Netflix Anime Fantasy Series Shows Mortal Enemies Falling In Love In Gorgeous First Look
There are many magical girl animes out there, but none deliver a plot quite like Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to Be Archenemies. The story follows the story of Mira, the mastermind behind an evil organization, and the magical girl Byakuya Mimori, focused on stopping them. However, instead of fighting, Mira ends up falling in love with the very girl he’s meant to destroy.
Covers Many Different Concepts
The story, though unfinished, covered a lot of concepts, including conflict, love, and redemption. Despite its magical girl theme, the anime is classified as a shonen, which means it’s an anime and manga directed mainly at young boys, such as One Piece, Attack on Titan, and My Hero Academia.
Started As A Manga
Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant started as a manga by Cocoa Fujiwara (Calling, Inu x Boku SS), first published in September 2013 in Square Enix’s Gangan Joker. However, the manga was never finished, as she passed away in March 2015. Square Enix published the final compiled book volume in March 2016.
A Bittersweet Adaptation
It’s a bittersweet revitalization for those who followed the manga as it came out, as it’s been nearly a decade since the writer passed away.
Cocoa Fujiwara was a huge fan of Studio Bones, and it is a nice touch from the studio that they’re the ones animating the work in her honor.
Those who haven’t read the manga yet are also in luck. In February 2024, Yen Press announced they have the rights to license the series for English publication, which new manga should be coming out relatively soon.
The Production Team
Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant’s anime adaptation by Studio Bones features Akiyo Ohashi (The Stranger by the Beach, Sakura Capsule) as the director, Yuniko Ayana (The Apothecary Diaries, Given) as the scriptwriter, Haruko Lizuka (Horimiya, Sugar Apple Fairy Tale) as the character designer, and MAYUKO (Ranking of Kings, Cells at Work!) in charge of the music.
Those who listened to the audio drama of Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant will be excited to note that some of the cast are reprising their roles as voice actors in the anime.
Mira will be played by Yuki Ono (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Mashle: Magic and Muscles), and Byakuya Mimori will be played by Mai Nakahara (Durarara!!, Fairy Tail).
Others Coming Along
In addition to the two original voice actors, other members of the cast have also been announced.
The cat, Mitsukai, will be played by Shin-Ichiro Miki (Mashle: Magic and Musle, Goblin Slayer), Hikaru Midorikawa (My Hero Academia, The Eminence in Shadow) will play Mitsukai, the bird, and Mariya Ise (The Promised Neverland, Made in Abyss) plays Hibana Kagari.
Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Releasing This Year
Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant is set to release this year in Japan on Tokyo Mx, BS11, and At-x starting in July. It’s unclear as of now if the release date is the same for international viewers.
There is also some concern about how the anime will end. Since the manga of Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant was never officially finished, they may end the anime where the manga does, or they may come up with an ending of their own.
