Aria of the Beech Forest Manga Follows a Sweet Witch

In folklore and fairy tales, we often hear about hear about witches living in woods. They’re away from society for various regions. In the manga Aria of the Beech Forest, this is also the case, but this coming of age manga instead explores the hows and whys of the life of a young witch and what her future holds as she suddenly gets a chance to encounter the wider world.

Editor’s Note: There will be some spoilers for the first volume of the Aria of the Beech Forest manga below.

Aria of the Beech Forest starts simply enough. A young woman named Aria is living alone in a cottage in Ireland. There’s a massive snowstorm raging outside. She’s trying to keep herself occupied and warm. She seems movement and, upon investigating, discovers it is a talking white wolf. The girl? She’s a witch. Which is why she lives alone. Gwyn? Well, it seems like there’s a reason this wolf can talk, though his story isn’t being revealed just yet.

Upon talking with the wolf for a while, they come to an agreement. During the harsh winter, Gwyn will stay with her. She doesn’t question the mystery behind why he’s able to speak or how there were human footprints alongside him that disappeared. He doesn’t pry too much into her life or lecture, beyond learning that her recently deceased grandmother said it was safer for witches to remain isolated. 

However, it’s because of this interruption and series of events that things get interesting for Aria. She so enjoys his company and not being alone that a new deal is struck by the end of the season. He’ll stay as a permanent resident. It’s an impetus for change, on her part. A positive one? Perhaps! I’m optimistic about it, especially since there’s such an uplifting tone to this good-natured witch manga.

While Aria is regularly visited by her grandmother’s son, who is also a merchant who sells the herbs and medicines she makes, she’s been entirely alone. She’s unaware of the outside world. In fact, it isn’t until a few chapters in and her first encounter with two ordinary humans that we realize this isn’t some period piece in a fantasy world. Aria is living during modern times in an isolated Irish cottage. (Her uncle Theodore even uses an Instagram-like clone network.) 

Which means that the enjoyment and coziness of Aria and the Beech Forest comes from seeing how this young witch lives in the manga, and how she grows as an individual by discovering how much more there is in the outside world. While her grandmother encouraged living in an isolated fashion, everything we’re starting to see in this first volume suggests that maybe that isn’t the best and right choice for Aria. The interactions between characters and asides when we see their perspectives or thoughts makes it seem like everyone is curious about her future and hoping for the best for her. And maybe, just maybe, the best involves opening up more.

Aria of the Beech Forest seems like it is shaping up to be a pleasant, coming of age manga about a young witch who is going to get to open herself up to people and experiences in the wider world. Yes, there are hints about mysteries that will be revealed. However, it seems like it’s poised to become a happy and cozy sort of story, with any reveals instead potentially being positive ones. Or, at the very least, learning experiences. 

Volume 1 of Aria of the Beech Forest is available now via Yen Press, and volume 2 of the manga will debut on November 19, 2024.