Retro but still cute!
Anime
Compiling older magical girl in case anybody wants to do a deep dive into the genre. Anything before 2000.
Mahoutsukai Sally
Sally the Witch
TV, 1966,
109 eps
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It is often considered the anime that kickstarted the magical girl genre. It is quite dated but still a very cute watch
Himitsu no Akko-chan
Secrets of Akko-chan
TV, 1969,
94 eps
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This was actually the first magical girl series but Sally got the anime first so technically Akko is the second. Also a very cute watch and the first magical girl transformation!
TV, 1970,
48 eps
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Based off of the Little Mermaid. After saving a boy named Akira, Mako, a mermaid, becomes a human with a magical pendant, searching for the boy she saved.
Fushigi na Melmo
Marvelous Melmo
TV, 1971,
26 eps
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A lesser-known Tezuka work. It was meant to teach children sex ed but was not well-liked by parents.
TV, 1972,
39 eps
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Another 70s watch. I will admit I have not seen it but visually very similar to Sally the Witch.
TV, 1974,
72 eps
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I will admit I have not seen very much of this but it is another in the cute with genre. It has similarities with Sally in Meg not being allowed discovery as a witch but more mature since Meg is older.
TV, 1973,
25 eps
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After being mortally wounded in a plane crash, Satomi, now Limit-chan is reborn as a cyborg. Like Cutie Honey, her powers come from science rather than magic.
TV, 1973,
25 eps
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Author:6
Made by iconic Go Nagai, Cutey Honey is incredibly action packed with lots of fights and an amazing opening.
TV, 1978,
45 eps
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A surprising creation of Go Nagai. Unlike Cutie Honey though, it follows a more traditional magical girl format and is aimed towards young girls.
Hana no Ko Lunlun
Flower Angel
TV, 1979,
50 eps
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Author:7
The first magical girl anime to be brought to the West by Harmony Gold. Fun slice-of-life watch.
TV, 1980,
49 eps
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Lalabel could be considered both a warrior and a cute witch considering there is an overarching antagonist and magical companions. Definitely worth your time if you enjoy 80s visuals and tropes.
Mahou no Princess Minky Momo
Fairy Princess Minky Momo
TV, 1982,
63 eps
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Most probably know this one from the truck scene. It has stayed iconic for good reason due to the titular Momo.
Mahou no Tenshi Creamy Mami
Magical Angel Creamy Mami
TV, 1983,
52 eps
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Author:8
The iconic magical idol who started a line of Pierrot magical girls. Great music, incredibly fun episodes with aliens, unicorns, and more.
Mahou no Yousei Persia
Persia the Magic Fairy
TV, 1984,
48 eps
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Author:6
The second in the Pierrot lineup. The fairies are kappas this time with Persia being a wild child.
TV, 1985,
38 eps
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This is similar to Mami in that Emi does use her powers to become a star. But instead, she goes down the magician route.
Mahou no Idol Pastel Yumi
Magical Idol Pastel Yumi
TV, 1986,
25 eps
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Author:7
This is the shortest of the Pierrot girls and doesn't utilize the transformation magic. But, the pastel backgrounds and emphasis on flowers is lovely.
TV, 1989,
88 eps
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The sequel to the 1960s series. Sally is older and returns to Earth to embark on new adventures and reunite with old friends.
TV, 1988,
61 eps
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A 1980s remake of the original show, with some characters from the original absent and new ones exclusive to this show.
Movie, 1989,
1 ep
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A theatrical movie to go with the remake.
TV, 1990,
47 eps
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Mint, a princess of the world of dreams and magic, goes to the Human World to save her world, as darkness entering human hearts is withering her world.
Mahou no Princess Minky Momo: Yume wo Dakishimete
Fairy Princess Minky Momo 2nd
TV, 1991,
62 eps
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Minky Momo but 1990s. Like, exact same appearance and premise.
