Whoa, this looks so good!
Did you draw this, Kuku?
Yeah.
They look so cool!
Nico, your voice is too loud.
Are they from a manga or something?
Yeah, it's called "Uron Mirage."
"Uron Mirage"? Wow!
Nico, your voice.
U.M.?
"Uron Mirage."
A battle fantasy manga about sword-wielding high school boys who defeat monsters.
I WONDER ABOUT THAT.
It has vague worldbuilding, cool-sounding dialogue,
NO ONE WOULD UNDERSTAND, ANYWAY.
IT'S NOT BAD, BUT ALSO NOT GOOD.
obscure plot developments, and an overall poorly defined structure.
It's piqued interest because of its loose ends.
Additionally, the creator announced approval for fan fiction.
This has given more fuel to the otaku community, and it has become the hottest series now.
So this is Utsuro, and this one is Oboro?
They're so handsome!
I said your voice is too loud!
Utsu x Obo, huh?
Kuku, you're getting better and better at this, aren't you?
I've been getting into it ever since I started posting on Chitter.
Chitter?
Hold on a sec. I've already seen most of the Utsu x Obo fanart on Chitter.
It's my daily routine.
I'll even leave comments on my favorite fan artist's posts.
How many followers do you have?
Maybe about 10,000 followers?
Wait, what? A popular fan artist? With thousands of followers?
And this one went pretty viral.
- No way, this is amazing! - Your voice is too damn loud!
Oh, then I've seen it. I've probably seen that artwork.
- You really drew this? - He's so hot!
I've seen every single piece of viral Utsu x Obo fanart.
So amazing!
If she has 10k followers, that narrows it down a lot.
Wait, is she...
Is she my current most favorite fan artist?
It's considered rude to expose an artist.
Otakus on social media resent having their lives exposed.
I, too, don't want people to know that I'm actually DengekiMelon.
Any further prying shall be forbidden.
Ms. Makuwa, why are you just standing there?
It's nothing! I just came here to grab some paperwork!
Nothing suspicious here!
We weren't thinking anything like that.
You girls hurry on home, okay?
Okay.
Have a nice day!
Oh, Ms. Makuwa.
Bye, Ms. Makuwa.
Yes, have a good day.
She's my favorite fan artist.
Ureshino is "Haimi@SlightlyOutOfReach."
MY STUDENT IS MY FAVORITE FAN ARTIST
O' God!
Haimi's growth as an artist has really been awe-inspiring.
As a long-time fan who's followed her since her single-digit follower days,
I feel something akin to parental pride.
First, it looks like she studied on how to properly apply highlights.
And not just the vibrancy of the skin tone,
but there's been a big change on how the artwork just appears brighter throughout.
Maybe she got used to the thick-line technique,
but since the unnecessary lines have decreased, she can give attention
to those brawny hands and flushed cheeks so the finished piece looks livelier than ever.
A wonderful example of how an artist can move you.
Even the vivid spikiness of Utsuro's hair and facial expression shows his sensitive characteristics.
Ever since the Recapturing Chaos Arc, she utilized cooler colors
on his shadow and eyes to show that underlying sadness.
It's the result of Haimi's sharp investigative senses and observation.
Oh, I only have gratitude to look upon such beautiful artwork.
And above all else...
The interpretation of the characters' relationship.
Utsuro and Oboro met through Kasumi.
They specialized in different things, so they didn't really interact much.
Their feelings toward Kasumi seemed more important at the time.
That's when lightning struck for the fanbase on Chapter 35, the training camp.
Both of them were secretly keeping track of each other's rank within the school.
The fan base started getting excited.
Mainly because Oboro is a solitary character who possesses strong abilities.
For someone like that to keep track of another person's ranking...
How special must Utsuro be to him?
She probably had Chapter 57 in mind when Oboro accidentally whispered to Sagiri,
"My heart and mind are absent... But people are still here."
That must be the influence.
For a stoic like Oboro, he clearly said too much.
If you consider the previous context, he's obviously talking about Utsuro.
The moment the usually cool-headed Oboro pours out a single drop of emotion...
It's so... precious.
And then, another wonderful thing about Haimi...
Oboro's complicated feelings
are expressed through the scarf that he received from Sagiri.
And that pose where his back is toward us, but his eyes being on Utsuro
just seems like something that was intentional or not intentional.
Just by taking one glance at this, you can see how perfectly their relationship is captured.
I don't think there's any other illustration out there that captures it like that.
I'm sure a lot of illustrations that were affected by this one will be posted by early next week.
I can't wait!
Oh, I can live again! Thank you so much, Kukumi Ureshino!
Did you just call me?
I've turned into Hantengu!
Ms. Makuwa?
O' Goddess! My Goddess hath graced me with thine presence yonder!
