Cherry Magic is a popular Japanese romantic comedy cartoon that first aired in October 2020. The story revolves around Adachi, a quiet and reserved office worker who has a secret ability - whenever he touches someone, he can read their mind. This unique ability has made his life quite difficult as he struggles to navigate personal relationships and keep his secret hidden. Things take a turn when Adachi accidentally touches his colleague, Kurosawa, one day and realizes that Kurosawa has been harboring a crush on him for a long time. Kurosawa, known as the "Prince" at work due to his handsome looks and friendly nature, becomes determined to win over Adachi's heart. As they spend more time together, Kurosawa's straightforward and honest approach starts to break down Adachi's barriers, leading to a blossoming romance between the two.
As they spend more time together, Kurosawa's straightforward and honest approach starts to break down Adachi's barriers, leading to a blossoming romance between the two. However, Adachi's mind-reading ability becomes a source of conflict as he often misunderstands Kurosawa's intentions and struggles to trust his true feelings. Cherry Magic has been praised for its heartwarming and funny storyline, as well as its exploration of LGBTQ+ themes.
Magic in Ancient Greece and Rome
The practice of magic thrived in classical antiquity. From Athens to the Black Sea to Roman Britain, from tavern goers to the highest-born imperial nobles, magical texts and objects flourished as modes of managing vulnerability, overcoming rivals, mitigating loss, and surmounting uncertainty. Ritual practitioners—professional magicians—peddled various charms, custom-made spells, curses, and initiations for the ancient customer in need.
Writing around 375 BCE, Plato would describe the traffic in magical goods and services in classical Athens, including the use of incantations and bindings spells and the unease felt by passersby on seeing “molded wax images,” types of magical curse-effigies, placed at doorways, crossroads, and ancestral tombs. Over 500 years later, the Latin writer Apuleius would render, in vivid detail, a scene of a witch at work:
First she arranged her deadly laboratory with its customary apparatus, setting out spices of all sorts, unintelligibly lettered metal plaques, the surviving remains of ill-omened birds, and numerous pieces of mourned and even buried corpses: here noses and fingers, there flesh-covered spikes from crucified bodies, elsewhere the preserved gore of murder victims and mutilated skulls wrenched from the teeth of wild beasts. Then she recited a charm over some pulsating entrails and made offerings with various liquids.
Coming from different literary genres—a Greek philosophical text and a Roman novel—these accounts reveal the presence and potency of magic in classical antiquity, and the centrality of objects within such ritual practices. Magic included not only spoken words, gestures, and actions, but was also expressed by way of physical, material forms, such as curse tablets, effigies, amulets, and gems, to name but a few. Many of these objects have survived in the archaeological record to reveal that classical communities used ritual to conquer fear and uncertainty, to influence individual lives, to improve current circumstances, and to transform the future.
The cartoon tackles issues of self-acceptance and societal expectations while delivering a captivating love story between two complex characters. The animation style of Cherry Magic is vibrant and visually appealing, complementing the lighthearted tone of the show. The voice acting is also noteworthy, with the cast bringing the characters to life with their energetic and emotive performances. Overall, Cherry Magic offers a refreshing take on the romantic comedy genre with its charming characters, engaging storyline, and exploration of diverse themes. It has gained a dedicated fanbase both in Japan and internationally, and its popularity continues to grow. Whether you're a fan of romantic comedies or looking for a heartwarming and entertaining cartoon, Cherry Magic is definitely worth a watch..
Reviews for "The Adventures of Cherry Magic: A Fan's Guide to the Series"
1. Jessica - 2 stars
I was really excited to watch "Cherry Magic" as I had heard so many good things about it. However, I was quite disappointed with the cartoon. The animation quality leaves much to be desired. The characters lacked depth and their interactions felt forced. Additionally, the storyline was predictable and lacked originality. Overall, I found "Cherry Magic" to be quite underwhelming and would not recommend it to others.
2. Ryan - 3 stars
"Cherry Magic" was not what I expected it to be. While the concept of the show seemed interesting, the execution fell flat. The pacing was slow, and the episodes seemed to drag on. I also found the characters to be quite one-dimensional and I struggled to connect with them. The humor in the cartoon felt forced and the jokes often missed the mark. Overall, while "Cherry Magic" had its moments, it failed to keep my interest and I wouldn't consider watching it again.
3. Olivia - 2.5 stars
I had high hopes for "Cherry Magic" but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The plot was repetitive and didn't offer any new twists or surprises. The animation style was lackluster and the characters were not memorable. It felt like a generic love story that lacked depth and originality. Overall, "Cherry Magic" was a forgettable experience for me and I would not recommend it to those looking for a captivating cartoon.