, also known as ''Magical Girl Tickle'' or ''Tickle the Witch Girl'', is a 1970s
magical girl
is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy media (including anime, manga, light novels, and live-action media) centered around young girls who possess magical abilities, which they typically use through an ideal alter ego into which they can transfo ...
manga
Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...
and
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
by
Go Nagai
, better known by the pen name , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with ''Meakashi Polikichi'', but is best known for creating popular 1970s ...
. Unlike Nagai's earlier (and more popular) ''
Cutie Honey
is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai. First appearing in ''Weekly Shōnen Champions 41st issue of 1973, the series ran until April 1974. It follows an android girl named Honey Kisaragi, who trans ...
'', ''Majokko Tickle'' is closer to the more traditional mold of magical girl anime such as ''
Sally the Witch
, also known as ''Sunny the Witch'', is one of the popular anime magical girls of what would eventually become a genre in Japan. Due to its characteristics, it may be considered the first shōjo anime as well; while titles such as ''Him ...
'', and unlike Nagai's other, more popular works, was created for an audience of pre-teen girls.
The anime television series was produced by
Toei Dōga in association with Kaze Productions and Neomedia and animated by
Nippon Sunrise. It consisted of 45 episodes and was aired across Japan on
TV Asahi
JOEX-DTV (channel 5), branded as (also known as EX and and stylized as TV asahi), is a television station that is owned and operated by the subsidiary of certified broadcasting holding company , itself controlled by The Asahi Shimbun Compan ...
from March 6, 1978, to January 29, 1979. It brought the
magical girl
is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy media (including anime, manga, light novels, and live-action media) centered around young girls who possess magical abilities, which they typically use through an ideal alter ego into which they can transfo ...
genre of anime back to Japanese TV screens for the first time since Toei Animation's ''
Majokko Megu-chan
is a popular magical girl anime series. The manga was created by Tomô Inoue and Makiho Narita, while the 72-episode anime series was produced by Toei Animation between 1974 and 1975. This series is considered an important forerunner of the pr ...
'' aired its final episode in September 1975. Some episodes were scripted by
Masaki Tsuji
is a Japanese anime screenwriter, mystery writer, manga author, travel critic, essayist, professor as well as mystery fiction novels writer. Tsuji was most active in the business from the 1960s through the 1980s, and worked as a script writer on ...
, a longtime friend of Nagai's and head writer on his earlier series ''
Devilman
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai. The manga focuses on a high school student named Akira Fudo who absorbs the powers of the demon called "Amon" with help of his friend Ryo Asuka in order to battle ...
'', ''
Dororon Enma-kun
, also known as ''Satanikus!'', is a Japanese horror-comedy anime and manga series created by Go Nagai. It's one of Nagai's most famous works in Japan, although not very well known in the rest of the world. In 2006, it would ge ...
'', and ''Cutey Honey''. Go Nagai also wrote the lyrics to the opening theme song.
''Majokko Tickle'' is notable for being the first magical girl series to feature a "double hero" (Tickle and her human "sister" Tiko, or a "lucky pair" as they are referred to during the series). Reportedly the series was inspired in part by the popularity of
Pink Lady, a female pop duo who were known for performing their songs and dancing in perfect unison and who sold millions of records in Japan during the late 1970s (they also later had a minor hit in the United States called "
Kiss in the Dark"). Pink Lady had an enormous audience of young girls, and ''Majokko Tickle'' was considered an opportunity to capitalize on the similarity. In fact, one of Pink Lady's hits ("Southpaw") was featured in one episode, in which Tickle and her "sisters" Tiko and Hina watch the duo perform the song on TV. The Majokko tickle will be one of the last magical girls old series among Lun Lun and Lalabel and in fact the last before, Himitsu no Akko-chan remake, that is action takes places only in Japan, the next magical girl series Lun Lun and Lalabel will take place elsewhere. The refreshed series (with new intro and ending) shown in the times of Lun Lun and Lalabel and in 1979/1980 and in the time between February and October 1981 (together with ''
Hello! Sandybell
is an anime series made by Toei Animation in 1981. It was aired in Japan by TV Asahi.
In the original title when it was first made in Japan, an "E" was added to the title; "Sandybelle".
Similarly to ''Silver Fang'', the show is relatively un ...
'') would be the end for nearly a decade of old style magical girls created by Toei Animation and Nippon Sunrise.
