Magical Girl Adjacent Shows – Emily’s Magical Girls Page

This is a section where I thought I’d mention some shows that aren’t quite Magical Girl shows technically, but they are very similar. They appeal to the same target audience and contain many of the same tropes. The differences may be that instead of magic, technology is responsible for transformations and special items.

Aikatsu

Aikatsu follows young girls who dream of becoming idols. To work towards that dream, they attend idol training academies and participate in concerts. The idols use amazing technology that allow them to basically become holograms in a virtual world where their stage, clothes, and special effects all look magical. There several seasons of the series, focusing on different groups of girls. The show initially focuses on a talented girl named Ichigo.

Aikatsu! (2012)

Aikatsu Stars! (2016)

Aikatsu Friends! (2018)

Aikatsu on Parade! (2019)

Aikatsu Planet! (2021).

Pretty Rhythm

These series take place in a version of Tokyo where there are entertainers who perform as idols in a sort of combination of singing, dancing, and ice skating on air. There are cards and stones that allow the performers to change outfits, and the performances often include special effects that look like magic. Each season follows various performers as they strive to become successful idols.

Seasons:
Pretty Rhythm: Aurora Dream (2011-2012)
Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future (2012-2013)
Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live (2013-2014)
Pretty Rhythm: All Star Selection (2014)
King of Prism: Shiny Seven Stars (2019)

PriPara

PriPara is a spin-off of Pretty Rhythm, and takes place in a land where idols perform in a sort of virtual world that they enter using a special ticket. When you enter the world, your appearance changes, and you can obtain various outfits to perform in. There are idol competitions and mascot agents that are very similar to magical girl mascots.

Kiratto Pri☆chan

Here is another spin-off of the Pretty Rhythm/PriPara universe.

Shining Star

Country: South Korea

Airdate: 2017

Episodes: 52

This is an interesting show that started off as a 3D CG magical girl show called “Magic Idol” but then changed name and evolved into more of an Aikatsu type of idol show. The main Shining Star series is about an average girl named Nara who dreams of becoming an idol and going to the nearby idol academy, but tuition is expensive, and Nara’s parents don’t think she has any special talent for being an idol. However someone else does believe in Nara, and she ends up being scouted to attend the academy. The series follows Nara’s journey as an idol as she works hard and makes friends. The premise is very similar to Aikatsu, however something notable is that SM Entertainment participated in the making of the show, so many of the songs performed are covers of actual popular K-Pop tunes and the voices behind the performances are by “SM Rookies” a pre-debut group of SM Entertainment trainees. Apparently season 3 is scheduled for 2021 and the animation will be similar to the original 3D CG look.