Kara Dennison
April 16, 2023 
Magical Destroyers is officially here to tear up the spring 2023 anime scene! And if you find yourself in the mood for even more aggressive magical girls between episodes, you’ve come to the right place. The lovely warriors of the anime world have been kicking butt for decades, of course. But some are just that much more adept at blowing up entire city blocks. Or taking out a foe with military precision. Or curb-stomping anyone who looks at them funny.
Here’s a small selection of some of the most aggressively powerful mahou shoujo out there. There are plenty more where these came from, too! Who are your favorites?
Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka
While Magical Destroyers fights on the side of the otaku, Asuka fights with military precision. The girls of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka are military operatives, gifted with special powers from a race of alien spirits. And with that gritty origin story comes some equally gritty action.
Asuka Ohtori is attempting to return to civilian life, but that’s never easy. She still suffers from flashbacks, both because of what she’s done and what was done to her. And just as she’s getting close to a return to normalcy, she’s called back out of retirement.
Magical Witch Punie-Chan
Long before Magical Destroyers, there was a strange era of anime where pretty much anything went. The turn of the millennium brought us series like Magical Witch Punie-chan: an over-the-top magical girl gag anime that was about more than just magic. In fact, Punie relied equally on her explosive finishing moves and her ludicrous physical strength. All of this was in aid of becoming the next queen of Magical Land.
Of course, where would a magical girl be without her mascot? The adorable dog-like Paya-tan is a Vietnam War vet (and served in Russia at some point), and occasionally makes attempts on Punie’s life. The whole show operates along these lines. Also, there are plenty of classic magical girl Easter Eggs—for example, Punie’s mother is voiced by Minky Momo herself, Mami Koyama.
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha
What started as a spinoff of visual novel Triangle Heart has gone on to have a life of its own. And given its devoted fanbase, we’re pretty sure the heroes of Magical Destroyers would fight for our right to love it.
Lyrical Nanoha is equal parts adorable magical girls, high-octane attacks, and Clarke’s Third Law. The first season sees Nanoha getting her powers and fighting one Fate Testarossa to collect tiny magical items… And then things get out of hand when the interdimensional police get involved. From there, we follow squads of magical girls training up generation after generation. There are five whole seasons to enjoy!
From magical girls to bunny girls… meet some of our faves!
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