Fangkai Nage Nuwu

This is either going to become one of the most beloved animes in the genre, or it will forever be the biggest missed opportunity in all of anime. Due to production issues, the show will not continue past episode 8, despite plans for 24 episodes. With no confirmations of a second season it seems like this is it, and I just can't accept that.

There isn't one character in the show I'm not invested in seeing develop. There isn't one plotline I'm not desperate to see continued. The pacing, excellent, they give everything enough time to breathe whilst keeping every episode tight and focused. The ... art is beautiful, and despite the 8 episodes we saw having limited action, every bit of it was dynamic, fluid and grounded. This is the kind of compassionate and thoughtful show, with interesting problems solved in interesting ways, that we as anime fans deserve. My most sincere hope is that enough of us make our voices known and encourage whoever can make more episodes to do so. Good luck to all.

Serious tone, really good animation, no infatilization, respect for the original, very, very good start.

The animation can appear quite simple, but fits perfectly the pace of the story, while almost none CGI slop collaborates with the overall quality.

The absence of infantilization pleases as well, treating with the proper gravitas the dramatic nuances of the story.

Talking about the story, the director took his time, built the climax, used the classic "show don't tell" , respecting the audience telling the story with images and moviment instead of exposition.

I read the novell and I liked a lot, not perfect, but very good. The current adaptation ... has room to improve and seems to be headed in a good direction. If you like complex characters, protagonists that are not overpowered and almost no plot armor, this is for you.

This donghua adaptation has been outstanding so far. These two episodes have been very faithful to the source material (web novel), completely ignoring the manhua, which is awesome.

The pacing has been excellent so far, in contrast with how everything felt rushed in Lord of the Mysteries. The character designs are gorgeous, and the animation looks very good. There are only a few things here and there that don't look right, but they are negligible.

Plot: 10/10 They decided to show and not tell, which is welcome. Moreover, the staff doesn't spoon-feed you the plot; you have to figure things out by yourself. That's awesome because it ... is tiresome when the staff thinks we are dumb.

Characters: 10/10 The donghua captures the essence of the characters as they were written in the web novel, and that is outstanding since they are very good characters.

Pacing: 10/10 They are not rushing things despite having only 8 episodes to work with. That is a bold move, but I think it is the right one if you are thinking long-term.

This donghua deserves all the support we can give and a second season.

This is the very first donghua that I am actually bothering to watch and it's very worth it. It's a really good story, a lot better than my usual Isekai slop. Familliar but unique enough to keep you hooked. Ended up reading the novel and I can confidently say that the previous statements remain true even after 1k chapters.

The adaptation is well done. I heard that the studio took inspiration from Game of thrones which is a high bar to set but I would say that they do it justice. I especially like the costumes, maybe it's a simple detail but it shows their ... level care for this project.

The pacing / tone has the same vibe as Frieren, in that it's slow and takes itself seriously. It's not for everyone but it's tastefully done.

I hope we get more than 8 episodes in the future!

This is essentially what I'd call an adult anime.

It's not colorful, it takes itself seriously and - 4 episodes in - there was exactly one funny moment.

The writings are in correct Latin, the setting is a realistic-feeling Medieval England and characters don't feel paper-cut.

Plot: 10/10 (I read the novel, which it faithfully adapts, and it's very good)

Characters: 9/10 (still early to see if they are as 3d as I expect them to be, but for now they look good)

... Pacing: 10/10 (feels like a movie! It's slow-paced but engaging)

Execution: 10/10 (the care for details was something unexpected. Very good)

Overall: 10/10 (All I have to say against it is that it's only 8 episodes long and it's airing weekly, so I can't binge-watch 200 episodes of this treat)

Review: Release That Witch (4 Episodes)
Rating: 10/10

If you think you’ve seen every variation of the "Kingdom Building" genre, Release That Witch is here to prove you wrong. In just four episodes, it has firmly established itself as the gold standard for the trope.

Animation & Visuals
The production quality is staggering. Unlike many series that struggle with the scale of city-building, the animation here is fluid, polished, and detailed. The depiction of magic feels weighty and impactful, blending seamlessly with the gritty, medieval aesthetic of the world.

