Magical Play 3D Version: Its Appeal and Evaluation

Magic Play [3D Version] - Detailed review and recommendation of Magic Play [3D Version]

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

December 29, 2001

■Release and sales

King Records

■Frequencies

28 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Hiroki Hayashi

■ Director

Hiroki Hayashi

■ Production

AIC

■Works

©AIC/Magicaland Magical Union

■ Story

Easygoing! Paradise!! Witch Girl Battle
READY FIGHT!!

Badodou, who became a candidate to become a witch girl in her hometown, was imprisoned in a town on the way to the magic castle. The town mayor, Kofi, was trying to eliminate his rival in order to produce a witch girl from his town. In the prison, Badodou meets Nononon, the "Witch of Destruction" who once competed with Prirun for the queen position...

*Quoted from Bandai Channel

■Explanation

A 3D animated work from the "Magical Games" series.

*Quoted from Bandai Channel

■Cast

・Pas de deux/Ai Tokunaga・Uokichi/Fumihiko Tachiki・Nononon/Tomo Saeki・Purirun/Yuko Minaguchi・Coffey/Miyuki Ichijo・Ketchup/Ryoko Nagata・Mustard/Nanae Kato

■ Main staff

・Planning: Toshinori Otsuki, Tamichika Sasaji, Toru Miura ・Producers: Tatsuo Shimamura, Masafumi Fukui, Atsushi Moriyama ・Screenplay: Hideyuki Kurata ・Character design: Kiyohiko Azuma ・3D animation director: Mitsutaka Iguchi ・Art setting: Nobuhito Sue (Kusanagi), Rie Yoshida ・Composite director: Takeshi Aoki ・Editing: Shigeyuki Yamamori (Jay Film)
・Sound Director: Toshiki Kameyama ・Sound Effects: Michihiro Ito (Sound Ring)
・Adjustment: Emi Otsubo ・Sound Production: Omnibus Promotion ・Director: Hiroki Hayashi ・Animation Production Producer: Satoru Yoshida ・Animation Production: AIC
・Production: Magicaland Magical Association ・Production: IMAGICA, KING RECORDS

■ Main Characters

・Pas de Deux A pure and airheaded magical girl. She is traveling to the Magic Castle as the town's representative. As a country girl, she is innocent, but naive and easily deceived. She walks around in a costume of her mascot Uokichi.
・Uokichi Pas de Deux's mascot and headgear. The spine is a hidden baton. If you get hungry, you can tear it off and eat it (it hurts). It's a good partner that is comforting on cold nights and is full of nutrition.
A wanted man on the continent who is said to have destroyed many Nononon towns. He is known as the "Witch of Destruction." He has a scar on his face and carries a baton on his back that is as tall as he is. He is burning with a desire for revenge against his nemesis, Prirun, who framed him.
・Purirun The Queen of Witch Land. She is highly respected and trusted by the people. Contrary to her pretty appearance, she has a rather vicious personality. During the final deliberation with Nononon, she ambushed her in the past.
・Koffee The mayor of Dance Valley, a town that combines music and magic. He is extremely enthusiastic about producing a witch girl from his town. Although his body is a lump of meat (fat), he moves swiftly. He is a master of dance and magic, and attacks while dancing.
A policewoman with a calm personality who is a member of the Ketchup Dance Valley Police Department. She is Mustard's senior and is one rank higher than Mustard.
Mustard is a female police officer at the Dance Valley Police Station. Because she is young, she always panics when something happens. Because she is one rank lower than Ketchup, she has to follow Ketchup's orders.

■ Related works

Magical Play 2D Version

■ Theme songs and music

・ED1
・Catch Your Dream
Lyrics: Yuki Matsuura Composition: Yuki Matsuura Arrangement: Yuki Matsuura Singer: Ai Tokunaga

Detailed evaluation of Magical Game [3D Version]

"Magical Play [3D Version]" is an original video animation (OVA) released by King Records in 2001, written and directed by Hiroki Hayashi. Produced by AIC, it attracted attention for its use of the new technology of 3D animation. The story depicts the adventures and battles that take place on the journey of the magical girl Pas de Dou to the magical castle, and its unique worldview and characters make it a fascinating work.

Story and Characters

The story begins when the magical girl Pas de Dou is imprisoned by Dance Valley's mayor, Kofi, on her way to the Magic Castle as a representative of her hometown. Pas de Dou has a simple and innocent personality, and travels with her mascot, Uokichi. Uokichi also appears as Pas de Dou's costume, providing humorous scenes and also supporting her emotionally.