Story
Tiko (a more direct romanization would be "Chiiko"), a shy Japanese schoolgirl, receives a book as a gift from her father on her eleventh birthday. When Tiko opens the book, she releases Tickle ("Chikkuru"), a mischievous fairy who was imprisoned inside the book for playing pranks on people. At first Tiko doesn't believe Tickle is a witch, and tells her to prove it. So Tickle delivers Tiko's scarf to her friend Mico (who had just moved to
Hokkaido
is Japan's second largest island and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; the two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel.
The la ...
, and promised to be around for Tiko's birthday). Once Tiko realizes the truth, she is happy to befriend Tickle. Tickle casts a spell, and Tiko is surprised when her mother tells her and her "sister" Tickle to come down for dinner. Tickle reveals that in order to avoid awkward questions about where she came from, she will pass herself off as Tiko's twin sister. Tickle uses her powers to solve everyday problems and, of course, to continue playing tricks on people (particularly Tiko's annoying kid sister, Hina).
Like other magical girls, Tickle has a special phrase she uses to cast a spell; hers is: "''Maharu Tamara Furampa''." (translated as "Sparkle, Twinkle, Magic will be.")
Although the series is mostly light-hearted and whimsical, there are some serious parts, such as children being teased for being overweight or ugly. The series also features a reversal of expectations, as Tickle is from another world, and has her own way of doing things.
Characters
Lucky Pair
* Voiced by:
Rihoko Yoshida
is a businessperson and a former Japanese voice actress. Among her most noteworthy roles are Megu-chan in ''Majokko Megu-chan'', Monsley in ''Future Boy Conan'', Maria Grace Fleed in ''UFO Robo Grendizer'', Michiru in ''Getter Robo'', Klara in '' ...
: A mischievous fairy who was imprisoned in a book for playing tricks before being freed by Tiko (although she claims to be a magical princess on the run from a dragon). She decides to stay around for a while, and uses her magic to manipulate everyone's memories, making them believe she has always been Tiko's twin sister. Although she loves playing tricks, she doesn't hesitate to use her magic to solve problems. But being part of a family is a new experience for Tickle, and magic can't solve problems she doesn't understand. She has pony tails as hair dressing. She is between 10–11 years. Tickle was renamed Lilli in the Italian dub.
* Tico Voiced by:
Yoko Asagami
Yoko may refer to:
People
* Yoko (name), a Japanese feminine given name; variants include Yōko and Yohko
* Yoko Gushiken (具志堅 用高, born 1955), Japanese professional boxer
* Yoko Taro (横尾 太郎, born 1970), Japanese video game di ...
(except in the last episode when
Keiko Han
is a Japanese actress, voice actress and western astrologer. She sang the theme songs in productions such as '' Story of the Alps: My Annette'' and '' Kazoku Robinson Hyōryūki Fushigi na Shima no Furōne''. Han is a fortune teller of western ...
had to fill in for her)
: A very shy girl, she is the one who freed Tickle, and now lives with her, posing as twins. She had just lost her best friend when she received the book containing Tickle. She is usually against Tickle's use of magic. She is 11–12 years. Tiko was renamed Mirtilla in the Italian dub, and in the French version her name was semi-romanized to Cheko.
Family
* Voiced by: Toyoko Komazawa
: The very annoying sister of Tiko and (she believes) Tickle. She loves nothing more than butting into whatever her "sisters" are doing. She often gets her comeuppance via Tickle's magic. Naturally, nobody believes her when she claims to have seen Tickle using magic.
* Voiced by:
Hiroshi Ohtake
is a common masculine Japanese given name. It can also be transliterated as Hirosi.
Possible writings
Hiroshi can be written using different kanji characters and can mean:
*浩, "meaning"
*汎
*弘,
*宏,
*寛,
*洋,
*博,
*博一,
*博司,
...
: The father of Tiko, Hina and (he believes) Tickle. The one who gave Tiko the book containing Tickle.
* Voiced by:
Haruko Kitahama
is a feminine Japanese given name. Its most common translation is "spring child" (春子, which may also be read as a Korean name Chun-ja), though other kanji provide different meanings. Notable people with the name include:
* Princess Haruko ( ...
: The mother of Tiko, Hana and (she believes) Tickle. A loving and kind woman.
Elementary school
Tickle's classmates
* Voiced by:
Hiroshi Ohtake
is a common masculine Japanese given name. It can also be transliterated as Hirosi.
Possible writings
Hiroshi can be written using different kanji characters and can mean:
*浩, "meaning"
*汎
*弘,
*宏,
*寛,
*洋,
*博,
*博一,
*博司,
...
