Burn The Witch Review
You either got it or you don't...
Tite Kubo is a mangaka best known for creating Bleach. One of the “big 3” of Shonen Jump, it is a manga that is now famous world wide as well as a recently revived anime. It’s one of my favorites.
Yes , in anime fashion its people with big swords screaming as they hit each other, but under it Kubo brings a lot of subtlety and depth to his work. The poetry, the illustrations, the deeper meaning of the names of the big swords and why our characters swing it.
Kubo also just has DRIP
Pictured Above: King Shit
And Bleach has the same amount…
I mean….
LOOK AT THIS.
So when he decided to make a fun little one shot manga a few years back, I just had to pick it up when I finally saw it at the most recent anime convention I visited.
And man I tell you, Kubo was just born with it.
Burn The Witch is a spin off of Bleach, taking place in the same universe but where Bleach takes place in Japan, this particular story is in London and it’s parallel dimension Reverse London.
It follows humans known as “Wizards” and “Witches” that hunt and capture creatures of unknown supernatural origin known as “Dragons”; which are invisible to ordinary people but integral to this world. Dragons are both a source of power and danger, as they can pose threats to humans.
The story focuses on a magical organization called the Wing Bind, which manages dragon-related issues in Reverse London. The organization ensures dragons are controlled and prevents them from causing harm. Wing Bind agents are essentially dragon conservationists and defenders, tasked with protecting both dragons and people. In this set up, we experience much of the same comedy, wit, and bleeding edge cool Kubo is now effortless with. For fans of Bleach, it will be a wonderful mix of new and familiar.
This being a one shot, this manga is more about the world and the experience more than plot or character, so at times it can feel like more of Kubo flexing ideas and concepts rather than putting together a narrative.
If you’re a fan of manga, a fan of Bleach, Kubo, or just great art and character design this one shot manga would be a fantastic addition to any collection.
What manga are you reading? What are your thoughts on Bleach? Let me know!