Time again for another "cute magical girls (and guys) save the world" anime! Although an overused genre of late, MAHOU TSUKAI TAI! promises to give some new twists with this funny 6 part OAV about the adventures of the Kitanohashi High School Magic Club.
As the episode opened, I almost thought I had the wrong video. In a serious setting, an ominous cylindrical alien ship approaches the Earth. In the silence of space our defence satellites are ineffective. As the craft enters the atmosphere, it launches hundreds of cone shaped ships. Our defense forces fight them to no avail. Missiles and bullets are vaporized before hitting their targets. Aircraft and ships disappear leaving their human crews floating in the water. Earth is helpless. Is this the end of the world as we know it?
Amazingly, no. The alien robots did not invade or start mass destruction. They just travelled around and only attacked if threatened. Actually, they were even polite and did not really bother people. Nobody knows their real purpose, and for the people of Earth life goes on as usual. But even though the aliens are not bothering anyone they are still invaders, and our magical heroes are bound to be the ones to eventually chase them away.
We are then introduced to the main characters; the members of the Kitanohashi Magic Club.

Sawanoguchi Sae: second year High School student. Portrayed as the primary character, she is a cute klutzy girl who has an incredible desire to learn magic. She probably likes Takeo but neither of them will admit it. Nakatomi Nanaka: another second year student. She is not as enthused about magic as Sae is, but being around Ayanojou definately makes it worthwhile for her. Aikawa Akane is a pretty but light headed first year student. She is briefly mentioned in the first episode. Aburatsubo Ayanojou, third year. More skilled at magic than the girls, he is handsome, athletic and intelligent. He also happens to be attracted to Takeo, and Ayanojou's constant advances towards Takeo add some great humor to the show. Takakura Takeo, third year and captain of the magic club. He is a rather ordinary guy with a heavy interest in magic and occasional 'ecchi' (perverted) thoughts about girls (which gives the series its lightly suggestive tone).

Magic-wise, all the characters' powers originate from special magic wands. When they concentrate and speak the words "izadi aba mehinamu- eto kafe nan," they can fly on brooms and do other tricks. In the first episode we also get to see Takeo use special cards which, when placed in a wand, help spellcasting.
Much of the humor in the anime comes from what is involved in actually practicing magic. The costumes are cumbersome and awkward at best, the magician's code requires that nobody knows your identity, and if you ever really thought about flying on a broomstick, it is not a very comfortable position!
The first episode deals with introducing the characters and scenario, with flying practice and a brief encouter with some alien scouts when the students get too close to the mothership. The use of computer animation for some of the alien ship scenes is good, although it still isn't seemless enough to avoid being noticed. The anime at times does have a lightly ecchi theme, but no more than, for instance, Ranma 1/2. The opening music sung by the women seiyuu is extremely poppy but strangely addictive.
After everything, I have to admit I enjoyed this first episode. The production values are high, the characters have character, and although the scenario is overused this particular story has many original touches. So if you are looking for a funny magical story try MAHOU TSUKAI TAI! out. You will be wishing you had a magic club at your old school, too.

-- Mark L. Johnson