Naomi with a Novel

I’ll be honest, I picked up A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon (translated by Anton Hur) for the vibes.

As a fan of magical girl anime, I was excited to dive into a novel that explored this beloved genre in a new medium. I’m sure there are other magical girl novels out there, but this is the first that I’ve come across. The cover and premise promised a magical read, and I was curious to see how the story would unfold.

I was also drawn in by the synopsis of a depressed twenty-something woman in debt living out the magical girl dream (I wouldn’t say it’s the main character’s dream, but it’s definitely mine). Going into the story, I expected to relate to the main character’s struggles and hoped it would provide some perspective on my own.

From the start, the book delivered on the magical girl theme in a unique and compelling way. In this world, magical girls are well-known superheroes whose powers emerge in those who need them most—a touch I particularly liked.

The story offers insightful commentary on the struggles of women in South Korea. While I can’t fully relate to the specific challenges faced by Korean women as an American, I understand the feeling of powerlessness in a male-dominated world. In this world, the magical girl power provides a hopeful balance. The book addresses other real-world issues too, with the ‘big bad’ being climate change. This blend of fantasy and reality adds depth, grounding the characters and making their experiences and emotions feel authentic and relevant.

Despite the unrealistic nature of magical superpowers, it was easy to connect with the protagonist’s realistic journey and struggles. The sapphic representation was a pleasant surprise that I didn’t see coming but ended up loving. This genuine and heartwarming aspect provided a refreshing perspective within the magical girl genre.

Despite these positives, I struggled to immerse myself in the story due to its short length and rushed pacing. I wanted more time to connect with the characters and plot, and as a result, the story didn’t leave a lasting impression.

I’m giving A Magical Girl Retires three stars because, while it didn’t completely captivate me, I did enjoy the story. Its unique magical girl theme, relatable protagonist, and sapphic representation were definite highlights. I genuinely wanted to love this book, and I think it has a lot to offer fans of the genre. If you enjoy magical girl stories and don’t mind a fast-paced read, I recommend giving this book a try. It may not have been a perfect fit for me, but it could be just what another reader is looking for.

In conclusion, A Magical Girl Retires is a charming and heartfelt novella that brings a fresh perspective to the magical girl genre. While its brevity may be a drawback for some, its engaging themes and relatable characters make it worth the read. If you’re a fan of magical girl anime and open to a quick, magical story, this book is definitely worth picking up.