Witch Hat Atelier’s Qifrey is one of the most intriguing characters I have come across. Gentle and cheerful on the surface, Qifrey masks a fair amount of darkness which occasionally manifests in a scary way. In the beginning, while we are unaware of his past, his interest in the brim caps along with the use of intimidation and memory wiping magic to protect his secret plant doubts about his alignment. Is Coco someone Qifrey protecting merely to serve his goals of tracking down the brim caps? Why is Qifrey not more forthcoming about his knowledge with his peers and students, if not the magical authorities?
Qifrey is presented as a competent mage from the start. During the Draconian Labyrinth Arc, once he gets to his apprentices, he makes quick work of the dragon using his own magic. In the Watchful Eye Arc and the River Rescue Arc, he does not hesitate to get into a fight with Olruggio and the Knights Moralis in order to keep Coco safe and her memories intact. It is with the discovery of the twin bottle, the scary side of Qifrey begins to show. He intimidates Nolnoa into keeping the twin bottle secret, and when the latter refuses, he resorts to erasing his memory. He assures Coco that he would keep her safe, and we are left to wonder how far Qifrey is willing to go and if he has the strength to go up against the authorities.
Despite his strength, it is evident that he is no match against the brim cap Iguin. Even during the Second Pentagram Test Arc, it appears that the brim caps could have caused far more trouble if they wanted. The prohibition on forbidden magic creates a significant asymmetry, one that puts the law-abiding mages at a big disadvantage during combat. Even so, Qifrey manages to arrest Engeldill, albeit through some luck and deception.
Qifrey puts himself in harm’s way often and readily enough for the sake of Coco that we start to realize whatever his ulterior motives are, he genuinely cares about the little apprentice. But again, how far would he go? During the Great Hall Arc, Beldaruit reveals to Coco parts of Qifrey’s tragic past. Furthermore, Beldaruit insinuates that Coco would not be safe around Qifrey and that she should continue her apprenticeship with him instead. But Qifrey is able to reassure Coco unlike anyone else, and she stays with him. Our doubts about the one-eyed mage heightens during the Silver Night Festival Prologue Arc, when he erases Olruggio’s memory. If even the closest people are not off limits, then who is? Will he use the memory erasure spell on his apprentices too? Will Coco stop being an exception?
The Silverwood Arc contextualizes several events from earlier arcs. Coco learns that Qifrey silverwood host, and is forced to keep secrets and pursue the brim caps, lest the parasite should take over him. The arc goes to further illuminate his tragic backstory, along with Olruggio’s involvement. Olruggio is revealed to be an exceptional mage, who came up with the memory erasure idea to check the growth of the parasite. Qifrey and Olruggio are stuck in this tragic cycle of discovery and memory erasure.
What lies ahead for Qifrey? Coco’s goal of rescuing her mother and Qifrey’s of learning about his past are inescapably linked to the brim caps. Unless Qifrey resorts to forbidden magic or finds a new kind of magic not yet forbidden, given the kind of caring people he is surrounding himself with, it seems he will turn into a silverwood tree eventually.