Little Witch Academia is a school and fantasy anime series brimming with magical elements, created by renowned Japanese anime director Yoh Yoshinari. This original production unfolds in a world where magic is a natural part of life, and witches live among humans, using magical words to accomplish a variety of feats. Unlike many anime, Little Witch Academia is not based on manga. The adventure began with a film in 2013, which sparked further interest and was followed by additional films. The anime series itself debuted in 2017, catching the attention of viewers worldwide, especially after being made available on Netflix. It was produced by Studio Trigger, the same studio behind other original works like BNA: Brand New Animal. The series originally aired on Japanese local channels such as Tokyo MX, BS11, and KTV from January 9, 2017, to June 26, 2017, with a total of 25 episodes. The episodes were split into two parts for the international Netflix release. Now, after years of success and a growing fanbase, the big question remains: Will there be a third season?
What is the plotline of the anime?
The story of Little Witch Academia begins with Akko, a young girl inspired by the famous witch Shiny Chariot. Driven by her desire to become a witch herself, Akko enrolls in Luna Nova Academy, a school that trains witches. Despite her enthusiasm, Akko faces many challenges, especially because she has no magical ability. Her magical journey is complicated further when she becomes friends with Lotte and Sucy, but struggles to get along with Diana, who comes from a prestigious witch family. Akko’s teacher, Ursula Sensei, has her hands full, as Akko can’t even manage the simplest spells.
Throughout the series, Akko’s struggles and determination to meet Shiny Chariot take center stage, driving her to constantly find herself in trouble. From flying on a broomstick to tackling magical challenges, Akko draws attention to herself, sometimes causing chaos, but always with good intentions. The show balances Akko’s journey with the development of side characters, which is one of the strengths of its 25-episode format. This extended runtime allows for deeper exploration of supporting characters’ backgrounds and motivations.
Akko, despite being clumsy, is a lovable, energetic, and stubborn character. Her friendship with Lotte and Sucy adds a dynamic charm to the series, with the contrast between Akko’s optimism and Sucy’s recklessness making for entertaining interactions. As the series progresses, the characters evolve and reveal unexpected depths, turning what may have seemed like typical anime tropes into a refreshing story.
In addition to its character development, Little Witch Academia also touches on themes related to the position of witchcraft in the world. The series subtly addresses political and social issues, even though they are not its central focus. Moreover, it incorporates elements from the modern world, allowing viewers to see reflections of contemporary issues within the magical setting of the anime.
Will there be a third season of Little Witch Academia?
Originally airing in Japan from January 9, 2017, to June 26, 2017, the anime consists of 25 episodes, 1 season in total. Due to how Netflix divides its seasons, it is often referred to as having two separate seasons. As of November 28, 2024, neither Studio Trigger nor any affiliated company has confirmed a third season.
Since the anime is an original production, it does not have any source material like a manga that could be adapted into additional seasons. The possibility of a third season would largely depend on Yoh Yoshinari, the director and creator, deciding to continue the story. If Yoshinari were to write a sequel, it could provide the necessary foundation for a third season.
Despite the lack of new written material, some factors suggest that the anime could continue. For example, the series ranks 299th in popularity on MyAnimeList, which is a respectable position for an anime that aired in 2017. The anime also sees above-average search interest on platforms like Google, and its official X account has 43k followers. Furthermore, it sold around 3,000 discs, generating ¥179,170,000 in revenue. These statistics indicate that the show has performed well, suggesting a potential for future seasons, but no official renewal has been confirmed yet.
When is the third season of Little Witch Academia?
Is a third season really possible? Considering all the factors, it does seem likely, but there are also big challenges. After working with Yoh Yoshinari on BNA: Brand New Animal, Studio Trigger seems to have shelved Little Witch Academia for now and is focusing on new projects in 2025, such as New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt.
For a new season to happen, the story would need to be open for continuation. Although Little Witch Academia is not based on a manga, the narrative would need to show promise for another season. In the case of the 25 episodes, the story was concluded with a satisfying finale—Akko achieved her goal, and the seven words were found. With few unresolved plot threads, a third season seems less likely.
In a previous interview, Yoh Yoshinari mentioned that Trigger had considered a new season but ultimately shelved the idea, which led him to focus on BNA. (Source: Japanese Magazine, Gigazine) While there has been no indication of a new season in recent years, it remains a possibility if the series is revived in the future. However, if it does return, production could take over a year, making a new season somewhere around 2025-2026 highly unlikely.