Entertainment
Hilary Duff Defends Mom As Frankie Muniz Calls Her Intense
Hilary Duff is speaking out after her Agent Cody Banks costar Frankie Muniz recently described her mom, Susan Colleen Duff, as “super intense.”
“I was never pushed into acting and I was never pushed into singing,” Hilary, 38, told “Mythical Kitchen” in an interview posted on Friday, March 13. “My mom knew that my sister [Haylie Duff] and I loved performing…. I understand giving what your children are interested in energy … Back when I was doing it, no one was acting where I came from, so everyone thought it was like, ‘She has a stage mom.’”
While Hilary did not directly address Muniz’s specific complaints about her mom, she credited Susan for having her back as a child star.
“It was really nice that I had my mom in the corner … for better or for worse,” she added. “I think there [were] obviously mistakes made and a learning process, but it’s hard to be like a family up against a machine.”
Hilary Duff’s breakout role on Lizzie McGuire yielded years of success for the actress that continues today, while her costars chose slightly different paths. The sitcom — starring Duff (Lizzie McGuire), Lalaine (Miranda Sanchez), Adam Lamberg (Gordo), Jake Thomas (Matt McGuire), Hallie Todd (Jo McGuire) and Robert Carradine (Sam McGuire) — aired from 2001 to 2004 and […]
Hilary went on, “I’m super grateful for [my mom].”
Hilary and Muniz dated as teenagers though they reportedly went their separate ways after filming 2003 action comedy Agent Cody Banks. Muniz, 40, revealed on the “Joe Vulpis Podcast” last September that he hadn’t spoken to Hilary in 22 years.
“There’s another story I haven’t told, and I don’t know if I want to tell it, but maybe I will. It’s been a long time,” he remembered. “I was on the set of Lizzie McGuire, and I was in Hilary’s dressing room and her mom was there. Her mom was — I’m going to say — the epitome of a stage mom, momager. … Hilary was so cool, we had an awesome relationship, but her mom was super intense. My mom was the opposite.”
He described Hilary as one of his “first friends” after moving to Los Angeles as a child actor. Per Muniz, he had an awkward conversation with Hilary’s mom Susan when he guest starred on a 2002 episode of her Disney series Lizzie McGuire.
“Her mom was like, ‘Do you know what you’re doing this summer? What are you doing this summer?’” he remembered. “And I go, ‘Oh, I’m filming this movie where I’m playing like a junior James Bond. It’s called Agent Cody Banks.’”
Haylie Duff and Hilary Duff with their mother Susan Duff in 2006. Peter Kramer/Getty Images
Muniz remembered Susan asking if he had any input on who would pay his girlfriend in Agent Cody Banks. He expected Smallville’s Kristin Kreuk to sign on for the role but learned the very next day that Duff landed the part instead.
“Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled about it. And not because I didn’t want it to be Hilary,” he explained. “I don’t know how much I want to say. I’m trying to think about it because I’ve already said way too much.”
The actor added, “I’ve never talked to Hilary since the last day of filming. I’ve not said one word to her since then. So that’s the truth of that. No one knows about my Hilary Duff story.”
Despite their 22-year estrangement, Muniz said he’d “love to catch up with” Hilary and would even bring up the awkward end to their friendship.
Meanwhile, Hilary recently opened up about her relationship with her sister Haylie after writing about their estrangement on her new album Luck … or Something.
“Absolutely the most lonely part of my existence is not having my sister in my life at the moment,” Hilary told CBS Mornings in February. “It’s my truth, and so many people are [also] having this experience. It’s hard because I am me, and people know everything about my life since I was a child. I didn’t necessarily choose that part, but it’s my reality. It was honestly, like, healing to say.”
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From the heartbreaking modern classic Sound of Metal and the Jeffrey Wright-led American Fiction to the underrated One Night in Miami and Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista‘s The Wrecking Crew, Prime Video has quietly dropped some of the best streaming movies in recent memory. However, not all have been the enormous streaming successes of the likes of The Wrecking Crew, with some falling under the radar, as is the nature of streaming.
