Witch Hat Atelier Used as Many as ‘20,000 Drawings’ in Episode 5, Revealing Anime Staff’s Stark Effort

Witch Hat Atelier star Rena Motomura (Coco) revealed that the anime’s fifth episode took as many as 20,000 key animation drawings to produce. She shared this in her appearance on SHIBUYA ANIME BASE Episode 88, which aired on June 12.

Motomura said that while anime episodes typically feature 3–5,000 key animation drawings, the fifth episode had as many as 20,000, prompting the hosts to react in shock. Motomura added that the storyboards for the entire episode were as thick as a phone book or as tall as a brushbuddy, gesturing to one she brought with her. Kazuki Kawagoe storyboarded and directed the episode.

The anime went for an expression that expanded significantly on the manga’s version of the battle. Qifrey catching Agott to slaying the dragon lasted just two pages in the manga, whereas this was over a minute in the anime, leading to one of the season’s animation highlights:

Here’s a six-minute version currently streaming until June 30:

https://youtu.be/XNYanNwQVBc?si=SnrZRP22G5f8cPab

Witch Hat Atelier director Ayumu Watanabe previously spoke on the challenge of adapting the series, even calling it a “reckless undertaking.” You can read more of his comments here, as well as the following article, where Anime Corner’s Jay had the opportunity to interview Watanabe, Witch Hat Atelier creator Kamome Shirahama, and producer Hiroaki Kojima. Also see: Witch Hat Atelier Interview: Anjali Kunapaneni (Coco), Joshua A. Waters (Qifrey), & Madeleine Morris (Agott) on the English Dub.

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Witch Hat Atelier Previews Season Finale

Crunchyroll streams the Witch Hat Atelier anime, describing it:
In a world where only witches can cast magic, they must avoid being seen by ordinary people while casting. While Coco does her chores, she daydreams of becoming a witch. When a young witch named Qifrey visits her village, Coco uncovers the “absolute secret,” becomes Qifrey’s apprentice, and begins her studies. This is the story of children who encounter despair, yet reach out toward hope.

Source: SHIBUYA ANIME BASE #88, via Otaku Research
© Kamome Shirahama/KODANSHA/ Witch Hat Atelier Committee