is a witch and her job is to protect him. And it is revealed that the Tower witches are after him for some apparent reason.
But because of the danger he is in, Kagari now spends a lot of time with him, drawing the ire from his fellow classmates and her fan club.
In volume 2, Takamiya becomes an apprentice and tries to learn the basics of witchcraft. But one day, he is attacked by Chronoire Schwarz VI, the Tower Witch for some apparent reason.
Meanwhile, as more Tower Witches try to target both Takamiya and Kagari, Takamiya learns important secrets about his sister and also a family secret that will change his relationship with Kagari.
In volume 3, it’s supposed to be a normal day at school for Takamiya and Kagari but suddenly a building is destroyed and Medusa. What does she want with Takamiya?
But that is not the only person looking for him, so is the faculty adviser, Mr. Mikage, who explains the importance of Kagari.
Seeing how Takamiya will always be a target, there is one way to prevent it happening at school and Kagari has a plan to make that happen!
In volume 5, all hell has broken out as witches take on other witches, while the head of the Academy, Kagane (Kagari’s mother) has been kidnapped and is now powerless due to overusing her power. But as Weekend tries her best to search for Takamiya, can Kagari protect him?
“Witchcraft Works” is a fascinating, humorous and fun manga series from Ryu Mizunagi.
The manga showcases Takamiya, a normal guy who is often protected by a witch named Ayaka and of course, she happens to be gorgeous, well-endowed and very powerful.
And while Takamiya is often the target of Tower Witches for some apparent reason, there are major revelations in regards to Takamiya’s sister and also his mother that will definitely change things for the series and will probably bring Takamiya and Ayaka much more closer together, to the chagrin of many of their classmates.
But now, all things have come to a head as Takamiya and Ayaka are once again in trouble as Weekend has kidnapped Kagane and has detonated bombs around the city and chaos has taken over. But can the witches continue to protect humankind knowing that other witches are trying to undermine the system and are targeting Takamiya?
The artwork by Mizunagi is very good with many characters and good use of closeups and action sequences. But also, I like how he is able to bring out emotion and action through each panel.
Overall, vol. 5 of “Witchcraft Works” is another exciting volume as the Academy and its witches have been attacked and their head of their Academy has been kidnapped. Definitely a wonderful buildup for vol. 6!
If you are looking for a fun, sci-fi, action-packed manga series, definitely give Ryu Mizunagi’s “Witchcraft Work” a try!