One of the more underrated entries from the Prime Video catalog is The Order, a based-on-a-true-story crime drama released less than two years ago. Directed by Justin Kurzel, 13 years after his debut, Snowtown, the film is set against the backdrop of a year of daring bank heists that have baffled law enforcement. As the violence escalates, FBI agent Terry Husk (Jude Law) becomes convinced that, instead of financially motivated attacks, the heists and robberies are instead the work of a domestic terrorist group.
Alongside Law, the film also featured the talents of Nicholas Hoult and Tye Sheridan, and was praised for its slick neo-noir execution and a Heat-esque tale that was triumphant in its ambition. Sadly, despite a positive response from critics and a near-perfect 93% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, The Order was limited to an uneventful theatrical run. In total, the film earned just $2.2 million from just 2.3 weeks on average in theaters. 16 months after its short theatrical run, The Order is proving a streaming success, officially placing inside the top ten most-watched movies on Prime Video in the world, at the time of writing.
What Did Collider Say About ‘The Order’?
Ross Bonaime reviewed The Order for Collider, agreeing with the near-perfect response from Rotten Tomatoes critics with an 8/10 score. “With The Order, Kurzel takes on a more straightforward approach than usual, giving us a Mann-esque thriller that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats,” Bonaime said. He continued, “Yet the director also manages to keep that disturbing energy that has made his work up to this point so effective and unnerving. The Order is a solid crime drama that sometimes hits too close to home, but that’s what makes it so terrifying.”
The Order is currently one of the ten most-watched movies on Prime Video in the world. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for all the latest streaming stories.
- Release Date
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December 5, 2024
- Runtime
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120 Minutes
- Writers
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Zach Baylin, Kevin Flynn, Gary Gerhardt
-
-
George Tchortov
Gary Yarbrough
Entertainment
Savannah Guthrie fights back tears as fans welcome her back on “Today” plaza: 'You guys have been so beautiful'
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The morning show host stepped away from the news desk for two months during the search for her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.
Pooh Shiesty‘s dad, Lontrell Williams Sr., was reportedly granted a $250,000 bond and to be placed on house arrest as a new lawyer, John Helms, rolls out the rapper’s defense in his federal kidnapping case.
RELATED: Pooh Shiesty, His Dad, Gucci Mane & Keyshia Ka’oir Were Active On Social Media Around Time Of Alleged Robbery — Here’s What They Posted
Pooh Shiesty’s Dad, Lontrell Williams Sr., Reportedly Granted $250K Bond & To Be Placed On House Arrest
According to Localmemphis.com, prosecutors presented their case against Pooh Shiesty, his dad, and seven others to a federal judge in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday, April 3. Furthermore, the event reportedly made way at a detention hearing for Williams Sr., Big30, real name Rodney Wright Jr., and three other defendants (not including Pooh Shiesty). Ultimately, the judge reportedly ruled that prosecutors have probable cause to pursue their case against the group.
Regarding Williams Sr., prosecutors reportedly argued that he printed the music release contract that Pooh Shiesty allegedly forced Gucci Mane to sign at gunpoint on January 10, 2026. Williams Sr. reportedly printed the paperwork at a Staples in Frisco, Texas. Additionally, it is believed that Williams Sr. made contact with the music studio owner hours before the kidnapping and robbery of Gucci and two others took place at the location.
Lastly, prosecutors argued that Williams Sr. was not a “primary participant” in the robbery. However, his criminal record shows that he has previously been hit with “kidnapping, drug, gun, and other violent charges.”
In response, a lawyer for Williams Sr. reportedly argued that he is simply his son’s business manager. Additionally, they alleged that it’s “unconfirmed” what he printed out at Staples. Furthermore, the lawyer argued that the search of Williams’ home was clean. And previously, Pooh and Gucci had only ever used a studio to record music together.
Ultimately, the judge set Williams Sr.’s bond at $250,000. However, the judge ruled that he must remain on house arrest and may travel only to Dallas, Texas, where the case will proceed. At this time, however, it remains unclear whether Pooh’s dad has been released from police custody.
