170 - 3.5 - my review is biased as i read around 600 chapters of the novel, so it’s hard not to compare
This adaptation is much lighter, it kept a lot of the « humorous « parts and a lot of « fan » service (geeky gimmicks, silly or flirty chapters, witch outfits, a few of the virgin ridiculous interactions , etc )
The pace is way faster (it nearly caught up with my reading)
On the opposite it lost a lot of it’s political interactions - and intentions
In the novel, there's strong content about shaping a society, that includes obediences, and manipulation of ideology through propaganda, slogan or theater, or the fabrication of a social ladder based on merit … etc - the content still exists but it’s stripped of its intentions which is a bit sad, as it was probably one of the most fascinating part of that story - It was very explicit and nothing was hidden on lots of methods to bring change into mindsets -
One thing i disliked in the book and still find, in lesser proportion in the manhua, is the « propaganda « toward our models of « industrial revolution « , to me it was very double edged - for one part, i dread the long term consequences in matters of environment that actually really threatens us with mass extinction , yet, it also comes from a perspective of extreme poverty and that did add volume to my thoughts : the first impression of these technology choices might indeed have been progress and better life for « the masses » (although Chaplin modern time already said otherwise)
I wish the writer add more culture about alternatives in a variety of things, it would be nice to imagine how a world can grow without our mistakes, of picking better choices t tesla theory, pantone water engine, Jean pain method and permaculture… etc),
I dream to read an isekai where progress is not a copy paste of our world, including our past including our worst mistakes
Lastly the plot with the witches, the political entanglement and some added ancient mystery makes for a really nice plot
I grew tired of the novel, but despite some seriously weaker content, i certainly would be curious to read more
As an adaptation, i regret a bit too much on the lighter part, and a bit too little on the serious motivations behind everything the prince is doing - it was a bit thick in the novel, but keeping a bit more would have added some depth
Release That Witch