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historyhermann · 1 year

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The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady (Spoiler-Filled) Review

The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, known as Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei or MagiRevo for short, is a yuri isekai directed by Shingo Tamaki. It is based on a Japanese light novel series by Piero Karasu and illustrated by Yuri Kisaragi, which was later adapted into an ongoing manga. The series was produced by Japanese anime studio, Diomedéa.

Reprinted from Pop Culture Maniacs and Wayback Machine. This was the twenty-eighth article I wrote for Pop Culture Maniacs. This post was originally published on March 30, 2023.

This animated series primarily centers on a Princess named Anisphia "Anis" Wynn Palettia (voiced by Sayaka Senbongi). She remembers her previous life, love of magic, and tries to turn these fantasies into reality. By accident, she comes upon her brother, Algard, who is breaking off his romantic engagement with Euphyllia "Euphie" (voiced by Manaka Iwami). He publicly declares his love for another woman. After she whisks Euphie on her magic broom, she convinces her father to let Euphie come live with her, become her magic assistant, and help restore her royal credibility.

Unlike yuri isekai, such as The Executioner and Her Way of Life or I’m in Love with the Villainess, this series focuses on a reincarnated princess living her second life. In fact, Anis, applies what she remembers about witches from her previous life in Japan, to this new world, to move it into toward social, or industrial, revolution.

MagiRevo mixes dramatic and slow scenes with bloody battles. Anis the "Marauder Princess" fights magical monsters and takes parts of them for herself. Through it all, Anis becomes the heart of the series. She deals with her father, King Orfans II Palletia (voiced by Kenji Hamada), who dislikes her. Furthermore, her trusted maid Ilia Coral (voiced by Ai Kakuma), becomes her sister of sorts.

The series remains engaging due to the Anis' determination to study science to create magical gadgets. This is coupled with Euphie becoming more sure of herself. While this happens, both women slowly develop feelings for one another.

In some ways, Anis gives off a vibe similar to Chisato in Lycoris Recoil. Other scenes are reminiscent of I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss, but there are more similarities to a 50-episode webcomic, The Girlfriend Project, which ended last year.

The aforementioned webcomic is set on Earth, and centers on two girls: one from a wealthy family (Ryn) and another from a working-class family (Julia). This anime echoes some of themes. The webcomic and this series both focus on finding one's self, confronting privilege, and dealing with obstinate family members.

However, MagiRevo has more drama and meddling male characters, such as a jealous prince named Asgard (voiced by Shogo Sakata). He is the equivalent of an over-controlling woman, such as Ryn's mother, since he wants to gain power by any means necessary.

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MagiRevo depicts monarchies as slow-moving and bureaucratic. The King does administrative work, as does the Prime Minister (and father of Euphie) Grantz Magenta (voiced by Tomohiro Tsuboi). Anis takes bold action without needing anyone's approval. In one episode, she even brings Euphie with her to slay a dragon while the royal council is deciding what to do, enraging him.

This contrasts, in more ways than one, with the "benevolent"/"enlightened" monarchy shown in Elena of Avalor, or the incompetent one in Disenchantment. This is partially because the King in MagiRevo is a reformist, as his Grantz, while he fights against institutionalists and conservatives among the royal ruling class.

MagiRevo more than a yuri isekai. Anis is very principled, which influences Euphie to see the potential for a society with inventions created by Anis. Such qualities are enhanced by her character's sweet nature. She says that magicians should use their magic "to make other smile", rather than to hurt others.

Anis even creates special weapons for Euphie and believes she can make a better world. In other ways, how Anis acts is an indicator of how someone can have independence, even under monarchy, as Elena does, to an extent, in Elena of Avalor.

The villa where Anis lives shares similarities with the Cursed Princess Club in the webcomic of the same name, in that she brings in those who don't have another home. For example, Anis saved her maid, Ilia, from a marriage she didn't want, and Euphie after Prince Asgard dumped her.

Even so, Anis can be reckless, making her more than happy to help Euphie become more certain with herself, and recognize what to do with her life. She also goes to extreme lengths to ensure she can use a power akin to magic. What this means for Anis, is that she implants crystals from a powerful dragon into her body which turns her "into a monster" as the dragon cursed her.

While Prince Algard is a villain without repute, it is funny how Anis intentionally, or unintentionally, shatters his plans. In the end of the fourth episode, Anis and Euphie fly off to fight the dragon while Algard tries to convince the King into fighting the dragon on his own while threatening his authority. This is supported by the fact that Anis has more experience, as a high-ranking adventurer, while it is not known if Algard has any battle experience.

MagiRevo is woven together nicely. Other than the cuteness of the show itself, the writers did a good job with the story. Unlike some other series, they don't jump into a relationship between Euphie and Anis. Instead, it is built up over time, making it a slow burn. There are nice scenes of them Euphie together, including when they fight alongside one another, or slow dance at the end of episode 5, even complete with a mutual marriage/relationship proposal.

