Ojamajo Doremi Na-I-Sho is a nice break from the main series, dealing with a series of side plots that take place in between the Motto! and Dokaan! seasons, to my knowledge. And to be honest, this series may not have been 'necessary' to the series success, but it certainly contributed to breaking the mold that was set up. Whether or not this was a good or bad choice will depend on your personal preferences, as some episodes have mediocre or subpar quality in my opinion. However, I believe that many of the episodes that do not fall in this category are some of the bestin the series overall, let alone this mini-season. One thing I liked is that the series is unafraid to step out of its boundaries: there's material here that would be written off elsewhere as unfit for the show or too mature, though it's handled with grace and subtlety here. The way it's done lets older viewers cue into the episode's content, while younger viewers won't feel left out, as it's done in a "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" style. By doing so, the series balances both of its messages - innocence and maturity - perfectly, one not overshadowing the other. Furthermore, this series is a treasure trove on backstories, featuring many well-done episodes on main and side characters alike. Of course, there may be a few bad episodes spread throughout, but they are far and few between. I believe that the good episodes outnumber the bad, so I'll give the series an 8/10.