The appeal and evaluation of Bewitched Arnès from "My Bewitched Girl"

Bewitched Arnès: A perfect balance between magic and everyday life

Bewitched Arnès, an original anime produced by JCSTAFF and broadcast in 2005, was loved by many viewers. This work has a unique appeal due to its exquisite fusion of the fantasy element of magical girls with realistic depictions of everyday life. Below, I will delve deeper into the work, providing detailed information and my personal impressions.

Overview

Bewitched Arnès is a 13-episode anime series that aired from July 4 to October 1, 2005. It aired on Chiba TV and TV Saitama, with each episode lasting 30 minutes. The original story is by JCSTAFF, Nishikori Hiroshi, and Ikeguchi Kazuhiko, and the anime is directed by Nishikori Hiroshi. It is produced by JCSTAFF, and the production committee includes Media Factory, Toshiba Entertainment, JCSTAFF, Tram, and Kids Station.

story

Housewife Asaba Ureko is a magical girl named Agnes Belle from the magical world of Lilm. Her mission is to protect this world, Wonderland. One day, a girl named Cruz is sent from Lilm to replace Ureko. Ureko usually lives as a dim-witted housewife, but when the time comes, she transforms into a magical girl and fights to protect Wonderland.

The story revolves around the human drama that unfolds as Ureshiko balances her mission as a magical girl with her everyday life. In particular, the story depicts her relationship with her husband Tamotsu Asaba, and her interactions with Kluje, a candidate for the next magical girl. In addition, the story is enriched by a variety of unique characters, including Ureshiko's best friend Nori Misugi and her landlady Motohira Maiko.

character

Asaba Yoshiko (Agnes Bell): Inoue Kikuko

She is a magical girl from the magical world of Lilm, and the administrator of Wonderland. She usually lives as an airheaded housewife, but in times of crisis she transforms into a magical girl to protect Wonderland. The ring she holds is an important item that shapes Wonderland.

Kagura Tatsumi: Daisuke Kishio

A young man who gave up on his dream of becoming an athlete and ended up living under the same roof as Ureko at a boarding house. Although he is clumsy and not good at talking, he grows as he lives with Ureko.

Tamotsu Asaba: Jurota Kosugi

He is a literary author and is married to Ureshiko. He has won several awards in the past, but is currently struggling to write a new work. He gradually begins to distrust his relationship with Ureshiko.

Sayaka Beni (Cluje Gap): Ai Shimizu

She is an up-and-coming magical girl who should inherit the ring as Ureko's successor. However, she feels inadequate because she has not been able to obtain the ring, and she is frustrated.

Misugi Nori (Mara Axe): Hiramatsu Akiko

She is Ureko's best friend and a former magical girl. She is married in Wonderland and is pregnant with a 2-year-old daughter. She has a strong personality and often supports Ureko and gives her advice.

Yuki Yashima: Yuri Amano

She is the health teacher at Sayaka's elementary school. Although she is cautious and has a strict demeanor, she is basically a kind person.

Ururu Kinjo (Joanna Gautier): Yuri Shiratori

She is an active companion and got married last year, but has been dating several men. She is a cheerful and lively mood maker, but she also has a tearful side.

Maiko Motohira (Cardin Else): Atsuko Mine

The grandmother of the boarding house where Ureko and Tatsumi live. Although she is not related by blood to Ureko, she treats her like her own daughter. She has a lively and easygoing personality, but can be scary when she gets angry.

Yuko Ayase: Masumi Asano

She is the manager of the track and field team at the same university as Tatsumi. She supports Tatsumi and is a busybody in many ways. She is good at organizing things and is the type of woman who is a caring wife.

