The Dish on Magical Girls
Diana Campos
Imagine yourself walking down to your local bakery, eyes lighting up as you spot colorful pastries and themed savory dishes galore, all lined up in the glass case before you. Your eyes glance over to the rainbow jellies and the cosmic pastries. Your joy is evident as you snap a quick picture of your eye-catching pastry and savor the first bite, filled with awe and delight. You capture the aesthetic and cuteness; that's exactly what most Magical Girl dishes feature, too. Dishes, whether sweet or savory, can share a lot in common with our favorite anime genre, Magical Girls, also known as Mahou Shoujo. Many iconic and gorgeous food examples, such as vibrant pastries and themed savory dishes, appear in each show to reflect its themes and characters. Each dish shown in each show represents how food reflects the aesthetic of each magical girl anime, the comfort and coziness each dish brings, and the emotional resonance of hope, nostalgia, and friendship as we replicate these dishes in real life to copy all of the above.
Graphic by Naliyah Grant
One of the key themes in the Magical Girl genre is that each character carries a magical accessory and undergoes a transformation that symbolizes that character within the story. I would like to include a delicious morsel of a dish that embodies the personality and aesthetic of each Magical Girl anime, such as the vibrant pastries that represent the energy of Sailor Moon or the colorful drinks that echo Madoka Magica's whimsy. Food itself should be considered a magical element in this case; it reflects the protagonist’s personality as much as their iconic accessories do, deepening the connection between their visual identity and the food they inspire. From the madeleines and cream puffs of Yumeiro Patissiere down to specially concocted, colorful drinks themed around Madoka Magica, they all build a bridge, whether it’s connecting characters within their stories or connecting us, the viewers, to said characters. We see our beloved Usagi Tsukino from Sailor Moon always indulging in her favorite foods in the anime. As much as her Crystal Star compact and Disguise Pen represented her aesthetic, her cravings for her favorite dishes also reveal more of her personality. The way each food item is drawn draws your eyes to it, jealousy and envy arising within us because we, too, want to partake in its beauty. Watching the vibrant presentation of each dish-the fruits, whipped cream, and pudding-makes you want to reach out and reflect your own style and personality through food, just like our Magical Girls.
Our Magical Girls may not be entirely fueled by indulging themselves with sweets or treats, but they sure do emphasize comfort and coziness. The warm, inviting nature of these dishes mirrors the emotional warmth and safety the characters embody, strengthening the connection between food and the themes of hope and friendship. For example, the curry scene in Sailor Moon highlights how shared meals symbolize community and support, reinforcing emotional bonds. In that episode of Sailor Moon titled “Usagi’s Parental Love? A Curry Triangle Relationship”, Usagi and Chibiusa partake in making curry. Usagi steps up with care to help Chibiusa, even though the last time Usagi prepared that very dish, it was a disaster. While making curry, Usagi brings comfort to Chibiusa, knowing she’s helping, even though she isn't the most perfect chef around. At the end of the episode, they gather and enjoy a meal, knitting together the comfort and coziness of friendship at the dinner table. Dishes within the Magical Girl realm serve as a centerpiece for community building, bonding, cementing friendships, and comforting relationships. As we sit around our devices watching this genre of anime, we savor the comfort and coziness each episode tries to instill in the characters and in ourselves.
We are presented with all this magical cuteness, and to show our own love and care for this genre, we recreated these food items in real time. With creators like doreimani (@doreimani on YouTube), who are “bringing the magic to life one dessert at a time”, we really do see magic seep into our reality. Recreating desserts, treats, and full-on prepared dishes evokes the emotional hope and comfort we seek in our day-to-day lives. Even if you're not a professional chef, simple recipes and step-by-step tutorials can help you replicate these magical foods. The goal is to enjoy the process and embrace the fun of making these dishes, knowing that even imperfect recreations can bring joy and a sense of connection to the Magical Girl aesthetic and themes.
So really, what’s the dish on Magical Girls and food? Each food item reflects the show's aesthetic and the emotional resonance it aims to evoke, emphasizing comfort and connection within the narrative. The blending of food with magical elements should prompt us to reflect on how important friendship, comfort, and the aesthetics of cuteness are in the appearance of food for Magical Girls. See what a good recipe sprinkled with magic can do?
