'Jaadugar A Witch in Mongolia' Review: Science Saru's Historical Anime Is a Spectacular Achievement

Published Aug 18, 2026, 10:00 AM EDT

Science Saru’s Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is the latest and most promising addition to this genre. Based on Tomato Soup’s A Witch’s Life in Mongol, the ongoing anime — which started airing on July 4 — takes place in 13th-century Persia and approaches the setting with the utmost nuance and sensitivity. Although a riveting story about a young woman’s resilience in the face of wartime horror, Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia revels in the wondrous richness of the everyday. Even these slice-of-life elements are woven into the series with breathtaking animation. Its sweet, cartoonish aesthetic is both comforting and disorienting.

The year is AD 1213, and an orphaned child named Sitara is sold as a slave to the widowed Fatima in the city of Tus. Amidst the backdrop of the Islamic Golden Age, Fatima decides to educate Sitara, but the little girl refuses to learn her letters and yearns to return to her mother instead. She is bluntly (but not unkindly) reminded that she has no home to return to and that a slave’s worth lies in the value she can bring as “property.”

This deeply uncomfortable reality is juxtaposed against Fatima’s tender demeanor towards Sitara, who soon realizes that knowledge can be a useful tool. Fatima’s 11-year-old son, Muhammad, gently convinces Sitara that knowledge can open new avenues in life and provide comfort to those who feel lost. This ignites a genuine passion for learning, leading Sitara to seek out the most invaluable mathematical and astrological knowledge. This period of bliss comes to an end once the Mongols invade Tus eight years later.

Image: Science Saru

A Witch’s Life in Mongol excels in historical and cultural accuracy, taking a research-heavy approach to a deeply personal story rooted in a politically volatile time period. This streak of accuracy carries over to Jaadugar, which captures a robust and tactile picture of Tus before the Mongolian conquest led by Genghis Khan. Bazaars brim with vibrant produce, imported goods, and people from all walks of life. The bustling streets are lined with beautiful, decorated homes that often sport lush backyards and intricate interiors. Science Saru uses a fluid, picturebook-esque color palette to infuse these mundane moments with beauty, but this cultural appreciation never feels tacked-on or fetishistic.

Tus’ cultural richness, however, isn’t reduced to pretty aesthetics. The Adhan (the Islamic call to prayer), along with the practice of Iddah, is intimately woven into everyday life, and the Quran’s emphasis on pursuing knowledge is practically adopted into daily routine. When peace is disrupted by the Mongol invasion, the rhythm of normalcy shatters as soon as we realize that none of Tus’ residents understand what the Mongols are saying. This cultural divide exacerbates the fear and alienation that is a part of a violent invasion. When one of Khan’s sons, Tolui, robs Sitara’s precious family library, we’re made to realize how war robs communities of cultural tradition, reducing heritage to looted objects.

In one sequence, Sitara steps out of her home to take in the devastation that Tus has been subjected to. The former bustling bazaar has been reduced to ashy ruins. It is a jarring contrast that emphasizes Khan’s senseless brutality, especially when we see survivors lined up and subjected to arbitrary fates. While Jaadugar dwells on these painful realities with the gravity they deserve, this is Sitara’s story, and the path ahead only leads to one sentiment: revenge.

Image: Science Saru

After she is dragged to the Mongolian court by Tolui, Sitara relies on her knowledge to navigate a hostile environment where she is constantly demonized for being educated and outspoken. No matter how many people label her as a “witch” for flouting traditional norms, Sitara engages in tactful politicking while outwardly keeping her rage in check.

That said, Sitara’s relationship with the Mongols is decidedly complicated. While their status as brutal colonizers shapes the unimaginable trauma that Sitara undergoes, she must also experience (and understand) their cultural traditions to be able to strike at their vulnerabilities. This means making strategic alliances in court, developing an earnest interest in their culture, and isolating individual motivations from what the Mongol invasion stands for.

Image: Science Saru

Jaadugar resists expectations connected to conventional anime. Despite working with a gritty, realistic setting, it uses an expressionistic art style to deliver a more whimsical window into this snapshot of historical fiction. Shifting color tones are used to strike a contrast between the safety of the court and the unpredictability of the battlefield, which successfully builds tension throughout the episodes. This is one of those rare stories that expertly balances visual and thematic storytelling, where a lot is conveyed through both.

Although Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia has yet to reach its full potential, this well-received adaptation has already established itself as a spectacular historical anime that pays attention to the finer details. It is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a culturally robust tale rooted in real history, where characters are afforded multidimensionality at every turn. This compelling revenge tale believes that knowledge can be used as a concealed weapon to dismantle one of the most formidable historical empires from within.

Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia is available to stream on Crunchyroll.