: The fat trouble maker at Tickle and Tiko's school (similar to Boss in Nagai's ''
Mazinger Z
is a Japanese super robot manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai. The first manga version was serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from October 1972 to August 1973, and it later was reissued in Kodansha ''TV Magazine ...
''). He has two friends (or "underlings") - Ago and Pochi. They all befriend Tickle and Tiko.
* Voiced by:
Isamu Tanonaka
was a Japanese actor, voice actor and narrator from Taitō, Tokyo. He was best known for voicing Medama Oyaji in nearly every adaptation of Shigeru Mizuki's '' GeGeGe no Kitarō'' made during his lifetime.
Career
During his life he had been atta ...
: One of Donta's two best friends.
* Voiced by:
Sachiko Chijimatsu
is a Japanese actress, voice actress and narrator from Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
She is most known for the roles of Pyonkichi ('' Dokonjō Gaeru''), Nobita's Mama (''Doraemon''), Kabu ('' Sally, the Witch'' 1966), Shippona (''Himitsu no Akko-ch ...
: One of Donta's two best friends.
* Voiced by:
Keiko Yamamoto
, born August 7, 1943, is a Japanese voice actress from Osaka Prefecture. Many of her roles have been older women, young boys, or tomboyish young girls.
Filmography
Anime television series
* Akado Suzunosuke – Akadō Suzunosuke
* Andersen ...
: The heavy-set girl in Tiko and Tickle's class. She is teased at school for her weight. Tickle encourages her to do her best.
* Voiced by: Keiko Yamamoto
: Serious and handsome boy who's a class representative.
* Voiced by: Haruko Kitahama
: The resident "rich-girl". She is very snobby, and usually causes problems for Tiko.
Other students
* Voiced by:
Akira Kamiya
is a Japanese voice actor. He played several notable roles in Japanese manga and anime television series, including Kenshiro in ''Fist of the North Star'', Ryo Saeba in ''City Hunter'' and Shutaro Mendo in ''Urusei Yatsura''. In mecha anime, he ...
: A boy that Tickle and Tiko both have a crush on.
Teachers and school staff
* Voiced by:
Hiroshi Masuoka
: Tickle and Tiko's teacher. He is very silly, and clumsy. Takakura-sensei has a crush on Hanamura-sensei.
* Voiced by
Kazuko Sugiyama
, known by her stage name , is a Japanese actress and voice actress who was born in Nagoya and works for Aoni Production.
In February 2010, she received a "Merit Award" from the 4th Seiyu Awards.
Filmography
Anime
*Hanako Mori in ''Inakappe Ta ...
: The beautiful teacher at Tiko and Tickle's school.
* Voiced by
Shunji Yamada
* Voiced by
Jōji Yanami
was a Japanese actor, Voice acting in Japan, voice actor and narrator who was affiliated with Aoni Production. Some of his major voice roles included the ''Dragon Ball'' anime series, which he narrated and voiced Dr. Briefs, Kaiō-sama ( King K ...
Magic Kingdom
*
: The king of the Magic Kingdom. He is green, red and white, and has a magical wand. He appears in the last episode, demanding Tickle to return.
Distribution
Perhaps because it is aimed at a substantially younger demographic than Go Nagai's other creations, ''Majokko Tickle'' is one of Nagai's most obscure works. Nevertheless, the series was dubbed into other languages and broadcast in several other countries, including
Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
(''Lilli, un guaio tira l'altro''),
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
(''Magique Tickle, drole de fee'' or "Tickle the Funny Fairy"),
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
, and
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called voivodeships, covering an area of . Poland has a population of over 38 million and is the fifth-most populous ...
(''Magiczne Igraszki''). In Italy, the opening theme song was an instrumental version of the original Japanese theme by
Mitsuko Horie
is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer. She was born in Yamato, Kanagawa.
She has voiced several characters throughout her career, such as Sailor Galaxia in '' Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars'' and Remi in the Nippon Animation World Masterp ...
, and the Polish version (aired on
Polonia 1
Polonia 1 is one of the first Polish commercial television channels, consisting at first of a network of 12 (and - for a short time - even 13) local TV stations in bigger cities. The station was established by Sardinian businessman Nicola Grauso, ...
