Ranked #1847

Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu

Brilliantly rendered with unique style and brimming with boundless imagination, Mahou Shoujo Tai Arisu (Magical Girl Squad Alice for the non-weeaboo among us), is a charming anime about a girl who loves magic, who falls into a realm where it is a tool of oppression and warfare. An adventure in the truest sense of the word: a journey to strange new land, and an exploration of the human heart, through challenge and trial. The show is fun to the very core, and its fictional landscape is well-realised in all its peculiar glory, but it also has some very strong dramatic moments, and some dark/mature themes, which is what ultimately makes it so compelling. Its quirky characters befit the experimental feel of the show in general, especially the protagonist, Alice, who is simply an absolute joy to watch in any scene she’s in. The series is 40 episodes long, but each episode is only half-length, so it actually ends up being a shorter series that usual. However, with the way the show is paced, it covers a lot more than pretty much any 26 episode series can manage. In fact, at first the ridiculous speed at which the show moves forward may seem jarring (especially, perhaps, if you’re not too quick with subtitles). There is almost constant dialogue, and the scenes move rapidly from one to the next, so you really have to be paying attention. However, I soon got used to it, and loved the way in which it didn’t waste time.


Produced with a childishly colourful simplicity, but also with an ever-present artistic flare, the show almost always looks stunning. The actual detail in the cel animation is very low, but, as is the case with the lack of consistency in Noein’s animation, it just doesn’t matter, in fact I prefer the way this show looks to countless other anime irregardless of their detail. The use of colour and an innovative stylised approach make the show look fantastic, and is just one of the things that make it stand out from the crowd as a unique viewing experience. Probably the best thing about the way the show looks, though, is the directing, which, without any doubt, is some of the best I’ve seen in any anime. Why this ‘mahou shoujo’ (albeit unconventional) is deserving of such fantastic direction is beyond me, but it has it in spades. Being very fast-paced, the show has a lot of editing to deal with, and I suppose that some of the interesting techniques evolved from that. But thanks to this factor, almost every scene looks remarkable, and the effort that went in to the show’s design really pulls through. Also, I think some of the sense of freedom the show uses as a theme seeped into the minds of the producers, because conventional is thrown out the window in favour of experimental - which, fortunately, works. My only criticism is that there are a few (2 or 3) episodes where the animation is poorly done. The music is also fantastic, especially the theme music (which is also the OP) - I just love it.

The show is relentlessly energetic, propelled forward by Alice’s uncompromising ideals, stubborn bravery, and love for fun and freedom. For me, she represents the epitome of the goodness of human beings; she is comprised of every emotional quality I value in other people and myself. I think almost all of my appreciation for the show comes from my love of her character, and the way she behaves. Her belief in magic, and her faith in herself is oftentimes inspiring. Her big heart and childish innocence lend the show a strong emotional potency, from the moments of playful laughter, to those of great sadness, Alice’s character attached me to the show’s emotional context. Very rarely can a character do this, and I think it’s because she was so well-written: despite her larger-than-life attitude, she felt very believable due to the fact that despite her actions always being admirable, they were not always right. The other factor that contributed to her greatness was Alice’s seiyuu, who I don’t think I’ve heard until I watched this anime. That’s a shame, because the way she voiced Alice her was just spot-on, and her voice itself is so full of life and sincerity that she became her character in a way that many seiyuus don’t manage. Needless to say, she’s now one of my all-time favourite voice actresses.