New Lawyer For Pooh Shiesty Rolls Out His Apparent Defense In His Federal Kidnapping Case
According to the Dallas Morning News, last week, a lawyer named John Helms reportedly joined Pooh’s legal defense team. As The Shade Room previously reported, Bradford Cohen was cited as Pooh’s initial defense lawyer, and said he spotted “inconsistencies” in the claims against his client.
Now, Helms has reportedly added his thoughts.
“The government tries to characterize this as a dispute over money between Lontrell and his record label, but in this business, things are very often not what they seem, and people’s motivations are very often not what they seem,” he reportedly told the outlet.
Per the Dallas Morning News, Helms shared that he and Cohen will be representing Pooh.
“… As the case goes on… I think it’s going to be significantly different from what the government says,” Helms reportedly added.
Why Are The Rapper & His Dad Caught Up In A Federal Kidnapping Case?
As The Shade Room previously reported, the FBI raided Pooh Shiesty’s family home in Memphis last week. This led to the arrest of Pooh and his dad. Subsequently, it was revealed that the pair was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and robbing Gucci Mane. This reportedly took place at a studio in Dallas, Texas, on January 10, 2026. Furthermore, prosecutors alleged the incident involved seven other suspects and two other victims.
Prosecutors believe the group committed the crime to force Gucci Mane to release Pooh from a music contract. The incident reportedly included barricaded doors, gunpoint tactics, and the robbery of luxury goods. This, while some of the defendants also flossed the stolen goods on social media.
Now, a defense lawyer for Big30 is reportedly arguing that there’s no evidence his client had a gun during the ordeal. Additionally, a defense lawyer for another suspect is reportedly arguing that Gucci Mane never identified his client. Also, at the detention hearing, it was reportedly shared that no video surveillance evidence has been recovered of any suspects possessing guns.
At this time, Gucci Mane has not publicly addressed the incident. Additionally, it is believed that if convicted, the suspects could face up to life in prison.
RELATED: From A Staples Stop To Social Media Flexing, Here Are 7 WILD Allegations In Pooh Shiesty’s Kidnapping Case
What Do You Think Roomies?
HBO’s new Harry Potter series is promoting itself as the ultimate retelling of the story with lots of new info going on outside of the Golden Trio in the story, and for diehard fans, no amount of on-screen storytelling would be enough. That’s why this latest update may sting a little for longtime readers, because after weeks of excitement around the teaser, the behind-the-scenes special, and the Christmas 2026 release date, fans now know exactly how long the first season will be — and it’s not quite as big as some were hoping.
Last night, HBO Max — 8 months early — released a documentary entitled Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic, and within that documentary, the new actor playing Albus Dumbledore, John Lithgow confirmed that the first season of HBO’s Harry Potter adaptation will run for eight episodes.
That means Season 1, titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, won’t be the 10-episode run some fans had been hoping for. For viewers who wanted a really expansive adaptation of the first book, eight episodes may feel a little tighter than expected, especially since HBO has spent so much time talking about making this version more faithful and more detailed than the films. At the same time, eight hours is still a lot more space than the 2001 movie had to work with, and recent comments from HBO have suggested the first season will cover the book in roughly eight hours.
Who Stars in ‘Harry Potter’?
The cast is led by Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, with John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. The wider cast also includes Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick, Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout, Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Louise Brealeyas Rolanda Hooch, Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey, Leigh Gill as Griphook, and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone will premiere at Christmas this year.
- Release Date
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2026 – 2026
- Showrunner
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Francisca Gardiner
- Directors
-
Mark Mylod
Entertainment
New Sci-Fi Masterpiece Officially Overtakes Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’ at the Box Office in Just 2 Weeks
In yet another solid weekend performance at the box office, the new sci-fi blockbuster Project Hail Mary passed two massive milestones. In doing so, the film overtook a host of past hits, including one of the most well-liked sci-fi blockbusters of the last couple of decades. Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling in the lead role of a schoolteacher who awakens on a spacecraft with no memory of how he got there. Based on a book by Andy Weir, whose previous bestseller served as the inspiration for Ridley Scott‘s The Martian, the movie was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. It opened to excellent reviews and has been exceeding box-office expectations with stunning consistency over the last few weeks.
