Incredible Magical Girl Anime to Watch in Fall 2024

The magical girl, or mahō shōjo, subgenre of anime and manga holds a pivotal place within the medium, evolving into a staple since its debut in 1962. This genre was significantly shaped by the seminal works of Himitsu no Akko-chan and Sally the Witch, which launched in 1966. Typically, the subgenre features young girls or women who possess magical powers, often manifested through a distinct alter ego.

Fast forward nearly three decades, the iconic Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi redefined the genre by merging tokusatsu superhero elements with the core ideas of magical girls, leading to the creation of the much-cherished transformation sequence. This aspect is one of the compelling reasons to explore this series.

What Is Magilumiere About?

Picture Magical Girls… In an Office Setting

Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc episode 1 kana and hitomi

Magical girls are portrayed as strong, dynamic, and capable figures, admired by many. They enjoy lucrative careers and are widely respected. Their primary responsibility is to combat creatures known as ‘Kaii’. The rise in Kaii occurrences has led to a flourishing industry for Magical Girls, with over 500 companies operating in this space.

In this captivating universe, becoming a magical girl is an attractive job path, tasked with protecting the community from dangerous monsters known as Kaii. College graduate Kana Sakuragi has faced challenges finding employment until an unexpected Kaii attack disrupts her job interview, resulting in chaos.

Utilizing her remarkable memory, Kana aids a seasoned magical girl, Hitomi Koshigaya, in defeating the creature. This event opens the door for Kana to join Magilumiere Co. Ltd., a magical girl startup where Hitomi works, thereby becoming the second member of their magical girl team. The small firm features a weary CEO, Kōji Shigemoto, who often dresses as a magical girl, alongside Kaede Midorikawa, who manages client relations, and Kazuo Nikoyama, their magic engineer.

Background Information

Production Team and Cast of Magilumiere

The Magilumiere manga, created by Sekka Iwata and Yu Aoki, has been published on the Shōnen Jump+ platform since October 2021 and has been compiled into 14 volumes as of October 2024. It is also available in English through Shueisha’s Manga Plus app and website. The anime adaptation, crafted by J.C. Staff and Moe, is helmed by director Masahiro Hiraoka, a seasoned CG designer and background artist known for his work on the magical girl series Heartcatch Precure!. Shingo Nagai handles series composition (known for scripts in High Card), while Makoto Miyazaki provides the music and character designs are courtesy of Hidehiro Asama (key animation for A Silent Voice) and Masahiro Fujii (key animation for Nodame Cantabile). Art direction is managed by Kenta Ōshima and Miho Seri, background artists from Attack on Titan: The Final Season alongside Yukitoshi Takigawa’s CGI direction and Kanae Ueki’s 3D art direction. The series also includes photography direction by Kōichi Gonda and sound direction by Masafumi Mima from My Hero Academia.

Voice talents in the Magilumiere include Yumiri Hanamori as Hitomi Koshigaya, Fairouz Ai as Kana Sakuragi, Rikiya Koyama as Kōji Shigemoto, Daiki Yamashita as Kazuo Nikoyama, and Chika Anzai as Mei Tsuchiba, among others.

How Magilumiere Innovates the Magical Girl Subgenre

Merging Workplace Dynamics with Magical Girl Themes

One of the elements that makes Magilumiere stand out in the Fall 2024 anime lineup is its unique take on the well-established magical girl formula. Many contemporary anime navigate the congested genre landscape by avoiding replication of successful formulas through subversive writing. For instance, KonoSuba revitalized the isekai trope by adding humor to break the mold, making it a pivotal aspect of modern isekai narratives. In contrast, Magilumiere embraces the essence of magical girl anime, featuring action-packed battles, a central heroic figure, and an unlikely protagonist who gains abilities through seemingly random fate, with the iconic transformation sequences remaining central.

The inaugural episode of Magilumiere excels at capturing these familiar elements, highlighted by Hitomi’s transformation—an artful nod to the iconic sequences popularized by Sailor Moon and similar Western animations. The transformation is characterized by exhilarating music and stunning animation, elevating the experience to a new level.

Kana’s subplot as a new graduate struggling with job interviews resonates strongly with viewers, adding a relatable yet light-hearted touch. While maintaining a sense of whimsy, the series incorporates a technology-driven magical framework that enriches the setting of Magilumiere. This includes imaginative devices like mechanical witch brooms, ensuring that the magic remains dynamic and visually engaging, true to the magical girl tradition but offering fresh interpretations. Overall, Magilumiere not only dazzles with its animation quality but also presents an intriguing story concept that is well worth the watch this season.

Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc. can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

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