Magical Girl Recommendations (Anime Thread)

[coates32]

I'm not exactly new to anime, but I'm kind of new to the magical girl and need some recommendations. To give you a general idea of my taste in anime, here is a small list of titles I've enjoy:

-Sekirei
-Ouran Host Club
-Shakugan No Shana
-Claymore
-A Certain Magical Index
-Code Geass
-One Piece

EDIT: edited for grammar

 

[Dr. Cakey]

You should add a caveat: anyone who mentions Madoka Magica will be shot. Because that's not what you're asking about.

Anyway, I can't really help you. I've had some interest in exploring the magical girl genre, but they're rarely touched by licensing companies so there's not much of a selection for me to stream.

Uh, but if Revolutionary Girl Utena counts as magical girl, watch that. I've seen like three episodes of it, but it's pretty and good and I think it gets much better.

 

[coates32]

You should add a caveat: anyone who mentions Madoka Magica will be shot. Because that's not what you're asking about.

Anyway, I can't really help you. I've had some interest in exploring the magical girl genre, but they're rarely touched by licensing companies so there's not much of a selection for me to stream.

Uh, but if Revolutionary Girl Utena counts as magical girl, watch that. I've seen like three episodes of it, but it's pretty and good and I think it gets much better.

I've actually watched a bit of both. One episode of Madoka, which wasn't bad, but I need to get around watching more of it before deciding if it's for me. I've heard it gets much better after episode 3.

Regarding Utena, I've watched about 3-4 episodes of that but had trouble getting into it due it's weird "artsy-ness". I may give it another go since I did thought the main character was cool. Anyway thanks for the recommendation.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

Fate/Kaleid Liner is a spin-off from Fate/Stay Night, but you don't need to know the original to enjoy it, though it would help. Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay are awesome, and you should probably look into them anyway.

 

[coates32]

Fate/Kaleid Liner is a spin-off from Fate/Stay Night, but you don't need to know the original to enjoy it, though it would help. Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay are awesome, and you should probably look into them anyway.

It's good that I didn't need to see Fate/Stay Night to enjoy Fate/Kaleid Liner, since for whatever reason I never got around Fate/Stay Night. I'll definitely be checking out Fate/Kaleid.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

Fate/Kaleid Liner is a spin-off from Fate/Stay Night, but you don't need to know the original to enjoy it, though it would help. Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay are awesome, and you should probably look into them anyway.

It's good that I didn't need to see Fate/Stay Night to enjoy Fate/Kaleid Liner, since for whatever reason I never got around Fate/Stay Night. I'll definitely be checking out Fate/Kaleid.

There's no need to watch Stay night. You could spend those eight hours watching something else or getting drunk or having sex or whatever it is people to do with their lives. On the other hand, then you wouldn't have context for Ilya linear liner kaleid prisma ilya linear ilya prisma 64 Turbo, so do whatever you like, I guess. Fate/Zero is excellent, however.

I've held off on Fate/ilya's route because I prefer to at least maintain the appearance of having good taste, but I've been hearing oddly not-terrible things about it.

It maintains a 7.03 average on MyAnimeList, by the way. In a world where things get score below 7, I'd personally consider that to equate to something from a 6 to a 4. Or, put in slightly more concrete terms, MAL thinks there are 2907 anime better than (let me see if I can get this right) Fate/kaleid liner Prisma*Ilya. *Phew*

 

[coates32]

Fate/Kaleid Liner is a spin-off from Fate/Stay Night, but you don't need to know the original to enjoy it, though it would help. Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay are awesome, and you should probably look into them anyway.

It's good that I didn't need to see Fate/Stay Night to enjoy Fate/Kaleid Liner, since for whatever reason I never got around Fate/Stay Night. I'll definitely be checking out Fate/Kaleid.

There's no need to watch Stay night. You could spend those eight hours watching something else or getting drunk or having sex or whatever it is people to do with their lives. On the other hand, then you wouldn't have context for Ilya linear liner kaleid prisma ilya linear ilya prisma 64 Turbo, so do whatever you like, I guess. Fate/Zero is excellent, however.

I've held off on Fate/ilya's route because I prefer to at least maintain the appearance of having good taste, but I've been hearing oddly not-terrible things about it.

