Magical Girl Site is a 12 episode anime adaptation of the magical girl horror manga written and illustrated by Kentaro Sato. It was directed by Tadahito Matsubayashi, and the anime’s writer was Takayo Ikami. The studio that produced it was production doA.
The anime aired during the spring 2018 season of anime, and it is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Magical Girl Site focuses on Aya Asagiri, a girl who is subject to horrific bullying and abuse both at school and at home. She happens upon a mysterious website known as the Magical Girl Site, and becomes a magical girl herself. Aya soon comes to learn of other magical girls, and a dark secret that the website administrators have in store for all of humanity.
Though the show is called Magical Girl Site, and the ones chosen by the site administrators are called magical girls, they are far from the typical fare. Don’t expect any frilly dresses or elaborate transformation sequences here.
Magical Girl Site lets you know from the very beginning that it is a dark show, and it doesn’t hide it behind a cute and fluffy exterior.
The first episode alone has psychological torment, physical abuse and attempted rape. It eases up on that stuff a bit afterwards, though bloody violence remains a constant throughout.
The first episode is a particularly hard one to watch, and could potentially put off those who don’t know what to expect.
There are two particular characters who are the biggest sources of Aya’s torment, and neither of them are particularly decent people.
At school, Aya is constantly bullied by Sarina and her cronies. This doesn’t go unnoticed by a particular classmate of Aya’s, and Sarina’s particular story arc certainly takes some interesting turns.
Then we have the absolute worst character in the show bar none: Kaname Asagiri, Aya’s very own older brother. He is an utterly despicable being, and unfortunately, a major part of the plot. He has a superiority complex and he physically abuses Aya. He has absolutely no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
On the more positive side, Magical Girl Site also introduces a group of magical girls who are actually fairly decent people. One of them is even transgender. Of course, as magical girls are unfortunate people, she is subject to bullying. She has a plan in mind for getting back at those who abuse her, though.
When a girl is chosen to become a magical girl, they are given a stick – or wand, depending on the translation. These manifest in many different forms, and they each have unique abilities.
This is the magical part of being a magical girl. The abilities include things like healing, teleportation or just being able to cut anything. One even has the power to freeze time.
The owner of the wand that can freeze time it Tsuyuno Yatsumura, who is the second lead character. Tsuyuno may seem level-headed, but she’s got a dark secret of her own. She and Aya form quite the bond.
Then there are the Site Administrators themselves. They are unsettling, and aptly so. They choose the girls who become magical girls, though their reasons for doing so are unclear.
Pictured above is Nana, who is voiced by Ryusei Nakao – otherwise known as the voice of Frieza from the Dragon Ball franchise. His voice is a perfect match for the administrator, and just adds to how unsettling she is.
Another administrator worth listening out for is Hachi. She is voiced by Virtual YouTuber Kizuna Ai, who also does a fairly impressive job of conveying her creepiness.
Despite being a dark anime, Magical Girl Site manages to find the time to have a beach episode – it is faithful to the manga, after all. There are also a couple of bathing scenes, but that is about all the fanservice you will find. Still, it is nice to see the girls get a much deserved break, though it is the same episode where Kaname starts to play a bigger role in the plot…
Naturally, conflicts arise between magical girls. After all, that is the kind of show Magical Girl Site is. However, these conflicts do lead to some great character development – a very good example being the events of episode 5.
Magical Girl Site does reach a conclusion, but it also brings up a few other things at the end that only those who read the manga will know about. So, the anime is something of a manga lure, but it does end on a good point for Aya and Tsuyuno’s story.
This show is a dark one, there is no doubt of that. Considering how the first episode goes, it might seem like it is trying a little too hard to go for that shock factor – but the first chapter in the manga was much the same way. As the story starts to kick in, it dials things back a bit – and then takes them back up at certain points in the story.
Score: 9/10
Whilst it may prove a little too much to handle for some, Magical Girl Site is worth sticking with if you can stomach it. Aya and Tsuyuno’s relationship, the other magical girls and unexpected events keep things interesting throughout.
Rory Muses 
I’m kind of curious about how this one ended but unfortunately there just wasn’t enough on Prime to make the subscription worth it so I never did get to see how this played out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Pretty good show indeed and of course it’s not for everyone. Aya X Tsuyuno’s blossoming relationship was totally worth it.
My favorite member of Kosame’s team was Sayuki. Sexy and badass.
Garbage Boy can rot for all I care.