Magical Emi, the Magic Star (魔法のスターマジカルエミ) is the third Magical Girl series created by Studio Pierrot. It was directed by Takeshi Ano. The anime ran from June 7, 1985 to February 28, 1986, ending at 38 episodes.
Mai Kazuki is an aspiring magician, but her skills aren't good enough to get her into her grandparents' Magic Carat troupe. One day, she is visited by a mirror fairy named Topo, who gives her a magic bracelet that can transform Mai into an 18-year-old version of herself, Magical Emi. Mai uses her magic to help people and participate in her grandparents' shows, while her powers also seep into her and her loved one's day to day lives, leading to a lot of chaos and fun.
The anime is an Iyashikei, taking a lighter tone than its predecessors and giving a lot of attention to the Magical Girl aesthetic and comfy "slice of life" theme. If you're familiar with the staff and their other works, expect a lot of easter eggs and throwback gags. It has some similarities to Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel, which is unsurprising as both works have the same director.
The anime was preceded by Persia, the Magic Fairy and followed by Magical Idol Pastel Yumi.
Tropes:
- Alternative Foreign Theme Song: The anime has an Italian one
by Cristina D'Avena. - Bittersweet Ending: In the end, Mai decides to give up her magic so that she can learn to become a great Stage Magician the hard way.
- Butt-Monkey: Kokubunji, Koganei's bumbling subordinate, is the biggest example in the series. He is always mistreated by his boss and suffers some form of embarrassment or humiliation every time he appears. Even in his two A Day in the Limelight episodes, he can't catch a break.
- By the Power of Grayskull!: "Pulitto! Pararin Ririkaru Parapora Magikaru!" is what Emi says to transform into her Older Alter Ego Mai.
- Creator Thumbprint: The main character being a Magic Idol Singer with a cute sidekick and getting into plenty of zany schemes harkens back to Magical Angel Creamy Mami, which has the same director, Takeshi Ano.
- Excited Title! Two-Part Episode Name!: Episode 2 (Magical debut! Live broadcast!!) is written this way.
- Fanservice: To a mild degree. We get a lot of Panty Shots of Mai when she isn't Emi, and Emi herself gets a lot of Leg Focus and wears a skimpy outfit.
- Gratuitous English: The main theme "Fushigi-Iro Happiness" ("Mystery-Coloured Happiness")Tsuka maete MAI HAPINESU, Koi wa fushigi iro MAI HAPINESU
- Iyashikei: The series does not build towards a dramatic climax but revolves around the daily troubles of the characters. It's also less action-oriented than the prior two series.
- Production Throwback: The animation of Episode 14 is directed by Moriyama Yuji. In one scene, we see that Emi's classmates are A-ko, B-ko and C-ko, a nod to one of his most famous works.
- Shout-Out: In episode 29, the mecha from Ninja Warrior Hiei makes an appearance.
- Stage Magician: Mai belongs to a family of them.
- Mai's grandparents are leaders of a troupe called Magic Carat. Mai's Older Alter Ego Magical Emi will join them and make them famous, thanks to real magic.
- Mai's mother used to be one, but she left her career for her family.
- Mai herself would like to become a magician in the future, but now she is not very good at it.
- Even Sho is the son of famous magicians. Sho himself is quite good at magic trick and often helps Mai's grandparents, but his real dream is to become a boxer.
- Whole-Plot Reference: Episode 16 is one to Duel, with the twist being the driver of the truck menacing the main characters being a big fan of Emi's and wanting her autograph.
- Wizarding School: Mai's grandparents run a small school for young magicians.