Project Hail Mary is being distributed domestically by Amazon MGM Studios, and, unlike many of the studio’s earlier titles, has been given a wide theatrical footprint. It was marketed as an event designed for large-format screens, and has done particularly well on IMAX. The movie holds a “Certified Fresh” 95% critics’ score and a “Verified Hot” 96% audience score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics’ consensus reads, “A visually dazzling space odyssey that’s carried along effortlessly by the gravitational pull of Ryan Gosling at his most winning, Project Hail Mary is a near-miraculous fusion of smarts and heart.”
Here’s the Epic Sci-Fi Hit That ‘Project Hail Mary’ Has Now Overtaken
With approximately $217 million domestically and another $203 million from overseas markets, the film’s cumulative global haul currently stands at $420 million against a reported budget of $200 million. With this, Project Hail Mary has passed the lifetime worldwide gross of Scott’s Prometheus and the $203 million domestic haul of Christopher Nolan‘s Interstellar. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Casey Affleck, among others, Interstellar remains one of the most beloved sci-fi movies of the last few decades. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024, adding approximately $100 million to its worldwide haul during a re-release that spanned a few months. The movie opened to mostly positive reviews and is now sitting at a 73% critics’ score and an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Nolan is now putting together his new film, the epic adventure The Odyssey, due out this summer. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
- Release Date
-
March 15, 2026
- Runtime
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157 minutes
- Director
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Christopher Miller, Phil Lord
- Writers
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Drew Goddard, Andy Weir
- Producers
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Aditya Sood, Amy Pascal, Andy Weir, Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, Rachel O’Connor, Ryan Gosling
Entertainment
Melissa Gilbert says child abuse allegations against Timothy Busfield ruined couple's future: 'It's done. He's canceled'
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The “Little House on the Prairie” star defended Busfield in her first TV interview about his arrest, which she called “the most traumatizing experience of our lives.”
DaBaby doesn’t play about his babies! Over the weekend, a video surfaced of the rapper approaching a Dallas nightclub during his ‘Be More Grateful’ tour. He stopped to glance at a portrait of his daughters, then walked away without accepting it or acknowledging the artist, Bruce White Jr. (@bwhitecreations). That moment sparked so much conversation that the rapper ultimately addressed it, saying he’s not impressed with “grown men” doing anything related to his daughters. Then, Baby circled to the artist’s comment section to drop STRONG warnings about continuing to promote the portrait. Here’s everything that happened leading up to and after that point!
RELATED: Whew! B. Simone & DaBaby Clear The Air On Their Flirty History & Confirm Where They Stand Now (VIDEOS)
DaBaby Explains Why He Rejected Painting Of His Daughters, Sends “Father First” Warnings
After the internet flooded DaBaby with mentions of the fan’s painting, he hopped on video to share his energy behind the rejection. He said the topic was starting to work his nerves, and explained the type of father he is and isn’t.
“…I’m not into grown a*s men discussing my daughters, painting pictures of my daughters, taking pictures of my kids. I don’t play like that. If you play like that, to each its own. Send that n***a a picture of your daughters, let that n***a paint them and then show him some appreciation.”
Additionally, Baby clarified that he wouldn’t accept a painting of his kids outside a nightclub. Furthermore, he said if anyone is bothered by how he protects his kids, that’s not his concern.
DaBaby’s video appears to be a direct response to Bruce’s POV video, which is no longer on his Instagram page. However, the POV clip (swipe below to see) shows Bruce with the painting in his house, saying he doesn’t understand what was “wrong” with it.
After DaBaby’s first response, it appears Bruce didn’t remove the POV video and/or other videos featuring the painting of the rapper’s daughters. According to a screenshot shared by The Shade Room, Baby stopped by the @bwhitecreations’ comment section with some direct warnings. He reminded the artist that he’s a father first and rapper second!