Story & Pacing
This is mature, sophisticated storytelling. It ditches the typical "power fantasy" fluff for a well-paced narrative centered on industrialization, ... political maneuvering, and survival. It respects the viewer's intelligence, treating the logistics of upgrading a backwater town with the grounded realism it deserves.

Character Depth
The characters are the heart of the show. Roland is a refreshing protagonist—a leader who relies on modern logic and engineering rather than unearned combat tropes. The witches are written with genuine vulnerability and depth, making their growing alliance with Roland feel earned and believable rather than forced.

The Verdict
It’s only 4 episodes in, and it’s already the best kingdom-building show I’ve ever seen. If you want a series that balances high-stakes drama with top-tier animation, do not sleep on this.

This show is amazing. It has great animation, music, characters and better pacing than Lord of Mysteries. The slower pacing in this show allows me to better understand the world in which the MC isekaied into. I am able to understand the MC's motivations and who the supporting characters are.

The art style is more realistic and darker in tone. The medieval setting is really grounded and the clothing matches well with this era. The music selection is awesome and perfectly blends well with the beautifully animated scenes. Wish it was more than 8 episodes!!!

If you like watching an MC use modern knowledge to advance ... a backward medieval kingdom, then you will love this donghua. I can't wait for the MC to introduce guns to fight against medieval knights!!!

I read a little bit of this years ago and do not remember anything except that I liked it and actually did not initially recognize the show as the same story due to the character designs/art style being different from the comic, but I like the changes.

The art is gorgeous 10/10, I would say the style is a mix of AOT, Vinland Saga, and Clevatess, the detail of the animation is incredible. In just the first episode the environments are very well drawn for example the tapestries, rugs, chairs, grass, everything looks incredibly detailed even the walls have texture. YOU CAN SEE THE TEXTURE ... OF THE WALLS. The shadow work is also great in the walk down to the dungeon, the lighting is gorgeous with sun rays and shadows from the trees moving with the breeze like omg. The character art blended with the details adds to the medieval setting. The people looked haggard, their clothing matches the setting, the architecture is great as well with features like stone walls and medieval tudor style wood stone and clay homes. The walkway and window details also are not flat but 3d due to their angle which is amazing. It does have some CGI but it doesn't feel terrible. I could make an entire video essay just about the animation in the first episode, so I will leave it at that.

Story telling is also 10/10. As other reviews have mentioned it is showing not telling. It shows details such as the goblet, the hunched almost fallen over position, the shocked expression, the dove, to heavily imply to/show you what is happening without explaining it to you. The frames are intentional. I also love the use of maps and tapestries to explain the setting, world building, and planning. If you are familiar with The Prince of Egypt (which if you aren't you're missing out) you would be familiar with the wall artwork telling you the story and this anime does that as well which I love.

The pacing is similar to Frieren and the character expressiveness for some of the characters is comparable to that as well, which could be why some reviewers are saying they feel shallow, I think with the mix of it being Chinese and the burst sentence type of structuring of Chinese (I don't know how to explain this well) contrasts with the slow pacing and less expressiveness in way that maybe isn't the greatest. This however could also just be a world setting up issue of characters not knowing each other well or being fatigued from the setting, especially as the younger girl seems expressive especially eating cake.

I am excited to see where this is going, it is going to only be 8 episodes according to some people so that's unfortunate, and I don't know how transitioning to read it will go because the art style is drastically different from the comic (the comic is more cartoony/bubbly and the hair color of the MC is different) so maybe the light novel is the route (one comment also said this is more faithful to the light novel than the comic) so that's something to consider before watching.

I do recommend this as its beautiful and I love civ building stories.

10/10 Masterpiece

Release that Witch is a fantastic anime that focuses on industrial evolution from medieval period and slowly going to modern side. In the series, there is a lot of politics going on. The first 5 episodes focuses more on introducing the characters, highlighting the situation, the difficulties in managing a land, issues with food, weapons, etc. It basically focuses on survival.

The witches in RTW are depicted as kin of demons, however, the main character, 4th Prince Roland Wimbledon, sees each witch as unique and have their own contribution to Border Town, the town he is currently exiled into due ... to the King's Royal decree which lasts for 4 years. Roland at present episode, has hired 2 witches, and already revealed the 3rd one. Now he has a Fire witch, Healer Witch and an Assassin Witch.

