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Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 2 Review – Quick Summary
In Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 2, “The Land of Mages,” Elaina made her first stop in the Land of Mages. At first, she was elated to find that the entire city had been designed around the needs of mages. Since witches were at the pinnacle of the mage hierarchy, she was treated very kindly wherever she went. That changed when Saya crashed her broom into Elaina. Though no one was hurt, Elaina realized she’d lost her brooch, the symbol of her office. Now her status was in doubt, and she couldn’t find a place to stay! Will she be able to find her brooch? Just how does a witch go about replacing a lost brooch? And why is Saya so desperate for Elaina to tutor her to pass the apprentice witch exam?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Favorite Quote from Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 2
I’m not used to seeing self-confidence portrayed in such a positive light! But I like it. Capture from the Hulu stream.
I’m really excited to see Elaina’s positive self image and self confidence. It’s exactly the kind of thing I want to see in these uncertain times — it’s a reminder of what healthy looks like.
Elaina was cruising along on her broom. She reflected on how there were mages, and then there were witches at the top of the power and prestige scale. Filled with a sense of accomplishment, she thought, “Who is this beautiful girl wearing a brooch that signals her status as a witch, whose ashen hair flutters in the wind, shining so much with beauty and talent that even the sun’s eyes squint involuntarily? That’s right, it’s me!”
Her expression was just happy — no arrogance or hubris. In that instant, she was just happy with who she was. I could use more positive moments like this is my own life!
Best in Show Moment for Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 2
No anger, no histrionics. Elaina just asked for her brooch back. Her poise is just fantastic! Capture from the Hulu stream.
Setup: What Happened to Elaina’s Brooch?
First, was I the only one who thought Saya sounded a lot like Phos? Turns out there’s a good reason for that: They have the same voice actor, Tomoyo Kurosawa!
My favorite moment in this episodes comes at the end of a gentle mystery: What happened to Elaina’s brooch after her impact with Saya?
I got a little hint when Saya first asked Elaina to help her prepare for the exam. Elaina said (11:00), “Well, I can teach you until I find my brooch, at least.” That struck me as an odd way to put it. It sounded as if as long as the brooch was missing, Elaina wasn’t going anywhere. In other words, it sounded like a plot point! Not in a bad way, though. It felt like the writer was dropping a hint while wearing a little smile.
I kind of imagined the writer wearing a smile like that when they dropped the hint about the brooch! Capture from the Hulu stream.
The next hint came as Elaina was once again looking for her brooch. She she noticed a shop keeper looking at her. Elaina introduced herself and asked if the “lovely lady” had seen anything. The woman complained that her memory had been failing. I am so impressed with Elaina’s poise and presence of mind: she immediately knew what the lady was saying. In a conversational tone, Elaina offered a gold coin that she’d “found,” and it miraculously helped the woman get her memory back! Elaina was just so graceful about it!
We didn’t know what Elaina had learned from the woman until a little later, but one thing was for certain: Elaina was a bit miffed.
Delivery: Elaina, Winning with Poise
That night, a very bold Saya asked if she could sleep with Elaina. It was an innocent request, but by this time, I had figured out that Saya had taken the brooch. That strong suspicion cast a dramatic shadow over the scene.
I still didn’t know Elaina well enough to know how she’d handle this. Would she be furious? Use her superior power to do something very painful to Saya? This show, more than any other I can think of in the last few years, had me on pins and needles about this simple reaction, and I think that says a lot about the craftsmanship that went into Elaina’s character.
The same Elaina who showed such refined self confidence in my favorite quote (above), the same Elaina who gracefully handed the shop keeper a gold coin, reacted now with aplomb and restraint. She simply asked for her brooch back.
The animation in this series is so effective! Just look at how anguished Saya looks after Elaina confronted her! Capture from the Hulu stream.
