Magical Project S - Pretty Sammy Debut (Vol. 1)
WatchingMagical Project Sis like seeing the cast ofTenchi Muyo!perform in a formulaic "magical girl" show (a blatant rip-off ofSailor Moon) that doesn't really suit their talents. Tsunami is chosen  over Ramia to become the 208th Queen of the distant planet Juraihelm. But  before her power can be confirmed, she must forge a bond with an Earthling  and make her into a magical girl who will re-establish peace and a proper  moral order in the universe. Furious,  Ramia turns Sasami's best friend Misao into Pixy Misa, an evil magical girl.  In each episode, a talking version of Ryo-Ohki persuades the reluctant Sasami  to transform and defeat whatever creature Misa has summoned. The episodes are all predictable and repetitive, with lots of  reused animation. Bubble-brained Galactic Police Officer Mihoshi makes an  unlikely teacher for Sasami's fourth-grade class (the real Mihoshi would have  troublepassingfourth grade). Washu appears as a child prodigy/science teacher, although she looks no younger than she did inTenchi  Muyo. The series will probably appeal toSailor Moonfans, butMagical Project Slacks the nutty charm, romantic contretemps, and  sci-fi adventure that made theTenchifranchise so popular. (Rated 3 and older:  cartoon violence)--Charles Solomon