The Criminally Underrated Anime That Hooked Me Instantly (And Why You NEED to Watch It)

As you can figure out from the title itself, this anime was something that made me feel like I was watching something peak. Not a lot of anime these days can make you feel the way you did when watching ‘absolute cinema’ animes like AOT, Naruto, and other big names. I thought ‘The Witch And The Beast” would become a major topic within the community, but I couldn’t ever find any references to this masterpiece.

“The Witch And The Beast”, Why It Hooked Me Instantly (No Spoilers!)

As an anime veteran who’s dropped hundreds of shows, here’s exactly what makes The Witch and the Beast stand out:

🔮 The Cursed Powerhouse: Guideau

Guideau from The Witch And The Beast anime
Guideau from The Witch And The Beast

A ferocious beast trapped in a girl’s body by a witch’s curse. Guideau’s true form stays locked in a coffin carried by her partner. She’s a natural witch hunter with insane power, but here’s the catch: she can only temporarily break the curse by kissing a witch (once per witch!). Watching her rage against this limitation creates insane tension.

🧠 The Perfect Partner: Ashaf

Ashaf from The Witch And The Beast
Ashaf from The Witch And The Beast

The smooth-talking mage who carries Guideau’s coffin. Ashaf uses rune magic (“Lettering”) and acts as Guideau’s brain – constantly strategizing while reining in her explosive rage. Their gothic Sherlock/Watson dynamic is pure gold.

⚡ Dynamic Duo Chemistry

Guideau = pure unfiltered rage. Ashaf = chain-smoking calm. Together they create the most addictive dysfunctional partnership in recent anime. Watching them navigate missions while hiding Guideau’s secret never gets old.

🌑 Gothic World & Deep Lore

From the first frame, you’re plunged into a dark fantasy world with:

  • Eight continents ruled by a powerful Holy Church
  • Secret witch lineages and terrifying “Origin Witches”
  • The mysterious Order of Magical Resonance
  • Cursed artifacts like the Demon Sword Ashgan

🎭 Mature Storytelling

This is seinen done right:

  • No cringey fan service or school tropes
  • Genuinely dark themes and moral complexity
  • Real stakes with brutal consequences
  • Violence that actually matters to the plot

🔍 Main Characters Breakdown

Here’s a mobile-friendly comparison of our leads:

CharacterRolePower/AbilityPersonality
GuideauCursed BeastTemporary power release (via witch kiss)Feral, impulsive, revenge-driven
AshafMage HandlerRune magic (“Lettering”)Calm, strategic, chain-smoker

(Table works great on mobile – just scroll sideways if needed!)

The Journey: More Than Just Witch Hunting…

Most Underrated anime of 2024
Most Underrated anime of 2024

While hunting the legendary witch Angela Anne Huell (who cursed Guideau), they take on missions revealing deeper mysteries:

  • 2-3 episode arcs with perfect pacing
  • Phanora & Johan – fan-favorite necromancer duo
  • Ultoma witch marks and their terrifying power
  • Demon Sword Ashgan arc will blow your mind

❓ Why is NO ONE Talking About This?!

The underrated crime of 2024! Possible reasons:

  • Studio hiccups caused slight animation dips mid-season
  • “Too talky” complaints from action-only fans
  • Buried under seasonal isekai flood

BUT DON’T BE FOOLED: The strengths annihilate any flaws:

  • Best character designs of the season (Guideau’s piercings! Ashaf’s tattoos!)
  • Lore that actually makes you think
  • Action scenes that hit HARD when they come
  • That addictive gothic atmosphere

🔮 What’s Next? Manga & Future Seasons

MediaStatusWhere to Find
Anime S1Complete (12 eps)Crunchyroll
Season 2Not confirmed 😭(Manga has enough material!)
MangaOngoing (10+ vols)Kodansha

Manga readers know: The “Fourth Underground” arc (vols 6-8) is where things get INSANE. Praying for that S2 announcement!

👁️‍🗨️ Final Verdict (From a Jaded Anime Vet)

This is the dark fantasy fix you’ve been craving. Perfect if you love:

  • Complex power systems with real limitations
  • Gothic settings with Souls-like atmosphere
  • Character dynamics that evolve over time
  • Zero filler romance or cringe tropes

Don’t let this hidden beast disappear – binge it on Crunchyroll today! 🙏


❔ The Witch and the Beast: Quick FAQs

  1. Q: Is there romance?
    A: Nope! Pure dark fantasy focus.
  2. Q: How violent is it?
    A: Rated R 17+ – blood/gore happens for a reason.
  3. Q: Is Guideau male or female?
    A: Cursed in a female body, but true form is a genderless beast.
  4. Q: Will there be Season 2?
    A: Not yet – but manga readers are LOUDLY demanding it!
  5. Q: Manga vs anime differences?
    A: Faithful adaptation – anime covers first 5 volumes.

Ready to join the witch hunt? 🖤⛓️ (This beast bites but you’ll love it)

Hello, I'm Purosotam, an Otaku who spends most of his free time reading manga or watching anime. Writing about them makes me feel connected with the community, and so, here I am!

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