Joseph Luster
August 22, 2008 
The formula used to create a spin-off like Sasami is a very simple one, but its tried and true results should be respected and studied; dissected and researched for the success of future generations. This is important, not because Sasami is just some cash cow Tenchi Muyo! spin-off that aims for an established fanbase and crosses its fingers, but because it knows its target audience and will without a doubt entertain them.
It may sound like I’m skirting the issue of Sasami‘s quality because I wasn’t entertained by it myself, but that’s not entirely true. Going into the first season, which was directed by Nobuhiro Takamoto (Tenchi in Tokyo, Tokimeki Memorial ~Only Love~), I expected 25-minute mind melts with the kind of squeal-filled voice acting that would make a dog bark in both available languages. Much to my surprise, Sasami is simply a cute show that’s appropriate for a younger audience, isn’t too scatterbrained, and only references moe jokingly, if at all (however, we all know that would be enough to send Mr. Daryl Surat screaming toward the heavens like a missile).
The story begins when Sasami Iwakura and her friend join the cooking club at school, something they were too young to do in the years before. However, their instructor, Miss Washu, is much more than she appears to be at first glance. This is perfect, because so are Sasami and her pals; magical girls imbued with a power that they’ve been taught to repress as much as possible. Knowing full well the importance of keeping these powers in check, Miss Washu inducts them in her Magical Girls Club, where they can learn to work as a team and fully harness their abilities.
Sasami’s parents would rather she not use magic at all, though, which creates a rift between the increasing excitement of her daily school routine and a life at home that would rather see her powers swept under a rug. Matters are made more interesting once we learn more about her family, and the plot stops focusing simply 
on introducing each of the girls that are joining the club. Beyond the title role, connections to Tenchi-Muyo are cosmetic at best. Sasami is a reworked character here, even though her appearance is recognizable, and is voiced by a child actress (Mana Ogawa) to highlight her youth.
Magical Girls Clubis surprisingly light on outright goofiness. Not that it isn’t aiming for the funny bone most of the time, but a lot of the gags are riffs on magical girl shows or mixes of magic and awkward school crushes. The production quality is also pretty decent, with crisp visuals that are smoothly animated (or at least successfully give off the illusion) and consistently colorful. This set should serve as a decent meal for hardcore Tenchi Muyo! fans, girls, and any overlapping combination thereof.
Studio/Company: FUNimation Entertainment
Available: Now
Rating: TVPG