It maintains a 7.03 average on MyAnimeList, by the way. In a world where things get score below 7, I'd personally consider that to equate to something from a 6 to a 4. Or, put in slightly more concrete terms, MAL thinks there are 2907 anime better than (let me see if I can get this right) Fate/kaleid liner Prisma*Ilya. *Phew*

I think I'll stick to calling it "Fate/Kaleid", but now I have a greater interest checking Fate/Zero. I just wish that Aniplex didn't charge so much for the home video release.

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

Um, yeah, I'm just here to recommend Madoka.

Other than that, though, if you want something a little more cute and light hearted, you can try Cardcaptor Sakura (The Original Japanese version, not the butchered American version) It's a bit long but still enjoyable.

Otherwise I can't say there's much else that comes to mind. There's also Lyrical Nanoha, which I thought was mediocre, if not a bit... lolicon-ish. I can't say I'm especially well-verse with the magical girl genre. I mean, you can also try checking out Princess Tutu, which I'm in the middle of watching, but still don't have a concrete opinion about it.

As for Utena, I'm six episodes in and I'm finding it really, really stupid. Then again, I hated Penguindrum, which is from the same creator, so I guess I'm just not a fan of his work.

No opinions on Fate/Kaleid Liner, though.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

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I think I'll stick to calling it "Fate/Kaleid", but now I have a greater interest checking Fate/Zero. I just wish that Aniplex didn't charge so much for the home video release.

And you're saved: http://www.crunchyroll.com/fate-zero

And yes, the rates from Aniplex are monstrous. You're getting more than you usually do - they come with various bonus features, usually an artbook at the very least - but my wallet can't take the abuse.

Plus almost everything they sell is streaming, so...

 

[Raine_sage]

Sailor Moon is pretty much the Ur Magical girl anime. Not the first but definitely one of the most significant, however it's definitely aimed at younger audiences.

Princess tutu is another good one with a really deep story.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Sailor Moon (subbed - the dub is hilarious, but awful). You can't get more Magical Girl Shoujo than Sailor Moon.

Aside from that, I recommend both of these Magical Girl genre deconstructions:

Revolutionary Girl Utena
Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Actually, technically, Utena is a fairy tale deconstruction that happens to walk like a Magic Girl shoujo, but... it's the best anime ever made, so watch it.

Okay, we've got straight forward and mind-fuck. Mmm.

Mai Hime. If you liked A Certain Magical Index (and, I assume, A Certain Scientific Railgun) then you will enjoy Mai Hime. Just watch the anime, (which is Magical Girl Shoujo) not the manga (which is a Shonen and far less good).

Yes, Mai Hime flips genres between the manga and anime. It still has a few lingering Shonen aspects (fanservice mostly) but the story is one of the most magical girl shoujo-y animes I've ever seen.

If you want more wish fulfillment and less monster fighting, you might also want to look at Full Moon wo Shigoshite - and I probably fucked up the spelling there. It's about a girl dying of cancer who makes a deal with Death to become a magical girl so she can fulfill her dream before she dies.

Oh, and if you want a classic, there's always Magic Knight Rayearth. Just be ready for filler. Lots and lots of filler.

Those are my recommendations. As someone who regularly has a Magical Girl Shoujo character as an avatar (although not at the moment due to FF7 replay), you should probably heed my advice. I've been a fan of Magical Girl Shoujo since the early 1990s.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Fate/Kaleid Liner is a spin-off from Fate/Stay Night, but you don't need to know the original to enjoy it, though it would help. Fate/Zero and Fate/Stay are awesome, and you should probably look into them anyway.

**Shock and awe**

There's a new Fate anime?!

**views video**

... about Ilya. Being a magical girl.

Um... I... um... WHY is this a thing that exists?

Why does this exist and yet there is no Heaven's Feel anime?! I mean aside from the fact that the sex in that arc is central to the plot and any attempt to remove it as they did in the anime or Unlimited Bladeworks movie would be pretty much impossible or look completely silly at best.

 

[Lunar Templar]

I've actually watched a bit of both. One episode of Madoka, which wasn't bad, but I need to get around watching more of it before deciding if it's for me. I've heard it gets much better after episode 3.

Oh, it totally gets better after ep 3, not that the first three eps where bad or anything, but stick with it, it's good stuff.

EDIT: OH, one more thing to keep in mind about Madoka Magica

Spoiler: This quote apply's

Humankind can not gain anything with out first giving something in return. To obtain something of equal value must be lost. That is the first law of equivalent exchange

No, not kidding, it apply's. Just figured a bit of warning was in order.

