Real-world, historical magic and witchcraft are often depicted as misunderstood powers of young women, where politically powerful men feel threatened by them. Often in Japan, someone who is "weird" or "different" is quickly turned into a target for bullying and isolation. Flying Witch does neither with its witchcraft: it's not a massively powerful set of abilities like in countless magical girl shows or The Ancient Magus Bride, and the community in this little corner of Aomori is surprisingly accepting of these quirky young women who can fly on brooms. Witches in this world try their best to do good with their abilities, which is cool because it would quickly become a very different anime otherwise.
I'm not 100% familiar with Wiccan customs and rituals, but it seems to me that the original artist and the anime production crew did their homework here (or at least, made it look convincing). The only category of ritual the show doesn't delve into is curses and hexes, which is good because, again, seeing one performed might transform the show into something else.
The show does a great job of capturing the idyllic beauty of rural Japan. Well, not quite as rural as Non Non Biyori, but you get to see nature much more than in metropolitan Tokyo or Osaka (yes, I know, there's places like Ueno Park and the Imperial palace, but those are heavily managed).
This cast is very well-written and directed. Makoto is a sweet yet slightly clumsy heroine, Chinatsu can light up anyone's day, Kei is a fantastic foil to both (with good deadpan lines), Akane is great comic relief fodder, Nao and Inukai are great tsukkomi girls, and the parents are cool with just about anything. Even the cats provide good comedy in the style of R2-D2 (and I just learned Ai Kayano voiced Chito, so that's cool).
Finally, the music. For the most part it's either synth with a really good instrument set or studio musicians, and the one recurring theme is Makoto's. One track uses woodwinds to gently lead up to the introduction of Makoto floating on her new broom, another uses pizzicato strings to accompany a humorous vignette. The opening theme is cheerful and fun, though for some reason the characters are leading an odd syncopated clapping in the refrain.
This series is great if you want to kick back and watch happy anime.
