2022 Webcomic Roundup: A March of Magic
Magical girls, boys, nonbinaries, and rebels are marching for this month’s webcomic roundup. Stories about the different transitions we go through, enduring life’s challenges, and more. Webcomics featured are from WebToon, Tapas, and other online platforms.
The 27 webcomics featured in this month’s roundup include stories inspired by Japan’s magical girl genre, tales of witches and mischief, traveling between time or worlds, and the trials of a second chance. So here we go!
Ashley Altar encounters Seth Charming, who had died in the past. Seth comes from the 1920s to Ashley’s present time with the help of the Gemini Twin Angels, Sera and Cherry. Ashley and Seth both possess the keys to Heaven and Earth. But Ashley, the titular Altar Girl, has enough on her plate already besides school and life in general.
I first heard about Altar Girl after listening to an episode featuring the creator on Ayumi Shinozaki’s Sparkleside Chats podcast. The comic is available to purchase in print, but you can get a taste from the first nine episodes on WebToon. It’s a charming story that doesn’t shy away from grief and growing up.
After crash landing on Earth, Kate receives extraordinary abilities from an alien relic. Several years later, she’s using her powers to track down criminals and fight alongside friends. As one of the chosen guardians, Kate sets off in her mission to find the other guardians while confronting her past.
This is another webcomic that I first heard about from Ayumi Shinozaki’s podcast. The story contains an awesome trans woman protagonist and swiftly drawn action sequences.
Nobody knows about Ebony’s potential as a powerful witch. But that doesn’t matter to Ebony herself. And so she’s going to prove herself by casting a powerful spell. All she needs is a dragon’s heart to complete it. She sets off to find a dragon’s heart with her teddy bear accompanying her.
A captivating story with heart, Ebony’s character development brims with promise.
Read more webcomics by Black creators here!
Kaoru thinks she’s nothing special. To her, it’s better to stay invisible as a (magical) girl who can accurately predict the weather. However, life has other plans, and she learns how to trust others and become confident with herself.
A colorful and lovely magical girl story about the physical and emotional transformations we go through, particularly during significant life events, for better or worse.
Luminous is also available to read in Spanish.
A Magical Girl’s Guide to Adulting by Patrick McCabe
After living a magical teenage life (pun intended), Molly, of course, becomes an adult years later. It’s not fun and glitter anymore when you have to pay bills and rent. Join her as she navigates life after her magical girl days.
Stories about what happens after a chosen one or hero saves the world always intrigue me. This webcomic in particular shows the reality of being an adult gracefully and with humor.
This Magical Moment by Na Yoonhee (Completed)
A witch, a former child actor, and a nun-to-be face obstacles and challenges in their everyday lives. Their stories navigate what it means to prove yourself when the people around them think you can’t go beyond your potential.
I read this beautiful and insightful webcomic on WebToon’s Daily Pass over a month ago, but the characters and imaginative alternate universe remain in my mind afterward. It’s an interpersonal narrative about the biases and perceptions preventing genuine human contact.
Magical Monster Girls by Ryu (Creator’s site is unavailable)
In August 2016, a teenage girl named Darcy dies and comes back as a monstrous magical girl. With other monstrous magical girls by her side, Darcy experiences the challenges of this new life.
This story wonderfully shows how turning into something considered great or cool doesn’t require a price. Some things that appear beneficial might actually be worse than death.
Magical Boys by HusbandAndHusband
A group of young college men who possess magical powers, each based on one of the five senses, join a coven to hone their abilities. Michael becomes disappointed by this school for witches. His experience dashes his expectations. Instead of belonging, he faces the challenge of opening himself up to his peers. But he also needs to embrace himself without worrying about meeting others’ expectations.
16 episodes have been available since March 2017, but the story so far intrigued me enough to keep reading. I especially admire the clever characterization (i.e., the little old lady with a loud voice.) Magical Boys also tackles the meaning of masculinity and Queerness.
Cafe on Crepe Island by dyohna
On an island where humans and magical beings coexist, Berry and his new friend Candy Swirl encounter a mermaid and have exciting adventures.
Steven Universe fans are sure to enjoy this webcomic. Either way, it’s adorable and imaginative at the same time.
Read more webcomics by Black creators here!
Palm Leaf by Cisco and Max (Creators’s sites are unavailable)
A palm leaf manuscript transports siblings Alex and Baboy to an ancient jungle where danger lurks in various forms. With their newly gained powers, the two have to use their smarts and magic to navigate this place.
