Witch Hat Atelier

Flipping through the pages, the first thing you notice are the magnificent illustrations. Truly the most-beautiful manga I've ever seen, and that's an understatement. There's a storybook-like quality to the illustrations that I'm not articulate enough to put into words.

The series's praiseworthy qualities don't end with the art, though--far from it. The world building is also outstanding, complete with its own animals, dishes, and technologies. The most notable thing, however, is the magic system. It's complex with all its details, but comprehensible to any fan willing to decipher it and practice their drawing skills, just like the characters. Magic is learned, not innate, perfected through arduous amounts of practice.

The characters are beautifully designed, and are either intriguing or fun to spend time with. As for the lore, I love how it's not info dumped all at once, but sprinkled throughout, instead. Many mysteries abound, and there are characters who aren't what they seem. I can't wait to learn more about their backstories!

Aside from all of the above, what makes this series really stand out is its willingness to depict things that aren't usually done in fantasy stories. It portrays disability, and how its society doesn't accommodate for that, but it also shows how a character has managed to work around that. There's a constant tension between what people can and can't do, and I'm curious to see how this is explored down the line.

Highly recommended!