Little Witch Academia (2013 film)

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.

This is the film that started it all.

The series, the two games, the other short film all spawned from this one title. It all happens right here, in this 2013 Short Anime Movie by Studio Trigger.

When Atsuko "Akko" Kagari was a child, she witnessed a spectacular performance from the legendary Shiny Chariot. Wishing to follow in Chariot's steps, she arrived at Luna Nova, the prestigious Wizarding School that Chariot attended. She's not the brightest with magic, but she can still try. One day, Akko and her friends Lotte and Sucy goes treasure hunting inside the dungeons of Luna Nova. Follow along on the journey of Akko as she competes against the Alpha Bitch Diana Cavendish to find the best items.

It is worth noting that some characters in the film are vastly different than characters in the series. For one, Akko can actually use magic! Even if she's not a good user of magic, the fact that she can cast spells is a monumental feat worthy of celebration. Diana is actively mean towards Akko, often insulting her or being rude, unlike the original series where she was cold and her two followers does the talking.

Tropes used in Little Witch Academia (2013 film) include:
  • The Ace: Diana Cavendish, who is ridiculously good at magic.
  • Alpha Bitch: Diana Cavendish. In this film, Diana is condescending towards Akko, acting more like a typical high school bully rather than the Defrosting Ice Queen with tonnes of Hidden Depths in the 2017 continuity reboot.
  • Catch a Falling Star: The falling star is Akko. (Wow. What a surprise.) The catcher is Diana. This occurs near the end of the short film.
  • Dungeon Crawling: The plot of this short film, after introducing the characters, revolves around dungeon crawling to find valuables and dealing with the problems that arise.
  • Girl Posse: Hanna and Barbara, who follows Diana around and often adds to her vicious speeches towards Akko, or laughs alongside her.
  • Inept Mage: Although she is a better user of magic than her in the series, Akko still isn't a good mage. She can't control her broomstick well (but at least she can fly), and it will soar into the sky then immediately drop back to earth, leaving a screaming Akko clutching on for dear life.
  • Nice Girl: Lotte, whose personality remains largely unchanged from the short films to the series.
  • Off-Model: The film likes to do this quite often, for expression and emphasis. This is not because the animators were untalented or they were rushed for time. This is just another tool in the toolbox.
  • Pilot Movie: The twenty-six minute short was eventually developed into a twenty-five episode series, although the series performed a continuity reboot so it can develop the characters with more time.
  • The Reveal: A very subtle one. Shiny Chariot has glowing red hair. At the end of the film, Professor Ursula has blue hair that slowly transitions into red hair the exact same of shade as Chariot's. Perhaps they're the same person?
  • Ship Tease: Near the end of the film, Diana Cavendish blushes while flying on a broomstick, as she talks to Akko. Akko asks Diana if she likes Chariot or not, and Diana responses that she absolutely does not like Chariot at all. She likes Shiny Chariot.
  • Short Anime Movie: It's only twenty-six minutes long. That's around the length of an episode of the series.