The thing that ultimately sells the show and made it such a memorable experience for me is that it tells a story with heart; every moment of the show radiates with an aura of originality, and one can see that it wasn’t produced just to sell - it’s not trying to appeal to its audience through generic moe or pointless mecha, it’s trying to tell a story. It’s the sort of impression one gets from reading a good book, but one I rarely get from watching anime, and in a sense, that is why this show appealed to me so much; beyond its actual quality it speaks to my inner love for fiction as a product of passionate creativity. To sum up the series, I’ll say that it is the best mahou shoujo (if you care to call it that) series I’ve ever seen. It is dark and dramatic at times, has a thoroughly compelling plot, memorable characters, an exciting plot, and is always great fun to watch. I’m positive that most people won’t agree with me on this, and even I’m surprised at how much I enjoyed the series - if you only like shounen or fanservice: stay away, otherwise, give it a try! read more

This is truly an anime for children and young teens and, perhaps, a little more so for girls. Like every good children's artwork, it also holds appeal for a much larger (and older) audience. Unlike others series aimed at the same public, there is nothing done here to satisfy male-chauvinist fantasies and that is a very welcome change. Everything in this anime breathes honesty. The only flaws are, perhaps, a little over-ambitiousness and, sometimes, a slight lack of clarity. Alll this being said, "Young Witch Squad Alice" remains, in my opinion, an absolute must-see anime and I shall try, in this review, to explain why I came to this conclusion.

Story: 9/10
The story has a plot somewhat inspired by Lewis Carrol's book (hence the name of the main character, no doubt) but does not have the same dream-like absurdity or disjointedness. Like Carrol's Alice, our young heroine falls down to a another (dream) world in which everything is very symbolical. In it, magic and the people who wield it are means of expressing very diverse messages all connected to the hopes and doubts of the young Alice. There are many themes treated including identity, individual freedom, love, ambition, knowledge, etc... Each of these themes is addressed with care and all characters and places introduced serve a clear purpose to that effect.

One scene is a perfect example of the whole atmosphere of the show. A little after Alice's arrival, she is brought before the Grand Mistress of the witches along with the two witches who had her in their custody and then let her out of her cage ( namely Sheila and Eve), resulting in the escape of a great number of fairies. The two young girls are punished for the escape of the fairies and a "curse of eternal youth" is cast upon them until they retrieve the lost creatures! There are so many adults who fear old age and decrepitude that they forget that children want to grow up and that staying a child forever is a nightmare to them. The show reminds us how unhealthy it is to want to remain a child but does so in a very creative way, without being insulting.

The story spans over a wide array of themes but also places and times and though it encompasses a whole imaginary world it remains very personal. Indeedl, everything rotates around Alice, her absent father, her gloomy view of the real world and the ways she seeks to deal with her doubts and fears. Despite its great ambition, the show often has a very light and enjoyable tone. Even during the more dramatic episodes, there is measure, and though there might be darkness there is no glorification of despair. Some of the finer messages put forth might prove harder to read for a young audience (for instance the "mirror" half brother) but will certainly please an older one.

Characters: 9/10
Like the story, all the characters in this anime are very symbolical and none of them are truly good or truly evil. There are very few characters one cannot sympathize with, to a certain extent, and the design behind each of these was well researched and executed.

The main character is an energetic and fun loving girl with a lot of maturity but also a great sense of justice which results in slightly rowdy or rebellious behaviour. She is also very creative and her imagination is a tool she uses to deal with the harsh aspects of her life.

Sheila and Eve are the other two members of the squad. Sheila is at first a very law abiding student, eager to earn respect and frowning upon deviation from set courses, even if they seem unfair. Her character evolves for the better as the show progresses and does so in a rather realistic way. Eve is generous and loving but also somewhat weak-willed and cowardly and those traits will factor greatly in the evolution of her character. It sometimes seems as if these two characters reflect two aspects of Alice's personality.

The remaining cast could be talked about in detail but I will leave you the pleasure of discovering them!

Art: 8/10
Very original to say the least, the art might seem a little odd at first but, in my opinion, fits the world of Alice perfectly. Many of the charaters, creatures, places and vehicles are a pleasure to the eye. The originality of the design is yet another indication of the great effort spent in making this show. The animaton and art seemed very good to me though perhaps not to the point of inspiring awe.

Sound: 9/10
A very strong point here. The score (and even the ending song) fit the world of Alice perfectly. The music is not incredibly original butI have rarely ever heard anything so well adapted to a show.

