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This review covers Ojamajo Doremi as a whole, but spoilers will be light

In 2012, I watched Clannad for the first time. I was just 10 years old at the time and wasn't entirely sure what exactly I was watching. However, I knew I cried, and I loved it. I've rewatched it multiple times since and have grown to love the show more and more. It taught me life lessons that I still carry with me to this day and has shaped my overall perspective on media.

The reason I bring up Clannad is because it became the standard by which I measured other shows, something unbeatable ... that other media had to aspire to be. For over 10 years, I believed that nothing could ever surpass it. But I was mistaken, completely mistaken. Not only does Ojamajo Doremi rival Clannad in terms of show quality, but it has also transformed my perspective on media in general. However, I'm not here to share my life story; I'm here to discuss Doremi, my all-time favorite anime, as a piece of work.

Overview:

Ojamajo Doremi is essentially a magical girl show that predates the Precure franchise. Doremi, Hazuki, and Aiko become witch apprentices with the task of returning Majo Rika to her original form. To achieve this, they must undertake witch exams and gradually improve their magical abilities. That's the essence of the first season without delving into any spoilers. Speaking from a personal perspective, when I initially started watching the show, I consistently had a good time, but I was often left wondering about its purpose. It felt like mindless entertainment lacking depth, which bothered me enough to put it on hold after around 15 episodes.

Ojamajo Doremi is, frankly, a slow burn at the beginning. Unless you're truly into the weekly magical girl boss genre, the first season of Doremi doesn't seem particularly exceptional as a standalone. However, what Doremi manages to do effectively is immerse you in its world. It explains how the magic system works, clearly showcases the characters' personalities, and establishes the tone for the type of show Ojamajo Doremi is. Instead of forcing you to care, it provides reasons for you to become invested, which I believe is a well-crafted approach to setting up the narrative. While the majority of the first season offers mostly mindless entertainment, there are a few episodes that contribute to the show's dynamics, infusing new life into it. These episodes give you a taste of what Doremi will eventually evolve into.

What makes Ojamajo Doremi special?

Ojamajo Doremi, starting from its second season, goes through a big shift in how it's presented. It's like a rollercoaster, with some really great moments and a few not-so-great ones. The show mixes comedy and drama, just like those labels suggest. This is where both these things really stand out. By now, you're totally familiar with what's going on, the world, and the characters. This lets the funny parts stretch out and grab you more, especially since you've probably started liking the show. At the same time, the drama gets a big boost. Ojamajo Doremi deals with real-life stuff, not the flashy kind but things most people face. It covers everything from taking care of kids, to issues about fitting in and features a lot of family themes.

Ojamajo Doremi has this interesting way of showing how the characters change over time. This is especially cool for younger viewers who can relate to how the characters grow, kind of like they're growing up alongside the cast. The show is planned out really carefully. It goes on for four seasons spread across four years. That means the characters start when they're in 3rd grade and finish when they're leaving elementary school. This setup makes their growth seem real, not like they suddenly change from one thing to another. It's like watching your little sibling or cousin growing up – it's slow and sometimes you don't even notice, but it happens. This makes the characters feel super real and the character development really hits home.

Even though they change a lot, their core stays the same. The show doesn't push you to feel certain ways. It lets you get deep into how characters change, making them the most important part of your feelings. You connect with them, instead of being told when to feel sad or happy. Of course, not everything I mentioned is true all the time. Sometimes there's drama that makes you scratch your head or episodes that aren't so interesting but it's to expected when a show has over 200 episodes.

Moreover, another facet that significantly resonates with me is the show's adept handling of everyday moments. These seemingly ordinary instances, such as shopping for clothes, watching a friend's play, or observing a companion play the piano, possess a distinct charm in real life. However, in a show's context, they sometimes risk appearing mundane. This is not the case with Ojamajo Doremi. The characters' considerable growth lends a layer of excitement even to mundane activities. Did they go shopping for clothes? Doremi finds a way to make it intriguing. Did they go on a school trip? Doremi manages to make the experience memorable. Were they participating in a test of courage? You've got it; it becomes entertaining. The cool thing is, the show lets me enjoy every bit by saying that what makes it awesome is these normal everyday things. The characters growing and the story fitting together just make the show better, not just the show itself. They didn't cram anything in unnaturally; the creators making it just did it because they really loved it. The love behind the show oozes out and it's evident that the creators care about each character, making them feel real and not simple there for the story.

Conclusion:

Ojamajo Doremi does not immediately reach its highs, yet subsequent seasons bring dramatic highs and a touch of lows. Balancing comedy and drama, it excels in both realms, immersing you in its world. As characters evolve, so does the emotional resonance, grounding in relatable, real-world dilemmas. What truly sets it apart is its gradual character growth, mirroring real-life maturation. Ordinary moments hold extraordinary charm, creating engaging episodes. The show’s core lies in its creators’ love, fostering a tangible connection with every character. Everything simply converges to the single best conclusion I have ever witnessed in media. It might sound incredibly pretentious, and it is so, but for special review-effect I'll claim that Ojamajo Doremi isn't just a show; it's a transformative experience. It transcends boundaries, encapsulating growth and emotion. The journey echoes beyond screens, cementing its place as my favourite anime of all time.

As a bonus, it's completely changed my taste in anime and what I like now. I prefer more down-to-earth stories, and I don't require emotional peaks anymore. Instead, I can simply enjoy the mundane episodes of shows for what they are. Thank you, Ojamajo Doremi!

If you decide to watch the show and want someone to talk to about it, feel free to hit me up! I'm always interested in knowing what people think of the show, whether it's positive or negative. I hope that whoever decides to pick up this gem has a great time and experiences at least a fraction of what I did from the show! There's so much more about this show I love that I didn't mention but I actually want people to read this!