Agents of the Realm by Mildred Louis is the story of five college students — Norah, Adele, Paige, Kendall, and Jordan — who learn they are the latest generation of Agents tasked with protecting a gateway between worlds. With its coming-of-age female protagonists, magical transformation sequences and powers, and underlying theme of fate, this comic falls neatly (and intentionally) into the genre of magical girls.
Why is the magical girl genre an excellent medium for the exploration of gender?
Agents of the Realm follows in the grand tradition of magical girl stories, paying homage but also contributing to the legacy created by Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Madoka Magica. While iconic, these stories were not the first to claim the magical girl title as the genre has a rich history spanning the later half of the 20th century to today. While the types of stories they tell vary, one element remains roughly the same: the coming-of-age of young women. Underneath the magic and fabulous outfits, magical girl stories are about girls and women finding their place in the world as they deal with their day-to-day as students, develop relationships and friendships, and discover their identity through the trials set before them.
Credit: Mildred Louis
A five-panel page.
First panel: Jordan is blushing, with her hand on her cheek.
Mackenzie (off-panel): I really like your deviled egg costume.
Jordan: Thanks...
Second panel: Mackenzie is holding up her pop gun, dressed in a bright yellow skirt, nebula print top, tasseled leather jacket, and springy star headband.
Mackenzie: I’m a lil’ bummed though. No one’s figured out what I am yet. But I’m a —
Third panel: Jordan and Mackenzie come closer together, blushing.
Jordan: Shooting star...
Fourth panel: Adele, Norah, Paige, and Kendall are huddled together looking at the scene with fondness.
Mackenzie (off-panel): HEHE Yeah! I knew you’d get it!
Norah: Okay. Yeah. They are pretty adorable.
Overall, the magical girl genre allows the exploration and discussion of femininity because it is primarily created by women with a female audience in mind. While some magical girl stories vary in degrees of introspection, Agents of the Realm certainly brings the question of female sexuality to the table as its protagonists embrace and celebrate each other’s identities, orientations, and expressions. Naturally, that is not to say that other magical girl stories that do not dive into these topics as deeply or explicitly are in any way vapid or not worth checking out. All stories in the genre are, at their essence, about the celebration of femininity in all of it shapes and forms. Agents of the Realm, however, stands out by providing a much appreciated voice in a genre that has not always featured more diverse forms of femininity. It depicts women of different skin color, body shapes, and sexuality embracing their power and agency as much as those that fall among more traditionally-depicted forms of femininity.
Credit: Mildred Louis
A five-panel page.
First panel: Jordan and Mackenzie are talking together.
Leela (off-panel): It can be a chance to get to know someone.
Second panel: Paige is sharing a drink with a girl dressed as Squirtle.
Leela (off-panel): Finding out more about them. And sometimes even finding out more about yourself in the process.
Third panel: Adele is slow dancing with a boy.
Leela (off-panel): And if it’s something you’re looking for —
Fourth panel: Kendall is dancing with a girl.
Leela (off-panel): A chance for safe, carefree fun.
Fifth panel: Leela continues talking to Norah.
Leela (off-panel): You’ve got to go in knowing it’s all kind of ridiculous. But still find a way to have fun. Don’t get lost in the end game. Just try and enjoy yourself in the moment, even if it’s fleeting.
Credit: Mildred Louis
A page of 4 sets of 2 panels depicting the Agent’s transformation sequence.
First panel set: Adele transforming.
Imani Q (off-panel): your you head up high —
Second panel set: Kendall transforming.
Imani Q (off-panel): The stars are a part of you.
Third panel set: Paige transforming.
Imani Q (off-panel): Even if it’s dark —
Fourth panel set: Jordan transforming.
Imani Q (off-panel): The moon will still shine through.
Besides the fact that it is a primarily female-created genre, perhaps the more immediately noticeable appeal of magical girl stories is the existence of actual magic. At its core, magic is a manifestation of a character’s agency, and a magical girl is able to will her inner power into existence to change the world around her. Also, the genre’s emphasis on magical transformations is particularly appealing to the queer community reflects the idea of (re)claiming identity. In a world where queer identities are invisibilized and shunned, the ability that a magical girl has to use her own power to not only find her own identity, but also to outwardly become an exalted version of herself speaks to the heart of many. Magical girls have the power to express who they truly are in a world that often overlooks and dismisses them for simply being girls.