Mao-Chan (Volume 1)
When 8-year-old Mao Onigawara presses her smiling clover pin, she  acquires a uniform and a baton, and assumes her role in the Special Ground Defense  Forces, protecting Japan from "cute little aliens." Mao is a typically klutzy  "magical girl," and she gets needed reinforcement from Misora Tsukishima (air  defense) and Sylvia Maruyama (sea defense). It's not clear how aliens who look  like plush toys could harm Japan, or why only second-graders can fight them. AsMaois based on a concept by Ken Akamatsu, the creator ofLove,  Hina, it's not surprising that the characters look like junior versions of  the Hinata Apartments gang. The series plays likeSailor Moon, but with  the ages of the characters pared down and the cuteness factor amped up to the  level ofHamtaroorHello Kitty. (Rated suitable for all ages, but  appropriate for 6 and older: minor cartoon violence, tobacco use)--Charles  Solomon