Mahou Shoujo Quest Part 1
So, astrogation got me to do an anime quest. I started with Mahou Shoujo. I was making good progress until I got in trouble and was banned from the computer and now school starts in a couple days, so this here is the first half of my quest. The second half will make an appearance...whenever.
So I compiled a list and started watching in alphabetical order. I'm a nerd like that.
1. Earth Maiden Arjuna (pictured above)
Okay, so this show toes the line between science fiction and fantays, but that's okay. Why? Because it makes it work. The magical girl is Juna, a formerly normal girl (when is it not?), who is now charged with the task with the protection and purification of Earth. Why purification? Because its her job to make it it nice, shiny and new again. Its really heavy on the "SAVE THE PLANEt" theme. But that's still okay because even though its as subtle as a flaming gay man in a biker bar, it's not beating you across the head with it. Not to mention the heavy references to various figures in Hinduism, which is pretty awesome. Birth, death and rebirth are also big themes, which come up a lot in Hinduism. Plus Yoko Kanno. 'Nuff said.
I lasted: Complete. I was hooked in the first two episodes, and its only thirteen episodes long, which is a plus for me.
For a mahou shoujo: it breaks a few stereotypes (ie Juna's "magical transformation" doesn't include a fluffy pink dress with frills and ribbons. It makes her look like an alien in a body suit.)
Rating: Top 10
Comment: This is beautiful. Why have I never watched this before?
2. Fresh Pretty Cure!
Lord that was painful. The only saving grace: The fight scenes. Those were at least decent. But everything else...owwwww. And a note to the writes, pine is not a fruit, last I checked. It's a tree. Yeah. And really? Music? Come on. Stick to one genre, especially if you can't do it right!
I lasted: 3 episodes of PAIN. It got to the point that I was reading slash fanfiction and just listening.
For a mahou shoujo: really?
Rating: -9000
Comment: I can't believe there's more than one series to this franchise.
3. Heartcatch! Precure
Okay this was a lot better than Fresh Precure! I think the concept was a bit more sound, and the fight scenes were definitely better. My only complaint goes to the art style. At certain angles the characters' eyes tended to look cross-eyed. Of course it features the dynamic duo of shy introvert and loudmouth extrovert that I hear is common for this franchise. But since i don't plan on exposing myself to anymore of this I won't have to deal with it anymore than is necessary. I was a bit bored with it for the first 10 episodes, but then it got interesting. I haven't finished it, but I do plan on doing so. Eventually.
I lasted: 11 episodes. So far for now anyway.
For a mahou shoujo: nothing to exciting in my opinion, but its at least solid.
Rating: 7.5
Comment: It's not great, but its not terrible. Comfortably in between.
4. Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne
Tanemura Arina's first work. Christ her style hasn't changed at all since this started running. I'll give props to Maron's outfit, but that's about it really. Maron lives a double life of normal school girl and notorious thief. Her best friend is determined to find out her identity and capture her and of course the mysterious male figure. Where have I seen this before? Hmmm, oh. DNAngel. But that's with a bunch of pretty looking dudes...huh.
I lasted: 3 episodes of WTF!!!
For a mahou shoujo: it's not impressive at all.
Rating: 0.000000000000000000000000000...
Comment: Tanemura, learn to change your art style woman!
5. Kore wa Zombie desu ka?
I'm going to start by saying this: DO NOT LET THE IMAGE DECEIVE YOU! This thing BARELY qualifies as mahou shoujo. I should have been suspicious when the website I was watching it on brought up a content warning. Basically, its about a dude, who's a zombie and lives in a house filled with supernatural lolicons. Yes. This is what this show is. And he's the mahou shoujo. Its creepy because he has panty flashes. Which I really don't need to see. And just searching for an image to use was almost traumatizing enough to make me straight. The only really funny thing I saw was when the protagonst dries out in the sun, because you know, he's a zombie. Lack of vital bodily fluids and so on. So, if you decide to try this out, proceed with great caution. That is all.
I lasted: 1 episode so far.
For a mahou shoujo: you need to be on LSD for this to be really enjoyable.
