Shuumatsu no Izetta

After Germania invaded a neighboring country in 1939, Europe spiraled into a devastating war. During the war, Germania set its sights on the weak alpine country of Elystadt. Boasting a far superior military and having achieved profuse success earlier in the war, it was expected that Germania would conquer Elystadt with ease.

Matters are only made worse for the small country when Germanian soldiers capture their princess, Ortfiné "Finé" Fredericka von Eylstadt, as she is heading to a crucial meeting with Britannia. Yet, when a concurrent Germanian transport mission goes awry, Izetta, the last witch alive, escapes. When she recognizes Princess Finé from her childhood, Izetta rescues her from the Germanian soldiers by making use of her magical abilities. Now reunited with the princess, Izetta pledges to protect Elystadt from Germania, and with the last surviving witch on their arsenal, Elystadt hopes to turn the tides against the imperialist war giant.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Izetta Main

Akaneya, Himika Japanese

von Eylstadt, Ortfiné Fredericka Main

Hayami, Saori Japanese

Berckmann, Arnold Supporting

Suwabe, Junichi Japanese

Obermayer, Hans Supporting

KENN Japanese

Bianca Supporting

Uchida, Aya Japanese

Lotte Supporting

Touyama, Nao Japanese

Ricelt Supporting

Hanae, Natsuki Japanese

Sophie Supporting

Amamiya, Sora Japanese

Elliot Supporting

Hirakawa, Daisuke Japanese

Elisabeth Supporting

Inoue, Kikuko Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Itou, Shousei Producer

Isogai, Noritomo Producer

Kanemitsu, Kazuhiro Producer

Reviews

Sep 20, 2022

Justykanna

Recommended

Historical and military anime are two genres I struggle to find a good time with, but somehow, Izetta: The Last Witch kept my attention. This mix of decently written characters, and swift reminders that this is war, and not everyone survives, is likely why.

Story: Izetta: The Last Witch starts us off with Finé von Eylstadt, who roams the woods as a young girl, only to find another girl, Izetta, who is floating in the air, with the help of what appears to be, magic. After spending a brief time together, they eventually parted ways and never saw each other again. Switch to ... present time, where her nation is in the middle of the World War 2 conflict, and Finé's father is struggling with his health. This passes command to the Princess of Eylstadt, which is Finé. Not long in, she gets captured by the German forces, her opposition, but she eventually gets rescued by Izetta, who displays her tremendous witch powers, known only in legends. Wanting to preserve her memory together with Finé, Izetta vows to use any means necessary to end the war. This includes entering the conflict and using her magical witch powers to fend off the opposition.

The story itself was actually pretty interesting. There were plenty of twists and turns to our war-driven story, and this only gets more obvious as our crew learn more and more about the history of the witches. They do get around to this rather late in the series, but it does give the story a lot more beef than it would have had, had they chosen to keep Izetta's backstory to references only. The conflicts themselves play out in typical war manner, with basically saying whoever has the most troops wins, assuming Izetta's presence isn't involved. There weren't a ton of strategic plans sewed into the story, but I'm actually glad they kept the micro-missions to a minimum, as this would have slowed the pace down a fair bit.

Speaking of pacing, I thought that this series would have an issue keeping up such a strong tempo throughout, but I was pleasantly surprised that there was always something happening in each episode. Every time, there would be new information, or something new on the screen, and this is another thing that prevented this tale from getting too stale. There was a pretty significant character introduced near the end, and this felt like the most appropriate opponent to end of a story that I never really got bored of. (9/10)

Characters: Characters were a bit up and down, but most were used well within the story. Finé was a pretty strong character with terrific ideals. She always puts her nation first, and when Izetta gets involved, is extremely careful as to not "use" her friend for her selfish greed, even when her advisors tell her otherwise. Her friendship with Izetta kind of stresses how much she probably needed a friend or two in her upbringing, especially one so upbeat like Izetta. Who, by the way, probably wasn't the strongest character. Her lines felt a little repetitive, and even if her friendship with Finé was really strong, you can kind of tell that she's had doubts along the way. She surely does develop near the final battle, and it's here you can tell that she's finally sure of herself.

Sieghart is basically Finé's right hand man, and he basically runs her military operations. He's clearly not afraid to get his hands dirty and will do anything to win the war for his nation, even at the cost of a few soldiers. Arnold acts as the right hand man to the German king, and you can tell that his tactics and smarts is what earned him the position he ended up in. I really don't like what they did with his character near the end though. There were a lot of ways to move the story, but this didn't feel like one of the better choices. Elvira feels like a bit of a mismatch in Finé's council, because I just don't really know what the point of her character was. She was fine when she introduced, but outside of that episode, it felt like she didn't have a spot. She was just there.