Last but not the least, the anime adaptation is faithful to the novel. I am actually re-reading it, and oh boy, this is such a fantastic ride. Please support the author, the anime studio working on it, spread it by word of mouth, and join groups like reddit-release that witch. It is such a good anime to the point that, if they continue on working on the animation, I believe this anime will be one of the best, masterpiece.

GIVE IT A TRY, SHARE IT TO YOUR FRIENDS.

Release That Witch is a crime to sleep on. After nearly eight years in development hell, Studio Thundray has delivered a donghua that quietly outclasses a staggering number of modern anime productions in visual quality, storytelling depth, and raw entertainment value. This adaptation brings to life a kingdom-building isekai where the real weapon isn’t a legendary sword. It’s cement. Gunpowder. Steam engines. Basic engineering principles applied through magical shortcuts. And it works brilliantly.

The main character is not the typical overpowered isekai protagonist. A modern-day engineer reborn as the fourth prince of Graycastle, a prince nobody takes seriously who gets dumped in the worst fief in ... the kingdom, he wins through intellect, planning, and genuine compassion. When he steps in to save a witch condemned simply for existing, the story clicks into gear. He doesn’t see witches as threats to be feared. He sees untapped potential. Fire magic becomes a furnace. Healing abilities transform battlefield medicine. Every witch recruited is another step in an industrial revolution that feels earned, logical, and deeply satisfying to watch unfold.

The production quality here deserves serious attention. Colors are vivid and almost cinematic in their intensity. The action sequences carry a weight and ferocity that feel closer to live-action filmmaking than traditional animation. The CGI blends seamlessly with the hand-drawn elements, creating a visual identity that stands apart from both standard anime and typical donghua. For a series that flew almost completely under the radar at launch, the level of polish is genuinely shocking.

The soundtrack! The score knows exactly when to pull back and let a political conversation breathe, and when to swell during moments of danger or breakthrough. Music in kingdom-building stories often gets treated as an afterthought, but not here. Every track feels intentional, composed specifically to match the tone of what’s happening on screen. It’s one of those soundtracks that makes you pause and just appreciate what you’re hearing.

Where Release That Witch truly separates itself is in the cast. Every character introduced so far carries weight. The political tensions, the looming societal threats, the townsfolk slowly warming to change… there’s a richness to the world-building and character interactions that keeps every single episode packed with content. Nothing feels like filler. Nothing drags. Each episode layers mystery, political intrigue, and scientific innovation in a way that genuinely demands your full attention from start to finish. You don’t check your phone during this one.

Comparisons to Ascendance of a Bookworm and How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom are inevitable, but Release That Witch carves its own lane. The focus on merging real scientific principles with a magic system, treating abilities as tools for industrial progress rather than combat power-ups, gives the series a cerebral edge that’s rare in the isekai genre. The protagonist doesn’t dream of conquest. He dreams of infrastructure, education, and building something that actually lasts. That quiet ambition is far more compelling than any flashy battle sequence, and honestly it’s refreshing.

The fact that this series has barely registered on most watchlists is genuinely baffling. This is 2026’s biggest hidden gem. A beautifully animated, smartly written, character-rich fantasy that rewards patience and attention. If the remaining episodes maintain this level of quality, Release That Witch has the potential to be remembered as one of the strongest isekai adaptations ever produced. Do not let this one pass you by.

10/10

As of the episodes currently available, this is a hard 10 for me. The animation, the music, the writing, the characters… everything has been remarkably consistent so far. Will revisit this score as newer episodes drop, but honestly? With how locked in every aspect of this production has been, I heavily doubt it changes.

This is a GOATED anime that I think can surpass even the popular animes out there. Sadly this only got season 1 and the source novel is something you can't ignore. Believe me, if this gets another GOATED seasons with 12/24 eps, then the anime fans will be crazy to even willing to buy on Chrunchyroll!

