We Need Magical Girls
We all experience moments of enchantment and magic, whether we see them or not. These moments inspire us to become who we are or who we aspire to be. For me, that magic has always come from the characters in magical girl anime, showing that strength and purity can come from embracing femininity and emotion. Their example helps me draw strength and believe in my own power.
Graphic by Naliyah Grant
Magical girls have always empowered and enchanted me, helping me realize my potential and hold myself to it. From my beloved magical girls featured in Sailor Moon to Princess Tutu, they have instilled in me the strength to find within my femininity. I was constantly shown media that was heavily centered on heavy-masculinity, always exemplifying that showing feminine traits is weak and should hold no space. The stories I have encountered from my magical girl anime challenge this force narrative that masculinity overpowers and wins all. With their use of fashion interests and the power to encompass vast emotions, they demonstrate that these “girly” interests aren’t weaknesses but can coalesce to illustrate immense power and leadership. In moments in my life when I felt deflated, I looked back to my beloved magical girls for strength and empowerment from each one.
Even now, as an adult navigating the workplace, I’m drawn to magical girl inspiration to foster teamwork and connection within my team. When I feel like retreating or getting annoyed, I think back to my girls in Sailor Moon and remember that collaboration and bonds are essential. Almost all magical girl anime revolve around a diverse group of heroines who need to collaborate and work together to support each other and save their worlds. These anime have taught me to value unbreakable friendships and platonic love, guiding me to rely on them and never be afraid to lean on others for help. They’ve been almost therapeutic, in a way.
After each episode of any magical girl anime I watch, I feel more confident; it almost makes me find the need to transform myself into a better version of myself. Each anime felt to me almost like an inner metamorphosis, giving each character the ability to build confidence and grow. With their magical symbolism of transformation, I saw them as moments for me to learn not only to be caring toward those around me, but also to envelop myself in the same matters of compassion. I have memories of hiding myself away, cocooning myself, and shielding myself from the world. But when I finally gather the inner strength to blossom, I have a chrysalis moment of molding into the true self I have imagined for myself.
At the basis, most magical girl anime represent coming-of-age stories, in some ways. Ever since the genre's inception, the message has remained the same: finding inner strength and making an impact on the world you live in. They have shown me compassion, strength, and the ability not only to empathize with others but also to offer that empathy within myself. And with every fiber of my being, I want to pull my magical girls in for a big embrace, showing the positives of showcasing who I want to symbolize. This is why we need our magical girls.