It’s exciting to discover more fantasy from underrepresented and international creators. Palm Leaf, based on Filipino lore, provides a gorgeously constructed story that deserves praise and recognition.
As if middle school isn’t hard enough. Now Sara faces the fact that his mother, a retired magical girl, returns to her fighting evil days. Soon he finds himself transforming into a magical boy and learns what it means to be a warrior of love and friendship.
Okay, I love stories about older heroes (either still fighting or retired) and life after their peak years. Magical Mom is no exception. The mother and son dynamics are endearing.
Least Likely Magical Girl by genericbunnygirl (Creator’s site is unavailable)
A closeted trans girl faces another ordeal of accepting herself after enduring conversion therapy and parental abuse. Even when she eventually gets the chance to turn into her desired self, it’s still easier said than done.
To say that I’m amazed by this webcomic undermines the creator’s prowess as a storyteller. Like Magical Boy by Vincent Kao, Least Likely Magical Girl serves as a powerful narrative about gender performativity and self-acceptance.
My Boyfriend’s a Magical Girl?! by Johkerr
Vanessa Pierce’s boyfriend, Liam Driscoll, surprisingly becomes a magical girl. Now he has powers to control and foes to defeat.
This is a comical webcomic that explores what it means to be a hero. Liam receives abilities that aren’t meant to be his, and now he has to learn to manage them.
Magical Boy Transform by magical boy (Creator’s site is unavailable)
Robin starts another school year, which means another year of bullies and awkward encounters. He meets a new student named Lukas and later on discovers monsters and magic. And it turns out that Lukas is a magical boy himself.
Robin, a trans man, goes through so much in between real life and supernatural encounters. His character development impresses me.
Revenge of the Candy Snatchers by SKETCHFro
Young witch Caramel pursues the three possessed dolls that she’d accidentally released. It doesn’t help that these dolls have a sweet tooth.
A cute and funny webcomic that reminds me of Soul Eater, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Halloween Town. A lovable protagonist, amazing setting, and an engaging plot.
Read more webcomics by Black creators here!
Half of the Crown by Ro Higashi
Penny Chiu and Issei Devlin get caught in the middle of a battle between angels and demons. Penny just wants to start fresh in her new school, so an encounter and magical mashup with Issei isn’t expected. But their survival depends on them working together.
I find this webcomic equal parts sweet and funny. Intriguing conflict and fun character dynamics as well.
A witch accidentally turns a vampire into a cat. Morgana’s witch coven and Oz’s vampire clan teeter on the verge of war. The two have no choice but to work together to prevent this potential skirmish.
If I had to describe this webcomic in three words, they’d be sweet, charming, and delightful. The story contains a consistent balance between humorous, endearing, and tense scenes.
Pippa & Levi by onyichii (18+)
A vampire witch named Pippa and the mermaid Levi encounter each other after a bird brings a gift from Pippa’s late husband to Levi. Both Pippa and Levi have lost a loved one, and it seems like this is the beginning of their healing.
This is a lovely story about grief and healing. A potentially powerful narrative and a must read.
Read more webcomics by Black creators here!
SuperChic: Rosemary! by CaptainHAHA
Two soulmates team up together to protect their city and battle their own demons. A fun magical webcomic with a colorful artstyle and dynamic characters. Plus, it’s a well nuanced exploration of mental health and interpersonal relationships.
Read more webcomics by Black creators here!
Apricot Cookie(s)! by Louis Lloyd-Judson
The only girl who can’t transform into a magical girl, Apricot Cookie nonetheless strives to prove herself. After finally figuring out what’s preventing her from reaching her goal, she goes for that chance. Nonsense and magical girl shenanigans follow (and fanservice.)
Apricot Cookie(s)! references and parodies magical girl and shōnen anime. The webcomic contains laugh out loud moments for readers who have had a long day.
I Shall Master this Family by Kim Roah & Mon (AntStudio)
The once reputable Lombardi family faced difficult decisions after the patriarch’s passing. Firentia, the half sister of the family, experiences an untimely death as an adult and finds herself back in time. In her seven-year-old body, she aims to earn her grandfather’s (the patriarch) honor, prevent her father’s death, and maintain the family’s reputation. She will make sure that she becomes the head of the Lombardi household.
At this point, I’m a sucker for the isekai genre. There’s just so many good ones, even if they follow the same tropes and similar storylines. I Shall Master this Family is a charming story with a lovable and clever protagonist.
