Posted inFirst Impressions Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka

Mahou Shoujo Tokushusen Asuka – 05

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(Kiwamete Genjitsu-teki na Taishohou)
“A Very Realistic Way of Dealing with a Problem”

Given how the final moments of last week went I think it was pretty clear where MSTA was heading, but never doubt the satisfaction of being proven right. This magical girls show was intent on differentiating itself from the rest of crowd and so far it looks to have successfully done so. Well, maybe not entirely yet, but with the groundwork laid and the story ready to actually begin I dare say the real cutie breaking fun and games are here at last.

After complaining last week about MSTAs choice of action aesthetics it was quite pleasantly surprising seeing a turnaround this episode. Sure, the show may still have a thing for still shots, but getting these choice beat downs and face pummelling to compensate? I think I can live with that. While arguably down to there simply being more action (and quicker action) to enjoy this time around, MSTA certainly looks like its finding its stride here, finally letting the skill and abilities of Asuka and Kurumi shine through and show exactly what theyre made of. Hell even the pint sized cute thing Sachuu got in in on the action (twice), although I guarantee it failed to acquire that plush goblin critter because as we know no magical girl is worth her salt without the friendly little mascot tagging along beside.

The real fun however lies once again in the dark side of the mahou shoujo shenanigans. As expected for example Nozomi wound up going full PTSD, and while arguably a little overplayed, no denying that moment effectively sums up the world of MSTA. The magic here isnt upbeat and friendly, its not going to save the worldthese magical girls and their various imitators will kill without a moments hesitation and shrug off (mostly) the physical and mental consequences. And the most defining part? Its not just the enemies either; as Asuka shows in vivid detail even the good girls here arent above wanton destruction for the sake of a goal. As in modern military thinking for MSTAs protagonists its not about the means of winning, but whether the scale of those means can be justified upon reaching the end. This is primarily why Asuka lets Nozomi’s memories be wiped: she may dislike losing a chunk of precious memories with a new best friend, but if it helps the girl overcome a very traumatic experience then its a cost worth bearing. For Asuka its all about keeping her friends safe, and with a still mostly unknown enemy now targeting them, she has no choice but to start taking a proactive approach.

After all, with the higher ups content to sit back and let evil come to them and one angry magical girl definitely unlikely to just give up the fight, you can bet Asuka and friends have only caught a taste of the chaos ready to descend upon them.

 

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18 Comments

    • Henrietta Brix
      February 9, 2019,

      My thoughts exactly. Who is to say that the former leader becomes a turn coat after learning the true meaning of being a mahou shoujo in Homura’s world?Just like Kai Schulern in VC4

    • Pancakes
      February 9, 2019,

      Got to keep that suffering train rolling somehow 😛

  2. Worldwidedepp
    February 9, 2019,

    So Healer Type Magic Girls turn around and use it for attacking… (Not the manga, just for the Title) “In an another world i am called a Black Healer”

    • Worldwidedepp
      February 9, 2019,

      or if you nearly old like me and know some US ElfQuest Comic then this Picture explains it allhttps://i.pinimg.com/originals/85/51/14/8551148f56661e2e3390ba7f2d206bfd.jpg

    • Pancakes
      February 9, 2019,

      Probably because evil is hot haha. I’m not going to complain too much though, good typically gets the cuties 😛

      • Greed
        February 10, 2019,

        So only Overlord’s Albedo is the only “good” sexy hot heroine while most anime heroine consist of mainly “cute” and innocent type.

  6. RenaSayers
    February 9, 2019,

    There isnt anything really different than all the recent mahou shoujo tittles that have come out recently. Its been the same title with crude episodes.

    • Pancakes
      February 9, 2019,

      Oh yeah it’s the same format, but with a different flair. The spec-ops emphasis and focus on “real world” tensions helps keep things unique enough that at least for me it doesn’t feel the same as the other deconstructions. Can always change in the future of course, but so far I like where this one is going.

    • Namaewoinai
      February 16, 2019,

      Kami-Madoka You promised to save mahou shoujo of the past, present and future Where are you?Seriously…Don’t YOU dare to Think about it…SHE MUST BE REMOVE FROM EXISTENCE PERMANENTLY!!!!!!

  8. Michel Sabbagh
    February 9, 2019,

    https://images.randomc.net/Mahou%20Shoujo%20Tokushusen%20Asuka/Mahou%20Shoujo%20Tokushusen%20Asuka%20-%2005%20-%20Large%2027.jpgAs far as expressive countenances go, Nozomis upon contracting PTSD from her close brush with death is just heartbreaking.Given that Im currently whipping out a story of my own, I couldnt help but think of my protagonists reaction to her own ghost (i.e. a past trauma that inhibits change in a main/secondary character) during the hospital scene. Its just so… raw and unbridled in its execution, if a bit overplayed as you said. You can tell Nozomis torn asunder within.A shame, tgen, that the Deus Ex Machina from the manga that is Kurumis brain tweak has been reused in the anime. Removes the potential for drama and character development in Nozomis part.

    • Pancakes
      February 9, 2019,

      That mind wipe really disappointed me to be honest. As you mention it instantly removed a good degree of future tension between Nozomi and Asuka and any development on that front. I imagine we’ll still see Asuka relive the moment in the future (especially when it comes to collateral damage in other fights), but it’ll mostly be one-sided and IMO without the impact it could’ve had.

  9. URGH
    February 9, 2019,

    Don`t mistake murrican goons for proper military lol.

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