▲ Taipei《WITCH WATCH: Watch Party》Huge Success!
WITCH WATCH, the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Japanese manga artist Kenta Shinohara’s hit magical comedy series, cast a spell over fans in Taiwan and Hong Kong during its global Watch Party—a special advance screening event held in theaters ahead of the anime’s official broadcast on April 6. As the first two cities in the world to host these exclusive theatrical previews, the screenings drew hundreds of enthusiastic fans eager to be the first to experience the anime’s first three episodes.
▲Hong Kong《WITCH WATCH: Watch Party》 Successfully concluded!
Laughter-Filled 《WITCH WATCH: Watch Party》 Highlight Exclusive Sneak Peek and YOASOBI’s “Watch Me!” Premiere
In Taipei, the atmosphere was electric as fans, many dressed as their favorite characters, filled the venue with energy and anticipation. During a group photo session, the entire audience participated by performing Nico’s iconic “heart gesture,” creating a heartwarming moment that reflected their shared love for the series.
The screening was met with laughter and delight throughout, as fans praised the show’s dynamic animation, sharp comedic timing, and clever references to classic anime tropes—raising excitement even higher for the anime’s official release.
Audience response was overwhelmingly positive. After the screening, fans shared their thoughts:
“The characters are even cuter in the anime!”
“The voice acting was phenomenal—I was laughing the whole time!”
“I can’t wait for the full episodes to drop in April!”
“The over-the-top gags and anime references were hilarious!”
“I’m beyond excited for this adaptation—it didn’t disappoint!”
Many said they were thrilled to be part of the advance preview and called it a fun and unforgettable experience.
The Hong Kong screening was equally energetic, with large crowds taking photos with life-sized character standees. Attendees praised the fast-paced comedy, lovable cast, and especially the surprise reveal of the opening theme, “Watch Me!” performed by Japanese pop sensation YOASOBI.
▲《WITCH WATCH: Watch Party》Fans in Taipei celebrated Nico’s big-screen debut with cheers and cosplay!
▲《WITCH WATCH: Watch Party》 Hong Kong fans enjoying photo sessions with character standees
Anime Set to Launch April 6—Voice Cast delivering hilarious improvised performances
The 《WITCH WATCH: Watch Party》, presented by Tropics Entertainment, also featured exclusive behind-the-scenes interview clips with the voice cast and director.
Voice actress Rina Kawaguchi (Nico) and voice actor Ryota Suzuki (Morihito) shared insights from the recording process. They explained that the director encouraged improvisation and asked them to develop a manzai-style rhythm, which is a type of Japanese comedy based on quick banter, to enhance the comedic tone. The two managed to foster a strong comedic rapport to make it work.
One such moment came in Episode 1, where Morihito, affected by a magical spell, becomes “super light” both physically and in personality. Suzuki recalled how his character’s normally serious tone had to turn suddenly playful and silly, even though he had just received the script that day. The performance was largely improvised, and, as Kawaguchi laughingly noted, “Suzuki-san was really impressive.”
Kawaguchi also shared her hopes for the show’s global audience, saying:
“I hope WITCH WATCH connects people across the world and spreads this joy to everyone watching.”
The Taipei and Hong Kong 《WITCH WATCH: Watch Party》 were a resounding success, praised for their faithful adaptation of iconic manga scenes and enhancements unique to animation—including sound effects, magical transformations, and vivid action sequences. Highlights like Nico’s chaotic spellcasting and Morihito’s fierce battles wowed the audience, while loving nods to classic anime drew constant laughter. Fans were unanimous: the adaptation not only lived up to expectations but elevated the source material.
The screening also marked the world premiere of the anime’s theme song, “Watch Me!” by YOASOBI. Fans in both cities were thrilled to be the first to hear the catchy track ahead of its global release.
WITCH WATCH will officially premiere on April 6, 2025, and will be available on multiple streaming platforms including:
Chunghwa Telecom MOD, Hami Video, Taiwan Mobile MyVideo, FarEasTone friDay Video, Bahamut Anime Crazy (Taiwan & HK), LiTV, Ofiii, KKTV, LINE TV, CATCHPLAY+, and Tropics Entertainment YouTube. New episodes will be released every Sunday at 16:30 (GMT+8). Fans are encouraged to tune in early and experience the laugh-out-loud magic of WITCH WATCH from the very beginning.