I’ve been granted free access to I Shall Master this Family in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Don’t Hire My Brother, Your Highness! by SUHO & RYU HEON (Creators’s sites are unavailable)
After she dies of overworking, she’s reincarnated as Irene Werber, a side character from a romance novel. In the novel, Irene’s older brother will work for the Crown Prince. But she’s not letting that Prince exploit her brother. She just needs to find the Prince herself.
The story explores the consequences of capitalism both in the real world and in the novel the protagonist finds herself in. There’s also endearing sibling dynamics here between Irene and her brother.
I’ve been granted free access to Don’t Hire My Brother, Your Highness! in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Falcon Princess by COIN, SWE, & Hanryui (Creators’s sites are unavailable)
Princess Zeline wakes up as a Falcon after fleeing the war in her kingdom. Now she’s the messenger for Commander Valhye. In the warring kingdom of Roymund, Valhye’s army searches for any survivors of the royal family. In her falcon form, she aims to learn what had happened to her family, but she’s going to have to earn the commander’s trust along the way.
A comical story with its tender moments. I enjoy the character dynamics in this one.
I’ve been granted free access to The Falcon Princess in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A Talented Maid by Yuin & Sanho (Creators’s sites are unavailable)
Maurina, the last of her kingdom’s royal descendants, disguises herself as a maid named Marie. When she helps a dying man, he offers her to grant a wish. She simply wishes to help other people and ensure their happiness. Her wish, granted, brings more to her table. She receives visions of highly regarded people, and the situation becomes complicated as the crown prince seeks the lost Maurina.
A webcomic with a great protagonist who demonstrates emotional strength. A story that’s fantastical and sweet at the same time.
I’ve been granted free access to A Talented Maid in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A Tender Heart: The Story of How I Became a Duke’s Maid by Aloha & Jooahri (Creators’s sites are unavailable)
A reader of this novel wakes up as one of its characters, a maid eventually relegated to care for Liandro. Horribly cursed, Liandro suffers from rejection and neglect. The maid, Evelina, wants to change the original novel’s plans for him.
I admire the exploration of interpersonal relationships here. Evelina and Liandro’s eventual romance isn’t as perfect. Liandro especially has to manage his stunted emotional growth and abandonment issues.
I’ve been granted free access to A Tender Heart: The Story of How I Became a Duke’s Maid in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Searching for my Father by ONGNYO & Blooming Bouquet (Creators’s sites are unavailable)
Louise, abused by Benjamin who was obsessed with her late mother, gets a second chance. Following her death, she awakes eight years in the past. This time, she tries to make sure that she doesn’t suffer her fate again. That includes finding her father.
This webcomic is a difficult read, but it handles abuse and grooming sensitively. Louise learns that getting a second chance doesn’t mean she can change everything for the better.
Content Warnings: child abuse, grooming, sexual abuse
I’ve been granted free access to Searching for my Father in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Villainess’s Daughter by Kim Jiho, Furik, & suncy (Creators’s sites are unavailable)
Daphne, bullied and threatened for being the daughter of a villainess, takes action to avoid her fate in the novel’s original plot. That means she has to work for her safety and happiness. Of course, it won’t be easy to get there, but she’s determined to claim her agency in this story.
Another villainess isekai story, but that doesn’t deter my enjoyment of reading it. I love Daphne’s persistent character.
I’ve been granted free access to The Villainess’s Daughter in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Webcomics I’ve Reviewed This Month:
Rescue Me by Sharean Morishita
First Impressions of 21st Century Knights by Plasticbottru & The Last Dimension by Leaglem
First Impressions of Vampire Magicka by Byran Golden
Counting Sheep by Raysdrawlings
Song for Cantalagua by Maria Izquierdo, Antar Castro, Paulo Esparzo, et al.
First Impressions of Gzhel Guardian by Atla Hrafney and Anya & Woven by Lark & Wren
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Is there a webcomic you’d like to recommend (it doesn’t have to fit this month’s theme)? Feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
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For more great webcomic recommendations, check out our Wednesday Webcomics archives! You can check out previous roundups here.
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*My mentioning of any platforms on this post is unsponsored.
Author: Bradda M.
Bradda M. currently lives in Virginia. He teaches ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) at a public school and spends his free time reading and watching movies each night with his partner. For The Geekiary, he writes about webcomics and SFF media.
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