Saya was mortified. Instead of berating her, Elaina carefully explained how she had figured it out. You can tell a lot about a character by how they react to being manipulated. What came after, including Saya’s tearful confession and how Elaina responded, were really strong scenes that deserved attention. But it was this moment, the moment that capped the mystery, that I thought was striking because it showed just how in control Elaina was.
There is one huge problem, though. Now my expectations for the show are even higher!
What did you think of the level of detail, including the elevated shop entrances for witches on brooms? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 2: Other Posts
Other Anime Sites
- Reddit: Majo no Tabitabi – Episode 2 discussion
- RABUJOI: Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina – 02 – You’ll Never Fly Alone
- Random Curiosity: Majo no Tabitabi – 02
This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 1: Elaina, The Apprentice Witch
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 2: The Land of Mages
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 3: The Girl as Pretty as a Flower / Bottled Happiness
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 4: The Princess without Subjects
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 5: Royal Celesteria
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 6: The Land of Truth Tellers
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 7: The Wall Etched by Travelers / The Grape-Stomping Girl
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 8: The Ripper
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 9: A Deep Sorrow from the Past
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 10: The Two Teachers
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 11: The Two Apprentices
- Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina Episode 12: The Everyday Tale of Every Ashen Witch
I just finished watching the first three episodes of this show in preparation for my 3 episode rule series, and it’s weird I feel like all three of them were totally different in terms of how they approached their stories. You’ll see what I mean when you see the third episode, if you haven’t already, which is where the change is most prominent.
It takes a bit of a darker turn and becomes more of an anthology series, in which Elania stumbles into cautionary tales or grimm style fairytales part way through. And leaves before they can really resolve themselves, leaving to the audience to decide what happens. I’m really interested to see what kind of style it’s going to keep going with as it plays out. Which is why I’m planning on sticking with it for a few episodes longer.
It doesn’t hurt that it’s a pretty show either.
Now I want to watch the third episode even more than ever!
You know, I just don’t like the way Elaina’s character is being developed in the show–she just seems rather full of herself, as if she learned nothing from being put in her place by the Stardust Witch. (Indeed, she seems quite self-satisfied and mildly condescending when she deliberately mimics her mentor during supper.) This has the potential to be a wonderful story, so long as they take care not to ruin it with a conceited, unapproachably self-absorbed protagonist. So far my only emotional reaction to Elaina is a pronounced personal dislike. . .
That’s interesting! I had a completely different reaction.
I thought it was refreshing to see a young woman with significant talent being self confident. From a narrative perspective, I’m particularly interested to see how they portray that.
Also, I haven’t been able to find as many example of self-confident, strong women characters. So finding one in Elaina was a real treat.
It’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out.
I also thought that Elaina seemed rather full of herself as her mother told her not to think of herself as special as condition #2 for going on a journey, but Elaina definitely thought of herself as special if her words, “Who is this beautiful girl wearing a brooch that signals her status as a witch, whose ashen hair flutters in the wind, shining so much with beauty and talent that even the sun’s eyes squint involuntarily? That’s right, it’s me!” were any indication of how she viewed herself in regards to her status in society.
I’ve always equated being full of oneself with arrogance. Everything Elaina said was true.
Is it arrogance for one’s self perception to match reality?
I have no idea where the show’s headed (I haven’t seen episode 3 yet), but I really hope it explores that idea. I seldom see a show look at that idea. What’s more, the character is female. That’s even more rare.
Since before recorded history, society has had a way of dealing with the stalks that were too tall. I want to know what happens when they are allowed to thrive!
I don’t think Elena personifying the Sun as being someone who just has to notice her even if the Sun wasn’t paying attention to her as being a true statement. It strikes me as being a remark from a person who is very vain.
I haven’t seen episode 3 either since I’m waiting for GoodJobMedia’s release, but my initial impression of Elaina is that her parents were very right to enlist the Stardust Witch to put Elaina through the ringer and knock her down a peg. Elaina will probably need another wake-up call to humble her given that shes thinks of herself as being extreme important.
extremely*