Gushing over Magical Girls
A magical girl manga with a villainous twist.
Gushing over Magical Girls (Japanese: 魔法少女にあこがれて, Hepburn: Mahō Shōjo ni Akogarete), also known as *I Admire Magical Girls*, and..., is a Japanese manga series in the magical girl genre, created by writer and artist Akihiro Ononaka. Serialization began in March 2019 on Takeshobo's Storia Dash website. As of early 2024, ten collected tankōbon volumes have been released. The English-language license is held by J-Novel Club. An anime television adaptation by Asahi Production aired from January to March 2024.
Quick Facts
- Ja Romaji
- Mahō Shōjo ni Akogarete
- Genre
- Comedy · Magical girl · Yuri
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The story follows Utena Hiiragi, a shy, introverted girl who admires the magical girl trio Tres Magia. After being tricked by a mascot named Venalita, she gains magical powers but becomes an evil general for the Enormita organization instead of a hero. Utena discovers a hidden sadistic side and revels in torturing the magical girls she once idolized. The series explores the dual identities of its characters, as magical powers conceal the true identities of both heroes and villains from each other.
Reader's Guide
Gushing over Magical Girls subverts the traditional magical girl genre by centering on a protagonist who becomes a villain. The series gained attention for its explicit content and dark humor, as well as its exploration of sadomasochistic themes. The manga went on hiatus in March 2024 due to the creator's health issues, resuming serialization in October 2025. As of February 2026, twelve tankōbon volumes have been released. The anime adaptation, licensed by Sentai Filmworks, helped expand the series' international audience. The announcement of a second season indicates continued interest in the franchise.
Publication & Adaptation Journey
Akihiro Ononaka both wrote and illustrated the manga that would become Gushing over Magical Girls, launching its serialization on Takeshobo's digital platform Storia Dash in March 2019. The title, whose Japanese name translates roughly to "I Admire Magical Girls, and…", quickly cultivated a devoted readership, and by February 2026 the series had reached twelve collected tankōbon volumes. For English-speaking fans, J-Novel Club secured the licensing rights, making the manga available well beyond Japan's borders. The series' growing momentum carried it into animation when Asahi Production picked up the project for a television adaptation. The first season aired from January through March 2024, with Sentai Filmworks handling distribution outside Japan for both streaming and home video. The positive reception proved strong enough to prompt an official announcement of a second season, ensuring the story would continue on screen.
The Inverted Magical Girl Premise
At its core, the series subverts the classic magical girl formula by placing the devoted fan on the wrong side of the battle. Utena Hiiragi is a quiet, introverted schoolgirl whose greatest passion is watching the three heroes of Tres Magia defend her town. When the black mascot Venalita approaches her and grants supernatural abilities, Utena expects to finally join the side of justice. Instead, she is cast into the role of a villainous general serving the Enormita organization, forced to fight the very heroes she worships. What makes the premise genuinely unsettling and darkly funny is Utena's gradual self-discovery. Beneath her shy exterior lies a deeply sadistic streak she never knew existed. Rather than suffering through her duties, she begins to relish the power she wields over her former idols, transforming inanimate objects and animals into grotesque creatures of torment. The series thus explores obsession, twisted devotion, and the thin line between admiration and something far more dangerous.
Two Factions, One Town
The world of the series is defined by two opposing magical girl teams whose members cannot see each other's true civilian identities while transformed. Tres Magia, the heroic trio, consists of Haruka Hanabishi as Magia Magenta, a kind-hearted spear-wielder who later gains healing powers; Sayo Minakami as Magia Azure, a shrine maiden with water and ice abilities who harbors a secret masochistic streak; and Kaoruko Tenkawa as Magia Sulfur, the tough, no-nonsense fighter who secretly wields massive knuckledusters. Their white mascot, Vatz, mirrors the black Venalita on the opposing side. Enormita, the villainous counterpart, is led by Utena as Magia Baiser and includes Kiwi Araga as Leoparde, a military-themed explosives specialist; Korisu Morino as Nero Alice, a quiet elementary schooler who manipulates toys; Roboko, a robot girl brought to life by combined powers; Matama Akoya as Loco Musica, a failed idol using sound waves; Nemo Anemo as Leberblume, a shadow-manipulating assassin; and Holy Tengeiji as Sister Gigant, a size-shifting nun. Both teams can unlock a heightened La Veritas form as their emotions intensify.
Rivalries, Devotion & Hidden Motives
The interpersonal web connecting the two teams is one of the series' richest layers. Kiwi Araga, an internet celebrity in civilian life, is so deeply in love with Utena that she transfers to Utena's school, yet she also harbors a fierce rivalry with Magia Sulfur, whom she blames for stealing her fans. On the heroic side, Sayo Minakami's secret masochistic tendencies create an uncomfortable dynamic with Baiser, whose sadistic power nearly breaks her before she earns her La Veritas form. The mascots add another dimension of intrigue. Venalita, the black creature who recruited Utena, operates through manipulation and blackmail—holding a compromising social media video over her head—yet remains oddly supportive of Utena and her friends. Its white counterpart, Vatz, serves Tres Magia in an analogous role. Meanwhile, Holy Tengeiji, after Lord's defeat, retreats into hiding to continue serving Venalita behind Utena's back, suggesting the power structure of Enormita is far more layered than a simple hierarchy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gushing over Magical Girls?
It is a Japanese manga series in the magical girl genre that subverts the usual formula by telling the story from the villain's perspective. Created by Akihiro Ononaka, it has been serialized since March 2019 and is published by Takeshobo.
What is the premise of Gushing over Magical Girls?
The series follows a villain character who is deeply obsessed with and admires magical girls rather than simply battling them. This 'villainous twist' recontextualizes the genre by making the antagonist the emotional center of the narrative.
Who created Gushing over Magical Girls?
Akihiro Ononaka is responsible for both the writing and the illustrations. The manga is published in Japan by Takeshobo on their Storia Dash web platform.
Is there an anime adaptation of Gushing over Magical Girls?
Yes, a television anime produced by Asahi Production ran for one season from January to March 2024. For English readers, J-Novel Club holds the license for the manga.
How long is the Gushing over Magical Girls manga?
As of early 2024, ten collected tankōbon volumes have been released, and the series is still ongoing. It first appeared in serialized form in March 2019.
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