Maria the Virgin Witch is an anime series that aired from January to March 2015. The show takes place during the Hundred Years' War between England and France and follows the story of Maria, a powerful witch who wants to end the fighting by using her magic to prevent battles. However, her interference angers both Heaven and Hell, leading them to send angels and demons to stop her. The show explores various themes, including war, religion, and morality. It raises questions about the role of divinity in human affairs and the consequences of interfering with free will. Maria's actions and beliefs challenge the established order and challenge the audience's understanding of what it means to be a virgin witch.
Witchy is an ongoing webcomic about the young witch Nyneve, who is haunted by the death of her father and the threat the Witch Guard poses to her own life. When conscription rolls around, Nyneve has a choice to make; join the institution complicit in her father’s death, or stand up for her ideals?
Witchy is a young adult graphic novel about the young witch Nyneve, who is haunted by the death of her father and the threat the Witch Guard poses to her own life. The novel even uses a separate artist for the world of the show versus actual reality to differentiate between the false, curated version of their lives and the scrappier truth of it.
Maria's actions and beliefs challenge the established order and challenge the audience's understanding of what it means to be a virgin witch. The series is notable for its mature themes and realistic portrayal of the darker aspects of war. It does not shy away from depicting violence, sexual content, and nudity, which is why it is often referred to as "Maria the Virgin Witch uncensored.
How Emily Hampshire's witchy graphic novel was inspired by the Kardashians
"What if the Kardashians were a family of witches?" Hampshire said of her concept for Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch.
Maureen Lee Lenker is a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly with over seven years of experience in the entertainment industry. An award-winning journalist, she's written for Turner Classic Movies, Ms. Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, and more. She's worked at EW for six years covering film, TV, theater, music, and books. The author of EW's quarterly romance review column, "Hot Stuff," Maureen holds Master's degrees from both the University of Southern California and the University of Oxford. Her debut novel, It Happened One Fight, is now available. Follow her for all things related to classic Hollywood, musicals, the romance genre, and Bruce Springsteen.
Published on July 22, 2022The Kardashians put a spell on Emily Hampshire.
While sitting down with EW at our Comic-Con studio, the Schitt's Creek alum revealed that her new graphic novel, Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch, was actually inspired by the reality TV show and entrepreneurial family.
"I remember watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians and thinking if I had happened to be born into that family, oh boy, I would be so bad at it," said Hampshire. "I thought, 'What if the Kardashians were a family of witches?' And what if there was one sister you never knew about because she was cut out of the reality [show] because she was such a basic, and by basic I mean, bad, witch, and Amelia Aeirwood is that witch."
Taylor Hill/WireImageThe graphic novel follows the Aeirwood family, witches who are also influencers and star on their own reality show. The novel even uses a separate artist for the world of the show versus actual reality to differentiate between the false, curated version of their lives and the scrappier truth of it.
Hampshire was recruited to write the novel by one of her former agents who moved to ZComics. But she's found the experience nothing but rewarding. "This has turned into the dream come true I never knew I had," she said.
And this won't be the last we see of Amelia if Hampshire has anything to say about it. "Once I got into this story, this is to me the beginning of the whole world," she concluded. "There's going to be an Amelia cartoon, an Amelia musical. I see this as an Amelia-verse."
Watch the video above for more.
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Book Synopsis
" Despite its controversial elements, Maria the Virgin Witch has been praised for its strong character development, thought-provoking storytelling, and unique take on historical events. The show delves into complex ethical dilemmas and showcases the consequences of Maria's choices, forcing viewers to question their own beliefs about war and peace. Although Maria the Virgin Witch is not for everyone due to its explicit content, it is a captivating series that pushes boundaries and challenges traditional anime storytelling. It offers an unconventional take on historical events, blending fantasy and realism in a way that sparks interesting philosophical discussions..
Reviews for "Challenging Religious Conventions: 'Maria the Virgin Witch Uncensored"
1. John - 1/5 stars - "I found Maria the Virgin Witch to be incredibly boring and slow-paced. The plot had potential, but it failed to deliver any excitement or intrigue. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the animation quality was subpar, with choppy movements and poorly rendered backgrounds. Overall, I was disappointed with this series and would not recommend it to others."
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "While Maria the Virgin Witch had an interesting concept, the execution was lackluster. The show seemed to focus more on the sexualization of its female characters rather than developing a strong storyline. The fan service was excessive and detracted from the plot, leaving me feeling uncomfortable and disengaged. Furthermore, the animation style was inconsistent, with awkwardly drawn characters and distracting CGI effects. Overall, I was left unimpressed with this anime and would not watch it again."
3. Michael – 2/5 stars - "Maria the Virgin Witch started off with a promising premise, but it quickly devolved into a mess of confusing storytelling and inconsistent character development. The plot lacked coherence and seemed to jump from one event to the next without any clear direction. The animation quality was average at best, with mundane fight scenes and unremarkable visuals. The excessive nudity and sexual content felt forced and gratuitous, adding little to the overall story. I was left unimpressed and would not recommend this series to anyone looking for a well-executed anime."