Witch Hat Atelier is a fantasy manga series by Kamome Shirahama that follows Coco, a young girl who dreams of becoming a witch in a world where only those born with magical abilities can practice magic. Her life changes when she meets Qifrey, a traveling witch who reveals that magic is performed by drawing specific runes. After Coco accidentally turns her mother to stone using forbidden magic, Qifrey takes her in as his apprentice to help her reverse the spell and uncover the secrets of magic.

Throughout their journey, Coco and her fellow apprentices encounter various magical creatures and contraptions. One such contraption is the beast warding tower, a chimney-shaped structure made of bricks that tapers upward. These towers are built along roadsides and contain glyphs inside that repel beasts, making the area safer for travelers and witches alike.