Magical schoolgirls, the Showa Era, 1970s anime traditions, otokoyaku, and yaoi--if all of that sounds (to mix cultural metaphors) Greek to you, then much of Magical Play, which follows the adventures of Padudu, a pure-hearted lass desperate to attain the status of "magical girl,” will not make sense. Using her powers to compete with other girls to collect coveted "flowermarks" in contests of bravery and wit, Padudu rambles through her storybook world of archetypal cities and twisting forests, gathering loyal companions and attracting maniacal enemies (Magical Play offers little more than this in the way of plot; it's greater purpose is to mock anime conventions while cramming in as much wackiness as possible). The 15-up rating is mainly for the nudity from competitor Myumyu's very revealing, very alive costume of two cats (the felines periodically take off, leaving their mistress garment-free), but more troubling is the snacking on Padudu's companion, Uokichi, a giant fish who serves as both cape and source of food and who screams every time anyone literally grabs a bite. While sure to be entertaining (and at times laugh out loud funny) to viewers familiar with the conventions being ridiculed, Magical Play would be shockingly bizarre to the uninitiated. Featuring four episodes (one is a special "3-D" or CGI-generated episode), this dual-language disc also includes a character gallery and voice cast commentary by actors who are not even remotely connected with the show's creation. A very optional purchase. Aud: P. (R. Brenner)
Magical Play: The Complete Collection
(2004) 150 min. DVD: $29.98. ADV Films (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. ISBN: 1-57813-773-X. Volume 19, Issue 5
Magical Play: The Complete Collection
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