“You still got my daughters on yo page as a grown ma after I made it clear I ain’t comfortable with that. Steady playing for this online attention. So when God put me back in front of you ima show you how serious I am about my daughters,” DaBaby wrote. “Best advice I can give you, get my children off yo page & keep doing what you gifted at doing. Using my kids ain’t the route to go if you wanna go viral, that’s the route to go if you wanna get hurt. This a father talking, not a rapper.”
Artist Sets The Record Straight, Rapper Reacts
Sometime on Sunday (April 5), the content featuring DaBaby’s daughters was removed from @bwhitecreations’ IG page. Also, Bruce (B. White) shared a video clearing the air, sharing his perspective of the portrait. He explained that he moved to Dallas about three years ago to pursue art. One of his industry peers recommended he feature celebs’ loved ones in his artwork to be more attention-grabbing. That’s been his style for the last two years or so, Bruce explained.
A few hours after Bruce shared his message, DaBaby hopped in the comment section. He ultimately thanked him for complying with his removal request. However, he also clarified his energy and shared his disagreement with some of the video.
“I see the picture finally down that’s all I wanted my boy, it’s all good. I know first hand how judgement can get clouded when that attention come pouring in, so I appreciate you for straightening that shit out. I just wanted my babies off the page & detached from anything negative. Everything else niggas talking bout for the birds! I ain’t think you meant no harm in painting the picture, I just ain’t like how the viral moment led you to believe it was cool to double back and post them on your page feeding into the situation after I reached out privately to the nigga that walked you over to me and I commented and told you how I felt & asked you to take it down & you didn’t. I ain’t got no ill will for ya bruh I’m just serious bout my lil girls and I’d give you & any other parent the same respect with no hesitation. Ion like a lot of lil shit you said in this video but I understand you defending your character as you should, cause as you can see this internet don’t got no picks and chooses. So I’m responding with grace and understanding my n***a. Keep doing what you doing!”
RELATED: Too Cute! DaniLeigh & DaBaby Pop Out For Daughter Velour’s Pre-K Graduation Ceremony (PHOTOS + VIDEOS)
What Do You Think Roomies?
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Summer dressing sounds easy until you’re stuck choosing between stiff, structured pieces that feel restrictive and flowy dresses that lack shape. As a shopping editor, I’m always looking for that sweet spot: styles that define your silhouette without sacrificing comfort. That’s exactly where soft, structured dresses come in. They give you polish, ease and breathability all at once.
These 15 soft-structured summer dresses on Amazon strike the perfect balance. Think lightweight fabrics with smocking, tailored seams, cinched waists and subtle shaping details that do the work for you. From casual daytime options to elevated picks you can wear out to dinner, these dresses are equal parts flattering and wearable.
15 Soft, Structured Dresses for Summer From Amazon
1. Top Pick: This floral smocked midi dress hugs through the bodice and flows effortlessly through the skirt for a naturally flattering shape. I love that it gives you definition without feeling tight because it’s basically built-in tailoring with zero effort.
2. Runner-up: A square-neck dress with a fitted top and A-line skirt creates that classic hourglass illusion instantly. The breathable, stretchy blend keeps it feeling light even on the hottest days.
3. So Chic: A ribbed knit midi dress is one thing, but a three-pack for $32? I’m sold. This style channels that off-duty model look while subtly contouring your shape. It’s stretchy, smoothing and polished enough to wear from brunch to dinner.
4. Designer-Looking: A linen-blend wrap dress with a tie waist gives you full control over the fit while keeping things airy. It looks like something you’d find at a boutique, but it feels way more wearable.
5. Everyday Essential: A T-shirt dress is basically my summer uniform, and this one features a slit at the leg waist and fun patterns that elevate it beyond basic. I throw it on when I want to look put-together in under 30 seconds.
6. Comfy-Chic: A tiered midi with a fitted bodice balances volume and structure beautifully. The soft fabric moves with you, while the top half keeps everything feeling secure and shaped.
