Paul Hanbridge, formally known as the Earl of Hanbridge, is a supporting character in Little Witch Academia. He is a politician who holds the title of count and serves as the Minister of State of the country. He is the father of Andrew Hanbridge. According to official character profiles, he became Minister of State at a young age and has since led the promotion of numerous policies considered outstanding. In appearance, he is a middle-aged man with gray hair and green eyes, typically dressed in a brown suit over a beige shirt, with dark brown shoes and a pair of glasses.

In the story, Paul holds a negative view of magic and particularly dislikes witches. Despite this attitude, he visits Luna Nova for political reasons, which indicates that his public conduct is shaped more by political practicality than by personal feelings. His role in the narrative is that of an authority figure from the non-magical world, representing the skepticism and institutional pressure that witches face in a modern society where magic has declined in reputation. He appears occasionally in the series as part of the political and aristocratic circles connected to Luna Nova, and his presence gives weight to the broader conflict between magical tradition and the modern, non-magical establishment.

His key relationship is with his son, Andrew, who is a student at Appleton Academy and a childhood acquaintance of Diana Cavendish. Paul's distrust of magic stands in contrast to Andrew's growing involvement with the students of Luna Nova over the course of the series. Paul himself has no magical abilities; his significance comes from his political standing and influence rather than any personal power. The series does not devote much attention to his personal development, and he functions mainly as a stable representative of the establishment that remains suspicious of magic, providing a contrast to the younger characters who come to embrace it.