Besides Madoka Magica, I'm kinda atta loss of other suggestions, not really my preferred genera. I did really like Magic Knight Ray Earth though. TV or OVA, I found both enjoyable, thought the TV series is probably a lot closer to what your after.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

**Shock and awe**

There's a new Fate anime?!

**views video**

... about Ilya. Being a magical girl.

Um... I... um... WHY is this a thing that exists?

Why does this exist and yet there is no Heaven's Feel anime?! I mean aside from the fact that the sex in that arc is central to the plot and any attempt to remove it as they did in the anime or Unlimited Bladeworks movie would be pretty much impossible or look completely silly at best.

Ahem.

Yes. Yes there is. [http://www.moetron.com/2013/07/12/fatestay-night-new-anime-project-by-ufotable-announced/]

Also, don't brush it off so soon. It has some awesome moments.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Ahem.
Yes. Yes there is. [http://www.moetron.com/2013/07/12/fatestay-night-new-anime-project-by-ufotable-announced/]

[HEADING=1]**SQUEEEEE!!!**[/HEADING]

**massive glomping hug**

THANK YOU for showing me this! Even if it won't be out for a while yet, they're finally making my favorite route into an anime! So awesome!

... I wonder how they'll handle the aforementioned plot relevant sex. I mean, the sex in the other two routes was just kinda there for porn. Heaven's Feel, on the other hand... yeah, I have no idea what they're going to do this time. Unless they just make the sex PG 13 style with fade-outs and careful camera angles.

I look forward to seeing them try. **grin** SO excited! Thank you again!

 

[madwarper]

Ummm... 'Magical Girl'?

Well, have you seen Little Witch Academy?

Possibly Witch Hunter Robin could be up your ally.

Also, I heard Witch Craft Works was supposed to be getting an anime, but I haven't seen anything but the announcement.

 

[coates32]

Sailor Moon (subbed - the dub is hilarious, but awful). You can't get more Magical Girl Shoujo than Sailor Moon.

Mai Hime. If you liked A Certain Magical Index (and, I assume, A Certain Scientific Railgun) then you will enjoy Mai Hime. Just watch the anime, (which is Magical Girl Shoujo) not the manga (which is a Shonen and far less good).

Yes, Mai Hime flips genres between the manga and anime. It still has a few lingering Shonen aspects (fanservice mostly) but the story is one of the most magical girl shoujo-y animes I've ever seen.

If you want more wish fulfillment and less monster fighting, you might also want to look at Full Moon wo Shigoshite - and I probably fucked up the spelling there. It's about a girl dying of cancer who makes a deal with Death to become a magical girl so she can fulfill her dream before she dies.

Oh, and if you want a classic, there's always Magic Knight Rayearth. Just be ready for filler. Lots and lots of filler.

Those are my recommendations. As someone who regularly has a Magical Girl Shoujo character as an avatar (although not at the moment due to FF7 replay), you should probably heed my advice. I've been a fan of Magical Girl Shoujo since the early 1990s.

Aside from the ending, some of the out-of-place fanservice, and the dub, I'm a big fan of My Hime. I even bought My Otome after purchasing My Hime. I'll probably double dip if Funimation manage to do a Blu-ray release on either of those titles.

Reguarding Sailor Moon, I'm eagerly awaiting for when this new Salior Moon starts airing this winter. Hopefully, a US distributor will license it when it comes out.

I'll also, look into those two other titles you've mentioned. Also, since you're a big fan magical girl titles, what you think of Little Witch of Academia?

 

[Sack of Cheese]

Aside from the recommendation above, Princess Tutu is a pretty solid show, especially the first season. (A duck who becomes a girl, who becomes a princess)
Kaleido Star is also very good shows and just as many bits as magical, but not exactly a magical girls show.

 

[Hazy992]

Does The Slayers count? Cause that's a fun little anime to watch.

Sailor Moon as well of course. That's pretty much a given.

 

[Elfgore]

Is this a Zombie? has a decent amount of magical girl scenes... and boy scenes, and vampire ninjas who are also an orchestra. Judging by your list it will fit right in as it is ecchi, harem, comedy, and action mix. There are two seasons, but only the first is dubbed.

Maybe Heaven's Lost Property as well. Not as much magical girls but angels who have magical powers. The main character is probably the biggest pervert in anime and alot of episodes center around his love of boobs and his perverted schemes. But the occasional episode is really serious and that is when the show really gets good. There are two seasons, both dubbed, with a third on the way. There is a movie, but it's just a retelling of the story through a previous unknown character for the first hour but picks up in the last 30 minutes.