Wistoria: Wand and Sword Anime Review – A Potential Masterpiece by Tatsuya Yoshihara After Black Clover?

Based on the shonen manga by Fujino Omori, with illustrations by Toshi Aoi, the Wistoria: Wand and Sword anime wrapped up its 12-episode first season on September 29, 2024. This anime was a collaborative effort by Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures, showcasing a lineup of top-tier industry talent, including director Tatsuya Yoshihara.

Tatsuya Yoshihara is renowned for his exceptional work on popular series such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Black Clover. Consequently, the excitement surrounding the Wistoria: Wand and Sword anime was palpable prior to its launch. The production team rose to the occasion, ensuring the show met the high expectations set by its fanbase.

With its breathtaking visuals and animation, the combined efforts of the production studio exceeded fan anticipation, elevating what could have been a standard narrative into something extraordinary. It appears that Yoshihara drew on his experiences and insights from Black Clover, significantly enhancing the adaptation. Despite this, Wistoria: Wand and Sword successfully carved out its own unique identity.

Disclaimer: This article contains potential spoilers from the Wistoria: Wand and Sword anime.

Wistoria: Wand and Sword Review: Diving into Tatsuya Yoshihara’s Vision and More

Transforming a Generic Narrative through Stunning Animation

Will Serfort, as seen in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Will Serfort, as depicted in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

The anime community is no stranger to the “Black Clover”style of storytelling, where a protagonist overcomes incredible odds to achieve their dreams. In Yuki Tabata’s series, Asta, who lacks magic, is often ridiculed by his peers, yet ultimately gains the strength to change their perceptions. Similarly, Hajime Komoto’s Mashle: Magic and Muscles features Mash Burnedead, whose physical power defies the magic-dominated world he inhabits.

The Wistoria: Wand and Sword anime follows a reminiscent template. The main character, Will Serfort, is devoid of magical abilities and faces constant humiliation from his classmates. Derogatory nicknames like “No Talent”and “Flunkee”highlight Will’s struggles, but his exceptional swordsmanship slowly alters the way others view him, keeping his aspirations of ascending the Towers alive.

Will Serfort gazes at the Tower (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Will gazes up at the Tower (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

As such, the inevitable comparisons to Black Clover, Mashle, and other similar series could potentially hinder Wistoria: Wand and Sword’s success. However, the creative team at Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures, under the leadership of Tatsuya Yoshihara, adeptly transformed this familiar formula into a noteworthy offering.

The anime showcased impressive and consistently high-quality animation, ultimately positioning Wistoria: Wand and Sword as one of the standout titles of the Summer 2024 season. It demonstrated how a well-worn narrative could still enchant audiences when backed by outstanding production values.

Tatsuya Yoshihara applied lessons learned from directing Black Clover to avoid previous pitfalls in adapting Fujino Omori and Toshi Aoi’s manga. While the animation quality stems from various factors such as the number of animators and planning, direction plays a critical role in the show’s overall success.

Will Serfort defeats an Evil Sentinel (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Will Serfort triumphs over an Evil Sentinel (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

From the very start, Tatsuya Yoshihara’s expertise was evident, as he meticulously ensured that the anime retained the essence of the manga while employing the animation team’s talents to bring pivotal moments to life.

Capturing the excitement of Will Serfort’s dungeon battles proved challenging, yet the skillful episode compositions, storyboarding, and animation elevated these moments, creating an enthralling experience for viewers. Aside from Yoshihara, the team included talented animator Hideaki Nakano and storyboard artist Morihito Abe.

Julius in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Julius, as seen in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

Additionally, Ayataka Tanemura, Masashi Ikeda, Itsuki Tsuchigami, and others contributed storyboards for various episodes. Under Yoshihara’s guidance, the production team skillfully brought these storyboards to life, delivering captivating episodes each week. Furthermore, Sayaka Ono made significant contributions as the chief animation director and character designer.

The collaborative efforts of Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures transformed Fujino Omori and Toshi Aoi’s manga into a stunning visual experience. The series immediately captured fans’ attention with Will Serfort’s initial battle against an Evil Sentinel, swiftly followed by an even more impressive second episode featuring his unyielding spirit in a confrontation with Professor Edward Serfence.

Will Serfort's Wis (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Will Serfort’s Wis (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

The studio established that Wistoria: Wand and Sword anime could potentially be one of the top animated series of Summer 2024. While fans initially doubted the narrative’s originality, the production team delivered their one task: to elevate the storyline.

They achieved this with breathtaking animation, especially highlighted during the Grand Magic Festival Arc. Will Serfort’s formidable performance at the Crown Attack competition was complemented by extraordinary animation and expert direction, making the episode surpass the manga in quality with spectacular additions and a creative touch from the production team.

