Majo no Tabitabi caught me by surprise. Based on the description I was expecting something mostly laid-back and/or relaxing, yet it ended up having quite a bit of (remarkably well-animated) action alongside some significant dramatic twists and themes (episode 9 in particular stands out). It’s not a simple episodic travelogue, nor is it a generic ‘cute girls being cute’ comedy (though it takes elements from both)… it’s more a character study that’s not adverse to poking fun at itself.
After the surprising animation quality of the previous series I looked up the studio responsible only to discover that not only were they involved with SukaSuka, but they also happened to have made another series in 2020.
That series being Shachibato (which I had skipped over in my earlier scan through the Spring releases), a parody based off of a now defunct online RPG. It’s… okay I guess? Watchable as a distraction. There are some notable oddities (why are noncombatants brought into the dungeon?) and annoyances (the doormat protagonist’s altruism), but the animation is fine and it’s amusing more often than not.
Majo no Tabitabi:
Shachibato:
