Katsute Mahou Shoujo to Aku wa Tekitai Shite Ita.

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies

Characters

Mira

MAIN

Byakuya Mimori

MAIN

Sadalsuud

SUPPORTING

Fomalhaut

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Hibana Kagari

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Mitsukai (CAT)

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Betelgeuse

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Mitsukai (BIRD)

SUPPORTING

Spica

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Alcyone

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Bellatrix

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Sentouin

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Machi no Hito

BACKGROUND

Konbini no Kyaku

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Josei Talent

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The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies: Season 1 Review – A Heartwarming Twist on a Classic Trope

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies (Katsute Mahō Shōjo to Aku wa Tekitai Shiteita), a 2024 anime adaptation of Cocoa Fujiwara’s manga, is a delightful anomaly in the crowded landscape of romantic comedies and magical girl narratives. Produced by Studio Bones, this 12-episode series, with each episode clocking in at a breezy 12 minutes, delivers a compact yet emotionally resonant story that subverts expectations while embracing the charm of its premise. This review dives into what makes Season 1 of this enemies-to-lovers rom-com so unique, exploring its strengths, quirks, and the bittersweet legacy of its creator.

A Premise That Sparks Curiosity

The show’s title lays out its core conflict with refreshing candor: Byakuya Mimori, a magical girl known as Glass Happiness, stands as the last line of defense against an evil organization bent on world domination. Mira, the cunning lieutenant and right-hand man to the Evil King, is tasked with crushing her. But when their paths cross, Mira falls head-over-heels in love at first sight, shattering his villainous resolve faster than his glasses (which, amusingly, break multiple times per episode due to Byakuya’s overwhelming cuteness). What follows is less a battle of good versus evil and more a tender, awkward dance of affection between two people on opposite sides of a war.

This setup, rooted in the “enemies-to-lovers” trope, distinguishes itself by flipping the script on the magical girl genre. Instead of prolonged battles or slow-burn rivalries, the show dives straight into the romance, with Mira and Byakuya forming an unexpectedly wholesome bond from their first meeting. Their interactions—often centered around sharing sweets like chiffon cake or cheesecake in cozy pavilions—feel like a parody of the high-stakes drama typical of magical girl stories, yet they carry genuine warmth and sincerity.

Visuals and Animation: A Pastel Dreamscape

Studio Bones brings its signature polish to the series, making it one of the most visually striking shows of the 2024 summer season. The animation is a feast of soft pastels and fluid sequences, particularly in Byakuya’s transformation scenes, which are a love letter to the magical girl aesthetic. The bottom-to-top transformation sequence, where her outfit materializes piece by piece, is a standout, blending traditional sparkles with a modern, almost tactile quality.

The character designs, adapted from Fujiwara’s manga, are deceptively simple yet expressive. Byakuya’s delicate, lavender-hued appearance contrasts beautifully with Mira’s sharp, dark aesthetic, visually reinforcing their opposing roles. The show’s use of color palettes—gentle pinks, purples, and blues for Byakuya’s world, juxtaposed with the grim, shadowy tones of the evil organization—creates a visual harmony that mirrors the narrative’s blend of light and dark. Even minor details, like Mira’s glasses cracking under the weight of his infatuation, add a comedic flair that’s both charming and memorable.

Characters: More Than Meets the Eye

The heart of the series lies in its leads, Byakuya and Mira, whose chemistry is both immediate and endearing. Byakuya, voiced by Mai Nakahara, is a dandere archetype—quiet, resilient, and subtly playful. Her life as an orphan, juggling part-time jobs to survive while being exploited by her sleazy cat familiar, adds depth to her character. She’s not just a magical girl; she’s a young woman burdened by circumstance, making her acceptance of Mira’s kindness all the more poignant.

Mira, voiced by Yūki Ono, is the show’s comedic engine. A self-proclaimed evil strategist, he’s a hopeless romantic whose internal monologues and over-the-top reactions (like shattering dinnerware when Byakuya says something cute) steal the show. His struggle to reconcile his feelings with his loyalty to the Evil King gives him surprising complexity for a 12-minute-episode format. The dynamic between the two feels authentic, as Byakuya’s understated warmth tempers Mira’s theatrical devotion.

However, not all characters land as well. Byakuya’s cat familiar, a chain-smoking, foul-mouthed creature voiced by Shinichiro Miki, is a polarizing addition. Intended as a parody of manipulative magical girl mascots like Kyubey from Puella Magi Madoka Magica, the cat’s crude behavior and questionable treatment of Byakuya (including designing her revealing uniform) can feel jarring in an otherwise gentle series. Some fans appreciate the satirical edge, while others find it disrupts the family-friendly tone.

Narrative and Themes: Sweet Simplicity with a Bittersweet Edge

The series leans heavily into its slice-of-life format, with episodes focusing on small, intimate moments—like Mira helping Byakuya with a haunted apartment or the pair navigating their secret meetings under the noses of their respective superiors. This episodic structure, while cozy, can feel repetitive, as the lack of an overarching plot sometimes leaves viewers wanting more progression. The show’s brevity (12-minute episodes) exacerbates this, as it struggles to balance its rom-com fluff with the looming conflict of their opposing roles.

Yet, this simplicity is also its strength. The series doesn’t pretend to be a grand epic; it’s content to explore the quiet growth of Mira and Byakuya’s relationship. Moments like Mira comforting Byakuya during her fear of ghosts or Byakuya’s shy acceptance of his gifts highlight the show’s emotional core: love can bridge even the widest divides, whether they’re ideological or personal. The narrative also subtly critiques the magical girl genre, exposing the exploitation behind Byakuya’s role and questioning the morality of both sides in their conflict.

The series carries a bittersweet undercurrent due to the untimely passing of Cocoa Fujiwara in 2015, which left the manga incomplete after three volumes. The anime, aware of this, incorporates anime-original content to provide a sense of closure, though it can’t fully escape the abruptness of the source material’s ending. Fans familiar with Fujiwara’s work, like Inu x Boku SS, will recognize her knack for blending heartfelt romance with quirky humor, but the unfinished nature of the story lingers as a poignant reminder of her loss.

Reception and Cultural Impact

Season 1 has garnered a warm reception, with a 7.31/10 rating on MyAnimeList and praise for its visual beauty and heartfelt romance. Fans on platforms like Reddit have lauded its “diabetes-inducing” fluff, comparing it to Love After World Domination for its playful take on star-crossed lovers. However, some criticism has emerged around the age gap between Mira (implied to be in his 20s) and Byakuya (speculated to be 15-20, with conflicting fan interpretations), as well as the cat familiar’s inappropriate humor. These elements, particularly the sexualized comedy, have sparked debate about the show’s tone, with some wishing for a more family-friendly approach.

Despite these critiques, the series has carved a niche for itself among fans of romantic comedies and magical girl parodies. Its short runtime makes it an easy binge, and its gentle pacing offers a refreshing contrast to the action-heavy anime of the 2024 season. The show’s popularity in India, with dubs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, signals its broad appeal.

Final Verdict: A Sweet, Imperfect Gem

The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies Season 1 is a heartwarming, visually stunning take on the enemies-to-lovers trope, elevated by Studio Bones’ animation and the undeniable chemistry between Byakuya and Mira. While its repetitive structure and occasional tonal missteps (looking at you, creepy cat) hold it back from greatness, the series’ charm lies in its simplicity and sincerity. It’s a love letter to both the magical girl genre and the late Cocoa Fujiwara’s legacy, offering just enough closure to satisfy while leaving fans wistful for what might have been.

Rating: 7.5/10 – A must-watch for fans of fluffy romance and magical girl parodies, but don’t expect a sprawling epic. Perfect for a cozy weekend binge.

Where to Watch: Stream on Crunchyroll or Apple TV, with dubs available in multiple languages.

Recommendation: If you enjoyed Love After World Domination or The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil, this is your next obsession. Pair it with a slice of chiffon cake for maximum effect.