Magilumiere Magical Girls Inc., Vol. 1

Gr 7 Up–In a world where magical girl companies are plentiful, Koshigaya and the startup Magilumiere Magical Girl Company are in need of a second magical girl for their tiny staff. On the other side of things is Sakuragi, who has had a string of failed interviews and can’t seem to find her place in the corporate world. During her latest interview, her path crosses with Koshigaya, and she finds a sense of belonging with Magilumiere. This title explores magical girls in a corporate structure, but the end hints at some dark themes to be explored in later volumes. There is a good balance with story building sequences and magical fights. The art style is very kinetic, and the characters are expressive and interestingly designed, though readers will have to wait to discover the true intentions of The Boss’s clothing choices, which are noted in volume one as a man “cosplaying as a Magical Girl.”