Stars Wars & Witch Hat Atelier: How Coco is the New Anakin Skywalker

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For fifty years, this franchise has been a cultural phenomenon. Starting with the original film in 1977 and continuing through 2026’s The Mandalorian and Grogu, it’s captured the imaginations of audiences across generations. Now, the franchise is also making waves in the gaming world.

The new fantasy series Witch Hat Atelier, which premiered in Spring 2026, has received almost perfect ratings across all major platforms. Many viewers have compared its storytelling to the emotional and sweeping narrative of the Star Wars prequels, particularly the story of young Anakin Skywalker.

Kamome Shirahama, the creator of Witch Hat Atelier, previously contributed to the popular space-fantasy series. This has led fans to notice striking similarities between Coco, the 12-year-old witch in Witch Hat Atelier, and a character who would later become a famous movie villain.

Witch Hat Atelier Creator has Roots in the Star Wars Franchise

Kamome Shirahama, a highly respected manga artist, has frequently collaborated with Western franchises, most notably Marvel. She created cover art for the first thirteen issues of Star Wars: Doctor Aphra and the second issue of Star Wars: The Last Jedi Adaptation. Shirahama also contributed illustrations to Star Wars: Tribute to Star Wars alongside many other artists.

In 2022, Shirahama both illustrated and wrote the manga version of The Elder. They also designed the characters for The Elder within Star Wars: Visions, a series of nine anime-inspired short films.

Shirahama is a big Star Wars fan and says the franchise, especially Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, sparked her love for art and storytelling. People who know her work have even noticed how much Star Wars has shaped her most famous creations.

Anakin Skywalker’s Origin Story Becomes the Blueprint for Coco

Both Anakin Skywalker from George Lucas’s Star Wars and Coco from Witch Hat Atelier started life with very ordinary backgrounds. Anakin was born to a slave named Shmi Skywalker, while Coco, as far as anyone knows, was raised by parents with no magical abilities.

Similar to Anakin Skywalker, Coco begins her story without a father, as her mother explains he passed away before the events unfold. Both characters, however, eventually find guidance from skilled mentors who become like parental figures to them.

Anakin is welcomed by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, while Coco begins training with the skilled witch Qifrey. Both Qui-Gon and Qifrey become important guides and sources of strength for their students.

Coco’s story shares a sad parallel with Anakin’s – both experienced the loss of a mother. However, the circumstances differed. Anakin helplessly watched his mother die when he was nineteen, while Coco, as a child, unintentionally turned her mother to stone with a spell she cast carelessly, leading to her apparent death.

I’ve always been fascinated by the parallels between Anakin and Coco! Both their stories really hinge on losing their mothers, but it happens at such different times and in such different ways. For Coco, things start to get complicated after she makes a huge mistake, and that’s when her magical journey truly begins. But for Anakin, his mother’s death is this incredibly tragic moment that sets him on the path to becoming Darth Vader – it’s the thing that really pushes him over the edge.

Star Wars & Witch Hat Atelier Introduce Worlds Broken by Magic

As a huge fan of both Star Wars and Witch Hat Atelier, I’ve always been fascinated by how they handle fantastical powers! In Star Wars, it’s the Force – this incredible energy that lets people do things that seem impossible. It reminded me so much of the magic in Witch Hat Atelier. At first, the Force seemed like something you were just born with, a special gift. But Witch Hat Atelier quickly flipped that idea on its head, showing that magic isn’t about innate talent, but something anyone can learn and do!

In Witch Hat Atelier, the idea that anyone can learn magic is a major source of tension. If someone gains enough knowledge and skill with magical symbols, called sigils, there’s virtually no limit to what they can achieve.

What really struck me about magic in this world is just how powerful – and potentially dangerous – it is. Old Man Qifrey explained to Coco that things weren’t always as controlled as they are now. Apparently, there was a time when anyone could use magic without rules, and a lot of people used it to cause real chaos and destruction. It really makes you think about the responsibility that comes with wielding such power!

The Day of the Pact is a well-known event where people desperate to restore order decided to eliminate all memory of magic’s origins. They kept the knowledge of how to use magic, and its secrets, only with dedicated students who would protect it. Any magic considered dangerous was labeled “Forbidden Magic.”

It’s a real shame, but the laws established on the Day of the Pact actually created a whole new set of issues. It reminds me a bit of the Jedi – the Knights Moralis, who were supposed to safeguard the resulting peace, became this really rigid and harsh power. They valued the peace itself more than the people it was meant to help, which is a problem, you know?

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the strict rules governing magic actually hinder witches from helping people and healing the sick. This exclusive control over magic also fosters a society where only a select few are valued, leaving many feeling isolated and unimportant.

Once Anakin became a Jedi and Coco a witch, they both realized their new worlds weren’t as perfect as they first seemed. Both communities were divided – in the Star Wars galaxy, it was the Light and Dark sides of the Force, and in Witch Hat Atelier, it was between those who wore Pointed Caps and those who wore Brimmed Caps.

The Brimmed Caps long for a time before the Day of the Pact, when magic was freely practiced. They believe the Pointed Hats have built their society on falsehoods, and actively rebel against them. In reality, both groups represent opposing extremes, much like the concepts of light and darkness – each pushing towards a different end of the magical spectrum.

The Pointed Caps appear to prioritize peace and security, but their rules actually undermine those goals. The Brimmed Caps, formed by those who felt let down by the Pointed Caps’ system, champion freedom but often ignore the dangers that unrestrained magic can pose to others.

Anakin & Coco are Chosen Ones who Can Make or Break the World

Both Anakin Skywalker and Coco share a striking similarity: they both fit the classic “chosen one” pattern. Additionally, they each draw the notice of powerful individuals who represent opposing forces within their worlds.

Anakin was born with a special connection to the Force, while Coco is someone who wasn’t raised in the magical world but still learns witchcraft. Iguin is a powerful and secretive magician, a leader among the Brimmed Caps, and he’s starting to play a similar role in Coco’s life as the villain Darth Sidious did in Anakin’s – though Iguin hasn’t fully gained control over Coco yet.

Coco is a cheerful and enthusiastic character who loves magic. Over time, she begins to see the world’s difficulties, much like Anakin Skywalker, and this inspires her to work towards making it a better place.

At first glance, Witch Hat Atelier is a captivating fantasy story with lovable characters and a beautifully crafted world. But it’s more than that – it’s a groundbreaking tale that explores both the wonders and risks of magic, all through the journey of a compelling main character whose actions could either save or destroy her world.

Coco carries the essence of Anakin Skywalker within her. While everyone is familiar with his tragic fate, there’s hope that Coco can achieve what he couldn’t – to create a truly hopeful and just world of magic.

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2026-05-24 03:13