) retains the original Japanese vocal themes, but an entirely different song was used in the French version. The Polish dub is peculiar in that it does not feature actual Polish voice actors, but simply a reading of Polish-language dialogue by a female voiceover artist over the original Japanese dialogue. Both the Italian and French dub have completely new music and SFX, possibly because Toei didn't have the original materials. A
Spanish
Spanish might refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain:
**Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain
**Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries
**Spanish cuisine
Other places
* Spanish, Ontario, Can ...
dub, titled ''Cosquillas Mágicas'', was also shown in
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
on the
Antena 3 network.
Since the copyright of the series belongs to Toei Co. Ltd. and not Toei Animation, a
VHS and
LD release was not possible. Also, because of this situation, Tickle's appearance in the 1999
Role-playing video game
A role-playing video game (commonly referred to as simply a role-playing game or RPG, as well as a computer role-playing game or CRPG) is a video game genre where the player controls the actions of a character (or several party members) immers ...
''
Majokko Daisakusen: Little Witching Mischiefs'' (which featured magical girls from Toei Animation TV series from 1966–1981, including
Cutie Honey
is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai. First appearing in ''Weekly Shōnen Champions 41st issue of 1973, the series ran until April 1974. It follows an android girl named Honey Kisaragi, who trans ...
,
Megu-chan,
Sally
Sally may refer to:
People
*Sally (name), a list of notable people with the name
Military
*Sortie (siege warfare), Sally (military), an attack by the defenders of a town or fortress under siege against a besieging force; see sally port
*Sally, ...
,
Akko-chan among others), was not possible. After several years, the series has finally been released for the home video market by
Toei Video in Japan in 4 DVD sets of two discs between 2005 and 2006.
Anime staff
(Source: Anime News Network; Anime Memorial, ''The Anime Encyclopedia'' by Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy)
* Original creator: Go Nagai
* Series director: Takashi Kuoka
* Direction: Atsushi Takagi, Tôru Sakata, Takashi Hisaoka, Tôru Sakata, Yûji Uchida, Kenji Nakano, Fumio Tashiro
* Script: Mitsuru Majima, Tatsuo Tamura, Yoshimi Shinozaki, Sukehiro Tomita, Hirohisa Soda, Akiyoshi Sakai, Naoko Miyake,
Masaki Tsuji
is a Japanese anime screenwriter, mystery writer, manga author, travel critic, essayist, professor as well as mystery fiction novels writer. Tsuji was most active in the business from the 1960s through the 1980s, and worked as a script writer on ...
,
Kunihiko Yuyama
is a Japanese director best known for his work on the ''Pokémon'' anime franchise. He also directed ''Magical Princess Minky Momo'', '' Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko'', ''The Three Musketeers Anime'', ''Ushio and Tora'', '' Kimagure ...
, Kôzô Takagaki, Yû Yamamoto, Toyohiro Andô, Tomoko Konparu
* Storyboard: Hideo Yamada, Atsushi Takagi, Shûji Iuchi, Hiroshi Ashibe, Katsutoshi Sasaki, Kunihiko Yuyama, Watake Na
* Character designs: Hiroshi Takahisa, Osamu Motohara
* Animation directors: Takeshi Tamazawa, Yûji Uchida, Kanji Hara, Masuo Ani, Yoshiteru Kobayashi, Otojirô Katô
* Backgrounds: Shin Kato
* Music:
Takeo Watanabe
Takeo Watanabe' Animeland Retrieved November 11, 2009. was a Japanese musician and composer. In addition to composing the well known theme song for ''Cutie Honey'' he has also composed music for multiple anime television series and films includ ...
* Theme song lyrics: Go Nagai (OP),
Saburo Yatsude
() (also styled TOEI) is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution and video game developer and publishing company. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan (all but two of them operated by ...
(a pseudonym for the collective Toei - not Toei Animation - staff) (ED)
* Theme song performance:
Mitsuko Horie
is a Japanese actress, voice actress and singer. She was born in Yamato, Kanagawa.
She has voiced several characters throughout her career, such as Sailor Galaxia in '' Sailor Moon: Sailor Stars'' and Remi in the Nippon Animation World Masterp ...
(OP- ''Majokko Tickle'', ED- ''Tickle and Tiko's Cha-cha-cha'')
* Production: Neomedia/Nippon Sunrise/Kaze Pro for Toei Company Ltd.
External links
''Majokko Tickle'' at allcinema
*
''Majokko Tickle''at Animemorial
at ''Viva! Dynamic'' website
Overview and review of the series''Magique Tickle'' overview and review
{{Sunrise
1978 anime television series debuts
Go Nagai
Magical girl anime and manga
Sunrise (company)
Shogakukan manga
Akita Shoten manga