Will Serfort takes a test (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Will Serfort taking a test (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

The animation reached its peak during the Dungeon Attack Arc, with Episode 11 serving as a defining moment for both the anime and the franchise. The episode’s production quality attracted a new wave of fans, who praised not only its visual splendor but also its narrative depth.

The visuals ultimately enhanced the narrative, enriching viewers’ overall experience. Will Serfort’s Ignis Wis has quickly turned into one of the anime’s most memorable scenes due to its impact. Even though the final episode lacked opportunities for major animations, it still honored the manga faithfully, providing a gratifying conclusion to the season.

Wistoria: Wand and Sword Anime Review: The Impact of Anime Original Scenes

Colette, as seen in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Colette from the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

A standout feature of the Wistoria: Wand and Sword anime was its skillful incorporation of original anime sequences. These scenes ensured that the series was not solely reliant on visuals and animation quality. Instead, they contributed to the lore, enriching character development and motivations.

For example, an anime original scene in the second episode involved Colette and another student while Will Serfort was navigating the Dungeon. This sequence highlighted her feelings for Will, as she acknowledged his affection for Elfaria, realizing she could never take her place while still admiring him.

Moreover, before the Grand Magic Festival, an extended original scene showed Colette and Will discovering a hidden room where various students gambled on potential winners of the Festival’s competitions.

Sion Ulster in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

This scene also featured Sion Ulster, who expressed his eagerness to prove himself. Clearly, these original segments offered depth to every character involved. For instance, it heightened the anticipation surrounding Julius, Wignall, and Lihanna, the top three students of the Rigarden Academy.

In addition to these moments, the Wistoria: Wand and Sword anime included several other original sequences that enriched the overall narrative. However, original scenes began to taper off after Episode 7, only to resurface in the finale.

The final episode’s original scene played a crucial role in wrapping up the Dungeon Attack Arc, providing context that Fujino Omori omitted in the manga. This sequence took place in the Rigarden Academy’s infirmary, featuring Lihanna’s party recovering from injuries sustained in the Dungeon.

The infirmary scene in episode 12 (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — The infirmary scene in the finale (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

Characters reflected on their trauma while discussing Will Serfort’s unique abilities. Additionally, the scene offered intriguing insights into Finn, one of the series’ more enigmatic characters.

The finale also included another critical moment where Will Serfort’s rapid recovery and determination inspired Sion. Despite being injured, Sion practiced his magic alongside Will. These original sequences added depth to the narrative, creating a richer experience for viewers.

Wistoria: Wand and Sword Anime Review: Sound and Voice Acting

Elfaria, as seen in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Elfaria, featured in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

While breathtaking animation is essential, a series also requires a compelling musical score. Fortunately, Wistoria: Wand and Sword boasted music composed by Yuki Hayashi, a prominent figure known for his work on celebrated series like My Hero Academia, Haikyuu!!, and Death Parade.

The background music in Wistoria: Wand and Sword heightened the viewing experience, particularly during key scenes such as Will Serfort’s fight against Julius and his Ignis Wis moment in the penultimate episode, where the OST significantly amplified the show’s impact.

Colette and Rosty (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Colette with Rosty in the anime (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

Equally impressive were the theme songs featured in the series. The opening theme, “Fire and Fear”by PENGUIN RESEARCH, set the series’ dramatic tone, while the ending song, “Frozen”by TRUE, brought a sense of calm to each episode. Both songs encapsulated the show’s essence; the former resonated with Will Serfort’s drive, while the latter celebrated Elfaria’s feelings for him.

In addition to the music and theme songs, the series benefited from a talented voice cast that brought the characters to life. Kohei Amasaki, known for portraying Otto Suwen in Re: Zero, excelled as Will Serfort’s voice actor. Likewise, Akira Sekine effectively conveyed the essence of Elfaria. Other voice actors also left a significant mark through their performances.

Conclusion

Will Serfort dreams of climbing the Tower (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures) — Will Serfort’s dream of climbing the Tower (Image via Actas and Bandai Namco Pictures)

Wistoria: Wand and Sword anime provided a visually stunning experience, surpassing expectations with exceptional production quality. Director Tatsuya Yoshihara’s approach greatly benefitted the series, enabling it to exceed its source material.

Having previously directed Black Clover, Yoshihara ensured that the adaptation of Fujino Omori and Toshi Aoi’s manga garnered acclaim, perhaps even more than before. The seasoned director addressed previous directorial errors by refining storyboarding and ensuring the series adhered to a coherent vision.

Without a doubt, the collaborative efforts of the production team have established Wistoria: Wand and Sword as a masterpiece, mirroring the successes of Black Clover.

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