Magical Girl Lalabel

まほうしょうじょららべる

Aired: 1980 - 1981

A television anime produced by Toei Doga (now Toei Animation) and broadcast on TV Asahi affiliates, this entry in Toei's long-running 'Majokko' (witch-girl) lineage stands as a pioneering predecessor to Studio Pierrot's later magical-girl boom. Apprentice witch Lalabel arrives on Earth in pursuit of the magical-realm thief Biscus, is welcomed into a kindly Japanese household as their newest daughter and, with wand and magical implements in hand, sets about resolving the everyday troubles of her human friends. The series is voiced and sung by anison icon Mitsuko Horie - in keeping with Toei's tradition of having lead actresses double as theme-song vocalists - and combines charming character design, Izumi Taku's catchy songcraft and warm slice-of-life drama. Its influence on later magical-girl anime is widely acknowledged.