Magical Circle Guru Guru


Magical Circle Guru Guru is a Japanese manga by Hiroyuki Etō, which was serialized in Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan from 1992 to 2003. It was later adapted into an anime series on October 13, 1994. A second manga series was serialized in Gangan Online in 2012.
Mahōjin Guru Guru is a light-hearted series aimed at older children; it contains occasional toilet gags and some innuendo that might startle western parents. It also is a parody of early role-playing video games, particularly turn-based games such as the Dragon Quest games. The narrator speaks in place of the dialog in such games, and this is one of the comedy elements of the show. Often role-playing videogame-style information boxes are displayed on screen with accompanying narration in the traditional RPG style. The overall goal of the main characters, Nike and Kukuri, is to defeat Giri, the ruler of the darkness. Since the anime is based on an RPG, several side quests need to be completed before they are able to locate him.
A new series based on the manga animated by Production I.G aired from July to December, 2017. Crunchyroll streamed the anime, marking the first anime from the Mahoujin Guru Guru franchise to receive an official English release.

Characters

Main characters

;Nike
;Kukuri

Rivals

;Ena
;Gail

Others

;Kita Kita Oyaji
;Toma
;Migu
;Zaza
;Juju
;Gochinko
;Gipple
;Lunlun Felmère
;King Uruga XIII
;Guriel
;Beegain
;Wugenvillia
;SteinWetts
;Ardenberg and Wanchin

Monsters

;Lord Giri
;Raid
;Ratmen
HP: 3
;Rai Rai
;Kisegi
HP: 5
;Kisegi Gold
;Man-eating plant
;NG
;Gizaier
;Darklings
;Chikuri Demon
;Search Eye
;Mandoragora
;Yanban
;Lovelovella
;Vacuum
;Dora Dora

Items

There are three kinds of magic in the show. Light magic, Dark magic and Guru Guru which is considered to be Dark magic at first but later revealed to be Free magic. Nike tells old witch that at first he thought that Guru Guru was something Ecchi. Guru Guru has random effects when a spell fails. Light magic has to do with controlling natural forces, Dark magic with controlling unnatural forces and creatures and Guru Guru mostly has to do with summoning. The spells cast by Kukuri gain power-ups in effects and certain changes in appearance as she increases her level and knowledge of Guru Guru.
Requires Fire circle symbol called Tora. The spell attacks by conjuring a geyser of fire in the shape of a lizard's head.
Requires Fire circle symbol called Tora. The spell attacks monsters in the vicinity by burrowing under the earth and surrounding them in flame much like a fireball even if the caster is not aware of them or their location.
Summons a large toy with the head of a cat that meows, dispels magical powers and stuns most monsters and characters. This includes Kukuri.
An extremely powerful 15 level attack spell that summons a demon from hell with many eyes that shoots lightning bolts. The spell was hidden in Kita Kita Oyaji's dance making its acquisition a painful feat for Kukuri that even made a confusion fairy appear. The spell protects the caster from attacks - even before the demon has appeared - with an invisible dome.
A level two spell that summons nothingness fairies. Everything the target attempts fails and his words make no sense. The spell also provides a dome of protection prior to the arrival of the fairies in the same way as Bemu Bemu Guardian dome does.
Summons a giant to stand on the horizon. He will smile at the enemy in battle. The spell lasts 3 days.
This spell will power-up an ally standing in the circle. It will affect him or her randomly in one of three ways: by increasing the level of the target, increasing speed by 10, or by increasing charisma. The effects last for 3 minutes.
Summons random creatures. The commemorative tenth failed spell summons Octo-Tim, who transforms Kukuri into Devil-Kukuri.
Also called one-minute seal, this level three spell causes a large bandage to fall from the sky and immobilize the enemy. Depending on the level of the caster, the seal lasts from one minute to three hundred years, and gives the caster the chance to escape.

Light Magic

First anime series

The first series "Mahoujin Guru Guru" has 45 episodes. It covers the content of manga volumes 1 - 4 and some other adventures not in the manga.
After having been sealed for 300 years, the demon lord Giri reawakens and sends off his monster minions to wreak havoc in the world. King Uruga XIII decides thus to place announcements everywhere in the kingdom in search of a legendary hero who can defeat Giri. In the king's castle a competition will be held to discover who the true hero is.
Forced by his parents to go to the castle, Nike first visits the witch's house, where Kukuri joins him.
Together they travel around the world defeating monsters, gaining new abilities, trying to uncover the mysteries surrounding the Migu Migu tribe and making many friends while confronting enemies.

Movie

In the movie, Nike and Kukuri learn of the "Pickle of Happiness", an item that will grant a wish to the one who eats it. With the help of old friends, they must beat the monsters to the Pickle and convince its guardian residing in Megalo mountain, the Megalo dragon to give it to them.

Doki Doki Legend

The second series was created in 2000, six years after the original. It covers the contents of Manga volumes 5 to 11.
Nike and Kukuri receive a message from Wanchin, the old leader of the Migu Migu, who tells them they need to find the 4 elemental swords in order to defeat Giri. Thus a new adventure starts.
At the end of the manga Nike and Kukuri seal Giri, while this is not shown in the animation.

Reboot series

A third series was announced and will not be a sequel to the events in the first two series. It is animated by Production I.G and aired from July 11 to December 19, 2017. The series ran for 24 episodes. Hiroshi Ikehata directed the anime, with Hisaaki Okui handled the series composition and Naoyuki Asano designed the characters. ORESAMA performed the first opening theme "Trip Trip Trip" and TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND is composing the music and performed the ending theme "Round&Round&Round" alongside Bonjour Suzuki. ORESAMA also performed the second opening theme. TECHNOBOYS PULCRAFT GREEN-FUND also performed the second ending theme "Magical Circle" alongside Shoko Nakagawa.

Games

Published by Enix,
Since 1992, the manga has printed over 14 million copies in Japan.