Enjoyment: 8/10
I greatly enjoyed this show and would recommend it to just about anyone.

Overall: 8/10
Remember that a score of 8/10 means very good. I could probably have given it 9/10 if I just followed my feelings. I truly hope this anime will gain a larger audience in the future so that the anime industry will be inspired to create more such shows.
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Story: 8

Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu is one of those animes where the storyline can, for the most part keep you intriged and wanting the next episode, as each small episode ends in a cliff hanger for the most part. The story overall in itself is genius, and except for a few things is very likable. So, what isn't likable about the storyline?

The thing about Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu is that it likes to slam the reader over the head with 'ideas'. For example, there are messages that become apparent in some of the episodes. One is that we depend to much on technollogy. The other is that evoulution is true, which might upset people who either refuse to believe it, or hate it when it isn't treated like a theory.

And the overall theme is peace instead of violence. The problem with this message, is human nature itself has always had to have a balance of these two. Of course, this is a story where there needs to be a happy ending, so this in a way works.

Art: 7

The art in here is experimental in the style. There is a lot of detail in their, but in the same time, not a lot. For example, there is detail put into the intricate designs of the costumes and clothing, but the hair and other things lack texture, and it isn't blocked in, not to mention that shadow for visual depth is lacking, giving the anime a kind of haunted look.

And some of the techniques don't quite fit. For example, when the characters cry, their tears become really sparkly and look more three dimentional shadow wise then anything else. Other times, one is given a wierd effect as they distort things visualy.

Also, flash back are flash backs, flashing in and out for a few seconds. While this fits with the mood and theme of the anime, it should be warned here... if you run the chance of having siezures, you may not want to watch this anime, even if you might find it delightful.

Sound: 10

The sound was haunting, action packed, and fit the moods as they came and went. The score was beutiful and is one of the highlights of this anime.

Character: 10

Part of the enjoyment of the characters is that, if it isn't am unnamed character, they are given lots of attention to detail on the designs of the characters. The second part of the enjoyment is the depth behind hte characters. Each has a very distinct personality, which actually helps the storyline along, and to go into depth about the characters would spoil the actual story.

Enjoyment: 8

While I rather enjoyied this, there was a point where I had to put down the anime. The main reason is, I got annoyied at the time with Alice's overly positive attitude at that time. However, I met characters that I really liked later on, others that I knew I was meant to hate.

Overall: 7

This isn't going to be for everyone. Some will take one look at the art style and choke. Others will get fed up with Alice's attitude of positiveness, while others will not like things bashed over their head. But it is at least worth watching for a bit to from ones own opinion... read more

Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu (Magical Girl Squad Arusu, or "Tweeny Witches" in the dub) is a fairly enjoyable fantasy witch show.

The show takes place in the Magic Realm, opposite the Human Realm from which the main character obviously arrives. Being the oddball idealist that she is, Arusu, the human newcomer, manages to get away with destroying the tradition of the magic realm and disrupting what the witches would deem normal by using her enthusiasm and optimism to assure everybody that magic exists to make people happy. Magic is not a tool of war, and war will eventually lead to destruction, despite the ideals that the higher-up witches hold in high regard.

It can't be said that the plot is unpredictable, but each episode is short (at ten minutes) and keeps the viewer on their toes as to what will happen next. The story isn't hard to follow, and seems to rush into some elements without much explanation (i.e. the magical realm is going to be destroyed), but it is charming and enjoyable in a way that keeps it watchable despite the numerous clichés and tropes it employs.

The reason I watched this show is that Studio 4C was involved, and they are renowned for making exceptional anime. This certainly isn't one of their best, and the animation style is nothing to gawk at, but it is a capable show. You won't find many shocks or surprises in this one, but Arusu is a roller coaster of emotion, friendship, idealism, and magic. read more

I wanted to start my reviews on my anime list with an anime that is not popular and not very well known. After seeing “Tai Asuru” or “Tweeny Witches”, I was kind of surprise of the quality of this show when the only thing that makes me curious to see it was the picture. The synopsis was normal, nothing promising. I mean, it seems like a synopsis of “Alice in Wonderland”, so nothing original at all. Also, the average note of the anime isn’t high. At least, the people that have taking the time to review it have an average between 8 and 9, so, I was not totally thinking that it will be bad.

