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Everyone Loves a Magical Girl

Every anime season brings a mix of eagerly awaited premieres and comebacks, alongside unexpected titles that catch viewers off guard. Gushing Over Magical Girls has emerged as one such surprise hit in the Winter 2024 lineup. Why? The show’s unique approach lies in its deconstruction of the genre while tapping into its sexual undertones. 

Not since The Saga of Tanya the Evil has a magical girl series challenged the norms of the genre. Yet, Gushing Over Magical Girls takes every staple of the genre and deconstructs our expectations of it. At the same time, it also acknowledges that the genre has had a kinky undertone. The end result is a series that picks apart its defining elements while embracing its not so subtle aspects.

It should be noted that I’m anime only regarding Gushing Over Magical Girl. Hence this review will not be comparing it with the manga. Instead, my critique will be based on the anime adaptations’ own merit.

A Villain is Born

Utena Hiiragi is an introverted high schooler who harbors dreams of becoming a magical girl like her heroes, the Tres Magia. However, her aspirations take an unexpected turn after her encounter with Venalita. Suddenly, Utena finds herself thrust into the world of magic—but not in the way she envisioned. Instead of joining the ranks of her heroes, she is recruited into an evil organization set on opposing the Tres Magia. 

Initially hesitant, Utena is coerced into compliance by Venalita through blackmail. It’s during her early battles that she also uncovers her sadistic nature. Using the alias of Magia Baiser, she sets out to humiliate the Tres Magia at every opportunity. Along the way, she is joined by Kiwi Araga (going by the alias Leoparde) and Korisu Morino (going by the alias Nero Alice). However, this new life comes under threat when the leader of their evil organization wants to kill the Tres Magia. It’s now up to the group to stop her while continuing to be an annoyance to the heroes. 

Her Name is Magia Baiser!

Thanks to Sailor Moon, the magical girl genre served as the gateway to anime for many of us. It’s a genre that has profoundly influenced anime fans in various aspects of their lives, from aspiring to become mangaka/comic artists to engaging in cosplay. Additionally, some have used the genre as a vehicle for their sexual exploration. While never explicitly articulated in a series, there has always been an undertone that captivated fans. It’s challenging to overlook, particularly if you’ve ever attended an anime convention, where you likely stumbled into a panel exploring the convergence of magical girls and human sexuality. Gushing Over Magical Girls acknowledges this aspect of the genre and embraces it with open arms.

However, it would be remiss to hastily label the series as mere “borderline hentai.” While it does contain nudity and sexual situations, these elements are just a fraction of its narrative tapestry and serve a specific purpose. The series delves deeply into the intricacies of the magical girl genre, dissecting its sexual facets and thematic elements.

Given the significance of the magical girl genre, it has its fair share of tropes and contributions to pop culture. At the same time, it also has its fair share of cliches and played-out elements. All of these have been picked apart and better examined during this season. The obvious tropes are present but are presented in a way that is either comical or makes you really think about the genre. It not only examines the tropes of the magical genre but also some of those of the overall superhero genre. Specifically the role of secret identities as it’s obvious to the obvious who the heroes and villains are but not to the characters themselves.

Beyond how it picks apart a genre, one cannot help but admire the intricately crafted characters within. Utena embodies a complex dichotomy, torn between her reverence for magical girls and her burgeoning sexual identity. She teeters on the edge of villainy without fully embracing evil, navigating a morally ambiguous terrain with palpable conflict. Her very presence challenges the ethos of Tres Magia, prompting soul-searching about their purpose and the essence of heroism. This dynamic is particularly evident in the poignant exchange where Utena admonishes Magia Azure’s inclination to surrender. One also can’t overlook Nero Alice who conveys volume without uttering a single word.

Magia Baiser in Trouble

Gushing Over Magical Girls excels at deconstructing the tropes of the magical girl genre, yet it falters by embracing some of the most overused tropes in hentai. Particularly, plot elements that lean heavily on hypnosis or feeble attempts at blackmail. These aspects are not deconstructed or portrayed critically but rather utilized merely as tools to advance the storyline. Plus if you are absolutely not a fan of these tropes then you might not enjoy the series or some episodes. 

Here Comes the Squad

The magical girl genre served as the gateway to anime for many while also having influenced a generation of artists. It’s also a genre that has its fair share of tropes and contributions to pop culture. At the same time, it also has its fair share of cliches and played-out elements. That is welcoming when a work comes along and challenges or takes apart the genre. Gushing Over Magical Girls takes every staple of the genre and deconstructs our expectations while also acknowledging its kinky undertone. 

Disclaimer: I watched the entire season on HIDIVE, which I pay for myself.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the video game community and industry of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Gushing Over Magical Girls (Season 1)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• A familiar story that also plays aginst audience expectations.
• Deconstruction of the magical girl genre while also shining a light to its sexual undertones.
• Multilayered characters who are torn between two worlds or purpose.
• The quality of the animation is both colorful and stylish.

Cons

• Embracing some of the most overused tropes in hentai.