7. Work-to-Weekend: This sleeveless sheath dress skims your body without clinging, thanks to its thicker, stretchy fabric. It’s polished enough for the office but comfortable enough for all-day wear.
8. Effortless Staple: A button-front shirt dress gives you that tailored look without stiffness. I love how you can adjust the fit depending on how relaxed or defined you want it.
9. Polished Pick: If there’s one thing about a dress with pockets, it’s that I’m going to buy it. This flowy, cap sleeve pick combines a cinched waist with a flowy skirt for the perfect contrast. It creates movement while still keeping your silhouette clean and refined.
10. Travel Hero: This wrinkle-resistant knit dress is basically a giant T-shirt begging you to wear it on travel days. For as comfortable as it is, this one holds its shape all day, so you look fresh even after hours on the go.
11. Trend-Forward: This puff-sleeve mini dress adds volume up top while cinching at the waist for balance. It’s playful but still gives you that structured, put-together feel.
12. Minimalist Must-Have: A sleek tank dress with strategic rouching subtly shapes your figure without extra bulk. It’s the kind of piece you can dress up or down endlessly.
13. Curve-Enhancing: This ruched midi dress uses gathered fabric to sculpt and flatter in all the right places. It’s comfortable, forgiving and surprisingly supportive.
14. Lightweight Luxe: A chiffon midi with a smocked waist gives you softness and structure in one. It feels airy and elegant, but still defines your shape beautifully.
15. Throw-On-and-Go: This elastic-waist maxi dress delivers instant polish with zero effort. I reach for it when I want something easy that still looks intentionally styled.
There’s no wrong time to break bad with Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, Hank Schrader, and the rest of that Vince Gilligan universe. Let’s start cookin’.
Don’t forget to sign in to your account to track your daily progress. You can always play today’s Movie Quiz for even more trivia, and all of our current and archived quizzes are here.
For the week ahead, we’re planning on testing your wits with television spin-offs, series that changed networks mid-run, famous episodes of shows that featured baseball, and the off-beat phenomenon, Atlanta.
For today’s TV challenge, we’re heading to Albuquerque and checking in with our favorite teacher-turned-dealer, Walter White, in order to grill you on the Breaking Bad universe. Scroll down for the cold open!
News of an anime adaptation of the popular manga Witch Hat Atelier made headlines in 2022. Initially scheduled for a 2025 premiere, the show was delayed to ensure “an even higher quality,” making fans more excited but also more anxious. Witch Hat Atelier has been one of the most highly anticipated Crunchyroll titles for a while, considering its production process and the name recognition of its source material.
However, the series not only meets the sky-high expectations set for it but also exceeds them in a few key ways. Fantasy anime is almost always a surefire bet, but there’s something special about Witch Hat Atelier, a sense of warmth and melancholy that makes it the perfect watch for any and every lover of the genre and the medium.
What Is ‘Witch Hat Atelier’ About?
Witch Hat Atelier tells the story of Coco (Rena Motomura), a young girl who lives with her dressmaker mother in a secluded home. Enthusiastic and hopeful, Coco is fascinated with magic and dreams of one day becoming a witch, but knows it’s impossible since only those with innate magic can perform it. She also has a mysterious book full of drawings and a wand given to her by a witch when she was a child.
Coco’s fate changes when she meets Master Qifrey (Natsuki Hanae), a witch who visits her home, leading to Coco discovering how he uses magic: by drawing signs using special ink. Realizing her book’s drawings are actually spells, and the wand is actually a pen, Coco begins replicating the drawings, accidentally petrifying her mother. Intrigued by the book’s contents, Qifrey agrees to take Coco as a student.
The show also stars the voice talents of Hibiku Yamamura, Kurumi Haruki, and Hika Tsukishiru as Agott, Tetia, and Richeh, three fellow students at Qifrey’s atelier. Witch Hat Atelier is based on the manga by Kamome Shirahama, with Ayumu Watanabe acting as director, Hiroshi Seko in charge of the script, Kairi Unabara as character designer, and Satoshi Nakano as chief animator.
