The Realm of Magical Girls

This review includes some spoilers.

 Storenvy | Tapas | Twitter

Synopsis: Join Morie the Witch and her helper and half-beast Yanna as they go on an adventure to meet the other witches that are scattered across the land.

https://tapas.io/series/Herder-Witch

Middle School Nostalgia

I started reading The Herder Witch on Tapas a year or two ago. (Sorry, I’m terrible with time, which is okay because it’s just a social construct, right?) I fell in love instantly. Unfortunately, one thing or another got in the way of reading it. So, when the opportunity to buy (signed!!) copies came up, I took it and ran. (Literally, I ran away after paying. lol)

Reading it in it’s physical form was a different experience than reading it on Tapas. It made me feel… I don’t know, somehow nostalgic, like I was in middle school again reading my favorite manga.

All the Feels

The artwork is whimsical and fun, and the colored pages are absolutely stunning. (´♡‿♡`) Admittedly, some of my favorite scenes are the ones where the characters have dramatic reactions, such as when Morie asks Yanna if she found the coins hidden around the room. Upon learning Yanna didn’t find any, Morie asks, “Not even one?” as she makes the. funniest. face. of concern and disbelief. (You can see this hilarious scene in episode 2 on Tapas.)

While there is a good amount of laugh out loud moments like that one, there is also social commentary woven intricately into the storyline. The example below, from episode 4, struck a chord with me, so I shared it to Twitter with my interpretation of it. (And, seriously, it’s not cool to demand anything from someone, especially if you don’t really know them!)

So relatable.

“Oh, you’re Japanese?”
“Yes.”
“So you can speak/read/write Japanese?”
“… A little …”
“Can you translate/write this for me??”
*internal screaming* 😫 pic.twitter.com/wTSq7Kaqmu

— Spencer Hoshino (@spencerhoshino) February 16, 2019

It’s been a long time since I read a story that felt so unique. There are no love triangles, no billionaire CEO boyfriends, no Stockholm syndrome, no male lead (or romantic interest) driving the story. It’s a magical realism story that follows a strong (magical) woman who is surrounded by other strong (magical) women!

There are so many quiet moments of relatability in The Herder Witch. Aside from my internal screaming moment above, one of the scenes that stands out the most in my mind is from the episode If We Were Roomates. In it, Morie and Padora, a witch she met in an earlier chapter when trying to find transportation to Centerville for her and Yanna, ruminate silently (and separately) on meeting each other (it’s explained that they went to the same school, and that she, Padora, never sees people from their school around that area) about “who we could have become.”

I felt that moment in my soul.

My (Sad-ish) Backstory

< Start side story >

While I love my life, there are times I find myself wondering, “what if this, what if that.”

I don’t often share details of my personal life, but I was a teen mom, and as a teen mom I missed out on a lot of typical high school experiences. (And, as I mentioned in my review of Just Friends, high school was hell, so the few memories I have aren’t necessarily warm and fuzzy. lol)

Now, as the mom of a teenager, I find myself attending a lot of rallies, sporting events, and other school-related activities. I shared my experiences with my high school best friend, who I reconnected with several years ago, and she made the observation that it was like I was able to enjoy the things I missed out on in high school as a parent.

Although I wouldn’t change any part of my life, good or bad, the scene with Morie and Padora looking off into the distance, wondering about what could have been made me choke up a little. (Don’t worry, I managed to hold back my tears!)

</ End side story >

Support a Talented Artist & Storyteller

Skim’s storytelling and art have a way of touching your heart. I mean… I read a lot of comics. (Like, a lot. Seriously. This isn’t hyperbole. I’ve probably read hundreds of webcomic episodes/chapters in the last month.) But, few have made me laugh as hard as or affected me as profoundly as The Herder Witch. If I was a very rich person (or just a regular rich person), I’d buy copies of The Herder Witch for all of my friends, acquaintances, people who enjoy comics, etc. It’s so, so good.

Which brings me to my final point…

I wholeheartedly recommend reading The Herder Witch (as well as Skim’s other comics: Asian American Diary and You Were Always By Me.) And, although it’s free to read on Tapas, I encourage you to support her art by purchasing the physical copies of the comics (her Storenvy shop is linked at the top of the page).

In conclusion, webcomic companies, literary agents, anyone in a position of power that can help distribute this amazing comic and help it find a wider audience, if you’re reading this review, I strongly encourage you to sign Skimlines. Ultimately, I know I can’t tell you what to do, but I also know if you read her comic(s) for yourself, you’ll fall in love with them as I have.

Rating: 5/5 lucky stars

(I know, I need to update my lucky star graphic. lmao)