The main character is a reincarnated modern world person who is going to turn that old era he reincarnated in turn into a modern era. The concept is quite unique here and the story with world building, character development, politics and magical powers are truly executed with complete different way. ... You will see the art is perfectly blended in, not too bright nor no light, the character designs are marvelous and the way it executes every scene strongly complies with logic and realism. You will just keep thinking - "what will happen next?" in every single minutes of every single episodes.

Many people are exiting because the dub is not out yet, but they don't know what masterpiece they just missed. The subtitles are clean and matched unlike other chinese animes. And I am willing to pay even in chrunchyroll (my enemy) to watch the season 2 and beyond.

When it comes to watching movies, animes - Do not ever listen to other's opinion. Watch by yourself first then judge it!

What a damn excellent show. This is an isekai who expertly makes use of the protagonist’s expert knowledge of modern technology to exemplarily build up the protagonist’s small remote village into a powerhouse. This also has some insane levels of political scheming that got us screaming in awe. This is seriously on the level of something like early Game of Thrones. The characters are very well designed and very likeable. Even the villains are very interesting. This is truly expertly written and I don’t want to spoil any of it.
Unfortunately, the show had some extreme production issues and has suddenly stopped airing. It is left ... on a somewhat big cliffhanger, but I am very satisfied either way. I pray that this continues production someday because this was incredible. From what I got the studio refused to pivot on making the original story more whimsical for the sake of audience retention. Kudos to them.

Release that witch is one of my favorite novels of all time and it is getting a very good donghua adaptation.
This is the best isekai kingdom building story there is out there. Think of the beginnings of Slime but much more grounded, smart, and doesn't become irrelevant after a few episodes.

The character writing and developement is top notch and the story unfolds in a very calculated yet natural manner.
The witches' powers are also interestingly used and almost no one is left behind without a role to play.
The world building is very in depth given the novel is almost 1500 chapters long.

So far the donghua has ... followed the novel very well and is on track to become an awesome experience for the masses. If you're on the edge about watching this then I highly recommend you give it a go.

Release that Witch is a kingdom building anime actually done right.
Frankly the only kingdom building anime I've ever actually liked.

Its well written. Good characters. Grounded in some sort of "realism" despite the fact that there are witches.
What I mean is that the MC doesn't have any kind of special power that lets him build whatever he likes. He doesn't have a cheat skill or anything like that.
And he isn't surrounded by characters who only exist to tell him how amazing he is.
He actually needs to think, plan, and make decisions. So alot of dialogue and conversations. But the dialogue is actually interesting.

Its a ... plot we've seen before.
A guy gets reincarnated as some noble. This time the 4th prince.
Thankfully he is reincarnated as an adult and not some little brat.

Alot of times I find the whole reincarnation subplot to be pointless in isekais. There is usually no reason for the main character to be from another world. But here his knowledge of the modern world will help him enact more modern policies for his kingdom. So it being an isekai does add to the plot.

His plan to strengthen his domain is to employ witches and use magic as a substitute for modern technology.
However this wont be easy. The Church holds alot of power. And witches are seen as spawns of the devil.

(This review is based on 3 episodes. So I dont yet know if the anime will continue to be good. Or become garbage.)

Release That Witch – The Isekai We Didn't Know We Needed
Honestly, if you’re like me and you’re totally burnt out on the "generic hero gets hit by a truck and gains a cheat code" trope, then "Fangkai Nage Nuwu" (Release That Witch) is going to feel like a literal breath of fresh air.

It’s criminal how short the adaptation is, but those few episodes? Pure masterpiece material for anyone who loves world-building and kingdom-building.

The "Big Brain" Energy
The MC, Roland, isn't some overpowered warrior. He’s an engineer. Watching him drop actual science in a world that thinks "witches are demons" is so incredibly satisfying. It’s not just ... "I have magic," it’s "I have thermodynamics and gunpowder." The way he utilizes the witches' powers as industrial tools—like using a fire-manipulator as a literal blast furnace—is just peak writing.

History Meets Fantasy (And It Works)
Most fantasy-history anime just use the setting for the aesthetic. This show actually respects the Industrial Revolution. It captures that gritty, "Age of Enlightenment" vibe where logic starts to fight back against superstition and church dogma. It’s got that Dr. Stone level of scientific hype but mixed with the high-stakes political intrigue of something like Log Horizon.

