The World's Strongest Witch

Episode 5

Remember when the internet used to be fun and inspire a sense of optimism? I'm absolutely throwing on nostalgia goggles when I say this, but the version of the internet I grew up on, spanning from the late oughts to the early 2010s, helped inspire me to pursue the life I have today, and it's such a bummer that the modern internet is often something people have to tolerate more than anything else. This friction is at the heart of episode five of The World's Strongest Witch, and I needed the whimsy and optimism it inspired in me more than I realized.

Beginning with Lorna and the elves celebrating the defeat and capture of the doctor who was poisoning them, Lorna then shows the elven Queen and Princess the internet. This goes about as well as showing a Victorian child a Michael Bay movie and, while the two have no idea what they're looking at, they all have a good time together and share a hearty “lol.” Imparting Lorna with the confidence she needs to continue her journey, she flies directly to the elitist and cynical Elmina.

While this opening act frames the internet as a way for Lorna to build relationships she couldn't otherwise, the dynamic between Lorna and Elmina makes clear that this episode argues the internet can still be a force for good. While most of the comedy in this second act comes from miscommunication, it matters that this conflict stems entirely from Elimina needlessly assuming the worst of Lorna. Even gestures like Lorna trying to give the other woman a gift are met with assumptions of ulterior motives. Lorna is so much happier and more important to the world than Elimina simply because she doesn't assume everyone around her is acting in bad faith, and I want that version of the internet in my life again!

The back third of the episode sees the elven Queen apprehending Lorna's terrible father, which feels like an illustration of how online communities can help people escape from familial abuse, and Lorna, hilariously, bonding with a castle full of Dark Bishops over cooking videos. This episode of World's Strongest Witch reminded me that the internet can improve living situations and foster social connections, which I should be more cognizant of since I literally wouldn't have my current life and career without it! Maybe the ending gag of Lorna accidentally pulling up an erotic video in front of strangers will begin to break her infatuation with the internet, but I really hope she stays a bastion of positivity.

Even with the animation becoming more limited than ever in this episode, I really needed to experience the message in World's Strongest Witch today. This episode reminds audiences that the internet can be good if you bring the right attitude to it, and I think everyone could use that reminder every so often. I'm worried that this next story arc in World's Strongest Witch won't measure up to this opening storyline. Still, as long as the show stays this fun, earnest, and uplifting, I'll have a good time even if it turns into more typical LitRPG fare.

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Lucas DeRuyter has more games that he wants to play than he does free time to play them, which makes him the ultimate gamer in 2026! However, you can catch his forays into gaming by following him on Bluesky and checking out his writing portfolio. You can also see the most frequent application of his sick gamer skillz (typing quickly) by checking out ANN's This Week in Anime column.

The World's Strongest Witch is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.