TV, 1992,
50 eps
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Two siblings wish for a flower fairy from a storybook, Mary Bell, to aid their parent's struggling flower shop. Lo and behold, Mary Bell from the Floral World appears.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon
Sailor Moon
TV, 1992,
46 eps
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Everyone knows her and loves her. The one that revitalized the magical girl genre and brought in the popularity of the magical warrior, Sailor Moon.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R
Sailor Moon R
TV, 1993,
43 eps
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The start of Ikuhara's work on Sailor Moon with Chibi-Moon and Sailor Pluto's debuts.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S
Sailor Moon S
TV, 1994,
38 eps
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One of the most well-known seasons due to the introduction of the Outer Senshi Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon SuperS
Sailor Moon SuperS
TV, 1995,
39 eps
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The final season Ikuhara worked on before departing. It introduces new villains and a dream motif.
Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars
Sailor Moon Sailor Stars
TV, 1996,
34 eps
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The finale that was controversial due to it changing the manga ending and the genders of the Sailor Starlights.
TV, 1993,
51 eps
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Miracle girls is about two twins who seem to be complete opposites but do have psychic powers like telepathy and teleportation in common.
Shin Cutie Honey
New Cutey Honey
OVA, 1994,
8 eps
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Author:8
A sequel to the 1973 show. It's darker and heavier in tone since it's an OVA so it was able to push more boundaries.
TV, 1992,
61 eps
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Made by the Akazukin Chacha team, Hime-chan has a similar premise to Akko with a magic ribbon allowing her to transform into anyone for an hour.
Akazukin Chacha
Red Riding Hood Chacha
TV, 1994,
74 eps
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Author:9
Both a Majokko and a Magical Warrior, Chacha and her friends Riiya and Shiine-chan go to school, get into fun situations, and fight the Evil Lord on the side.
OVA, 1995,
3 eps
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Author:8
An OVA taking place after the anime, with the gang meeting Poppi, a psychic sent to spy on them from a rivaling school.
TV, 1994,
20 eps
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Author:9
A combination of genres from the amazing CLAMP group. It's fantasy, isekai, magical girl, and mechs all in one. Amazing music and characters with a dark twist.
TV, 1995,
29 eps
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Author:8
The second season of Magic Knight Rayearth heavily deviates from the manga with anime-only characters and villains. Still a great and heavier watch compared to the first season.
Kaitou Saint Tail
Mysterious Thief Saint Tail
TV, 1995,
43 eps
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Author:7
A phantom thief, Meimi as Saint Tail is like a magician Robin Hood, using her tricks to return stolen things to their rightful owners.
Ai Tenshi Densetsu Wedding Peach
Wedding Peach
TV, 1995,
51 eps
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Thought to be a knock-off of Sailor Moon, Wedding Peach is all about the fight for love as Momoko and her friends protect the world from demons.
Ai Tenshi Densetsu Wedding Peach DX
Wedding Peach DX
OVA, 1996,
4 eps
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An OVA taking place after the anime.
Cutie Honey F
Cutey Honey F
TV, 1997,
39 eps
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The shoujo that Cutie Honey was supposed to be. Very cute and worked on by many who worked on Sailor Moon.
Mahou no Stage Fancy Lala
Magical Stage Fancy Lala
TV, 1998,
26 eps
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Made 10 years after Mami, this one could also be considered part of Pierrot's magical girl lineup. It brings back the performance and idealized older self aspects of Creamy Mami and Magical Emi.
TV, 1998,
44 eps
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a 3rd remake of Akko-chan, almost 10 years later. It's the shortest of the bunch with 44 episodes. It apparently did not sell well and got no movies made to go with it, unlike its predecessors.
TV, 1998,
70 eps
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Author:9
A nostalgic favorite. Very slice-of-lifey with the cards being beautifully designed along with the costumes. Iconic opening and Sakura is an incredibly likeable protagonist.
TV, 1999,
52 eps
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Author:7
A more obscure pick that utilizes computers. It is interesting considering the battles take place in the internet and how Yui is a completely ordinary girl in the real world.
TV, 1999,
44 eps
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The reincarnation of Joan of Arc uses her holy power to collect scattered pieces of God's power in artwork that the demons also desire. Kinda in the same vein as Saint Tail with the Catholicism and phantom thief thing
