I’m not usually a big fan of magic girl animes but since Puella Magi Madoka Magica, I think the writers and producers have really stepped their game up in terms of their storytelling within the genre. Genei wo Kakeru Taiyou or The Phantom-Piercing Sun, is one such anime that showcases the newly acquired flexibility in the magic girl genre.

Rating: 5/5 curiously excited clouds

Personally, I love playing with tarot cards so this anime was a pleasant surprise for me this season. As a pilot episode, this one wraps out really nicely and definitely stands out as one of the better pilot episodes out there. In the magic girl genre, it’s more a less a battle between light and dark so the elements of conflict are predictable. However, after the “Who” and the “What,” the first episode raises a lot of questions pertaining to “Why,” and “How” with answers that I’m really curious to find out as the story develops.

The story follows a girl named Akari, who has an obsession with tarot cards and has recently apprenticed as a fortune-teller, with dreams of becoming one in the future. Her tarot cards were passed unto her from her mother and the anime begins as the anniversary of her mother’s death draws near. When Akari is attacked by evil dark cards and their creatures, her power and connection to the Sun tarot card begins to stir, with her powers fully awakening by the end of the first episode.

I love the transformation scenes plus the wicked battle choreography to complement character changes. The art design is definitely on par… and of course, no magic girl anime is complete without one colour scheme from the rainbow for every character. We’re shown a variety of different characters, much more than usual for pilot episodes but I’m sure more are going to be revealed soon but with what I’ve seen of Akari so far, she is very adorable and I think she’ll make a great protagonist.

What I think is a really nice touch in this anime is that after the credits, there’s a little blurb by a trio of chibis called the Tendo sisters who talk a little about the tarot card featured in this episode. I also noticed the little touches of symbolism that the director through in here and there (e.g. Fuyuna reading the Stranger by Albert Camus)

For viewers who are checking out the series, episode 1 finishes at a precise point where you can walk away from the series, but if you like what you see, the plot probably has you hooked. I really want to know what happens next and I’m hoping that actual tarot cards to correspond with the series will be released for sale.

All in all, I’m really impressed and from what I’ve seen, it’s not your typical happy-go-lucky magical girl series so I’d definitely open this anime up to all genres, whether you’re shojo or shonen, or if you’re into josei or seinen  but looking for a change in pace. The opening and closing songs are catchy enough to listen to even without watching the anime.

Thank you guys so much for reading and I hope you enjoy Genei wo Kakeru Taiyou as much as I do. Tune in every Saturday for a new episode!

– Cloudy

What are you pondering today?

Related articles

• Cloudy’s Summer Samples 2013 (littlecloudcuriosity.wordpress.com)