THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS
Initially getting into this series baited by the promise of yuri, I ended up finishing it with fond memories of it. Why? Because MagiRevo (the long name it sadly inherited from the genre, so I will be using the abbreviation), despite all initial expectations, turned out to be a well-written show with a strong cast at that.
If I’m being honest, my biggest issue with Isekai is that they play in a medieval setting. Wish fulfillment is fair in my books, and I don’t blame anyone for indulging in it because I do it myself - But why a medieval setting of all things? What’s so appealing in living in a time where conservative aristocrats decide everything, where there is a massive division between rich and poor everywhere, rampant misogyny and racism are still present and we simply lack many of the convenient things we have today. Like, we all have these issues still today but back then they were worse. I never quite understood the romanticization of the medieval age which is present in so many Isekai anime. Isekai tend to have other issues too of course, like appealing to misogynists who somehow like the idea of having a slave and connecting romance to that.
Now, the reason why I go on this side rant about Isekai is because MagiRevo surprisingly tackles these issues by showing them as they are: Aristocrats hold all the power and latch onto old traditions while denying any sort of change even if it might be positive, commoners are poor and powerless and at the total mercy of the nobles and the system is so corrupted and tainted that even the monarch himself has to bow before it. It doesn’t romanticize these aspects and shows why there maybe needs to be a change. A “magical” change, as the title suggests, as the show still doesn’t hesitate to highlight the beauty of magic and present another option, another way.
But a revolution is not all MagiRevo has to offer, because the heart of the story is still the characters. The bond between Anis and Euphie, their blossoming relationship, Lainie's struggles, Lilia's sincere care when it comes to Anis, the feelings of Anis parents, and her broken relationship with her brother. It’s all there. Quite a feat if you ask me: The show managed to weave in many different struggles, character developments and progressions into its plot, ultimately making the story it wants to tell engaging because you care about the characters. And it shows the most in its final episodes, where the show plays on its emotional aspects the most, making the extensive drama not a shit-fest of melodrama but meaningful character building and a satisfying conclusion to all the character arcs and plot lines.
Overall, MagiRevo was just a good time for me. It did everything it wanted to well, and it also was very well produced - My praise goes out to the staff to produce such a good-looking show on top of such a solid story.
Looking forward to season 2, if we get one.24.5 out of 29 users liked this review