Burga: Akino Watanabe

A magical girl from Lilum who lost the battle with Sayaka for the position of the next administrator. She now backs up Sayaka and is irritated by Ureshiko.

staff

Original author: JCSTAFF, Hiroshi Nishikori, Kazuhiko Ikeguchi

Director: Hiroshi Nishikori

Series Composition: Hiroshi Nishikori, Yuji Matsukura, Kazuhiko Ikeguchi

Character design: Shinya Hasegawa

Art director: Chika Shibata

Color setting: Ishida Miyuki

Director of photography: Shingo Fukuyo

Edited by: Shigeru Nishiyama

Music: Kenji Kondo, Takeo Sekijima

Sound production: Rakuonsha

Performed by: Wonderland Chamber Orchestra

Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka

Music Producer: Shunichi Uemura, Jin Yagi (Columbia Music Entertainment)

Planning: Katsuji Nagata, Hisato Usui, Michihisa Abe, Kazuhiko Ikeguchi, Naoki Suma

Planning cooperation: Noboru Aikawa

Cooperation: Big Shot, Taketo Muroichi, Hagi Film Commission

Production manager: Daisuke Eguchi

Producers: Shinobu Yoshinuma, Isao Hidaka, Yuji Matsukura

Animation production: JCSTAFF

Production: My Wife is a Magical Girl Production Committee (Media Factory, Toshiba Entertainment, JCSTAFF, Tram, Kids Station)

subtitle

Episode 1: Kissing is not okay (2005/07/03)

Episode 2: Stew is OK! (2005/07/10)

Episode 3: Adults are children (2005/07/17)

Episode 4: Showers are dangerous (2005/07/24)

Episode 5: It's OK if you're an adult (2005/07/31)

Episode 6: What is the charm of being an adult? (2005/08/07)

Episode 7: A kiss that's right there (2005/08/14)

Episode 8: There's someone I love (2005/08/21)

Episode 9: Don't leave any regrets (2005/08/28)

Episode 10: Opening Your Heart (2005/09/04)

Episode 11: The Autumn Wind Has Blow (2005/09/11)

Episode 12: Living in the Heart (2005/09/18)

Episode 13: The fact that you are there (2005/09/25)

Theme songs and music

OP1: Home and Away

Lyricist: Megumi Hinata

Composer: Megumi Hinata

Arrangement: Yasutaka Mizushima

Sung by: Melocure

ED1: jewelry

Lyricist: Miyu Yuzuki

Composer: Yasutaka Mizushima

Arrangement: Yasutaka Mizushima

Sung by: Asaba Kikuko (Inoue Kikuko)

Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Bewitched Arnès" is a work that exquisitely combines the fantasy element of magical girls with realistic depictions of everyday life. In particular, the main character, Ureshi Asaba, resonates with viewers as she balances her mission as a magical girl with her everyday life as a housewife. Also, don't miss the human drama of the unique characters surrounding Ureshi.

The greatest appeal of this work is how it seamlessly blends the extraordinary element of magical girls into everyday life. The scene in which Ureshiko transforms into a magical girl is visually stunning, but even more than that, her struggles in everyday life are depicted realistically. In particular, her relationship with her husband Tamotsu Asaba and her interactions with Kluje, a candidate for the next magical girl, leave a deep impression on viewers.

The character designs and art are also of extremely high quality, and the visual beauty is one of the charms of this work. Shinya Hasegawa's character designs express the individuality of each character, and Chika Shibata's art also brings out the beauty of Wonderland.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The music by Kenji Kondo and Takeo Sekijima stirs emotions as the story unfolds and captures the hearts of viewers. In particular, the opening theme "Home & Away" and the ending theme "Jewelry" are beautiful pieces that symbolize the theme of the work.

Recommendation to viewers

Bewitched Arnès is recommended not only for fans of magical girl anime, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama and realistic portrayals of everyday life. In particular, the main character, Ureko Asaba, who balances her mission as a magical girl with her everyday life as a housewife, resonates with many viewers. Also, the human drama of the unique characters is not to be missed.

This work has a unique appeal, as it exquisitely blends the fantasy element of magical girls with realistic depictions of everyday life. The visual beauty and music are also of high quality, and it is sure to capture the hearts of viewers. Please give it a watch.