Ojamajo Doremi (Magical DoReMi)

Add to My List

Add to Favorites

Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Useless Witchgirl Doremi

Japanese: おジャ魔女どれみ

More titles

Information

Type: TV

Episodes: 51

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Feb 7, 1999 to Jan 30, 2000

Premiered: Winter 1999

Broadcast: Sundays at 08:30 (JST)

Producers: Asahi Broadcasting

Licensors: 4Kids Entertainment

Studios: Toei Animation

Source: Original

Genres: Comedy, Fantasy

Theme: Mahou Shoujo

Duration: 24 min. per ep.

Rating: G - All Ages

Statistics

Score: 7.38¹ (scored by 24,561 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #2367²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #2925

Members: 56,325

Favorites: 881

Available At

Official Site

Resources

AniDB

ANN

Synopsis

Harukaze Doremi considers herself to be the unluckiest girl in the world. Her parents are always fighting, her little sister makes fun of her, and her crush pines after another girl. If only Doremi could just wave a magic wand, she would have a much better life—or so she used to think.

After a mishap with a real witch, Doremi becomes an apprentice witch herself, and it turns out she's pretty horrible at that, too.

Now she and her two friends must study to become better at magic so they can become good witches. That is, if they can focus on their magic studies!

The three apprentices will need all the luck they can get if they want to pass the witch exams and become full-fledged witches. Only then will Doremi's debt to the witch Majorika be repaid. Until then, Doremi will remain a useless little witch girl!

Edit

Background

No background information has been added to this title. Help improve our database by adding background information here.

Edit

Related Anime

Adaptation:	Ojamajo Doremi
Sequel:	Ojamajo Doremi Sharp
Spin-off:	Majo Minarai wo Sagashite
Other:	Ojamajo Doremi: Owarai Gekijou, Ojamajo Doremi: Honobono Gekijou, Ojamajo Carnival!!

Matsuo, Ginzou
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Satou, Junichi

Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Igarashi, Takuya

Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Yamauchi, Shigeyasu

Episode Director, Storyboard

Itou, Naoyuki

Episode Director

Edit

Opening Theme

"Ojamajo Carnival!! (おジャ魔女カーニバル!!)" by Yuki Matsuoka, Maho Dou, Chiemi Chiba, Tomoko Akiya.

Edit

Ending Theme

"Kitto Ashita wa (きっと明日は)" by Saeko Shuu

Reviews

Apr 30, 2008

Umandsf

Recommended

Note that this review was originally on my blog, so I may have score that differ from here because of different scoring systems

It was many years ago when I first heard of this show. I’m not exactly sure how I came to know it, but I remember hearing about this show about some kids with some kind of other worldly abilities that was ridiculously popular. Of course, this was at the time before I got into anime, so I kind of dismissed it, but it was always in the back (and I mean the VERY back of my mind). After getting into the world of ...

Open

Gift

Aug 22, 2015

Clefairiess

Recommended

Ojamajo Doremi is an amazing series. It is an almost perfect case of how to execute a proper magical girl anime that creates strong emotional connections with the characters that has you looking forward to more of their adventures and comedic moments. It leaves you not only satisfied with the quality of the work itself, but happy that the show was able to relay its messages of personal growth, positivity, and friendship to children and adults of all ages. Whether you’re 10 years old or somebody’s parent or just someone who appreciates good anime, Ojamajo Doremi is simply worth watching.

Open

Gift

Dec 23, 2014

ariapal

Recommended

Witches have for a long time been a source of inspiration for the creative musings of artists around the world, spanning multiple eras, cultures and religions, and as such being portrayed in uncountable ways. They are sometimes seen as deities, while in others as devils, but always possessing unfathomable powers beyond comprehension. Defiant of death and masters of nature, it comes as no surprise why witches have intrigued human imagination to such a deep extent.

It is from this vast pool of inspiration that Ojamajo Doremi draws from, yet also diverges from to form its own distinct identity. Unlike most similarly themed stories, the ... show opts for a more humanized portrayal of witches, who have their own world and live peaceful, carefree lives. Some of them live among humans, but due to an ancient curse they will instantly turn into frogs if someone finds out their identity. Ojamajo Doremi's special touch is that it also adds Mahou Shoujo elements to its witch lore, ranging from magical tools to transformations. None of these are used for fighting, however, and become part of everyday life instead. It is a different approach from the average Mahou Shoujo action anime, which alongside the humor gives the show its own laidback charm, although this doesn't mean it isn't rooted in the conventions of its genre. While the story's world is continually moving forward, most of the episodes are structured to have standalone plotlines, which usually involve helping secondary characters with the assistance of magic. This is a typical setup in Mahou Shoujo, but Ojamajo Doremi executes it with flying colors. Magic, as much as it is a helpful tool in the show, doesn't solve everyone's personal issues with the snap of a finger. It is but a shortcut, either giving tips on how to help someone or leading to places where the spell users can investigate a problem. Although the story is ingrained in fantasy it elegantly avoids copout resolutions, since it is first and foremost concerned about the emotional depth of its characters.

