The world of magical girl anime is significantly popular within the broader anime community, and this popularity isn’t unjustified. While these series may initially seem light-hearted, fluffy, and lacking depth, they often prove quite the opposite. Many magical girl shows delve into themes such as friendship, self-discovery, and the notion that even seemingly ordinary individuals possess remarkable potential to impact the world in significant ways. Notable examples of this genre include “Sailor Moon,” “Cardcaptor Sakura,” and “Puella Magi Madoka Magica.” It’s likely that you’ve encountered or at least heard about one of these series; the fan bases for magical girl anime are typically quite passionate, often championing a genre that can sometimes be overlooked by those who don’t fully appreciate its unique appeal.
Absolutely! If only we could transform into improved versions or tap into magical abilities effortlessly, wouldn’t everyone be a fan of being a ‘magical girl’? Although popular series grab most of the attention, let’s delve into some older, somewhat overlooked ones that are equally captivating. It’s interesting to note that these shows from before 2000 laid the foundation for what the genre would evolve into later.
1) Sally The Witch (1966)
Back in the groovy ’60s, I stumbled upon a magical gem known as “Sally the Witch” – one of the earliest magical girl anime to grace our screens! This timeless series kicked off way back in 1966, and it’s not just an oldie but also a goodie that laid the groundwork for countless series we’ve loved since then.
“Sally the Witch,” with its captivating storyline and spellbinding visuals, boasts a whopping original run of over 100 episodes! In the late ’80s, it was brought back to life in a fabulous reboot, adding another impressive 80 episodes to its enchanting collection. This classic remains an essential piece of anime history that continues to inspire new generations of magic lovers like myself!
The anime focuses on Sally, a princess who is also a witch living in a magical kingdom. Her dream has always been to explore the world of humans. One day, through an accidental teleportation, she finds herself on Earth. Here, Sally rescues two schoolgirls from a robbery and becomes friends with them. Impressed by this new world, she chooses to stay and learn more about it. This decision sets off a series of unexpected events as Sally tries to blend in by acting like an ordinary student while hiding her magical abilities from her friends.
2) Princess Knight (1967)
Princess Knight is an older animation, intriguing for its unconventional exploration of gender roles. This series initially premiered in 1967 and ran for 52 episodes before concluding. It was created to rival shows primarily targeted at male viewers, aiming to attract a broader audience base.
In the enchanting “Princess Knight” series, we meet Sapphire – a unique girl possessing both male and female hearts, granting her distinct powers based on each color. Born to the reigning monarch of her kingdom, she is destined to masquerade as a prince upon her father’s demise, ensuring she ascends to the throne instead of malevolent forces waiting in line. The narrative chronicles Sapphire’s journey across various realms accompanied by her guardian angel, Tink, as they face adversaries and obstacles together.
3) Hana no Ko Lunlun (1979)
The character named Lunlun, also known as the Flower Angel, initially appeared in an anime series back in 1979, which spanned over 50 episodes. Due to its success, it became one of the early magical girl anime shows to gain popularity in the Western market by being translated into English for several episodes. Following its initial broadcast, there were subsequent films produced based on this anime.
In the anime titled “Hana no Ko Lunlun”, flowers play a significant role and serve as a key element in both the narrative and underlying themes. According to the series’ lore, plant spirits, closely related to fairies, previously inhabited Earth but departed to reside on the “Flower Star”. After a considerable time has passed, two emissaries – a talking dog and cat – are dispatched from the Flower Star to Earth, seeking an individual with a pure heart who can find a mystical flower that will enable the next ruler of the Flower Star to claim the throne. Their journey eventually leads them to Lunlun, an orphaned girl living in France whose ancestors were the original inhabitants of the Flower Star. Agreeing to embark on this quest with them, Lunlun sets off on a global adventure in search of the flower, initiating an extended series of travels.
4) Cutie Honey (1973)
The animated series “Cutie Honey” is renowned for several notable achievements: it was among the earliest anime to feature a female lead character in the shonen genre, and its opening theme song has remained one of the most enduring openings in anime history, an impressive accomplishment given the time period when the show was produced and the subsequent growth of the genre. Initially classified as a magical girl series, “Cutie Honey” actually combined elements of science fiction and fantasy within its storyline during its original broadcast.
The story revolves around Honey Kisaragi, a high school student whose dad is brutally murdered by the notorious Panther Claw Corporation. Later, she discovers her extraordinary nature – an android concealing a mystifying gadget that can change common matter into air. This device empowers Honey to morph into Cutie Honey, a heroic figure with a sword and special abilities designed to battle crime. Even though she maintains a routine life, Honey now employs her hidden persona to pursue and exact vengeance upon the Panther Claw Corporation for taking her father’s life.
5) Saint Tail (1995)
Saint Tail is a manga that came out when the magical girl genre started becoming more popular among mainstream viewers. It first appeared on TV in 1995 and consisted of 43 episodes. The core theme of Saint Tail revolves around the idea of stealing for a noble purpose, which sets up the main character’s motivation. As a result, the anime delved into topics such as justice, morality, and personal growth as key storylines.