U-Ureshino, did you need me for something?
Oh, yes. I wrote up the draft for the Health Newsletter.
Could you please check it and give permission to make copies?
I added an illustration, so please take a...
Oh no, I could never, I am not worthy.
Ms. Makuwa?
Oh, no! I reverted back to my otaku habits in the presence of my favorite fan artist!
I cannot let her notice.
I cannot let my Goddess acknowledge my meager existence!
Oh, great work. All right, let me see here.
I am a teacher! Let's just get back to that, and...
I WON'T GO EASY ON YOU!
So precious!
Wh-What is?
Oh, no, it's nothing. Nothing at all.
Let's see, this is drawn really well, huh?
That was close, but I need to hurry and end this conversation.
If she stays here any longer...
Do you like drawing things like this?
Oh no, my mouth is moving on its own because I wish to talk to my Goddess about art!
Yes! I love manga so much! I'm a super-otaku for it!
You'd call yourself that, huh?
So, um, do you like reading manga, Ms. Makuwa?
Not at all!
I'm not familiar with it at all!
I don't watch any anime,
and I really don't know anything about those, um, voice... actors? I'm sorry!
B-But Ms. Makuwa...
Okay, so I thought Nakime had kidnapped me...
You quoted something from a manga.
Oh, well, I guess I read a little bit.
Crap, my otakuness is leaking out!
Oh, these manga books...
Isn't that "Uron Mirage"?
Ohh, yes, I've been borrowing those.
This is starting to hurt.
I really love U.M.! Which part is your favorite?
Um, well...
I'm not really reading it so I don't remember,
but the Candidate Exam? Something like that?
The Candidate Exam Arc? I love that arc, too!
I don't really remember it, though.
The Candidate Exam Arc is when Oboro enters the story, so it's a really big deal!
And that's when the story blah blah characters, blah blah blah.
I feel like I'm looking at myself and it's so cringey!
I'm so sorry, I got carried away.
I almost forgot about this.
You dropped this U.M. event-limited merchandise in the classroom.
That's a ticking time bomb if I ever saw one. You're kidding, right?
That's, um...
Ms. Makuwa!
Why do you hide yourself like that?
I'm not embarrassed about anything.
I realized something when I started drawing.
That it feels good to expose yourself.
I would like to talk to you more about U.M.!
So bright.
I...
I do, too.
I want to talk to you about it, too.
Yuri Makuwa, defeated.
YURI MAKUWA, DEFEATED
So you're a fan after all!
- You should just say so! - Yes, I really love it.
URON MIRAGE WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR OBORO UTSURO SAGIRI KASUMI
You want to make yourself unnoticeable?
Yes.
MY TUMMY IS TENDER TODAY
I want to become like air,
and disappear into the background so no one can see me.
If you have such a spell, I'd like you to cast it on me.
But...
I'm against this. You're just running away.
Yeah! It's so much more fun to stand out.
Yes. Instead of melting into the background,
we should help you gain more courage to stand up for yourself.
Moi, Kan.
New witches become proper witches by helping those in need.
If that's what he desires, then I'd like to help him with my magic.
Thank you for bringing this to me. So in other words...
You need a spell so no one notices you
when you want to get up and go to the bathroom during class, right?
CLASS 1-3 KOWASHI HARA
Oh, yes.
Are you a little kid?
When you want to go to the bathroom, just "Bam!" raise your hand and go.
That brash lifestyle isn't me.
And didn't this happen to you guys, too?
BANG BANG
- I got teased just by pooping at school. - Hey, don't poop!
There he goes! It's Poopman!
HAHA POOPMAN
And I got nicknamed as Poopman.
- Wow, boys are terrible. - Yeah.
Well, boys are little punks, so...
And so...
That's why you want to find a way to go to the bathroom without anyone noticing.
I'm telling you, you should use the same courage that brought you to the witch and…
Witch...
Wait, weren't we...
How were we trying to resolve this?
Huh...
Boo!
Whoa!
Nico! Wait, were you here the whole time?
Of course I was.
Yeah. Wait...
Huh...
Boo!
Have you been turning invisible?
I cast a spell that makes my presence thinner.
I'll cast it on you, too, Hara.
Mobliviate!
Huh? Have I disappeared?
Not one bit.
Your presence is still glaring.
Hara.
Take your pointer fingers and go like this, and then cross your arms.
Huh...
HUH
- Oh, there you are. - Hey, it's you.
I understand the system.
And then, fifth period!
AND THEN, FIFTH PERIOD
First, I'll go over the basic structure of an atom. In the center of the atom...
It's already churning. Plus there isn't much heavy time.
HEAVY TIME WHEN YOUR TUMMY IS ACHING
It's instant death pain.
