Izetta: The Last Witch

Episode 4

Izetta's first three episodes had a substantial action component, but there's no sign of action in this one. Instead, we get a transitional episode that bridges the introductory premise and the greater overall plot. Episode 4 hashes out a lot of smaller details, introducing a trio of important supporting characters and the main antagonist. It also explains certain matters that people have been speculating about in much greater detail.

Probably the most important thing we learn is the way Izetta's magic works. There have been some indications that it can be locationally finicky, and we finally get an explanation as to why. Witch magic is all based on the age-old concept of leylines, which means that Izetta is virtually powerless in some locations (such as the Elystadt capital of Landsbruck) but very powerful in others (such as Coenenberg). This is doubtlessly going to be a key vulnerability at some point down the road, but I liked seeing how Elystadt's government schemed up how to take advantage of it. We also get a clearer picture of Izetta's motivations, including a more detailed look at the flashback to when Finé saved her from the mob, but even more important is Izetta's explanation that she sees Finé as the means to make Elystadt into the best possible place to live. That may not seem like a big deal on the surface, but it shifts Izetta's loyalty from simple adoration to something more believably self-serving, even if Izetta doesn't see it that way herself. Granted, that still seems at least a bit childish, but a touch of childishness is true to her nature, while Finé is the more adult of the two, who gives a stronger impression of being burdened by responsibility. It should be interesting to see how this dynamic shakes out.

The addition of the maid character, the bodyguard, and the American publicist are potentially more problematic. The maid in particular seems to be there for comic relief, and I found the lighter elements in the episode's middle to clash sharply with the more serious elements that bookended it. The fanservice that's largely been held in check to date finally busts out this week, and while I don't normally mind and even expect this kind of content in such anime, it also feels out of place. The story content is good enough that such elements are not needed to bolster it, and unlike in something like Maria the Virgin Witch, Izetta's nudity can't be imbued with symbolic meaning since it mostly consists of embarrassment gags and over-the-top pratfalls. The bodyguard character also seems too soft for the role she plays, even though she does stick to her guns about insisting that Izetta prove herself and her loyalty to Finé.

Still, the direction this episode ultimately takes the story bolsters its impact. Izetta may have been a little too chipper about being the last remaining witch (who can therefore do whatever she wants without having to worry about offending other witches), but I liked seeing that the series wasn't going to beat around the bush about installing Finé as the official leader of her country or bringing Izetta out into the public eye. While not entirely new territory (see Yoshino's previous writing on My-Otome for an earlier prominent example of one protagonist becoming the monarch while the other becomes the empowered “big gun”), this is nonetheless a much fresher approach than normal and raises the possibilities of a greater “big picture” focus than what we're used to seeing in anime.

Rating: B

Izetta: The Last Witch is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.