Rating: I-I don't even know what to give this.
Comment: I think I need therapy.
So here it is. The first half of my quest. Like I said above, the second half will appear eventually.
So I compiled a list and started watching in alphabetical order. I'm a nerd like that.
1. Earth Maiden Arjuna (pictured above)
Okay, so this show toes the line between science fiction and fantays, but that's okay. Why? Because it makes it work. The magical girl is Juna, a formerly normal girl (when is it not?), who is now charged with the task with the protection and purification of Earth. Why purification? Because its her job to make it it nice, shiny and new again. Its really heavy on the "SAVE THE PLANEt" theme. But that's still okay because even though its as subtle as a flaming gay man in a biker bar, it's not beating you across the head with it. Not to mention the heavy references to various figures in Hinduism, which is pretty awesome. Birth, death and rebirth are also big themes, which come up a lot in Hinduism. Plus Yoko Kanno. 'Nuff said.
I lasted: Complete. I was hooked in the first two episodes, and its only thirteen episodes long, which is a plus for me.
For a mahou shoujo: it breaks a few stereotypes (ie Juna's "magical transformation" doesn't include a fluffy pink dress with frills and ribbons. It makes her look like an alien in a body suit.)
Rating: Top 10
Comment: This is beautiful. Why have I never watched this before?
2. Fresh Pretty Cure!
Lord that was painful. The only saving grace: The fight scenes. Those were at least decent. But everything else...owwwww. And a note to the writes, pine is not a fruit, last I checked. It's a tree. Yeah. And really? Music? Come on. Stick to one genre, especially if you can't do it right!
I lasted: 3 episodes of PAIN. It got to the point that I was reading slash fanfiction and just listening.
For a mahou shoujo: really?
Rating: -9000
Comment: I can't believe there's more than one series to this franchise.
3. Heartcatch! Precure
Okay this was a lot better than Fresh Precure! I think the concept was a bit more sound, and the fight scenes were definitely better. My only complaint goes to the art style. At certain angles the characters' eyes tended to look cross-eyed. Of course it features the dynamic duo of shy introvert and loudmouth extrovert that I hear is common for this franchise. But since i don't plan on exposing myself to anymore of this I won't have to deal with it anymore than is necessary. I was a bit bored with it for the first 10 episodes, but then it got interesting. I haven't finished it, but I do plan on doing so. Eventually.
I lasted: 11 episodes. So far for now anyway.
For a mahou shoujo: nothing to exciting in my opinion, but its at least solid.
Rating: 7.5
Comment: It's not great, but its not terrible. Comfortably in between.
4. Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne
Tanemura Arina's first work. Christ her style hasn't changed at all since this started running. I'll give props to Maron's outfit, but that's about it really. Maron lives a double life of normal school girl and notorious thief. Her best friend is determined to find out her identity and capture her and of course the mysterious male figure. Where have I seen this before? Hmmm, oh. DNAngel. But that's with a bunch of pretty looking dudes...huh.
I lasted: 3 episodes of WTF!!!
For a mahou shoujo: it's not impressive at all.
Rating: 0.000000000000000000000000000...
Comment: Tanemura, learn to change your art style woman!
5. Kore wa Zombie desu ka?
I'm going to start by saying this: DO NOT LET THE IMAGE DECEIVE YOU! This thing BARELY qualifies as mahou shoujo. I should have been suspicious when the website I was watching it on brought up a content warning. Basically, its about a dude, who's a zombie and lives in a house filled with supernatural lolicons. Yes. This is what this show is. And he's the mahou shoujo. Its creepy because he has panty flashes. Which I really don't need to see. And just searching for an image to use was almost traumatizing enough to make me straight. The only really funny thing I saw was when the protagonst dries out in the sun, because you know, he's a zombie. Lack of vital bodily fluids and so on. So, if you decide to try this out, proceed with great caution. That is all.
I lasted: 1 episode so far.
For a mahou shoujo: you need to be on LSD for this to be really enjoyable.
Rating: I-I don't even know what to give this.
Comment: I think I need therapy.
So here it is. The first half of my quest. Like I said above, the second half will appear eventually.