Accordingly, the main characters of this story undergo extensive exposition over the course of the anime as they try to become witches. There is Doremi, an airhead at heart; Hazuki, a gentle and booklover girl; Aiko, who is energetic and honest about everything she does; and finally Onpu, who is an extrovert and loved by almost everyone. They all start out as archetypes, but it doesn't take long until their individual, hidden traits come to light as their own stories unfold. A large portion of this is developed through the characters' families, which are wonderful lens into how their personas came to be, unveiling the influence of the parents over their children.

Aiko is a great example of this, as she spent most of her life as a member of a divorced family. Having lived with her father during this period, she inherited many of his idiosyncrasies and learned to take care of herself as her mother was no longer around. Her rapport with her father is unique due to their very open relationship, while Aiko never hides how she dreams of having her mother back among them. It goes to show that the story isn't afraid delving into delicate subjects like divorce, doing so with a subtlety uncommon in the medium. This also leads to a crucial plot point in the series, given that Aiko deeply seeks to bring her parents back together and becomes a witch apprentice with this purpose in mind. There is plenty of room for character building and introspection in cases like this, and the narrative makes wonderful use of these opportunities. Likewise, the other protagonists also receive the spotlight, although their stories don't carry the same sort of emotional weight as Aiko's. Thankfully, since the show keeps the characterization grounded in reality, it puts strong focus in fleshing out both the flaws and qualities of its cast. What sets Ojamajo Doremi apart in this instance is how attentive it is to its portrayal of children, in a way that carefully brings out their multifaceted and unpredictable nature.

All of this paves the road for one of the Ojamajo Doremi's strongest qualities: its delightful character dynamics. With a multilayered and well-realized cast at its disposal, the show manages to keep fresh and charming thanks to its ever-evolving web of relationships. The interactions between the protagonists often carry implications which aren't simply forgotten in the next episodes. Such is the case with Onpu, who avoids forming bonds in the beginning but gradually opens up to other people after a series of important events. Instances like this unfold naturally and give a much welcome dynamism to the characters, which nicely complements the little mannerisms they have towards each other. In the center of everything is Doremi, being essentially the glue that keeps the cast together. Despite being careless and clumsy to the point of messing up the simplest things, this aspect of her character is balanced by her sincerity and willingness to help others, which draws people to her. Naturally, this doesn't happen simply because of Doremi's personality, but mainly due to the extent she goes to understand other people's situations, never abandoning anyone. Her dedication is especially strong when caring for her close friends and her family, often not measuring her actions.

Benefitting greatly from the character dynamics is the humor, a big selling point of the series. The situations never come out as awkward thanks to the strong sense of intimacy the show establishes between the characters. It often makes use of their eccentricities to set up the comedy, such as Doremi's clumsiness, which is mocked by other characters and leads to genuinely amusing reactions. This is greatly enhanced by the incredibly dynamic character designs, as they allow a multitude of humorous facial expressions without sacrificing realism in other situations, sometimes even blurring the line between the two. The humor is an interesting contrast to Ojamajo Doremi's very down-to-earth storytelling, showcasing that the authors know how and when to do comedy. It is common for situations to quickly go through a change of tone, but the transitions occur so naturally and seamlessly that they are barely perceptible, thanks to the unobtrusive integration of humor with the rest of the show.

With so many strong points in regard to narrative tone and characterization, it is only natural that the background cast also stands out. Several episodes are dedicated to exploring the protagonists' class and shining light onto the different personalities that make part of it. What is most notable about this is how many of these secondary characters remain relevant throughout the season. They will often be seen playing and talking to others, while occasionally assuming more prominent roles in the story. This way no one is wasted and everyone feels part of something bigger, which builds a terrific sense of community and demonstrates how much the story really cares about its cast.

