The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Kamome Shirahama’s acclaimed “Witch Hat Atelier” manga is officially slated to premiere in April 2026. A new teaser trailer has revealed the primary voice cast and core production staff, offering fans a first glimpse into the magical world brought to life by BUG FILMS. The series, originally planned for a 2025 release, was postponed to ensure the highest possible quality in its animation.
Anime Adaptation Details and Release Window
The “Witch Hat Atelier” anime will make its debut in April 2026, a detail confirmed through the latest promotional materials. This follows an earlier announcement of a delay from its initial 2025 schedule, a decision made by the production studio, BUG FILMS, to enhance the overall quality and capture the intricate charm of Shirahama’s original manga. The anime is set to stream exclusively on Crunchyroll, making it accessible to a global audience upon its Japanese airing.
Production Studio: BUG FILMS at the Helm
BUG FILMS, the animation studio behind the adaptation, is taking on the ambitious task of translating Shirahama’s detailed artwork and fantastical narrative into an animated series. Their commitment to quality was cited as the reason for the production delay, ensuring that the visual storytelling does justice to the beloved source material.
Introducing the Main Cast and Their Roles
The recent teaser unveiled the voice actors who will bring the central characters of “Witch Hat Atelier” to life. Rena Motomura will voice the protagonist, Coco, a young girl with an unwavering dream of becoming a witch. Joining her is Natsuki Hanae, known for his diverse roles, who will lend his voice to Qifrey, the mysterious traveling magician who becomes Coco’s mentor. Character visuals released alongside the trailer provided fans with their first animated looks at Coco and Qifrey.
- Coco: Voiced by Rena Motomura
- Qifrey: Voiced by Natsuki Hanae
Key Creative Staff Shaping the Magical World
The production team assembled for “Witch Hat Atelier” boasts a lineup of experienced professionals, promising a faithful and visually stunning adaptation.
- Original Work: Kamome Shirahama
- Director: Ayumu Watanabe (known for Summertime Render and Komi Can’t Communicate)
- Assistant Director: Jun Shinohara
- Series Composition: Hiroshi Seko (whose previous works include Jujutsu Kaisen)
- Character Design / Chief Animation Director: Kairi Unabara
- Art Director: Ryota Goto
- Color Design: Naomi Nakano
- Director of Photography: Tadashi Kitaoka
- Music: Yuka Kitamura (recognized for her work on video games like Elden Ring and Dark Souls)
This comprehensive team is dedicated to bringing Kamome Shirahama’s intricate fantasy world, celebrated for its delicate penwork and sense of scale, to the screen.
The Enchanting Story of “Witch Hat Atelier”
Based on Kamome Shirahama’s critically acclaimed manga, “Witch Hat Atelier” follows Coco, a humble dressmaker’s daughter who has always dreamed of becoming a witch, despite being told that magic is inherited, not learned. Her life takes an extraordinary turn when she secretly observes the traveling magician Qifrey performing magic. Through this encounter, Coco uncovers a world-shaking truth: anyone can use magic by drawing specific glyphs with special tools, a secret deliberately hidden from ordinary people.
Qifrey, realizing Coco’s potential and her accidental discovery of this “absolute secret,” decides to take her on as his apprentice. As Coco embarks on her journey, she trains alongside other apprentices in Qifrey’s atelier, delving deeper into the enigmatic world of sorcery, facing both despair and hope. The manga, serialized in Kodansha’s Morning Two since July 2016, has amassed over 7 million copies in circulation and has received numerous accolades, including the 2020 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material – Asia. Fans can anticipate a faithful adaptation that explores themes of creativity, perseverance, and the hidden depths of a magical world.
