Girl Power! Make Up!

I don't know about you guys, but if I had to pick one genre of anime as my favorite, it would have to be the magical girl genre. Why, you ask? Is it the sweet plots these series have, the cute and crazy characters, or just watching as a child calls the magic words to turn her into a beautiful superhero?

The answer can't be narrowed down to just one of these, so lets take a look at some things that magical girl series have in common:

1. The ditzy and/or fun loving heroine

Whether it's Doremi lamenting on her luck (Ojamajo Doremi), Ichigo trying to control her cat behaviors (Tokyo Mew Mew), or Usagi running late for school for the zillionth day in a row (Sailor Moon), most magical girl series have a heroine who just wants to have fun and relax, usually with the series' male lead. Most of the genre's target audience (and others that watch) can relate to these young ladies because they've been through those kinds of situations before: school, significant others, and friends.

2. The mysterious rescuer

Some time in their superheroine careers, the heroine (and her comrades) are gonna get into some pretty tough jams. Just when the audience thinks our heroines are done for, a mysterious young man (usually the male lead) saves the day, buying the main heroine enough time to purify/destroy/heal the monster-of-the-day. Usually the heroine(s) go goo goo for Mr. Rescuer, and is usually paired with the main heroine. (although other characters may or may not be interested in the rescuer)

Some "rescuers" that fit this pattern include Tuxedo Kamen (Sailor Moon), and the Blue Knight (Tokyo Mew Mew), but sometimes, the rescuers are someone — or someTHING — completely different! (Hana-chan of Ojamajo Doremi is an example)

3. The magical item

It wouldn't be a magical girl series without any magic, now would it? Magical items have taken many forms over the years, but the most popular kind of item is the pendant or locket (usually used to gain the magical powers). Wands, staffs, rings, and chalices are also common, but some unusual items include jewels (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, for example) cell phones (Pretty Cure), and even computers! (Ultra Maniac).

4. The familiar

Also known as the mascot or advisor, this cute creature's job is to guide the heroine(s) in they way of magical girl — dom, and train them in using their powers. However, the heroine's habits and the familiar's guidance often clash, with hilarity usually ensuing. (Usagi and Luna, anyone?).

Some types of familiars include cats (Sailor Moon), ferrets (Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha), bears (Cardcaptor Sakura), frogs (Sugar Sugar Rune), mice (Sugar Sugar Rune), and rabbits (Magic Knight Rayearth). However, the familiar doesn't have to be an animal — other examples of familiars include puffballs (Tokyo Mew Mew) and fairies (Ojamajo Doremi).

5. The transformation

Quick! A monster's attacking the city, and your familiar's screaming at you to use your magical power...so after arguing for a few minutes, you finally power up your item, triggering my personal favorite part of a magical girl series: the transformation. Whether you're done in a few seconds or need a minute or two as your outfit appears piece by piece, any transformation sequence is bound to be filled with flashes, sparkles, lights, and have neat music to boot.

Course, none of that's going to happen if you don't say the magic words... magic words usually range from some derivative of transform (i.e. "Make Up!" or "Metamorphosis!" or something like that) to complete gibberish (the old school magical girl series Magical Star Magical Emi is a good example of this) Sometimes, all you have to do as touch the item or clap to activate the transformation into a beautiful, more powerful you! (Ojamajo Doremi uses this especially)

In short, there are many reasons to enjoy a magical girl series, so if you look past the cute characters for a moment, you may discover a new series in these lovely ladies with magical powers.