▪	RELEASED BY:		FUNIMATION ENTERTAINMENT
		▪	ASPECT RATIO:		4:3 FULL SCREEN
		▪	AUDIO:		ENGLISH DD 5.1 AND JAPANESE DD 2.0
		▪	RUNNING TIME:		325 MIN
		▪	RATING:		TV 14
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		09/15/2009
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		09/12/2009
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

But there’s something Haruo doesn’t know. Maika, Chiaki, and Fuyuno, his three sneaky sisters, have been keeping a him in the dark about their family’s dirty little secret – they’re all witches!

REVIEW:
Inspired by the manga from Tateaki Momose, Magikano the anime is a fertile harem comedy that offers an alluring amount of laughs and naughty fun. Haruo has managed to remain ignorant to the fact that he is living with three witches – his sisters. They go to all kinds of wacky lengths to prevent his dormant powers from awakening and to stop him from figuring out that he lives in a lair of magic users. The sisters even go so far as to thump him with a memory hammer every chance they can to make sure he forgets any spells or magic he sees happen. 

Their plan was working out perfectly until a naughty magic user sneaks into their lives. Ayumi wants Haruo to awaken and she’ll use every trick she can, including trying to seduce him at every opportunity. She manages to get an edict from the wizard higher ups to order her to be a maid in Haruo’s house. Now the three sisters, each with a brother complex, are deadset on stopping the enemy in their midst and keep their dear brother pure.

The anime is a lot of laughs. If you have enjoyed Girls Bravo and Love Hina or Maburaho, this harem style comedy is the anime for you. As they deal with panty thieves, spells gone awry and peeping toms, the girls end up bonding, if only a little bit. And it’s a good thing too because other cute girls enter the fray to win Haruo’s heart. First is student council president Yuri and she has a secret of her own. The comedy hits an even higher note when Marin the Witch Hunter arrives. It could mean a huge cauldron of trouble for our witches with Marin intent on purifying each and every one of them…with sharp objects!

When Rika enters the picture, this maid from Ayumi’s household will stop at nothing to serve Ayumi’s elite family, including challenging Ayumi to a battle in order to get the girl to do what the family wants. A super maid combat special ensues. But with all the hilarity and over-the-top panty laden action, there is also a seed of intrigue that begins with Rika’s appearance. Her real agenda may not be quite what it appears at first. And meanwhile Miss Hongo, their teacher, seems to have a whopper of a secret too. The number of women in Haruo’s life is increasing and the mystery is growing with each new girl that comes into his life.

By the final act, things are both hilarious and have some surprising and heart touching drama too. First there’s a panty war that has to be seen to be believed. Afterwards, a trap, abduction to the magic world, demon kings, and a terrible curse all come to play in the climatic conclusion that is drama high, action filled, and sugar sweet by the end. Although the show if primarily harem comedy fun with a bawdy sense of fan service thrown in, it holds a lot of affection for the characters which is clearly portrayed in the storytelling that warms the heart even while it will leave viewers laughing.

The animation is a lush and glossy production done by GONZO (Black Cat, Trinity Blood, Burst Angel). Wonderful rich colors and beautiful character designs make it an attractive visual experience. The zany comedy is animated to perfection, off the wall and timed just right. Add in a fun soundtrack and the diverse and energetic personalities of the girls, and it is a winning play for this magical girl team.

EXTRAS:
Bonus features include textless songs and trailers. The series is not in a fold out or slip case with thin packs that break easily, but instead in a sturdy plastic case that holds the two discs.

IN SUMMARY:
Magikano is a sassy and sexy harem comedy that will bespell fans of Love Hina, Girls Bravo, and Maburaho.