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Tweeny Witches
Japanese anime television series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Tweeny Witches (Japanese: 魔法少女隊アルス, Hepburn: Mahō Shōjo Tai Arusu; lit. "Magical Girl Squad Arusu") is a Japanese anime television and original video animation series.[3] Produced by Studio 4°C, the series is directed by Yoshiharu Ashino and written by Shinji Obara. Inspired by Through the Looking-Glass,[4][5] the story follows a young human girl who finds herself trapped in a magical world filled with witches, warlocks, and fairies. In 2003, it was announced at the Tokyo International Anime Fair that the anime Magical Girl Squad Arusu was going to be made.[6] The series first aired between April 9, 2004, and March 4, 2005; in all, 40 episodes were made plus an OVA that contains 6 episodes which were released in 2007.
It was translated and dubbed into English by the anime television network Animax, who broadcast it in its respective networks in Southeast Asia and other regions, and was licensed for distribution in the United States by Media Blasters until 2012.[3] AnimeWorks (later called Media Blasters) licensed under the English name Tweeny Witches with three DVDs being released in 2008.[7][8][9] The OVA titled Tweeny Witches: The Adventures (Japanese: 魔法少女隊アルス The Adventure, Hepburn: Mahō Shōjo Tai Arusu: Ji Adobenchā; lit. "Magical Girl Squad Arusu: The Adventure") was also released on DVD by Media Blasters in 2009.[10]
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Plot
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Over fourteen years prior to the main events, a Japanese archaeologist named Jidan discovers the Crow Statue within the ruins of Crow Island and accidentally falls into the Magical Realm. There, he is captured and imprisoned by Grande, the ruler of the warlocks. A witch soldier named Atelia rescues him, and the two later have a son named Lennon. To prevent the dark magic within the True Book of Spells from corrupting the Human Realm, Jidan leaves Atelia to seal the book away. During his return journey, he becomes separated from Lennon, who grows up to become a pirate on the Interdimensional Sea. Jidan later marries Yoko, and they have a daughter named Arusu. He teaches Arusu to believe in magic and gifts her the True Book of Spells on her fifth birthday before departing once more to search for Lennon. Instead, he is imprisoned for six years in Wizard Kingdom, the capital of the Warlock Realm.
In the present, eleven-year-old Arusu is summoned to the Magical Realm by Lennon and the True Book of Spells. She is captured by witches alongside a mina fairy but is freed by Eva, a young witch grateful for Arusu’s kindness. Though thrilled to be in a world of magic, Arusu disagrees with the witches' exploitation of fairies as sources of power. After releasing the captive fairies, she is tasked with lifting the Curse of Eternal Youth from Eva and another apprentice witch, Sheila. Atelia, now one of the Three Sages, dispatches a special task force to recapture the fairies, but Arusu and her friends evade them, settling together in Dragon House.
During the witch evaluation, a hydra fairy attacks, revealing the fairies’ escape to the warlocks. Arusu sacrifices herself by turning to stone to protect the realm, but she is revived by Qoo, a failed witch whose magic restores her. The warlocks soon invade, seeking the True Book of Spells, fairies, and a witch to perform dark magic. With the help of the enigmatic Sigma, Arusu and her friends infiltrate the Warlock Realm, where they discover a society ruled by science. After being exposed, they flee and are later sheltered by Wil, a rebel fighting for the oppressed wizards. At the Sanctuary, Sheila learns from Sigma of the impending destruction of their realm and the true gateway to the Human Realm. Following their escape, Arusu proposes forming the Magical Girl Squad to protect magic and fairies. During their celebration, Sheila drugs Arusu and sends her aboard Ludens, a ship deporting failed witches. Meanwhile, Sheila spies on the Three Sages under orders from the Grand Master of Witches, hoping to lift the curse from Eva. Arusu survives an explosion and returns with Lennon, who calls himself her "mirror." Meanwhile, Sigma, imprisoned alongside Jidan, learns of the archaeologist’s past. Eva begins experiencing visions of an old man who strengthens her magic.