‘Witch Hat Atelier’ Features Some of the Best Visuals in Anime
The Witch Hat Atelier manga earned considerable acclaim for its beautiful art style, and the anime adaptation lives up to its high standard. Indeed, this anime features some of the most striking and detailed visuals on television, joining the likes of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End among the shows that are currently elevating the medium to new, impressive heights. Many of Witch Hat Atelier‘s panoramic sequences are genuinely breathtaking, creating an immersive world that feels alive and full of magic.
From the jump, Witch Hat Atelier establishes itself as a visual marvel with a truly jaw-dropping sequence where Coco stands on the rooftop and the camera follows a pegasus carriage as it circles her humble home; everything, from the mountains to the tree tops and even the clouds to the winged horses, feels vibrant and almost tactile. A few scenes, like memories and some of the exposition, are presented in the style of a pop-up book, and the result is striking, both gorgeous and somewhat haunting. There’s a level of attention and care to the show that makes it all the more impressive, with shots that fans should be allowed to experience on the big screen.
The character animation flows naturally, whether it’s the lively, restless personality of Coco or the quiet, stoic approach of Agott. What truly amazes is the level of care in the characters’ movements — a sequence as simple as Coco tracing measurements in a piece of cloth becomes an outright ASMR session. There’s not a hint of stiffness here; every movement just glides across the screen, like butter sliding down a piece of warm toast. It all combines to create a true sense of coziness, the type of warmth that many crave in their anime but very few shows successfully offer.
Perhaps most impressively is how effectively Witch Hat Atelier builds its world from the ground up. Early in the premiere, Coco establishes her philosophy: magic is everywhere if we know where to look for it, and the show takes it as gospel. It effectively shows us everything from Coco’s perspective, and we discover the marvels of magic alongside her. Every scene drips with a sense of wonder, the innocence of a child just discovering the world and all its possibilities. In that way, Witch Hat Atelier echoes the spirit of Studio Ghibli movies, which convey a sense of awe and charm in every frame. Like the studio’s biggest masterpieces, Witch Hat Atelier reminds us that there is magic in being alive, even if we can’t use special ink to conjure spells.
‘Witch Hat Atelier’ Has the Perfect Protagonist
A story is only as good as its protagonist, and fortunately, Witch Hat Atelier features a perfect one. Coco is the ideal lead: she’s fallible, and her curiosity leads her to make serious mistakes, most notably petrifying her mother. As Qifrey’s student, she’s eager to please and learn but prone to overreactions, leading to the type of overblown visuals one would expect from an anime. Yet, Coco remains endearing, a classic hero on a journey of self-discovery. Crucially, she’s relatable, frustrating but never annoying, and it’s a breeze to be on this magic journey with her.
It’s wonderful that Coco is such a likable protagonist, because Witch Hat Atelier uses her to introduce many of its detailed worldbuilding blocks, and it can get somewhat tedious. Such an intricate world was always going to need considerable exposition to establish its boundaries, but the show should’ve taken a more subtle approach, especially when explaining how the magic system works. Instead, it opts for a dynamic where Qifrey has Coco repeat all the rules under the guise of teaching. It’s an effective but rather blunt ploy, and while it’s harmless for a few episodes, hopefully, we don’t have much more of that in the future. After all, many fantasy stories have been crushed under the weight of their own worldbuilding, and it’d be a shame to see that happen to Witch Hat Atelier.
Overall, Witch Hat Atelier is a perfect fantasy anime that hits the ground running. The visuals are among the best in current television, creating a sensory experience that will easily transport you into its world of charm, magic, and unforeseen dangers. For all its more obvious qualities, the real strength of Witch Hat Atelier lies in its message about self-discovery and perseverance, and the feelings it’s bound to evoke in its audience. There’s a warmth to it that recalls the comfort shows that are in short supply in this era of prestige TV. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgia and solace, pure hopecore in service of a riveting fantasy tale. Indeed, Witch Hat Atelier is a triumph of feeling, and it’s exactly that quality that makes it a must-watch anime for every fan.
Witch Hat Atelier premieres with its first two episodes April 6 on Crunchyroll.
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