“Office worker Hiromi Sakura only recently discovered that he can turn into a magical girl—and now he's leaping off a paramilitary helicopter and fighting an unsettling schoolgirl in the clouds! And as if things couldn't get more off-kilter, who's this dashing, caped protector asking Hiromi to call him “senpai”?! But bizarre as these encounters are, they could be a chance for Hiromi to learn more about his new identity, including what special powers lie within…” (Yen Press)
The inaugural volume of “Magical Girl Incident” charmed with its action-heavy gender-bender comedy stylings, seemingly putting the title on the path to becoming a comedic gem. While the second volume still has a humorous edge, Zero Akabane has some heft behind their ability to build an engaging world around an absurd premise.
This primarily comes from taking the story past the awkward sexual flirting of Hiromi and his best friend and expanding on the lore behind magical girls. It is an ongoing battle between good and evil, with an organization tasked with overseeing all activities against a collective of power-hungry magic users. Notably, Hiromi makes friends with an enigmatic mystic and his always nude roommate, who aids her/him in further cultivating his powers. These characters act to open up a broader introduction to the world Zero Akabane is creating.
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The ongoing developments add depth to the story but do not sacrifice the comedic edge. Akabane knows how to lean into awkward comedy in dialogue and visuals, and the book is constantly punctuated by moments of enjoyable absurdity. This extends to the action sequences, which become more pronounced as the plot develops. Essentially, the series is moving forward in the best way possible, embracing what made the first volume entertaining but adding more content instead of hitting the same jokes repeatedly.
Visually, Zero Akabane's art style is overly expressive in the best sense. This is most noticeable in the comedic sequences where the artist is happy to lean into ‘meme-inspired' expressions (seen above). Moreover, as the cast grows, it is apparent that Akabane puts a lot of consideration into constructing characters that fit their persona and powers. The art of “Magical Girl Incident” may be slightly rough around the edges, but it is its rather charming and expressive simplicity that works wonderfully well for the series' tone.
“Magical Girl Incident” is a charming and entertaining title packed with absurd humor, intriguing eccentric personas and explosive action. Still, the book stays light in content, making the manga an ideal casual read instead of a series you want to pick apart and immerse yourself in. Ultimately, if you want to unwind and shed a few chuckles, check out this excellent gender-bender action/comedy.
