"Witch Watch" 2nd season PV & visuals released

A new visual and promotional video have been released in response to the second season of the TV anime "Witch Watch," based on the popular manga by Kenta Shinohara, which is currently being serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha). Additional cast members have also been announced, including Yuki Wakai as Miharu Kiryu, a bat familiar and vampire, and Yohei Azakami as Rui Fujiki, the student council president of the junior high school that Miharu Kiryu attends.

The visuals for the second season feature Wakatsuki Nico, Otogi Morihito, Kazematsuri Kanshi, Magami Keigo, who will be living with the Otogi family, Miyao Nemu in cat form, and new character Kiryu Miharu. The PV also includes a scene of "vampire" Kiryu Miharu appearing, Morihito kissing Nico on the cheek, and Nico and Nemu frolicking in swimsuits.

The artists performing the theme songs for the second season were also announced, with singer Hashimero performing the opening theme (OP) "Tokinahate!" and the band "yutori" performing the ending theme (ED) "Tsuki to Watashi no Kakurenbo."

Wakai, who plays Kiriu Miharu, said, "Miharu has a bit of a foul mouth and may seem rude at first glance, but he's really charming and lovable, like everyone's cute little brother, so I tried to play him while being conscious of not meaning to be unpleasant and making him a lovable character. Also, in comedy scenes, he's a character who can play both the straight man and the funny man, so as a fan of comedy, I played him while thinking about how I could make his interactions more entertaining! (laughs)."

Azagami, who plays Fujiki Rui, commented, "First of all, I was prepared for the fact that he is a "middle schooler" younger than Otogi and the others. It's not often that my voice suits a middle schooler. However, if I kept in mind his personality and worldview, and paid attention to the dialogue with Miharu, I didn't have much trouble with the age of the character. More than that, I struggled a lot with how to best convey the way Rui, who is usually serious, lets his mind flow with his tsukkomi and boke. I hope that I can convey this well to the fans."

Hashimero, who is in charge of the opening theme, said, "This is the first time in my life that I've had the opportunity to write a theme song for an anime, so I am very happy. 'Toki natte!' is a song that I took in the atmosphere of 'Witch Watch' to the fullest and gave it my own form. Magic is a mysterious power, and anyone can use technology if they follow the correct procedure. But that's not the case with love. There is an unpredictability to it, and that's why I feel like it has the same atmosphere as magic. I hope that your time watching 'Witch Watch' will be a moment when you can freely let your emotions out!"

Yutori, who is in charge of the ending theme, commented, "In our everyday lives, we find joy and happiness. And we also fall in love. I wrote 'Hide and Seek with the Moon' with a focus on such a life. The hectic daily life at the Otogi household, caused by Wakatsuki Nico's magic. And the love she has for Otogi Morihito. The frustration of not being able to convey her feelings. The awkwardness of not realizing. I likened the situation of both Nico, who struggles, and the insensitive Morihito to a game of hide-and-seek. I hope that one day, Nico's honest feelings will be conveyed to Morihito. I hope you enjoy the story until the ending."

"Witch Watch" is a comedy manga by Shinohara, who is known for "SKET DANCE" and "Astra Lost in Space". It began serialization in "Weekly Shonen Jump" in February 2021. It depicts the cohabitation life of Wakatsuki Nico, who is training to become a witch, and her childhood friend Otogi Morihito, a high school student with the powers of a demon. Morihito is given the mission of being a familiar who will protect Nico from a prophesied disaster, and so begins a mysterious and difficult life.

The anime will be directed by Hiroshi Ikehata, known for "Kiratto Pri☆Chan," and produced by Vibrant Animation Studio, known for "The Quintessential Quintuplets ∫∫." It is currently being broadcast on the MBS/TBS network's Sunday 5pm anime slot "Nichi 5." It will be broadcast for two consecutive seasons.

◇Cast (titles omitted)

Nico Wakatsuki: Rina Kawaguchi ▽Mamoru Otogi: Ryota Suzuki ▽Kenji Kazematsuri: Kohei Amasaki Kaito Ishikawa ▽Keigo Magami: Kaito Ishikawa▽Nemu Miyao: Tomori Kusunoki▽Miharu Kirio: Yuki Yuki Wakai ▽Yuuri Masuku: Mikako Komatsu ▽Kara Minami: Rie Rie Takahashi ▽Kukumi Ureshino: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka Konomi Kohara Tenryu Kiyomiya: Yohei Azakami ▽Ibuki Wakatsuki: Nana Mizuki ▽Minehito Otogi: Katsuyuki Konishi