Why it’s a Masterpiece (Even if it’s Short):
Zero Fluff: Every episode moves the civilization forward. You feel the weight of every new invention.

The "Witch" Dynamic: The witches aren't just there for fanservice; they are the engines of a revolution. Their backstories are tragic, making their loyalty to Roland feel earned and genuine.

Tactical Brilliance: The battles aren't won by screaming louder or "friendship power." They’re won by superior positioning, better tech, and sheer logistics.

Final Thoughts
It’s rare to find a Donghua that handles Western-style fantasy history this well. It’s smart, it’s grounded, and it makes you feel like you're actually building a nation alongside the characters. If you haven't seen it yet, stop sleeping on it. It’s a 10/10 for the "Kingdom Building" niche.

"Science is the ultimate magic. Change my mind."

This is a really great story, and one of the things I appreciate the most about it is that the focus isn’t limited to just the main characters. The secondary characters are also given meaningful development, which makes the world feel more complete and engaging. The story itself feels very unique, and it kept my interest throughout. I especially like how it blends modern ideas and elements into what seems like an older or more traditional setting—that contrast makes it stand out even more.

While the animation may not be the strongest aspect and can feel a bit rough at times, it doesn’t take away too ... much from the overall experience. It’s still enjoyable to watch, and the strength of the story and characters makes up for those visual shortcomings. Overall, it’s a memorable and enjoyable series that I would definitely recommend.

My guys, gals, and everything in between — I stumbled upon a YouTube Short showing the anime and wow... THIS is the level of animation that all good stories deserve (I'm looking at you TBATE). I've been reading this on and off for a while now (haven't finished yet, still like 100+ chapters to go) but as soon as I saw the animation I knew exactly what it was. I can't believe I missed the launch, but I'm still happy because I got to see 4 episodes back to back, lol.

I hope they keep doing this story justice — it's one of the very first ... mangas (yes.... you are right, but I don't know the other name variations, don't jump me) I started reading way back when. I'm so glad I get to see it in all its animated glory, and hopefully we don't end up in an Ascendance of a Bookworm situation where we have to wait aaaaaaages for Season 2.

Just had to tell someone how happy I am about this :D

If you want a more down to earth kingdom building anime, this is the story for you. Having read the novel, it is an excellent well thought out plot, plenty of action, intrigue, character building, strategy, and world building.

This adaptation is missing out some of the behind the scenes character development. Without the inner monologues it is hard to tell what is going through Rolands mind at times (unless you read the novel). But this is only 8 episodes so far, and as the series goes on the character get more outspoken, so personally I think the adaptation is very promising.

Here's hoping that ... this anime continues, as it would be criminal for this anime to stop at 8 episodes. Highly recommend the novel, or manhua if you want to get ahead of the plot (these 8 episodes only cover ~40 chapters of a 1500 chapter novel, or 30 chapters of a 700 chapter manhua)

If you like Isekai, you might like this donghua. The setting is original compared to other Isekai and the story is low fantasy, something rare nowadays.

With only eight episodes, we already can have a good understanding of this world. The medieval fantasy is well represented, and the dark mood especially is one the strength of this anime. It's a good thing that it's more focused on that characters and worldbuilding without doing any info dumping.

The restricted setting at the beginning helps emphasize the indirect confrontation between the two sides, highlighting the importance of strategy and the political, economic, and military constraints that the protagonist ... must overcome with his knowledge. The story approaches with maturity the power dynamics among the nobility.

The supernatural aspect is also well introduced, even if for now we only get fragments of information about witches and the workings of magic.

It’s interesting to see the same approach as That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, but a bit more realistic, similar to Dr. Stone. Having an engineer as the protagonist, who quickly understands his situation without hesitation, is very refreshing.

Even though the anime is good, it has some flaws. The animation does a good job, but nothing more. The development of certain characters, including the protagonist, feels rushed, and events that seem important are shown quickly without giving us time to absorb them. It would have been much more satisfying to see his engineering expertise at work rather than glossing over the technological advances he brings to this world. And just to be clear, this is definitely not for people who want action. For comparison, it has less action scenes than Frieren.

This is one of the drawbacks of adapting light novels and web novels, where many monologues and details that develop the characters and the world have to be cut. Despite this, the donghua does the minimum to make the experience enjoyable.