While incarcerated in the prison, Pa-do-do encounters Nononon, the "Witch of Destruction." Nononon once competed with Prirun for the throne of queen, and is burning with a desire for revenge against her. Prirun is the queen of Witch Land, and enjoys the utmost trust of the people, but behind that lies a vicious personality. The conflict between Nononon and Prirun is an important axis of the story, and the depiction of the conflict between the past and present between the two deeply moves the viewer.

Coffey is the mayor of Dance Valley, and is trying to eliminate his rivals in order to bring out a witch girl from his town. Coffey's character is humorous yet strong-willed, and the fight scenes using dance and magic are one of the highlights. Ketchup and Mustard from the Dance Valley Police Department are also important characters, and Ketchup's calmness and Mustard's panic create some comical scenes.

3D animation technology

"Magical Play [3D Version]" incorporates the new technology of 3D animation, making it a work that creates a strong visual impact. Under the direction of 3D animation director Mitsutaka Iguchi, the character movements and background depictions are realistically reproduced, providing viewers with a fresh experience. In particular, the magical battle scenes and dance scenes are stunningly produced, taking full advantage of the characteristics of 3D animation.

However, considering the state of the art in 2001, it cannot be denied that there are some rough edges in the texture of the 3D animation and the details of the characters' expressions. Nevertheless, it is a very high level of 3D animation for that time, and the visual appeal is quite impressive.

Music and Sound

Music and sound are also important elements that enhance the appeal of "Magical Play [3D Version]". The ending theme "Catch Your Dream" features the beautiful singing voice of Tokunaga Ai, further deepening the emotional impact of the story. The sound production by sound director Kameyama Toshiki and sound effects designer Ito Michihiro not only increases the impact of the battle and dance scenes, but also plays a role in conveying the characters' emotions realistically.

Screenplay and direction

Screenwriter Hideyuki Kurata's storytelling makes the most of the characters' personalities, drawing the viewer into the story. In particular, the relationship between Pa Do Do and Nononon, and the conflict with Prilun, are deeply dramatic and leave a strong impression on the viewer. Director Hiroki Hayashi also makes use of the characteristics of 3D animation to successfully achieve both a visual impact and a moving story.

Character Design

Kiyohiko Azuma, the character designer, visually expresses the individuality of each character, making the design easy for viewers to relate to. In particular, Pas de Dou's innocence, Nononon's strength, and Prirun's beauty are all conveyed through the character designs. Uokichi's humorous design also adds a comical element to the story.

Art setting

Art directors Nobuhito Sue and Rie Yoshida have succeeded in realistically depicting the magical world, helping the viewer to immerse themselves in the story. In particular, the depictions of the Magic Castle and the town of Dance Valley are beautiful visuals that make the most of the characteristics of 3D animation. Additionally, the integration of the images by composite director Takeshi Aoki also smooths the flow of the story and enhances the visual appeal.

Editing and Adjusting

Editing director Shigeyuki Yamamori and filmmaker Emi Otsubo have been able to properly control the pace of the story, allowing viewers to concentrate on the story. In particular, the editing of the battle and dance scenes has succeeded in maximizing the visual impact, heightening the excitement of the viewers. In addition, Omnibus Promotion, who was in charge of sound production, also plays an important role in deepening the emotion of the story.

Recommendations and ratings

"Magical Play [3D Version]" incorporates the new technology of 3D animation, making it a work that creates a strong visual impact. The story depicts the adventures and battles of the magical girl Pas de Du, and is a work that is appealing for its characters' individuality and drama. In particular, the relationship between Pas de Du and Nononon, and the conflict with Prirun, will leave you deeply moved. Music and sound are also important elements that enhance the appeal of the story, and the ending theme "Catch Your Dream" is a masterpiece that features the beautiful voice of Tokunaga Ai.

However, considering the state of the art in 2001, it cannot be denied that there are some roughness in the texture of the 3D animation and the details of the characters' expressions. Nevertheless, it is a very high level of 3D animation for that time, and the visual appeal will be quite strong. Furthermore, it is a work that brings together the efforts of each staff member, including the scriptwriter, director, character designer, art director, editor, and filmmaker, and will leave a strong impression on viewers.

"Magical Game [3D Version]" is recommended for viewers who are interested in magical girl anime and 3D animation. It is also recommended for viewers who want to enjoy the individuality and drama of the characters. There is also a related work, "Magical Game 2D Version," and by watching this as well, you can enjoy the world of "Magical Game" even more deeply.

Overall, "Magical Play [3D Version]" is a work that combines visual impact and deep drama, and will leave a strong impression on the audience. Although the 3D animation has some technical roughness, it is a work with charm that more than makes up for it.