There's magical mayhem in the new anime Zero no Tsukaima. It's an action adventure and romantic comedy all rolled into one. This Harry Potter-esque show is currently being aired on Japanese TV.
Zero no Tsukaima is produced by J.C.STAFF, the studio behind such wonderful TV series as Azumanga Daioh, Daphne in the Brilliant Blue, Excel Saga, Starship Operators and R.O.D.
This quirky anime revolves around a female apprentice magician called Louise who is studying at the Tristein Academy (similar to Hogwarts in Harry Potter).
However, she has been nicknamed 'Zero Louise' by her classmates because of her failure to do any magic correctly. Not only does she score zero marks, but her spells also tend to go spectacularly wrong.
As part of her second year training, she has to create a summoning spell that will call forth a 'familiar', or loyal servant. Her fellow students all manage to summon interesting familiars ranging from little frogs to fire salamanders and blue-winged dragons.
Louise plans to do something right for once and amaze everyone. She casts a spell summoning a familiar that is devoted, beautiful and powerful.