The picture represents very well what kind of anime this show is. Yes, it will be a big roller coaster ride, a pretty chaotic one.

Story: 9
It’s an anime that is very fast paced. In fact, the only other thing that was that fast that I have seen was maybe a movie from Takashi Miike named Family that I have seen in the last weeks. The story will shake the boundaries of your imagination many times in the course of the show. But what makes this story so good is maybe how the two cultures are described for the two people out there. (The witches and the other that I will not name) I can easily make a comparison with real culture in our real world. One is very close to the way of thinking of the Asian people (Traditions and honour over anything else), the other represent the Occidental way of thinking. (People that live their normal innocent life without knowing exactly what their chiefs are doing, Comparison with the Bush era and all the bad thing he has done while the people were living happily and also other country where it surely happen) A fiction is always better when you can see some kind of comparison or maybe social critic in it. Another thing that I want to point out is the fact that this show is way more an adventure fantasy than anything else. Even one of the recent named Madoka Magika is more a magical girl than this one. The different actions seem predictable, but you will still be surprise. I won’t say that it’s unpredictable, but at the same time, it won’t be easy to know what will happen, I was thinking on how this series will be finished, I was sure about something, and in the end, it was totally something else. That fast paced story always makes me interest about it, I have stopped two times while watching it, but it’s not because I don’t wanted to finish it in one day.

Art: 8/10
It’s not that good; in fact, it’s a pretty detached kind of art. It was fitting the anime very well on the other hand by helping the chaotic aspect of the anime of being smoother. With an art as good like Death Note, it will be too dark and with an art like Angel Beast, it will have seems a bit too cut up. If you like perfection in imperfection, you will probably like it. (Sometimes, imperfection help something for giving a atmosphere. I talked about a floating atmosphere here.)

Sound: 9/10
The op is a highlight. It has a Bohemian vibe to it. A bit of epic, not much, that is totally balanced with the show. I have also to point out the drum that make a little atmosphere of a tribal world that also emphases on the fact that the anime is not in the real world. The music in the anime is well fitting with the pace of the show. The ep is only a pass song, but it’s for closure, so ok. The voice acting is perfect, actually, I found myself listening to this anime on high volume, while normally, I’m not that proud of the voice acting that I lower the volume.

Character: 9/10
I’m pretty surprise of the deepness of the character. Nothing seems forced, and the evolution of them is normal. Nothing extravagant. What I mean is the fact that each character has his own way of thinking, and they don’t accept things that are not similar to their habitude easily. Sheila is maybe the best example for this, because it takes long before she start to accept the fact that she’s maybe is wrong about the tradition that her people is thinking was normal. It’s the same case for all the other character, only one is more open minded and it’s Eva. Eva is open minded because she a bit depressed. She sees in Alice someone that could help her and maybe this is exactly why she accept Alice toughs more easily. Alice is certain that magic is something that make people happy. Been in this world where traddition, authority and natural selection is apply to the feeble frustrate her. She will then want to prove that the witches are wrong. She's not that happy or not feeble at all, in fact, there will be times where she won't know what to do next. Ateria is a character that will grow larger by the end of the show, you only have one clue about it in the first episode, it appear at the moment...(I'm not gonna tell you, see for yourself)

Enjoyment: 9/10
There’s a bit of humour, but the main reason you will like this anime is the fast paced story that will always make you want to know the rest. The fact that the episode are of less than 9 minutes is maybe the reason why it’s so easy to be drive in. A 20 minutes show doesn’t do the same effect. (By having episode of less than 10 minutes, they have to make a reversal in every episode for giving to the audience something to grip on. If you want something big to happen in all 10 minutes, then, your story is sure to be pretty fast paced and never let down the course of action.)