That is not unique, as the strained friendship between protagonists Catra and Adora is the central theme of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Another recent example is the canonized relationship between Blake Belladonna and Yang Xiao Long in the ninth season/volume of RWBY, a young adult animated series. As such, this makes MagiRevo one of the recent series which has employed a queer slow burn between its characters, something which certain creators prefer over other storytelling methods.

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The latter half of MagiRevo builds on what happened in the first half. Even characters such as Tilty Caret, the research partner of Anis, and Lainie Cyan, have more of a role. For Tilty, it means studying curses and medicines, but for Lainie, it involves unknowingly using their power to influence others, a "power of fascination". This was coupled with an novel explanation of "vampires" as humans who manipulate people's thoughts rather than sucking blood.

The show's writers did a good job constructing the friendship, and later romantic feelings, between Anis and Euphie. Both complement each other in some many ways, with Euphie as more practical in her attempt to trying to sell the idea of magicology concocted by her friend, Anis, to those who are skeptical. Their connection is only enhanced later in the series, with Euphie going along with Anis, who believed she had to accept her royal birthright.

These plotlines are expanded in MagiRevo with the presence of various enemies. The brother of Anis, Algard, wants to take power for his own gain. He goes to extremes in an effort to change the kingdom, even stabbing himself in the chest with a magic crystal, and fighting his sister. Their battle is only stopped by Euphie in the nick of time.

Algard embodies a similar toxicity present in Cassandra in Tangled. The latter is manifested in her actions against Rapunzel, when being manipulated by Zhan Tri. It is also displayed by the traumatized Ash Graven in Final Space after Invictus controlled her toward her former crew members, and an angry catgirl named Catra in She-Ra and the Princess of Power toward the princesses (and Adora herself). Algard is off his rocker and not being dictated by anyone else. This is his own off-the-wall plan. It ends in his banishment to the borderlands and Anis re-inherited as a princess.

One of the well-constructed aspects of MagiRevo is the internal struggle Anis has to confront when faced with the prospect of becoming queen. She does not want this, but resigns herself to it, even though this means abandoning her passion for magicology. The fact that Euphie sees through this, and tries to do whatever she can to ensure that Anis doesn't become queen, is a testament to her character! In fact, Euphie even agrees to take up a spirit contract with Lumi so she can enter the royal family, and will live forever, as she will become a spirit.

The last two episodes of MagiRevo bring home everything that has happened in the series. Anis tries to hold onto her identity as a princess and doesn't want it to be to be stripped away. I liked that Euphie directly challenges this mentality, coming off so strong that they end up fighting one another in the final episode.

Although Anis is unsuccessful, and Euphie wins the fight, they still respect one another. This isn't a series where they break apart, but grow closer instead. In fact, Anis even confides in Euphie that she has memories from her past life and wonders whether she is "real" or "fake", with Euphie providing the reassurance that she is human after all.

The final episode ended very powerfully in terms of the romantic development between Anis and Euphie, including multiple kisses, and implied sex. This wasn't something new in the series, as they are shown sleeping together many times. Unfortunately, Anis' father declares that Euphie is her "sister" now, a oft-used trope in anime. However, it appears that Euphie is only a sister on paper and a formality, as both of them are not related by blood.

The final episode sets the stage for a possible second season, with the King and Queen stepping down, becoming simple farmers, making way for Euphie and Anis as the new rulers. The latter both commission flying ships which remind me of those in the classic 2000s Disney films Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Atlantis: Milo's Return. Whether that was intentional on the part of the character designers, or they were basing them on the manga, I don't know. In any case, the series ends on a strong note, with Euphie and Anis flying in the sky together, while Lainie becomes an apprentice of Illa.

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The voice cast is a strength of MagiRevo. Protagonists Euphie, Anis, and Ilia are voiced by Manaka Iwami, Sayaka Senbongi, and Ai Kakuma. These individuals have experience voicing characters in Fruits Basket, Re:Zero, Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, Spy × Family, The Demon Girl Next Door, I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level, and As Miss Beelzebub Likes.

Additional cast are newer to voiceover work, such as Hina Yomiya (who voices Lainie Cyan) and Arisa Kinami. Others are more seasoned, like Kenji Hamada, Shogo Sakata, Tomohiro Tsuboi, Hiromichi Tezuka and Yū Sasahara (who voices Tilty Claret).

The voices of the characters of MagiRevo are reinforced by the writing, plot, and animation style of MagiRevo. In the case of the latter, the show's animation studio, Diomedéa, is skilled with animating Squid Girl, Riddle Story of Devil, Girlish Number, and Beatless. But, this is their first yuri series they have worked on.

In any case, the fight with the dragon in the show's fifth episode, the battles that lead up to it, and Euphie saving Anis after she falls from the sky, to give a few examples, are emblematic of the amazing animation quality of MagiRevo.

The writer of this anime, Wataru Watari, has just as much experience. He was the screenwriter and creator My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, but worked on various other series, including Qualidea Code, Girlish Number, Domestic Girlfriend, Get Up! Get Live!, and The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent. Watari is not alone in this, as series director Shingo Tamaki worked on some of the same series, along with others, like Fuuka, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha, and Future Diary.

