Produced by Bilbury Animation Studio, “Witch Watch” is an adaptation of Kenta Shinohara’s manga of the same name, serialized in “Weekly Shonen Jump”. The show follows Nico, a teenage witch-in-training, and her hilariously chaotic school life with childhood friend Morihito Otogi. But Episode 2 has fans buzzing for more than just magic mishaps, as it’s loaded with pop culture parodies and self-aware gags that hit right at the heart of the anime fandom.
Particular, Episode 2 of “Witch Watch” delights fans with clever references to “Hunter x Hunter,” “Demon Slayer,” “Dragon Ball,” and more. In this second episode, a spell gone awry causes a classmate’s hair to suddenly grow and shoot skyward. Another student exclaims, “She turned into adult Gon!”, which was a hilarious shoutout to the iconic transformation of Gon Freecss from “Hunter x Hunter”.
The joke doesn’t stop there. Their flustered teacher chimes in, “Did Gon Freecss enroll in our school?!”, adding, “That’s got to be an illusion! And honestly, my favorite’s always been Kurapika.” The wink to Yoshihiro Togashi’s legendary work delighted longtime fans and quickly spread on social media.
“Witch Watch” isn’t shy about its Shonen Jump roots. Besides “Hunter x Hunter”, the episode cheekily nods to other big-name titles, including:
- Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba): A classroom scene where students are stuck to ceilings and walls prompts a teacher to gasp, “Did I just step into the Infinity Castle?!” She even name-drops Nakime, the eerie demon responsible for manipulating that realm.
- Dragon Ball: Students perform Kamehameha-style blasts and float in the air Z-fighter style, courtesy of Nico’s chaotic magic. One teacher is described by the narrator as “an otaku who secretly dreams of being a Dragon Ball character.”
Even shojo classic Fruits Basket gets a shoutout, with another class sarcastically lamenting their mundane school life compared to the romantic drama of the beloved series.
Originally launched in February 2021, “Witch Watch” was one of nine manga titles Shonen Jump selected to lead its new generation. Its anime adaptation now runs as part of the Spring 2025 season, with plans for a two-cour broadcast that promises more laughs and magical mayhem. With its vibrant art, slapstick charm, and endless nods to anime history, “Witch Watch” is quickly becoming a fan-favorite for both comedy lovers and veteran otaku alike.
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