Witch Watch Episode 19, titled “A Friend’s Letter,” delves into the emotional core of its protagonists, Morihito Otogi and Nico Wakatsuki, revealing a surprising magical twist that impacts their relationship. This installment, which aired on August 10, 2025, in Japan, offers both heartwarming flashbacks and a significant development concerning Nico’s unrequited feelings for Morihito.
The Story So Far: A Magical Coexistence
Witch Watch is a fantastical romantic comedy manga series, created by Kenta Shinohara, known for SKET DANCE and Astra Lost in Space. The story centers on Nico Wakatsuki, a witch-in-training, and her childhood friend, Morihito Otogi, a high school student who possesses the strength of an ogre. Due to their families’ ancestral history, Morihito is tasked with becoming Nico’s familiar and protecting her from a prophesied disaster. Their cohabitation leads to a myriad of magical misadventures and comedic situations, often stemming from Nico’s unpredictable magic and her one-sided crush on Morihito.
Episode 19 Synopsis: A Blast From the Past
Episode 19 opens with Morihito cleaning his room, where he stumbles upon a letter Nico had given him during their childhood. The letter, simple yet profound, reads, “To Moi-chan, Nico will always, always be your friend.” Morihito reveals that he cherished this letter, keeping it pinned to his wall for approximately five years and looking at it daily for encouragement.
The narrative then follows Morihito as he embarks on a solitary visit to his mother’s grave on the anniversary of her death, a poignant moment highlighting his personal grief. Simultaneously, at the Otogi household, Nico is joined by Kanshi, Keigo, Miharu, and Nemu Miyao. During their gathering, Nico recounts memories of a younger Morihito, noting how he was “a little different” back then. This conversation plants a seed of curiosity in Nemu’s mind, hinting at a deeper mystery surrounding Morihito’s current stoic demeanor.
A Deeper Look: Nico’s Friend Zone “Curse”
The most significant revelation of “A Friend’s Letter” comes through Nemu’s astute observation. Nemu deduces that Nico’s childhood letter, particularly the phrase “Nico will always be your friend,” might not have been merely an innocent declaration. Given that a witch’s words can carry power (Kotodama in Japanese mythology), Nemu theorizes that Nico, as a child witch, unconsciously imbued the letter with her magical energy.
This magical essence, infused into a message that Morihito saw and absorbed daily for years, inadvertently created a “friend zone” curse, effectively suppressing any potential romantic feelings Morihito might develop for Nico. Nemu identifies this as a form of unintentional “attack” by a witch on a human, which is considered taboo. To avoid distressing Nico or causing Morihito to react negatively, Nemu decides that neither of them should be told about this magical influence. Instead, the group now faces the challenge of trying to naturally foster Morihito’s romantic feelings for Nico, hoping they can eventually break through this magical barrier.
Broadcast and Accessibility
Witch Watch Episode 19 premiered on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 5:30 PM JST. It was broadcast on Japanese television networks such as MBS and TBS. For audiences outside of Japan, the episode is made available on various streaming platforms, including Crunchyroll and Hulu.
The Road Ahead
Episode 19 of Witch Watch serves as a pivotal point in the series’ romantic subplot, transitioning from a seemingly one-sided crush to a magically influenced predicament. The revelation of Nico’s “friend zone” curse adds a unique, supernatural layer to the classic romantic comedy trope, promising intriguing developments as Morihito and Nico navigate their complex relationship, unknowingly bound by a childhood vow. The episode skillfully blends comedic elements with newfound emotional depth, setting the stage for future character growth and magical misadventures.
