Why Every Witch Hat Atelier Fan Wants Their Own Brushbuddy

While the Spring 2026 anime season is speckled with several new anime seasons and even debuts, one of the most popular premieres at the moment is the first season of Witch Hat Atelier. The anime (and celebrated manga by Kamome Shirahama) follows Coco, a young girl who accidentally discovers how magic works in her world, with tragic results. Hoping to fix her mistakes, she becomes an apprentice witch to the compassionate yet mysterious witch Qifrey, while learning about the secret world of witches and getting to know her fellow apprentices. However, the world of witches is not just whimsical, for wickedness lurks in the shadows and threatens to destroy the world as Coco knows it.

Though Witch Hat Atelier is not afraid to explore more somber themes, particularly related to the very corruption that lies at the heart of the magic world, it is nevertheless a bright and hopeful anime that is perfect for anime fans of any age. Fans of Studio Ghibli are also often fans of Witch Hat Atelier, as many narratives in Studio Ghibli's fantasy films can work with similar atmospheres. Another element the films and Witch Hat Atelier have in common is their use of whimsical mascot characters; in the case of Witch Hat Atelier, that role belongs to a small creature called Brushbuddy. Though the adventures of Brushbuddy, when compared to many of the mascots of Studio Ghibli, differ, there are also many similarities that delight fans of both franchises.

What Is a Brushbuddy?

An Adorable Type of Creature Found in Witch Hat Atelier

There are countless magical creatures in the world of Witch Hat Atelier, each with their own design and relationship to the humans of the universe. For instance, wealthy people may own a Pegasus Carriage, controlled by the legendary flying horses. Meanwhile, there are also animals that one must be wary of, such as a territorial and fearsome dragon. Aside from these creatures and many more, a species exclusive to Witch Hat Atelier is the usually docile mammalian Brushbuddy, also known as a Brushbug.

Brushbuddies usually have white fur (though they can also have striped or black pelts), have very long tails as adults, and small, rodent-like teeth. They are usually rather docile, and love to be around witches as they adore the smell of magic ink. The brushbuddy species can also be found throughout the world of Witch Hat Atelier, but are often found in Dadah Range, such as the one that Coco meets during her time in the area. This Brushbuddy later becomes the main mascot for the series, and more often than not is seen with the witches of Qifrey's Atelier.

What Is Brushbuddy’s Role in Witch Hat Atelier?

A Whimsical Mascot and a Ray of Light When Things Get Gloomy

In episode three of Witch Hat Atelier, Coco is trying to get along with her strict fellow apprentice, Agott, who is greatly annoyed by the new arrival. So much so, that according to Agott, Coco must complete a complicated trail in Dadah Range if she wishes to remain Qifrey's apprentice. According to Agott, Coco needs to find a Diadem Herb, a plant that only grows on the floating balls of earth that are scattered around Dadah Range. The task itself is dangerous to the point of being deadly if one is not careful, and unbeknownst to Coco, Qifrey was not even planning for her to do this trial; in reality, this mission was planned by Agott herself, formed out of her contempt and distrust for Coco.

During Coco's time in Dadah Range, she not only crafts a brilliant plan on how she can reach the Diadem Herb with what magic she has learned so far, but also comes across a Brushbuddy. This little creature, as Coco regains her confidence, is there for her when she decides to put her plan into action, and even "states" that it wants to come home with her. As such, Brushbuddy soon becomes a permanent resident of Qifrey's Atelier, and is shown to be especially close with Coco and her friend Richeh. Qifrey also gives the Brushbuddy the nickname of "PuffPuff", which it does not like very much.

How Brushbuddy Relates to the Mascots of Studio Ghibli

Brushbuddy Also Inspires Wonder and Even a Sense of Support

As fans know very well, Studio Ghibli is famous for not only creating films about everyday lives (such as Whisper of the Heart), but everyday lives interacting with fantastical happenings. A more action-packed example lies with Spirited Away, as Chihiro finds herself in the world of spirits and must find the confidence within herself to save her family and new friends. Though the film has more important mascots, such as No-Face, a secondary type of mascot character is the Soot Sprite, which usually appears with others of its kind in order to do tasks. These little creatures are consistently positive in nature, and act as a key supporting group for the heroes and the good-natured.

Meanwhile, in less action-packed but just as wonderfully whimsical films, such as My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service, mascot characters are shown to have greater roles. Totoro is the central protagonist and title character of his respective film, and is there for Satsuki and Mei in their time of need.

As their family goes through a tough time, Totoro and his friends are there to bring some joy to their lives, and when things are especially rocky, the gentle forest spirit is there to help. In comparison, Jiji of Kiki's Delivery Service is much more snarky and one with a more "glass half empty" worldview. However, before Jiji loses his ability to speak to Kiki, he still comforts her when she is feeling down. He is also often a source of comedy, such as the beloved scene where Jiji finds a mug with a black cat design that looks like him.

In Witch Hat Atelier, Brushbuddy not only showcases a sense of adorable whimsy much like Totoro and Jiji, but that sense of support. When Coco begins to lose hope, Brushbuddy is there to brighten her surroundings and comes along with her for the fantastical ride. As the series goes on (especially in the manga), Brushbuddy continues to travel alongside his new friends, and stands by their side when things grow more intense. Like the many beloved mascots of Studio Ghibli, Brushbuddy acts as a continuous beacon of comfort and playfulness, an excellent symbol of the heart of Witch Hat Atelier, which fans new and old absolutely adore.