There were a lot of side characters in the story, though many came and went, due to the nature of the story. Some characters played a decent role within the series, so I like that they spend some time to tell us who they were. People like Lotte and Biance were strong additions, in different ways, to the story and I'm glad they were included here too. Ricelt brought of a different angle to the war story than many others in the German army, so he was another that felt suitable for his role. Overall, within our massive cast of characters, there were some you could probably live without, but Izetta was one that, while she was the centrepoint of the story, I wish they gave her more backstory. (7/10)

Art: This is my first exposure to Ajia-Do, the studio in charge of this original work, and there were bumps up and down throughout. The series was fantastic with Izetta's magic, as you can tell there was some extra effort whenever she was involved. Even some of the war sequences were done well. That being said, there were a fair bit of mid-range shots in this series, and the animation quality really did suffer in those instances. One thing they did really well though, is show the tender moments between Finé and Izetta really well. I'm glad they gave those two extra care there. (7/10)

Sound: I actually really enjoyed the OST here, as it had tracks that felt appropriate for the time, and even a handful that definitely sound more modern. I wasn't a huge fan of the ED, Hikari Aru Basho e by May'n, but I loved the OP, Cross the Line by AKINO with bless4. Voice cast was a bit up and down. Mallorie Rodak (Finé) was likely the star of the show. I've never really been exposed to her work before, but this was a strong showing. Same goes for John Burgmeier (Arnold) and Christopher Wehkamp (Sieghart), both of whom were also exceptional. Skyler McIntosh (Izetta) had some strong moments, but a few awkward ones as well. Tia Ballard (Elvira) continues to impress me with her strong work with more mature characters. It was nice to hear some older voices as well, with the likes of Ed Blaylock (Magnus) and Kent Williams (Benoit). (8/10)

Overall: Izetta: The Last Witch was a strong series, with a very strong story to a genre that I don't tend to be a fan of. These type of series always open me up to try others in the genre, and strong supporting characters only helps that. Finé and Izetta have some fantastic chemistry, and I'm glad I decided to pick this series up. Give it a try if military war series is your thing. (8/10)

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Justykanna (192)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Apr 21, 2023

robert788

Mixed Feelings

Shuumatsu no Izetta (2016)

Marvellous looking for 2016 I must say! A lot of anime from back then almost has like a slightly darker shade over the picture or perhaps looks a bit dull in colour saturation.

The show is fine, it's pretty good with the action, and the sound of things is well-invested. However, it is also a lot of talking and romance talk without love. By this, I mean that it is basically a show about pretending you don't want someone to do something that you really do want them to do and convincing them of this. You get a classic America or 'Atlanta' ... response of the suspected if we can't have this no one can in terms of power argument. They would abandon everyone because they can't have it.

On one hand, you have standard World War 2 technology then you also have clones. Honestly, just pick a level of technology. It is like Attack of the Clones with magic and World War 2 technology, like a certain franchise but without as many 'magic' people and not in space.

The sound is the best for vehicles here, superchargers on aircraft sound fantastic for example.

Characters are stuck in a weird World War 1 vibe of the world but during World War 2. The enemy is bad, the good is pretending not to be bad and the neutral is on the pivot depending on what it gets them.

Honestly, the show is good, you get good battles and fights with good sound. The show has a lot of talking, and random offshoots into what is meant to be meaningful but just isn't as a way to explore a side character's personality.

7/10.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by robert788 (491)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Aug 23, 2023

Chiaki_Shura

Not Recommended

Shuumatsu no Izetta, also called ''Izetta the last witch'', but whose original title would read `` The end of Izetta '', is an original animated work of 2016, created by the studio Aija-Do, directed by Fujimori Masaya and written by Yoshino Hiroyuki. An anime belonging to the action genre in which military and historical elements converge, the latter in particular linked to a fictitious Second World War in which the world and the events that make up its history are slightly different from ours. In all this, someone could also say that in its own way there is also an element that, in a slightly ... out of the ordinary way, is placed in those that we usually find in works are known under the name of Mahou Shoujo. Mainly converging in the protagonist, mostly covering her aesthetic component, which somehow well embraces the military style.

