TLDR;
This video explores the history of the magical girl (Mahou Shoujo) anime genre, tracing its origins from the 1960s to the present day. It highlights key series, influential creators, and the evolution of common tropes, including transformations, mascot characters, and the shift towards darker themes. The video also discusses the impact of Sailor Moon and Madoka Magica on the genre and its future.
- The genre's origins can be traced back to the 1960s with series like Himitsu no Akko-chan and Sally the Witch.
- Toei Animation dominated the genre for many years, a period known as the "Toei Period."
- Sailor Moon revolutionized the genre by introducing team-based magical girl squads and LGBTQ+ representation.
- Madoka Magica ushered in a new era of dark magical girl series that deconstructed genre tropes.
- The genre continues to evolve, with recent series exploring themes of child soldiers and the exploitation of magical girls.
Introduction to Magical Girls [0:18]
Magical girl anime, known as Mahou Shoujo, is a staple genre with a rich history. The genre's origins are often attributed to the American sitcom Bewitched, but the manga Himitsu no Akko-chan by Fujio Akatsuka predates it by two years, debuting in 1962. Akko-chan is considered the first true magical girl work in Japan.
Early Magical Girl Series: Akko-chan and Sally the Witch [1:03]
Himitsu no Akko-chan tells the story of a girl who receives a magical mirror that allows her to transform into anything she desires by speaking magic words. This series established key tropes such as magical accessories, incantations, and transformations. Sally the Witch, inspired by Bewitched, became the first magical girl anime in 1966. It features Sally, a princess from a magical kingdom who visits Earth and uses her powers for comedic slice-of-life adventures.
The "Majokko" Era and Toei Animation's Dominance [4:01]
In the early days, the genre was known as "majokko," focusing on the comedic misadventures of magical girls like Sally and Akko. Toei Animation dominated this era, producing series like Mahou no Mako-chan, a loose adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Mako-chan stood out for featuring an older-looking protagonist and darker themes.
Osamu Tezuka and Other Early Series [6:06]
Osamu Tezuka, the "god of manga," created Fushigi Merumo in 1971, a magical girl series that incorporated mature themes and fan service. Other series like Sarutobi Ecchan and Mahoutsukai Chappy followed, with Chappy being very similar to Sally the Witch.
High-Tech Magical Girls: Limit-chan and Cutie Honey [8:52]
In 1973, two cybernetic magical girl series emerged: Miracle Girl Limit-Chan and Cutie Honey. Limit-chan, a girl with a robot body, used her powers for slice-of-life stories. Cutie Honey, created by Go Nagai, was initially intended for a shoujo audience but was retooled for shounen, becoming the first magical girl series written with boys in mind. Cutie Honey is known for its action, racy content, and the protagonist's quest for revenge.
Darker Themes and New Innovations in the Late 70s [11:53]
Majokko no Megu-chan (1974) introduced darker themes like domestic abuse and suicide, setting a template for later series. Hana no Ko Lunlun (1979) contributed talking mascot animals that mentored the protagonist.
The End of the Toei Period and Minky Momo [13:39]
Mahou Shoujo Lalabel (1980) marked the end of Toei's dominance and was the first series to use the term "mahou shoujo." Magical Girl Minky Momo (1982) was a popular series that combined elements from previous magical girl anime. However, it was plagued by production issues, including the toy company pulling funding, leading to the protagonist's death in the series.
The Pierrot Period and Idol Magical Girls [16:42]
Magical Angel Creamy Mami (1983) was the first idol magical girl anime and the beginning of the "Pierrot Period." The series featured a real-life idol voicing the main character and performing the songs, creating a "media mix" phenomenon. Pierrot produced several other magical girl series in the 80s, including Magical Emi, Persia, and Pastel Yumi, and created crossover OVAs.
Sailor Moon: A Genre Revolution [19:11]
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (1992) revolutionized the magical girl genre by introducing team-based magical girl squads, drawing inspiration from the tokusatsu genre, and incorporating LGBTQ+ representation. It also featured elaborate transformation sequences and became a global mega-hit. Sailor Moon was the first magical girl anime with a female creator.
Cardcaptor Sakura and Toei's Redemption Arc [22:21]
Cardcaptor Sakura (1998) capitalized on the strengths of the genre with high production values and merchandising opportunities. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Toei launched successful franchises like Ojamajo DoReMi (1999), a school slice-of-life comedy with magical elements, and Princess Tutu (2002), a series that deconstructed storytelling and fairy tale tropes.
Pretty Cure and Genre Adaptations [25:25]
Futari wa Pretty Cure (2004) introduced martial arts and super strength to the magical girl formula, leading to a lasting franchise with new generations of magical girls every year. The components of magical girl stories became so iconic that they could be adapted into various genres.
The Dark Magical Girl Period: Madoka Magica and Beyond [27:17]
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2011) ushered in a new era of dark magical girl series that deconstructed genre tropes and explored mature themes. It inspired a generation of series that twisted the bright and optimistic tones of the genre into more bleak and edgy tales.
Recent Trends: Symphogear, Yuki Yuna is a Hero, and More [29:14]
Senki ZesshÅ Symphogear (2012) combined idols, military organizations, and pseudo-mech suits. Yuki Yuna is a Hero (2014) explored the personal sacrifices of magical girls, while Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka (2019) looked at magical girls through the lens of child soldiers. Other series like Magical Girl Raising Project and Magical Girl Site delved into dark and violent themes.
Hope for the Future [31:37]
Despite the recent trend towards darker themes, there are still some lighthearted and comedic magical girl series, such as Magical Girl Ore. With new seasons of Sailor Moon Crystal on the way and the conclusion of many flagship franchises, there is open ground for new series to break into the market.