INSTANT DEATH PAIN THE TYPE OF STOMACH PAIN THAT HAS A SHORT TIMESPAN FROM BEGINNING TO EXPLOSION
The countdown for the explosion has already started.
It's the strong max stomach kind.
STRONG MAX STOMACH THE WORST KIND OF STOMACH PAIN
For example, the hydrogen atom has one proton, and the helium atom has two protons.
Electrons orbit around the nucleus of an atom.
Okay, let's do this.
Mobliviate!
There are different rings of orbits, and each one has a set amount of electrons.
Wait, I don't know how to determine if my presence has vanished or not.
She said that it's more difficult to notice me, but it's not like I've become invisible.
Atoms are quite small, and cannot be seen by the naked eye.
However, atoms will gather together and form a molecule,
and that is what's comprised of material as we know it.
Water is a molecule made from two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
What am I even doing right now?
Our bodies are a collection of atoms that came together to form different molecules.
This pose makes it difficult to open the door.
Atoms also play an important role for chemical reactions. In chemistry...
I thought I was gonna poop my pants!
Okay, it should be fine now.
Oh no, that's...
the P.E. teacher who's famous for having animal-sharp senses!
Mr. Yajuro Igari!
Is someone there?
What the hell? I'm under a spell but he can still detect me?
Your five sense are too wild!
Is this "Alien"?
Morihito!
I'll take care of this. You go poop!
That's really awesome of you, but what a pathetic situation!
Thank you!
I will never forget this strange scene for as along as I live!
Now I can't drop my pants!
Why didn't you notice until now, Kowashi? Huh? I'm such an idiot!
Once I get out of this pose, everyone will start to realize that I'm missing.
This might be checkmate. I'm really at my limit.
Class is over. Now's my chance!
I have to do it now!
Drop spell!
Drop pants!
Drop load!
Dang, I almost fell asleep.
I really gotta piss. Oh?
Someone's pooping.
They're already...
Hey, don't bother him. We're too old for that.
I wasn't gonna. Sorry, man.
Man, that class though...
GRADE 1 CLASS 3
In the end...
I was the only kid there, huh?
Next time, I'll just raise my hand.
It's way better than sneaking around.
I'm sorry, Wakatsuki, for having you use your magic on a silly problem.
It's not silly at all.
It was causing you anxiety, so I'm happy to help in some way.
Thank you, Nico.
Something lit up.
Oh, it's my magic stone.
Magic stone?
Inside my wand is a magic stone that every witch receives.
New witches' stones are blue.
Once you become a full-fledged witch, it's supposed to turn white.
Just now, the color changed a little bit more towards white.
Proof of Nico's growth.
Hara's gratitude helped level you up.
It's because you relied on me for something, so thank you as well.
I only went to the bathroom, though.
I want to keep listening to everyone's troubles, and help them with my magic.
At first, I really didn't want her to use magic all that much.
But I guess it's much better than sneaking around.
ITEM INTRODUCTION NICO'S WAND AT THE HEAD IS THE EMBLEM OF AN EAGLE WHEN IT'S USED TO FLY, MAGIC ENERGY IS EMITTED AT THE END, AND THUS BEGAN THE LEGEND THAT WITCHES FLY ON BROOMS.
ITEM INTRODUCTION NICO'S WAND WHILE FLYING, IT EXTENDS NORMALLY IT'S FASTENED TO HER BELT ON A HOLSTER.
CAT SCOUT
Oh, Otogi.
Great timing.
Hello, Mr. Seki.
I wanted to drive the van,
but there's a cat under there, so I can't really start the engine.
Let me see if I can help.
Sorry to bother your nap time.
Thank you! Your ogre strength is amazing.
Let me know if you need more help.
Wow, so amazing.
Hey Otogi, can you come over to my house? There's a tree that needs removing.
I'm not a gardener.
Stare.
STARE
So that's Morihito Otogi.
I, Nemu Miyao, would like to have him as a familiar.
Um...
Are you looking for someone?
A-A man. Don't scare me like that, sheesh.
"Let me know if you need more help."
The heck is that?
Of course you'd become popular because people rely on you!
Why are you mad at me? Or are you still jealous towards ogres?
Scary! Annoying!
I'm not jealous!
It just pisses me off that they're relying on you and not me.
That's the definition of jealousy!
"I'm not a gardener."
As if!
You, too?
You're too cool! Too awesome! Of course you'd become popular!
Why are you two upset?
Oh, you know. Moi's the only one who's helping people, you know.
I also want to help people, too, you know.
But you are helping people.
You let a student with a weak stomach sneak out to go to the bathroom.
That cat from earlier has been following us.
They noticed.
- They don't have a collar, so might be a stray. - Come here, kitty cat.