It is a work that starts with excellent conditions, but that starts quickly and is lost just as quickly.
Even if it starts with some action and frenzy, don't expect to find yet another action anime with a paramilitary style. it is a story that is told from the point of view of those who during a war find themselves, among the highest levels, managing not only the course of the war, but also the destiny of their country.Furthermore, in a world where magic is exists, but where this is now on the verge of disappearing, and the only one to continue to hold it is one of the two protagonists, the witch Izetta, the only weapon, perhaps, capable of restoring peace. But as mentioned, the work will not be characterized much by frenetic moments and fighting to the death, but rather focusing on other fundamental elements in wars, namely propaganda in the first place, but also a little bit on espionage.
Izetta is not just a girl with enough power to defeat entire armies on her own, she is a deterrent. A weapon to be used sparingly, and whose weaknesses must be avoided.
In this last point in particular, the question of espionage, the importance of obtaining information and the importance of protecting one's information immediately comes into play. Connecting us to this, the work sometimes shows, with a moderate crudeness, but without too much nihilism, dirty and not very honorable actions that some people, spies, politicians or kings, are forced to carry out to protect their own people. The condemnation of the individual, even a cruel fate, for the good of the community. Whether it be right or wrong, is something that is always pleasant to tell.
However, the work does not maintain the good premises, and finally lacks a bad management of the rhythm of the narration, the lack of elements that can stimulate the interest of the viewer, moments full of clichés without any kind of intelligent use of the same, but above all a lack of psychological depth of the characters, who are from the beginning to the end of the stereotypical specks that have nothing to offer. In 90% of cases this lack also has an aesthetic impact on the character design.
The two protagonists are totally reduced, in the case of Finè, to the classic noblewoman with her country on her shoulders who is ready for anything to protect her people, and courage alone is not enough to give depth to a character.
Izetta instead, the only and last bearer of magic, shy but determined, and even if she turns out to be a very strong woman unfortunately whose actions end up being for the character to be perpetually in the shadow of her friend, Finè. Although the attention of the people and her enemies will mainly be directed towards her.
Between the 2 there is also a friendship relationship which in reality turns out to be an almost loving relationship in several points, but which in addition to sinning thick will do nothing but give us 2 sweet moments, which in any case turn out to be very muffled. Especially the last one.
The secondary characters have the same problem, and the antagonists themselves suffer from it. One of them is clearly a reprise of a well-known German dictator very well known to us, passionate about occultism and aimed at expansionist aims. But he too will not be particularly memorable, limiting himself to appearing a few times and commenting on some events of the war.
A secondary antagonist is present later, whose origins and reasons would also be interesting despite the lack of originality, but he will appear little and do just as little.
At the end we also find yet another, but always pleasant, condemnation, typical of several Japanese works, of the use of the atomic bomb, which in the context of the work is more or less effectively linked to the fantasy elements that compose it.
On the technical side, there is nothing particular to say. On the animation side, above all, I did not start out hoping to find myself in front of an author's work that would exploit the artistic potential of directing to aesthetically enrich the narration. Like most of the anime in this category, on the other hand. And in fact this was not the case, but in this case it is not a defect, only a feature, or a choice if we want. Although, I just remember a shot right in the last episode that prompted me to pause the episode for a moment to better contemplate it. Pretty, but nothing memorable.
Despite everything the animations do their job well and I don't remember any particular problems other than a rather '' strange '' run of a particular character in the last episode. If my memory serves me correctly then there are no relevant problems on a technical level.

On the sound side, I can't say that I remember any memorable soundtrack or that manages to enrich scenes.

In conclusion it is not a work that I would recommend, but I certainly cannot label it as insufficient, above all for the not really common idea of ​​elements of war such as propaganda and espionage. But his bad management of the narrative certainly does not help him, like the characters of the rest.
However, some will certainly find it enjoyable to look at

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Chiaki_Shura (10)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Yuri anime *ੈ✩‧₊˚

by KiwiWatcher

43 Entries · 18 Restacks

Witness these Witches

by Sylicone

50 Entries · 36 Restacks

Mallorie Rodak roles before Frieren

by NaruMembrane

50 Entries · 3 Restacks

North American Anime & Manga Releases for November

Here are the North American anime & manga releases for November Week 1: November 5 - 11 Anime Releases Dragon Ball Z 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition Bl...read more

Nov 4, 2019 11:17 AM by Sakana-san | Discuss (3 comments)

North American Anime & Manga Releases for February

Here are the North American anime & manga releases for February Week 1: February 6 - 12 Anime Releases Gedo Senki DVD Gedo Senki Blu-ray & DVD Combo Heisei T...read more

Feb 5, 2018 10:23 AM by Sakana-san | Discuss (5 comments)

	Poll: Shuumatsu no Izetta Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ) Stark700 - Dec 17, 2016	215 replies	by CrazyButNot4U »» Dec 9, 1:39 AM
	Poll: Shuumatsu no Izetta Episode 11 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Stark700 - Dec 10, 2016	112 replies	by CrazyButNot4U »» Dec 9, 12:34 AM
	Poll: Shuumatsu no Izetta Episode 2 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Stark700 - Oct 8, 2016	137 replies	by CrazyButNot4U »» Dec 6, 3:31 AM
	Poll: Shuumatsu no Izetta Episode 1 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) Stark700 - Oct 1, 2016	315 replies	by CrazyButNot4U »» Dec 6, 3:13 AM
	Poll: Shuumatsu no Izetta Episode 10 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Stark700 - Dec 3, 2016	91 replies	by korsarz »» Aug 22, 12:52 PM