"Umineko no Naku Koro ni" is a fantastical work that begins with a murky story about a huge inheritance dispute, and then features an unexpected witch who causes a series of murders. As witches appear in the story, many terrifying spells are used, but among them are also happy spells that don't seem to fit the style of the work...? This time, we'll take a look at the magic that makes people happy that appears in Umineko no Naku Koro ni!

Magic that restores broken things

Magic that instantly restores broken things while you close your eyes frequently appears in Umineko no Naku Koro ni. For example, the pumpkin-shaped candy that Maria has is once shattered into pieces by her mother, Rosa, but is instantly restored to its original state by Beatrice. The magic is explained as being able to return things to their original state because they remember what they looked like before they were broken, but there's something suspicious about the moment when she closes her eyes...? Regardless, it's still a wonderful magic that can repair important things that have been broken.

"Uuuu" is the magic that makes people smile.

Maria repeatedly says "Uuuu" whenever she speaks. While one might think it's just a catchphrase, a scene recalling Maria's past reveals that this is also magic. When Maria was singing a song while taking a walk with Rosa, she forgot the lyrics and replaced them with "uuuuu" and Rosa smiled, which was the catalyst for the birth of magic. It wasn't magic or anything, he just laughed because he thought her cute deception was adorable, but it seems that anything that little witch Maria says is "magic" turns into magic. If you look back at the story, you'll see that Rosa often yells "uuuuu" when he's irritated.

Magic that brings stuffed animals to life

Magic was also used to bring to life Sakutaro, a lion stuffed animal given to Maria by Roza. Maria was growing increasingly distrustful and lonely as she waited for Roza's late return, and Sakutaro, brought to life, tried his best to encourage her. Furthermore, with the power of magic, Maria is able to play with other stuffed animals and glass animals. However, only Maria and the residents of the magical world can see them move.

Magic to Avoid Being Alone

Maria informs the protagonist, Battler's younger sister, Ange, of the existence of magic through her posthumous diary. In the series of events that occur in "Umineko no Naku Koro ni," Ange loses her family and is unable to make friends at school. The only thing that gave her peace of mind were the magic spells that Maria taught her. One of these spells was the ability to summon the servant girls, who were called furniture in the Ushiromiya household. It was a fleeting spell that would disappear if denied, but it helped to comfort the lonely Ange.

Summary

We learned that magic for happiness is entrusted with ideals and wishes that cannot be achieved by one's own power. Since some magic disappears when rejected by others or when one denies it, perhaps the feeling of belief is what gives it its magical power. "Umineko no Naku Koro ni" is a bleak story in which many of the characters are unhappy, but when they are able to find happiness even for a moment through magic, a sense of sadness wells up inside them.