Hey, stop!
Don't touch me, you dumb crow!
Aw, it looks really upset.
I hate being touched more than anything.
I also do not have business with a lowly tengu.
Yes, my objective is...
Morihito Otogi.
He's well-known in the industry because he acquired Ogre Qigong at a young age.
I was shocked to hear that he became Nico Wakatsuki's familiar.
Because nowadays, "Interested parties would form a contract with small animals."
In other words, "small enough to become a pet."
ANIMALS THAT CAN BECOME FAMILIARS MAKE YOURSELF SHINE WITH A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE LIFE WITH A WITCH!
But to take in a whole darn ogre? What cheat code did she use?
GET PROTECTION FROM AN OGRE AND LEAD A WONDERFUL LIFE! -ALREADY CONTRACTED
I'm so jealous.
If that's the case, I have the right as well.
And so I'm here to scout him.
But I'm too shy to talk to him!
This is just impossible. There's no way I can speak to a boy my age.
Maybe I should go home.
Oh no, that side of me is coming out.
Because of my self-consciousness, I get shy and lazy.
It's that one typical trope that gets washed away in love stories.
Deep down, I'm just a gloomy person after all.
No, Nemu! You can't fall back now. I'm going to change starting today!
If I make Morihito Otogi my familiar, I bet even Mother would approve of me!
Yes, I am a witch from an elite family, Nemu Miyao.
Only the strongest familiar would be good enough for me!
This cat sure is noisy with her meowing.
She followed us to our house.
What?
DOOT
Well, here I am.
But I am indeed getting closer to Morihito Otogi.
Hey Kan, let's open those blind boxes you got earlier.
Oh, you mean my "March of Progress: The Evolution of Man" collection?
These two are in the way.
Is this cat really a stray?
Its fur looks really pretty.
Don't touch me!
What's up, Kitty? Want me to pick you up?
I said, don't touch!
Ba-bump.
I had a "ba-bump" without realizing it.
What's with this hand that can press me against a wall?
Don't go.
As the cat lover, I'll show you how to properly touch a cat.
What did he just say?
When you engage with a cat, you have to be gentle.
Start around the neck area, where they can't easily groom themselves.
They should get happy.
This is definitely a "ba-bump."
You're right! Kitty's not running away.
Kitty's become a loaf! Proof that its guard is down.
And then, you slowly pet the back.
Almost like you're asking, "May I touch you?"
Can I touch you?
Ba-bump.
Huh? It doesn't hurt. What is this feeling?
I've never felt like this before.
I've hated being touched by others so much,
but here I am embraced with a sense of security.
It looks super comfortable.
He's even seducing cats. Cats!
Ba-bump... Ba-bump...
Embraced by an ogre's hand. By Nemu Miyao.
Carrying in the sweet smell of grass,
the spring wind caresses my body.
I lie cradled in a giant hand.
The pangs of joy well up from the depths of my body.
Mayhap my DNA is doing a dance.
DNA? Oh, right.
An ogre's ancestor is a tiger!
MEOW
Meow.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, what am I even doing?
Don't be like, "Meow!" just because he's petting me all over.
Stop meowing... Meow... Hrm.
Allow me to explain.
Nemu Miyao's shapeshifting magic works in a way that if you fall asleep,
you'll shift back to your normal self.
Wait a second, if I revert back now, they'll know that I'm human.
In other words, I'll be known as...
The woman who got pet.
No! I cannot! If I fall asleep, it's over!
But this hand... Oh no...
Ba-bump.
Thump... Thunk.
Tunk.
The Tunguska Event.
A-A human!
I'm done for!
Lookie here! I finally got a human!
- Was this the rare one you were talking about? - Congrats, Kan!
My "March of Progress: The Evolution of Man" collection is finally complete!
You did it! After trying about 30 times.
I didn't know what I was gonna do when I got a sixth neanderthal.
Tiptoe... Tiptoe...
I told you not to waste money on stuff like this.
Huh? Where's Kitty?
Looks like it went somewhere.
And it was just starting to get affectionate, too.
That's okay. I feel like we'll see it again soon.
Well, despite having "ba-bumped" today,
I was only here for scouting.
I will definitely visit again very soon.
And then next time I shall make you my familiar, Morihito Otogi!
No one yet knows about the witch in the next town over,
but Nemu Miyao's fierce battles have only just begun!
WITCH WATCH anime is coming along well, isn't it?
I think utilizing the "complete story in one episode" type
when there's three stories in one episode is great.
It's thanks to the skills of the anime staff.
WITCH WATCH also has voice comics on their YouTube channel, and it's great!
NEXT EPISODE UNDER THE LOVERS' TREE
Please check it out if you can!
It's Nico from the voice comics.