Japanese anime enthusiasts of culture have demonstrated that sales success isn’t solely reserved for Shounen franchises. “Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete” (Gushing over Magical Girls) has pleasantly surprised with its first-week Blu-ray/DVD sales.
In March 2023, the announcement came that “Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete,” also known as “Gushing over Magical Girls,” would receive an anime adaptation for the Winter 2024 season.
Avid fans have been lavishing immense praise on the adaptation, noting its even more risqué and explicit nature compared to the source material.
The series follows Hiiragi Utena, a shy and closeted girl deeply enamored with magical girls. Unexpectedly, she finds herself cast as a villain, despite being ill-suited for the role, and must confront her beloved magical girls as a villain.
Armed with sadomasochistic powers, she must indulge in various fetishes while tormenting her cherished magical girls. It’s this blend of perversion that contributed to the Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete anime achieving remarkable sales.
During the anime adaptation’s airing, sales of the manga series skyrocketed, causing “Gushing over Magical Girls” to completely sell out in Japan just over a month ago.
Following the conclusion of the adaptation on March 27th, the series swiftly made its way to store shelves with its Blu-ray/DVD release, allowing fans to properly support its creators and the franchise as a whole.
Needless to say, followers were pleasantly surprised by the impressive sales during the first week.
On Twitter, the Nakayasee account revealed that the first volume of “Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete” Blu-ray/DVD release had achieved impressive sales, totaling 8,114 copies during its initial week, including both standard and special editions.
The revelation left anime enthusiasts in awe, with comments reflecting surprise and the notion that hitting 3,000 copies was the baseline for success. While sales may seem modest on a global scale, achieving 8,000 sales within a week is quite remarkable by Japanese standards for anime adaptations.
In essence, “Gushing over Magical Girls” stands as a triumph in its own right, especially when compared to more commercialized and globally recognized franchises.
For instance, “Chainsaw Man” sold poorly with just 1,735 Blu-ray/DVD sales in its first week. Similarly, another fan-favorite adaptation for the Winter 2024 season, “Frieren,” managed 6,326 copies in its initial week.
The success of “Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete” or “Gushing over Magical Girls” is further evidence of the fans’ affinity for raunchy fanservice. Its anime adaptation, even more audacious than the source material, highlights the point further.
Many internet users found it amusing that a story of its nature had gained such widespread acclaim, generating impressive sales numbers versus more civilized Shounen franchises aimed at younger audiences.
In contrast, other series, like the third season of “RE:ZERO,” have opted to censor costume designs for “loli” characters to cater to a broader audience. The triumph of “Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete” serves as a reminder that Japan doesn’t need to yield to the demands of progressive foreigners who advocate for the censorship or banning of such material, labeling fanservice as “problematic,” “misogynistic” or “pedophilic.”
The franchise has gained significant recognition, evident from the strong sales of its Blu-ray/DVD versions, known for their high price tags. The standard edition of the Blu-ray/DVD release is priced at $80.14 and includes a disc containing the first four episodes, with bonus content such as an A3 poster as a gift.
On the other hand, the special edition comes with a hefty price tag of $235.08. This edition includes all of the aforementioned items plus a 1/7 scale figure of Hiiragi Utena, the main character of the story.
The figure portrays the main character, Utena, in her “Magia Baiser” alternative personality, complete with her iconic villain outfit and whip. It encapsulates the true dominant essence of Magia Baiser. Adding to its allure, the figure can be adjusted to expose her nipples by removing her star-shaped pasties, adding a touch of realism to the portrayal and making it even more desirable.
Many fans of Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete are eagerly anticipating this item due to the additional materials included, expressing excitement to get their hands on it.
Its success has led to speculation about whether Mahou Shoujo ni Akogarete will receive a second season. Interestingly, in Japan, where Blu-ray/DVDs are highly popular, their sales figures often play a crucial role in producers’ decisions regarding series renewal.
