Episode 1: The Magical Girls Come Back
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka Episode 1: The New Transfer Student and Ghosts from the Past
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 1, “The Magical Girl Comes Back,” Asuka Ootorii is trying to lead a normal high school life. But her past — as one of the Magical Girls who fought against the brutal and cunning Disas — continues to haunt her, in more ways than one. Some of her new classmates reach out to her, and she hesitantly begins to form friendships… until terrorists put one of her new friends, Sayako Hata, in their sights. Can Asuka put aside her past and protect her friend? And if she does, at what cost?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 2: Daily Life and Comrades in Arms
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka: Trapped by a Promise and That’s Not a Teddy Bear
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 2, “Daily Life and Comrades in Arms,” Asuka Ootorii is relieved that her magical dampening field prevented her friend Sayako Hata from recognizing her during the terrorist incident. But Asuka is worried about Sayako, because all is not well with her… The military continues to hound Asuka to rejoin despite her refusals. That is, until they find the perfect lure in Kurumi Mugen, who was friends with Asuka before they were Magical Girls. The promise she made to Kurumi drew Asuka back into the fight, just like her friendship with Sayako had done. Can two Magical Girls together stand up against what at first looked like and old foe — but turned out to be something much worse? And just what was the promise that Asuka had made to Kurumi?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 3: A More Terrible War
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Episode 3: A Jealous Nurse and the Enemy Makes a Move
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 3, “A More Terrible War,” Kurumi Mugen, having transferred to the same school as Asuka Ootorii, seems less than thrilled to learn that Asuka is already friends with Sayako Hata and Nozomi Makino. Jealously, maybe? Kurumi saying that Asuka is her “goddess” seems to lend credibility to that theory! Nozomi is a cheerful sort and tries to make friends by inviting all of them to go swimming. Will Kurumi still be jealous? Or will she be too distracted by Asuka in swimwear to care? Finally, Mia Cyrus, spear-heading an operation on the other side of the world, makes a terrible discovery that has implications for Asuka and her friends. Nozomi is the first to feel the effects, much to her horror. It looks like the Magical Girls are going to find out just what this “more terrible war” is all about.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 4: Babel Brigade – Combat Begins
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka: A Cold Diplomatic Decision and the Value of Teamwork
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 4, “Babel Brigade – Combat Begins,” Abigail and her two Russian henchmen/sorcerers prepare to torture Nozomi Makino. Their goal? Ostensibly take revenge for the police torturing the captured terrorist. But the real reason is even more insidious. Asuka Ootorii, meeting with Yoshiaki Iizuka, demands to know why the police won’t act — only to find out that the official bodies are frozen due to certain political realities. Only an arbitrary act by an independent Magical Girl can break the stalemate. Will Asuka once again act to save a friend? Will Kurumi Mugen help her? And even if they both decide to attempt a rescue, will they be in time?
Note: Please be aware that this episode contains graphic scenes of torture that go well beyond the implied scenes in previous episodes. If this sort of thing troubles you, best avoid this episode.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 5: A Very Realistic Way of Dealing with a Problem
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka: Rapture Back in the Groove and It’s the Little Things…
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 5, “A Very Realistic Way of Dealing with a Problem,” Asuka Ootorii goes head to head against the two Russian operatives, who, as she learns to her chagrin, are well-trained in two-man combat. Can she win with the odds stacked against her? Especially since she’s out of practice? Meanwhile, Abigail closes in on Kurumi Mugen, who soon has to defend herself against not only Abigail, but two modified Halloween-class Disas. With Asuka occupied and Kurumi backed into a corner, what hope does War Nurse have? Especially against that maniac’s scissors?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 6: Wish Upon a Star
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka: Mia Cyrus Visits Japan and a Tanabata Miracle
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 6, “Wish Upon a Star,” Sayako Hata invites her friends to a study session at her home, and Asuka Ootorii arrives first. After a quiet conversation where Asuka begins to open up, Kurumi Mugen and Nozomi Makino arrive, and Kurumi is frantic. Why? Did the Disas attack? Not exactly… Later, at the Tanabata festival, Asuka meets a stranger who is oddly sympathetic. Why is the stranger so helpful? Is it because she’s enamored of Asuka in a yukata? Finally, Mia Cyrus arrives in Japan on a mission. She finds another dead body compressed into a macabre cube. What’s that have to do with the Magical Girls? And why does a terrorist suddenly try to kill Mia and her team?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 7: Magical Girl Development Unit
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka Episode 7: Just Another Hour and That’s One Way to Disarm an Opponent
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 7, “Magical Girl Development Unit,” Asuka Ootorii remembers the terrible final hours of the Disas war, when the weight of command nearly crushed her. Tamara Volkova, a.k.a., Phoenix, talked her into holding herself together one more hour to give the remaining Magical Girls a chance to defeat the Disas king. We know they were victorious; now we know a little more about the high price they paid. Back in the present, Asuka’s welcoming party to M Squad was interrupted: Their commander had an assignment to thwart Russian operatives making a deal with Disas agents on Japanese soil — and those Russian operatives had a Magical Girl with them. Asuka and Kurumi Mugen were apprehensive. Did their Russian friend Phoenix go rogue? If she hadn’t, did that mean they had another illegal Magical Girl to deal with? And just what kind of deal were the Russians trying to make with beings from the Disas dimension?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 8: You’re Surely be a Wonderful Magical Girl
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka Episode 8: Kurumi’s Choices and the Enduring Power of Tribe
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 8, “You’ll Surely be a Wonderful Magical Girl,” Chisato Yonamine’s father tries to sell his underage daughter to a brothel but is thwarted by a law-abiding proprietor. Unfortunately for her, her father turns abusive. Unfortunately for him, Giess showed up and wanted to talk to Chisato — alone. Kurumi Mugen is in a rush to finish her enhanced interrogation of Nazani, the Russian Magical Girl they captured in the previous episode. How far will Kurumi go to get information — especially since every moment spent torturing is a moment not spent with Asuka Ootorii — in swimwear? Finally, what is Giess planning to do to the intra-world conference that’s coming up? What will that mean for Asuka and Kurumi? And maybe even Mia Cyrus and Tamara Volkova?
