This author has read her fair share of magical girl manga. From Sailor Moon and Pretear, to Magic Knight Rayearth and Wedding Peach, I have found several different manga that I like. But why is that? Do I like the multiple costumes of Sakura in Cardcaptors? Or maybe I'm just a huge fan of the charming cat trio of Luna, Artemis and Diana from Sailor Moon. But there seems to be a number of different things to adore about the magical girls of magical girl manga.

The first and most obvious facet of the typical magical girl is the magical girl transformation and battle outfit. Whether it is the armor of the Magic Knights, or the sailor fuku of the Sailor Senshi, there is always a multitude of different outfits to enjoy. While it might be obvious that many enjoy these costumes because they are tight fitting and short-skirted, it is also interesting to see the different outfits thaat Sakura appears in, or which powers the Pretear will have by which costume she happens to be wearing that day. The transformation is also something special as well, seeing as it might involve ribbons or feathers, and certainly a change from someone normal to someone powerful and special.

Another reason to love the magical girls of the magical girl manga genre are the unique powers and magic they use. Part of their namesake, many different magical girls use magic to fight, in the forms of beautiful weapons, massive mechs, or even tiaras they can throw. The unusual but effective magic that shows how this genre is different, and perhaps why it has some appeal for people who have read more fantasy than others.

The sweet, charming, annoying, expositional and sometimes unnecessary animal companions of magical girls are yet another reason to enjoy them in their chosen genre. Kero of Cardcaptors not only gives background information, but there are certainly times that he provided comedy relief, or a nick of time rescue for Sakura. The little Tyipi that live in the world of Pretear are charming background accessories and important training tools for Himeno. The magical girl just wouldn't be the same without the little animals that become important to the story and best friends of the magical girl.

Of course, I could go on and on about villains, love interests, personal problems, and the many different parts of the genre that makes my devotion to the magical girl nearly legendary. But in the end, we love the magical girl because she is the epitome of sweetness, light, and everything a heroine traditionally should be.