'Ultimate Book of Spells' first aired when this reviewer was 9. Liked it a lot back then, and have revisited it a number of times since as a fan of animation. It is far from ground-breaking or one of the best shows, animated and not, ever made, but it also does not deserve its now relatively forgotten status. Thank goodness for good old Youtube. Can totally see the criticisms it garners for being closely indebted to Harry Potter (only picked up upon some while after the show first aired), and there are elements throughout that are very similar and clearly inspired, but this viewer considers it more of a love letter rather than a rip off.
"Three is a Charm" is a nice start to 'Ultimate Book of Spells'. There are better episodes of the show and a vast majority of it is setting everything up and introducing everyone and everything. It does do a good job though fulfilling that objective, in a way that immediately immerses one into the setting and creates intrigue. Like the show, nothing is original or ground-breaking. But for a set up first episode, "Three is a Charm" has a lot to like about it and its main aim is achieved.
It's not perfect. It does take a little too long to get going, with there not being much proper plot until halfway through when UBOS is introduced.
Always did find Snerrot and Rowce on the annoying side (though they are a lot worse in other episodes), and they are annoying here, especially their voices, and their arguing is not clever or funny. The villains' defeat is also too easy and unintentionally goofy.
However, a lot is good. Really liked how already Cassy, Gus and Verne have strong distinct personalities and how the relationship between them is established so quickly while showing tensions. Verne's freaking out, confusion and refusal to believe what is happening is very relatable and exactly how most would react on their first day at not just a new school but a completely different environment so alien to you. Loved his role in the climax. Really like Cassy's (my favourite of the three in the show in general) feistiness, which isn't overdone, and the episode doesn't overdo too much Gus' initial condecension towards Verne.
My favourite character has always been gruff, knowledgable and sympathetic UBOS, with the genuinely sinister Zarlak not close behind (whose awfulness and menace is felt even when just being talked about). The episode does a great job with the two settings, Vonderland already feels magical and immersive even with familiar elements and the Center of the Earth has genuine creepiness and foreboding. The animation is crisp and colourful and the music fits well and doesn't sound out of date. Catchy theme tune. The voice acting is strong, other than Snerrot and Rowce, with the standouts being for Verne, UBOS and Zarlak. The writing is not juvenile or complicated and was really struck as a young adult how self-aware and on the nose it is. Loved the Jules Verne reference which went over my head as a kid. While the story is mainly set up and isn't perfect, the introductions and banter are very entertainingly and intriguingly done and makes one excited for what's to come.
In summary, nice start to an underrated show. 7/10.