This anime revolves around Meimi Haneoka, a girl whose father was a famed phantom thief in the past. Although she seems like an ordinary middle-school student with a mundane existence, Meimi secretly transforms into a night-time vigilante, focused on recovering stolen items and returning them to their rightful owners. The town views her actions favorably, but Asuka Jr., son of the police chief, sees her as his target, promising to apprehend the thief. Their relationship evolves into a game of cat-and-mouse, which eventually develops genuine feelings between them that permeate their interactions.
6) Wedding Peach (1995)
The anime titled Wedding Peach, broadcast in 1995, was celebrated for its episodic structure and comical, whimsical atmosphere. This series consisted of 51 episodes, with an additional pair following the original conclusion. Known for its unique blend of action against monsters and romantic subplots involving the characters, Wedding Peach revolved around a trio of magical girls. The narrative’s underlying themes encompassed marriage symbolism that propelled the storyline, as well as the battles between good and evil, love, and the might of friendship, emphasizing the series’ central power system.
The anime revolves around Momoko Hanasaki, Yuri Tanima, and Hinagiku Tamano, a trio of pals who banded together in the school newspaper club. However, their routine existence is abruptly disrupted when these girls are assaulted by a demon on their journey home from school. A miraculous intervention occurs as an angel plunges from the Angel Realm to halt the attack, bestowing Momoko with a charm and foretelling her fate: she’s now a Love Angel, legendary warriors directly descended from the goddess Aphrodite. With their new identities as Love Angels, Momoko and her companions engage in combat against the malevolent forces of the Demon Realm to shield mankind and those they cherish.
7) Hime-Chan’s Ribbon (1992)
Hime-Chan’s Ribbon builds upon the frequent transformation aspect of the magical girl genre and significantly expands it. First airing in 1992, the series consisted of 61 episodes before its conclusion. It delved into the coming-of-age phase often associated with magical girl shows, but also offered unique perspectives on self-development, identity, understanding oneself, and embracing one’s true nature.
The story, titled “Hime-Chan’s Ribbon,” revolves around Himeko Nonohara, a teenage girl who is self-conscious about her tomboy image and how it hinders her attempts to win over her school crush. In her home life, Himeko meets a girl remarkably similar to herself; this girl, named Erika, reveals that she is the princess of a magical kingdom and Himeko’s counterpart. Erika gives Himeko a ribbon with the power to transform into anyone within an hour, enabling her to explore various lives and unique stories while maintaining the secret of the magical ribbon.
8) Tonde Burin (1994)
Tonde Burin” serves as an innovative twist on the conventional magical girl genre. Debuted in 1994 with 51 episodes, this series intentionally subverted the notion of adorable magical transformations. Instead, it delved into profound themes such as self-acceptance, the weight of duty, and the real essence of heroism.
In the show, our main character is Karin Kokubu, a youthful admirer of magical girls and their heroic tales from her favorite stories. One fateful day, Karin stumbles upon an injured pig which she tenderly feeds an apple; surprisingly, this pig returns to her later and presents a Dream Tonpact – a mystical locket enabling transformation into a pink pig. She learns that by performing good deeds, she can gather magical pearls necessary to attain the power of becoming a genuine magical girl, much like she’s always dreamed.
9) Phantom Thief Jeanne (1999)
The animated series ‘Phantom Thief Jeanne,’ originally released in 1999, blends the magical girl genre with elements of fantasy, heist action, and the supernatural. Spanning 44 episodes, it concluded in an engaging manner. The show delved into themes like the balance between good and evil, moral dilemmas, faith, and justice. Distinguishing itself among other magical girl anime, its narrative revolves around the protagonist’s divine gifts bestowed by God to battle malevolent spirits.
In “Phantom Thief Jeanne,” the narrative revolves around Maron Kusukabe, a teenage gymnast, who encounters an angel delivering an astonishing revelation. God has selected Maron to retrieve the scattered shards of divine power that demons have concealed. If these fragments are not retrieved within a specific timeframe, God will perish. To accomplish this mission, Maron is required to assume the role of Joan of Arc’s reincarnation and hunt down the demons safeguarding the power pieces, which they have hidden within various works of art. Her new responsibility is to confine the demons and retrieve the power, thereby earning her the infamous title of a phantom thief as she journeys to fulfill her destiny.
10) Shamanic Princess (1996)
The Shamanic Princess stands out on this list due to the unique manner in which its OVA mini-series was created. The initial episode of the anime debuted in 1996, with a total of six episodes released spanning two years. All these episodes make up the entire series, resulting in an unusual narrative timeline when considering the main plot and story progression. Nevertheless, the anime garnered a fanbase due to its unconventional approach within the genre, employing darker motifs to convey its ideas.
In “Shamanic Princess,” the story unfolds around a mystical realm known as the Guardian World, a place responsible for warding off magical threats. The protagonist, Tiara, is dispatched to Earth in search of the Throne of Yord, the Guardian World’s power source that has been stolen. However, her strategy to recover the artifact using her own supernatural abilities encounters a setback when she uncovers that her former lover is behind the theft.
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2025-08-26 04:42