Anime and video games share quite the intimate history. One medium stems from Japan, while the other was largely popularized there. Talented creators have left their mark on both fields, from Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D) to the late, great Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest). Both tell stories of escapism, growth, and inner power. Both serve passionate fanbases who love to swap stories and cosplay as their favorite characters. And, of course, both are terrific.
As great as both anime and games are, you’d expect it easy to find great anime-inspired video games. Not so fast. For all the One Piece and Naruto tie-ins out there, few anime games actually manage to hit the mark. Far more frequent are games that lack inspiration, drive, or courage–ironic, given the shounen and shojo protagonists they aim to emulate.
Vroom, Vroom! Grab a Broom!
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, out now via Steam early access and Nintendo Switch, aims to buck the trend. Developed by Chibig and Nukefist, the game wears its anime influence with pride, pulling inspiration from Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s acclaimed slice-of-life witch film, Kiki’s Delivery Service. As Mika, you’ll dart around a cozy island, delivering packages to a quirky cast of friendly (and not-so-friendly) neighbors.
Though still a work in progress, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain impresses with its sharp writing, colorful characters, and intriguing premise. The story revolves around the titular Mika, an aspiring witch who has suffered a broken broomstick on her way to the top of an island. With the help of a local tinkerer, Mika aims to take to the skies again—but not before taking time to help various townspeople with their troubles.
In typical Miyasaki-esque fashion, this is a story about charity and community in times of hardship and strife. The game’s island is home to an eclectic bunch of folks, from fishermen and farmers to a pop-up ice cream shop owner. As Mika delivers packages to and from various edges of the island, she’ll develop relationships with the people while powering up her broom with new navigational abilities.
Splinters in the Wood
It’s a compelling loop, enriched by a charming cel-shaded aesthetic, not too dissimilar from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Unfortunately, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain stumbles in areas where I’d love to see it soar.
For one, the game’s underlying mechanics need some work. The gameplay consists of flying your broomstick through various wind pockets located around the island. Hit an updraft at the right angle, and you’ll zoom up over a hill or cliff; find a gust in a valley, and you’ll propel yourself forward. The controls work well enough, but there’s not enough feedback (visually, sonically, or haptically) to make the act of flying feel fun.
Secondly, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain suffers from bugs and other UI/UX issues. Musical tracks cut off abruptly, menus show the incorrect button prompts, and the game’s map is tucked within the pause menu. An on-screen mini-map with objective markers would do wonders but is noticeably absent.
Perhaps the minimalist UI is a style choice; perhaps the devs intend to add one in the future. Regardless, the act of serving your community often feels less like a joy and more like a chore. In its current state, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain plays like a drawn-out series of fetch quests rather than an exhilarating journey through the sky.
What’s Next for Mika and the Witch’s Mountain?
While the core story of Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is complete, there’s more in store from a content perspective. Since the game was released in August 2024, it has received a series of small patches and bug fixes.
In October, the game received its first big content update: Churros & Cats. Here’s what the update adds, straight from Chibig:
- Churro Express minigame: complete 7 circuits scattered all over The Island of the Winds in a given time to help Awan with his new business.
- Save the Kitties minigame: feed the 5 kitten [sic] that have come to Orilla Town for shelter.
- The Pet Companion: unlock a pet companion that will follow you as you fly around with your magic broom.
- New cosmetics, character and achievements!
The new content doesn’t add any major revelations, nor does it fundamentally change the core Mika experience. If you’re an existing Mika player, you’ll likely enjoy what’s here; just don’t expect anything drastically different from before.
Another content update is scheduled to drop in December. Here’s hoping we see some exciting new bells and whistles. For now, though, we wait.
Final Thoughts
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain lets players fulfill their Studio Ghibli dreams—at least, on paper. The teams at Chibig and Nukefist have their work cut out for them if they want to deliver a game that can live up to its potential.
Thankfully, the possibility is there. There’s great groundwork in place, from the lush colors to the surprisingly strong dialogue and central narrative. If Mika can iron out its gameplay, we might have a contender that can live up to the Ghibli name.
Until then, fellow Miyazaki fans, you’re probably best to stick with Ni no Kuni.
Score: N/A
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is available now via Steam early access and Nintendo Switch, with plans to release on PlayStation and Xbox platforms in the coming months. MSRP: $19.99.
Disclaimer: A review code was provided by the publisher. Given the game’s early access status, we have elected not to provide a score.
