Review by Frank Plowright

Pili is a witch who’s been raised in isolation, but being out in a world lacking animals and vegetation has been a steep learning curve for her. She’s been helped by other witches, who have to keep their existence secret as they’re being hunted down. Volume 2 ended with two simultaneous threats, and it’s not long here before Pili is captured.

Yumeji has so far taken Pili on a slow journey during which she’s learned much, but this volume is the action spectacular, a far more traditional adventure story than in the previous volumes, although also continues Piri’s journey learning about the world. She meets another witch, the more eccentric Fruditilla, with whom something seems to have been lost in translation. Her behaviour is so bizarre she transmits as someone with learning difficulties, but there’s a reason for that in a frying pan to fire scenario.

The setting is almost entirely the inner chambers of a large castle, but in keeping with the lack of vegetation the surroundings are sparse, but elegantly drawn. It’s also revealed that plant/animal hybrids come in more than one form. Oak’s is a wolf, but the sample art shows a different type.

Regular readers already know that Oak’s intentions seem to be wider in scope than just protecting Pili, and have seen in him in communication with unknown others. She’s told as much, but given everything else that’s happening it possibly hasn’t registered. A rather sinister warning out of Pili’s sight at the end emphasises further threats.

It’s apparent Yumeji felt the need to vary the tone after two more spiritual volumes, but doing so removes the previously unique atmosphere. Despite the revelations it’s the type of story that can found in countless other manga. Still, the interlude has ended and it sets up a more captivating conflict to open Volume 4.