Unfortunately, despite the apparent qualities of the adaptation, the company funding the production was dissatisfied that the anime adopted the darker tone of the novel rather than the lighter tone of the manhua, and thus withdrew its support. The continuation of Release That Witch is currently uncertain due to these disagreements, leaving us with only eight episodes instead of the sixteen originally planned. Still, it was worthwhile to discover this story. For those who want to continue, it’s better to go through the web novel rather than the manhua, which is less faithful and full of differences.

The best isekai ever.
This anime is definitely good stuff, and honestly, it would not be a crime to rate it a little higher than usual. It is even unique, in a way: an atypical isekai with none of the standard isekai nonsense like “adventurer guilds,” “skill-point grinding,” “systems,” overpowered edgy protagonists, and all the other clichés that make up 99% of the genre.

While Japanese animation, especially in this genre, has turned into a conveyor belt of degradation, the Chinese suddenly stood up and actually made something good.

So, what do we have here?

The art and animation are not expensive-looking, but they are done very well. You ... can clearly see that the artists tried their best with the budget they had. At times, the visuals look slightly gloomy and grey, matching the medieval aesthetic, and it works atmospherically. Someone compared the art style to Vinland Saga, and honestly, it really does look somewhat similar. There is no cartoonish fantasy gloss, no shiny polish in the middle of medieval streets. The rating is only PG-13, which, in my opinion, would make it difficult to properly adapt many ideas later in the story. Though, realistically, there will probably be no continuation anyway.

The characters are written decently. There is no idiocy, no exaggerated clowning around, and their personalities and behavior fit their roles. Unlike in the manhua, where Barov feels like some village bumpkin. The protagonist is, for once, actually adequate. He was an engineer in the real world, which is far better than yet another magical shut-in edgelord and allows the story to become something normal instead of another “system” about grinding skill points. The rest of the characters are also generally logical and behave like people of their time.

The plot is excellent. The pacing is unhurried, but quite a lot still happens in each episode. It is very engaging; you can easily watch the whole season in one evening without noticing. There is no suffocating overexplaining, no explanations for the sake of explanations, and no unnecessary padding. The story is one of the strongest parts of the novel, at least until around the middle, and the anime follows the novel almost completely, aside from small simplifications and minor differences. Most importantly, the world is well-written and feels realistic, which makes it interesting to watch.

It is sad that the series does not even cover 10% of the story. This is literally just the very beginning, the first arc. To cover the whole plot properly, it would probably need three seasons of 24 episodes each, which, judging by everything, we are not going to get. And that is very disappointing, because with this kind of art style and attention to detail, this could have become an excellent work that would inevitably become popular, unlike the manhua.

--------------------------------IMHO----------------------------
A good comparison would be two comics: the first is The Greatest Estate Developer, which is basically a dumb, generic isekai with an RPG system. However, the humor, the artist’s total involvement in the work, and the sheer skill behind it turned that manhwa into something genuinely good — something even people who hate the “system” subgenre can enjoy. The second example is this exact Witch adaptation. If the manhua had been drawn with the same level of care as The Greatest Estate Developer, it would have been guaranteed to become extremely popular, in my opinion. After all, far fewer people read novels compared to manga/manhwa/manhua, and when anime adaptations are considered, producers often look at the popularity of the comic version if one exists. But, as mentioned above, the manhua artist is a completely talentless hack with MS Paint and a mouse instead of a drawing tablet, and frankly should have been burned at the stake instead of the witch. It is impossible to read without tears, and that inevitably affects its popularity.
--------------------------------IMHO----------------------------

However, I am 99% sure that defective managers will somehow find the money for ten more pseudo-romantic harems, a couple of “reincarnated as a [censored] in another world” titles, and yet another season of some “proven” franchise instead of funding an actually good work.

In short, without overanalyzing it too much, this is an excellent series and I can recommend it to almost anyone, largely because it lacks the usual “isekai garbage.” Simply put, the world feels realistic, and that is what makes it so engaging. Just keep in mind that there will probably be no continuation, so the novel is the only way to experience the rest of the story.
I even came to the MAL to write a supportive review, lol.