Note: Please be aware that this episode contains graphic scenes of torture. While it’s not as bad as episode 4, some readers may find it disturbing. If this sort of thing troubles you, best avoid this episode.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 9: The Lid of Hell
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka Episode 9: An Impractical General and the Assault Begins
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 9, “The Lid of Hell,” Yoshiaki Iizuka has to recall Asuka Ootorii and Kurumi Mugen from their field trip, but he had a good reason: They have to provide security for Spirit World representative conference. They meet Mia Cyrus and Tamara Volkova, two fellow Magical Girls, and Asuka’s reaction surprised all of them — except maybe Kurumi. The Spiritual World’s General arrives and gives Asuka a greeting that was both smothering and wildly inappropriate, much to Mia’s amusement. Just who is this General Tabira, and why is she so affectionate to Asuka? Meanwhile, at a location near the meeting site, Giess and Chisato Yonamine gather their Disas forces and begin an attack. Is their target really the meeting itself — or something else?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 10: Each of Their Deadly Battles
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka Episode 10: Sayako’s Resolve and The Tides of Battle
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 10, “Each of Their Deadly Battles,” Mia Cyrus heads into town to save as many civilians as possible from the hoard of Disas. Those civilians include Sayako Hata and Nozomi Makino. Will Mia make it in time? Even if she does, will she have what it takes to stand against an army by herself? Tamara Volkova fights against similar odds as she struggles to hold her defensive line. But as soldiers fall all around her, and as the Disas continue their relentless advance, how will she find the strength to continue? Finally, Asuka Ootorii and Kurumi Mugen form the last line of defense in front of General Tabira. Their battle begins when Giess and Chisato Yonamine power their way into the underground vault. What does their presence mean for their friends on the surface? And how will Asuka deal with their tactics, which were designed with her weakness in mind?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 11: The Magical Girls and This Beautiful World
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka Episode 11: Magical Calorie Roll-Up and The Other Shoe
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 11, “The Magical Girls and This Beautiful World,” Asuka Ootorii, seeing Giess standing with his foot on the fallen General Tabira’s head, furiously attacks. Giess’ armor and weapons, though, were designed with Asuka in mind. Will she be able to stop Giess’ plan — or even survive the battle? Meanwhile, Chisato Yonamine presses her attack against Kurumi Mugen, who’s fighting not only against her opponent, but against her own dark memories. How will Kurumi react when Chisato begins acting like the bullies from Kurumi’s past? Finally, Mia Cyrus tries to lead Sayako Hata and Nozomi Makino to safety but ends up surrounded by Disas. Exhausted and still bleeding, can Mia punch through? Or hold out until help arrives? For that matter, is there any help left to arrive?
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
Episode 12: If This Battle Never Ends
Review of Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka Episode 12: Nothing More Expensive Than Free and Their Reasons to Fight
In Magical Girl Spec-Ops Askuka episode 12, “If This Battle Never Ends,” Asuka Ootorii and Kurumi Mugen struggle to complete their after action reports while Sacchuu floats nearby eating junk food. Even though they know their reports are important, Sacchuu’s attitude is still annoying. Later, Kurumi works out her frustration on Chisato Yonamine, who needs to be tortured to confirm Kurumi’s impression that Chisato knows nothing of value. Rau Peipei, the final surviving Magical Girl of the Legendary 5, finally makes an appearance, and she’s not exactly following in Asuka’s footsteps — and it doesn’t seem to by her own choice. Finally, Asuka and Kurumi take Sayako Hata and Nozomi Makino to the “Maid Cafe,” where they meet two new surprise staffers — and help Asuka clarify her vision for the future.
Note: Please be aware that this episode contains graphic scenes of torture. While it’s not as bad as episode 4, some readers may find it disturbing. If this sort of thing troubles you, best avoid this episode.
Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.
