Himitsu no Akko-chan

As a magical girl anime enthusiast, i wanted to check out the anime that served as the pioneer for the FIRST REAL magical girl transformation.

I had only watched one episode of it which is the VERY FIRST episode that has been fansubbed into English. I've gotta say that although the VERY FIRST transformation sequence in magical girl history is VERY underwhelming, i give it a pass because it was made in the 1960s so the creators had little opportunity to make it MORE alluring.

It is still kind of entertaining to watch even if it's just one episode especially when you compare it to the magical ... girl anime that came BEFORE it, Mahou Tsukai Sally. Unlike Sally who is a magical princess from an alternate dimension, Akko-chan is a ORDINARY school girl who was given EXTRAORDINARY magical powers so it is kind of nice to see the girl using her brains to figure out how to use her given magic to solver her problems.

Though she is a normal kid with some selfish desires to use their given magic to achieve, Akko also has a heart and learns to use her magic powers to help others as well.

Plus, some of the best episodes of the anime involves the MAIN direction of the anime's assistant director, Isao Takahata, where his emotional and empathetic directing style is at work in there somewhere.

Overall, despite being an antique from the late 1960s, the FIRST Himitsu no Akko-chan is a surprising mix of comedy, melodrama and fantasy elements that STILL holds up which is impressive by the standards of anime that was BORN from that time period.

Himitsu no Akko-chan, original series created by Akatsuka Fujio, the manga released in 1962 in Ribon magazine. The animated series followed the series Mahoutsukai Sally as another defining work when it comes to the girls entertainment in Japan in 1960s - 1970s.

The series follows Kagami Atsuko (Akko) who at the start of the series had buried a mirror after it broke and is presented a magical mirror from heavens as a present for her kind gesture towards the old mirror. This mirror holds a very special power that allows Akko to transform into anything that she wills by chanting a magical phrase "Tekumaku Mayakon". The ... exploration in the series is focused mainly on this power and how Akko utilises this power to help her friends and relationships while also exploring these relationships in depth and from different perspectives utilising this power.

The series also poses an interesting approach to the characters and the morality of Akko posing as these different characters to escalate or fix these situations. The power is also used to drive home the comedic presence of these characters and escalate the situations to highlight the comedic aspect of the series. The relationships and their importance around Akko is also highlighted through the usage of the transformation power that Akko utilises in the series.

When it comes to the characters Akko herself is obviously on the focus when it comes to the series. The surrounding characters are mainly presented as "caricatures" and serve as a contrast to Akko and the power, the surrounding characters also highlight and escalate the comedy and other situations that arise from Akko utlising the power.

The art style of the series draws parallels to the earlier series "Mahoutsukai Sally" and I'd say utilises similar approach when it comes to the design and visaul aspects of the series. The character design also draws parallels to the iconic designs from the original manga. Blending these two aspects into a very wholesome look and feel when it comes to the visuals.

The sound and voice acting is one of the highlights of the series as was the case in "Mahoutsukai Sally" the characters personaly is enhanced to a new level through the brilliant voice acting in the series and the soundtrack doesnt leave anyone cold with the iconic theme song and many other tracks enhancing the engagement and immersion to the emotion presented in the series.

Overall the series is a timeless classic that presents an interesting approach to the morality of posing as others and the responsibility when it comes to utilising a power. This all is presented in a wholesome and kind manner leaving a smile to your face