The Magical Girl genre is filled with intriguing and diverse titles, so here are five of the most overlooked Magical Girl anime ever to hit theaters.
The Magical Girl genre has a long and long history. Since Himitsu no Akko-chan, the first Magical Girl series, came out in 1962, the genre has undergone many changes. There have been countless anime series that have taken this genre in many ways, from dark to comedic. Of course, whenever a genre grows big, some series get dropped. It could be due to bad timing, release issues or just being overshadowed. But many big shows never get the attention they deserve. So if you are looking for new horizons of Magical Girl, this is it five underrated Magical Girl anime series.
Kamichama Karin
Koge-Donbo’s Di Gi Charat and Pita-Ten series are particularly popular. However, their magical girl Kamichama Karin series was mostly forgotten. It originally started life as a manga series but was turned into an anime by Satelight in 2007. The series follows Karin Hanazono, an ordinary teenage girl who, when her parents and cat die, falls. into depression. However, she soon learns that the ring left by her mother has the power to turn her into a goddess. These new powers attract a number of evil characters, all of whom want Karin’s powers for their nefarious purposes. Some of these people even have their own transformation rings.
Originally, the manga was just a parody work. However, the series became so popular that Koge-Donbo continued it for many more episodes. Since its origins are a parody, the series is delightfully revamped, turning a very standard setting into a fun movie. The main characters, especially Karin and her friend Kazune are fun, and it’s hard not to get caught up in their stories.
Corrector Yui
Composed by Kia Asamiya, Corrector Yui is set in an unspecified future where the internet has expanded into a giant VR network known as ComNet. However, Yui Kasuga is completely computer literate despite being the daughter of a software developer. However, when the evil host computer Grosser tried to take over both ComNet and the world, a sentient program called IR contacted Yui and asked her to bring herself into ComNet to fight Grosser, becoming a digital magic girl in the process. While the series’ approach to technology and the internet is now outdated, it’s still an interesting and unique series. Unlike many heroes in the genre, Yui readily accepts the role of a magical girl, and the online setting allows for some unique battles and memorable characters. The show also gets better as it goes on due to it delving into some deeper (and darker) territory.
Magic User’s Club
Magic User’s Club was composed by Triangle Staff and Junichi Sato. First released as a six-part OVA in 1996, it had a 13-episode sequel series in 1999. When a giant alien spaceship, nicknamed The Bell, landing on Earth, it will send out a message that it has come to take over. The army tries to attack, but The Bell destroys their weapons, leaving humanity defenseless. A year later, The Bell began sending probes to monitor life on Earth, and while these probes are harmless unless attacked, some girls are not happy with the situation. Takeo Takakura and the rest of her school’s Magic User’s Club decide to fight against The Bell. Others found the idea silly because they thought the Magic User Club only knew basic living room tricks. However, Takeo really knows real magic when she discovers a lost grimoire, and plans to use this magic to defeat the aliens. With a cast of hilariously funny characters, Magic User’s Club is well worth a look just because its unusual premise turns some magical girls over their heads.
Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!
Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! It’s more about Magical Boys than Girls. Still, it’s a hilarious love letter to the Magical Girl genre. Five boys at Binan High School are approached by Wombat, a creature from outer space.
Wombat tries to convince the boys to become Magical Boys and spread the love while protecting Earth from aliens. And, while the boys were hesitant at first, they agreed to Wombat’s offer. Each boy is then granted a Loveracelet that allows them to transform and use special elemental powers. However, the boys quickly find themselves confronted by the Earth Conquest Club, a group of other boys who have decided to take over the Earth by turning non-loving people into monsters. This results in a great anime filled with a compelling balance that balances being a parody with a super fun anime in its own right. The characters are hilarious and endearing, and their interactions are always hilarious.
Princess Tutu
Princess Tutu is one of the most original and imaginative Magical Girls anime in history. In the story, a writer named Drosselmeyer is able to bring his stories to life. When he dies, however, The Prince And The Raven, his final story, remains unfinished, locking both characters in a perpetual struggle. When Raven broke into the real world, the Prince broke his heart to trap it, causing him to lose his memories.
Drosselmeyer’s ghost realizes that he needs to end this cycle and find salvation in the form of a duckling who has fallen in love with the Amnesiac Prince. He gives her a pendant to make her human and transform into the magical Princess Tutu. With this new power, the duck sets out to restore the Prince’s heart. However, Raven’s daughter aims to stop her. A wonderful twist on stories and fairy tales, Princess Tutu, is a magical series that combines stunning animation with an engaging plot and believable characters. Once you get started, it’s hard not to get sucked into this complex and beautiful landscape.