As tensions escalate, Atelia declares war on the warlocks, blaming them for the realm’s decay. Arusu intervenes, urging cooperation instead of conflict. Atelia then reveals her past with Jidan and her role in Lennon’s birth, shocking Arusu. When warlocks capture Lennon, mistaking him for Arusu, they demand the True Book of Spells in exchange for him and Jidan. Amid the chaos, warlock commander Luca brands humans as enemies for withholding dark magic. Atelia confesses her treachery and offers herself in Lennon’s place, redirecting the crowd’s anger. Arusu negotiates with Grande, surrendering the True Book of Spells to secure her father and Atelia’s release. As Wizard Kingdom collapses, Sigma aids Arusu’s escape, recognizing her as the prophesied savior. Jidan sacrifices himself to save Atelia at Hydra Lake, leaving Arusu distraught. Eva’s magic wanes as a plague spreads, but after another vision, she regains her power through the True Book of Spells.
The realm begins crumbling under dark magic’s influence, and Grande reveals that Eva’s despair has made her his pawn. Understanding that dark magic thrives on negativity, Arusu rescues Eva, using the magic of light to restore the realm. United, witches and warlocks rebuild their world. The Grand Master lifts the curse from Sheila and Eva, inviting Arusu to remain, but she chooses to return home. After an emotional farewell, an interdimensional siren transports her back to Japan, where she is joyfully reunited with her parents.
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Broadcast and release
In 2003, it was announced at the Tokyo International Anime Fair that the anime Magical Girl Squad Arusu was going to be made.[6] The anime first aired between April 9, 2004, and March 4, 2005; in all, 40 episodes were made plus an OVA that contains 6 episodes which were released in 2007.
It was translated and dubbed into English by the anime television network Animax, who broadcast it in its respective networks in Southeast Asia and was licensed for distribution in the United States by Media Blasters until 2012.[3] It was licensed by AnimeWorks (Later called Media Blasters) under the English name Tweeny Witches with three DVDs being released in 2008.[7][8][9] The OVA titled Tweeny Witches: The Adventures was also released on DVD by Media Blasters in 2009.[10] In 2009, a complete collection for both the TV series and the OVA called Tweeny Witches: True Book of Spells was released.[11] In 2010, a complete collection only for the TV series called Tweeny Witches: Core Collection was released.[12] In 2012, a complete collection for both the TV series and the OVA called Tweeny Witches: Complete Collection was released.[13]
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Episodes
Original series
The Adventures
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Reception
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The anime has received mixed feedback from reviewers: Ain't It Cool News said that the anime can be thought of as a "There will be blood" type as well as being "Spicy" structurally. The review goes on to say that the anime fan should "at least give it a try" and "warrants appreciation".[14] Rachael Carothers and Ronald J Duncan from Anime News Network both gave a good review. Ronald said that while the idea of a character traveling to another world and gaining the ability to do magic isn't original, the series is different. He stated the episodes were well paced, had a fun main character, and the artwork was beautiful. Rachael praised the art as "extremely beautiful animation" and background music that "fits in so well".[15] Theron Martin from Anime News Network gave the first DVD a B rating for both the sub and dub and went on to say that it was a "fresh twist on a well-established genre" but it raised animation shortcuts to annoying new levels. Chris Beveridge from Mania.com gave the DVD a mixed review with a C rating. Chris went on to say that the story was "slow moving and stilted"; however, he went on to say that his eight-year-old daughter was "plenty fascinated by it", something the creator was aiming at.[16][17] Carl Kimlinger from Anime News Network gave the 2nd DVD a B− for both the sub and dub and went on to say that the animation was great and the lead character was "lively" but that the direction was "cold and over complex". The third DVD received a C+ rating from him for both dub and sub, again the artwork was praised but the story was lacking a great deal. For the OVA Carl gave it a B− rating again for both sub and dub. The OVA was praised for its fast pace, action, and adventure, but is "too somber and slow".[18][19][2]
Chris Beveridge from Maina.com gave the 2nd DVD a better review stating that the "imagery presented, especially towards the end, was very grandiose and epic" but again cited the pacing of the story as a flaw. For the 3rd and final DVD Chris stated that the ending felt "pretty complete" and was "fairly predictable". He later went on to say that the best moments tended to come with the secondary characters but overall did not capture or hold his attention.[20][21] Chris rated the OVA as being lighter and more accessible nut at times going over the top, in all the review was good.[22] Chris has placed the anime at #4 of the 10 most underrated anime.[23] Mark Thomas from Mania.com said it is something that parents could get into with their children, and a "little bit of Harry Potter, mixed with some Don Bluth, add a dash of Ralph Bakshi." makes it an odd, but fun, combination.[24]
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References
External links
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