However, despite its qualities, Ojamajo Doremi also has its fair share of problems. For one, it is somewhat inconsistent as a whole. While there are no below-par episodes, some of them can be more easily forgotten than others when considered in the grand of scheme of things. This is often the case for the apprentice exam episodes taking place in the witch world, as they feel out of place given that they neither explore the lore nor add much in terms of characterization. It isn't to say these aren't enjoyable, but they still fall short of the better episodes. Related to this is how the show lacks a clear focus and theme, which while not a flaw in itself, leads the story to feel a bit too disjointed. The underwhelming conclusion can be seen as a result of that, given that it lacks a smooth progression and is triggered by a huge plot convenience. Specifically, the narrative fumbles its suspension of disbelief in order to set up the last episode, somewhat diluting its emotional impact. But fortunately, all of this doesn't keep Ojamajo Doremi from being a great anime.

In terms of production, this is where Ojamajo Doremi most struggles. Floating character models can often be seen roaming around the screen, while the clunky animation gets in the way of more subtle body language. Given that this is a low budget anime these sorts of issues are to be expected, but it doesn't make things any less awkward for the viewer. At the very least, the art direction has excellent execution and displays a great array of beautiful watercolor backgrounds, especially when portraying scenery of the witch world. The show's usage of visual cues to mirror the characters' emotions is pretty effective as well, and especially charming when conveying happiness and excitement.

All things considered, it can be seen that Ojamajo Doremi's true strength lies in its superb cast and its blending of humor and realism. Behind its simple premise hides a story that deftly interweaves magic and reality. But magic, even if central to the show, isn't portrayed as the solution to everything. And so, achieving a depth uncommon to Mahou Shoujo anime, Ojamajo Doremi is not only a rare gem within its genre, but anime as a whole.

Open

Gift

More stacks

Interest Stacks

History of "Shoujo" Anime

by ooReiko

50 Entries · 274 Restacks

ENSON

by Yue_kun

32 Entries · 10 Restacks

Witch Hats

by Advanced495

37 Entries · 47 Restacks

More recommendations

Recommendations

View All

More news

Recent News

20th Anniversary Movie and Web Anime of 'Ojamajo Doremi' Series Announced

Toei Animation have announced a new movie based on the Ojamajo Doremi magical girl anime to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series. The film, titled Majo Min...read more

Mar 23, 2019 1:01 AM by arsonal | Discuss (24 comments)

More discussions

Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Ojamajo Doremi Episode 24 Discussion Mon_Diamond - Dec 17, 2011	3 replies	by theiceria »» Apr 16, 6:31 PM
Poll: Ojamajo Doremi Episode 23 Discussion Mon_Diamond - Dec 17, 2011	4 replies	by theiceria »» Apr 15, 7:17 PM
Poll: Ojamajo Doremi Episode 17 Discussion Mon_Diamond - Dec 15, 2011	3 replies	by theiceria »» Apr 12, 7:33 PM
Poll: Ojamajo Doremi Episode 44 Discussion Mon_Diamond - Dec 24, 2011	3 replies	by uridon »» Mar 17, 8:15 AM
Poll: Ojamajo Doremi Episode 32 Discussion Mon_Diamond - Dec 21, 2011	2 replies	by TheAnimeFan2000 »» Jun 21, 2023 3:05 PM

Recent Featured Articles

Top 15 Best Magical Girl Anime of All Time

No matter whether you are a newbie when it comes to the magical girl genre, or a veteran, these are fifteen of the biggest must-see magical girl anime!

by enchantedsloth

660,985 views

Collection Cute Girls Magical

16 Anime Inspired Makeup Products!

Who says anime fans can't have other hobbies? For the fangirls and fanboys of the world that also like to do some magical girl transformations of their own, here's a bunch of makeup products inspired by your favorite characters!

by RilakkuLina

54,859 views

Collection Fashion Kawaii

Ojamajo Doremi

Alternative Titles

Information

Statistics

Available At

Resources

Synopsis

Background

Visit MALxJapan
MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Related Anime

Characters & Voice Actors

Harukaze, Doremi

Senoo, Aiko

Fujiwara, Hazuki

Harukaze, Pop

Majorika

Segawa, Onpu

Yada, Masaru

Tamaki, Reika

Dela

Oyajide, Alexander T.

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

Recent News

Recent Forum Discussion

Recent Featured Articles

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters

Ojamajo Doremi

Alternative Titles

Information

Statistics

Available At

Resources

Synopsis

Background

Visit MALxJapan MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Related Anime

Characters & Voice Actors

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

Recent News

Recent Forum Discussion

Recent Featured Articles

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters

Visit MALxJapan
MALxJapan -More than just anime-