Overall: 9/10
I have put out one point from 10 because of the ep song that is not really good, the fact that the anime is a bit difficult to follow in terms of speed. Finally, it’s not totally innovative enough to be considered a masterpiece.
In the end, it’s more a 9 than a 8, but I understand why this show isn’t that well receive.
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Allow me to share my opinion on Mahou Shoujo Tai Alice.

------------|Story(7/10)
The story is about Alice's abrupt arrival in the magical world, her further stay and acclimation to life of witch.
Alice thinks that magic can be used to help people also it can make people happy.

------------|Animation(8/10)-
Magical world, what a great opportunity to make animation charming. Animation is ok, not perfect also characters and BG, but really it could have been much better.

------------|Sound(8/10)
The whole soundtrack fits this anime pretty good, also OP and ED themes are ok and voice actors did good job.

------------|Characters(7/10)
The youthful Alice ditzy Eva, and bossy, strict Sheila. Pretty god magical girl team, which was really interesting to watch. The only negative thing here is supporting characters. That was just awful. They don’t really matter to the plot.

------------|Enjoyment/Overall(8/10)
For Mahou Shoujo genre, this anime was really good. Really pleasant fairytale which proves one more time that power of friendship can overcome every challenge.
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WARNING: You will embark on a epic journey of magic and adventure with 3 girls who are on a mission to make people happy with the power of magic.

Past all the violent/serious/comedy/adventure animes i have watched in my life i have never watched anything with fantasy/magic in it before... So i found this and decided to give it a try. The anime itself is for a younger audience indeed, But im 20 years old and male and its not stopping me from loving the show.

I don't have to much to say other then "I RECOMMEND IT" To anyone who want to see magic/fantasy/adventure.

But regardless of that "i recommend it" to anyone who want to see an actually good anime if you don't have anything else that you are interested in or cant find anything.

That's it.... read more

Mahou Shoujo Tai

Story:
The story takes place from the perspective of Alice, a girl that is in love with the idea of magic living in a unmagical human world, with the help of a mysterious magical book that her father had given to her, she mysteriously enters the realm of the witches. Suddenly, Alice found herself being in the forest she had never seen and
being stared at by a creature looked like a fairly. Then, a witch on a
broom came and attacked her. She and the fairly ran away not knowing why.
Until that morning, she used to be a normal girl, and she was in her
class listening to the teacher speaking with only half an ear.
She must have been only an eleven-year-old girl, who opened the book
titled "A book that makes you a witch", which had been given by her
father, and imagined herself to be a witch.
She and the fairly were caught by a witch and confined into a fairly jail.
Soon, apprentice witches, Sheila and Eva, came. They were astonished that
there was a human in the magical world. Alice also came to realize that
it was a magical world. Alice changes the world in which she exists and tries to make it better, she teaches by example that magic is privileged rather than something to be taken for granted.

Mahou shoujo tai, takes u on a amazing ride through the world of magic with Alice, like never seen!!

In terms of both visual style and storytelling it breaks with a lot of anime conventions, using rare but beautiful character designs (the character design on this amime, reminds me of noien, I don’t recall watching other anime like this) , strange but interesting creatures, the backgrounds are gorgeous like all the rest, and animation is also good…

The characters are great, each of the main characters Alice, Eva and Sheila, each has a unique personality, even the secondary characters are great with lots of different looks and personalities…

The music is Superb with a magic atmosphere; the background effects and ambiance are, with a suitable musical score to match, and the characters voices feat perfectly.
In the music score I have to give a special mention to the ed song "DuDiDuWa*lalala" by KOTOKO, I just love this music, and it feats the show quite well…

Overall: This is that kind of anime either u love or either u hate (well I don’t believe anyone could hate it), its an enjoyable anime worth anyone watching it…
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