MagiRevo is supported by Moe Hyuga, music composer for the series. He has composed music on some shows I've watched in the past, like Heroines Run the Show and If My Favorite Pop Idol Made it to the Budokan, I Would Die, and those I haven't seen, like O Maidens in Your Savage Season and Steins;Gate 0.

Hyuga's music matches the show's scenes, accompanying the action and drama, making it more impactful. A series can do well, or poorly, depending on its music score, and this series excels in that regard, in more ways than one.

The series grapples with the issues of class discrimination and division in society. It also touches on the topic of parental abuse, which some might think is treated "poorly" in the series. Such a perception is incorrect. Instead, the series primarily shows that the Anis' parents don't know what do with her. They see her as a bit of a wild child. They learn that she is much more than that and has vulnerabilities just like them. As a result, they bond with her and provide her support as she deals with her personal struggles. Hopefully this can be expanded in a second season.

MagiRevo comes at a time that LGBTQ representation in Western media is declining. GLAAD, which partners with major companies, recently admitted this in their "Where We Are on TV" report. They stated that 29% of characters in television programs will not be returning either because of a character dying, leaving the show, or the show being cancelled, ended, or shelved.

In contrast, despite overwork, and bad working conditions, in the anime industry, yuri anime continue to be produced. This year, apart from MagiRevo, the yurish Ippon Again! is airing, as is Soaring Sky! PreCure, while Nijiyon Animation and D4DJ All Mix ended.

This series sets a high standard for other yuri series in the future. With the premiere of new seasons of Tokyo Mew Mew New, Birdie Wing, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, and Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear in April, as well as the debut of Yuri is My Job!, it remains to be seen if these series will be as impactful.

The same can be said for Genjitsu no Yohane: Sunshine in the Mirror (airing in July), The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess (airing in October), Whisper Me a Love Song (airing in January 2024), and I'm in Love with the Villainess and Hoshikuzu Telepath which will air at some point this year. This is also the case for Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club Next Sky (an OVA), Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games, Vampeerz, Laid-Back Camp season 3, and I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level season 2, which are in development.

MagiRevo, otherwise known as The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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shazzeaslightnovels · 1 year

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Omoi no Kasanaru Rakuen no Senjou. Soshite Futari wa, Buki o Totta

Author: Piero Karasu (Author of Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei)

Illustrator: Mikisai

Label: Fantasia Bunko

Release Date: 20 August 2022

My Score: 2/5

This story takes place in a city that is protected by a powerful dragon and a priestess that shares the dragon’s powers. Every generation, a new priestess is chosen from girls who undertake training and trials to become the new priestess. This volume follows Leene and Seska, best friends and priestess-in-trainings who have made it all the way to the end of the trials and will face each other in battle to decide who will be the new priestess. Leene wants to become the priestess because she loves the city and wants to protect it. Seska wants to become the priestess so that she can have the power to leave the city.

The premise that I described is adapted from the premise given on the official website but that part of the plot is basically just the first two chapters. I feel like should have been the climax of the volume or, at the very least, the middle of it. As is, I only had one chapter to become attached to the characters and their relationship and to care about who would win their match and I just didn’t. It was too quick and I was still getting a handle on the setting.

So if that’s the first two chapters, what happens in the rest of the plot? Well, Leene wins (I don’t consider this a spoiler because of how early on this plot is resolved) and it turns out there’s a dark side to this system because obviously. The dragon’s already dead and the city officials have been lying to everyone for generations. Leene becomes disillusioned with her dream but doesn’t tell anyone because she’s told that revealing the secret to the city will lead to a war so she goes along with the whole thing and becomes the vessel for the dragon’s remaining power. Seska finds out about the secret and swears that she’s going to find a way to rescue Leene. And, again, I just don’t care. I don’t know these characters enough to care about whether Leene despairs or if the city people die. I’ve not been given a reason to. If the volume had used more time to build up the setting and the characters before the initial big fight between Leene and Seska, I might have given a shit about their feelings and relationship but the story’s too rushed as is. Furthermore, not a single one of the city people even get a name so I just don’t care about whether they suffer or not.

I wish I could say that the pacing improves in the second half but it doesn’t. It slows down but instead it becomes too slow with so many scenes feeling like they take forever with characters repeating themselves in their dialogue. The pacing in this volume was just such a mess!

This book is marketed as a yuri and it does satisfy in that regard. There is a lot of mentions of Leene seeing Seska as a “best friend” at the start of the novel but it becomes a clear romance by the end of the novel. Their relationship is the central focus of this story and probably the only thing that really works in it.

Overall, I found this book to be a bit of a mess with some great ideas but not enough time or skill to pull them off. I guess I’d recommend to fans of TenTen and yuri battle fantasties but keep your expectations low going into it.

#Futari buki #Piero Karasu #mikisai #fantasia bunko #2 stars #January 2023 #2022 releases

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