Sally the Witch (1966)
The groundbreaking 1966 Japanese anime that launched the magical girl genre, following a young witch princess living secretly among humans on Earth.
Sally the Witch - Series Information
- Original Title: 魔法使いサリー
- First Air Year: 1966
- Last Air Year: 1968
- Created by: Mitsuteru Yokoyama
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 109
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: December 5, 1966 (South Korea - ALL)
- Networks: NET
- Alternative Titles: 요술공주 새리 (KR), Mahou Tsukai Sally (JP)
- Production Companies: Toei Animation
- Production Countries: Japan
Sally the Witch - Plot
Sally is the witch princess of the Magic Kingdom who longs to visit the mortal realm, presumably to make friends her own age. One day, by mistake, Sally teleports to the "mid world" (Earth), where she uses her magic to fend off a couple of burglars menacing two schoolgirls. Immediately befriended by her new acquaintances — tomboyish Yoshiko Hanamura (known affectionately as "Yotchan") and girly Sumire Kasugano — Sally decides to stay on Earth indefinitely, leading to mischief. As with Samantha Stevens in Bewitched, Sally tries to keep her supernatural abilities secret, assuming the role of a human child.
In the final episode, Sally's grandma informs her she must return to the Magic Kingdom. Before leaving, Sally tries to tell her friends about her origins, but no one will believe her. Then her elementary school catches on fire, and Sally uses her magic to put it out. Her powers thus exposed, Sally's time to leave has finally come. She waves farewell to her friends, and returns to the Magic Kingdom.
Being so popular in Japan, mostly the same way as classic Hanna-Barbera characters are in America, a second series was produced 20 years later. The second series continues a few years after the original ending, and finishes with the Original video animation Sally the Witch: Mother's Love is Eternal, in which, at the end, Sally finally becomes the ruler Queen of the Magic Kingdom, but worries about leaving her friends behind.
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Sally the Witch - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Mitsuteru Yokoyama
Main Cast
- Kenji Utsumi
- Reiko Mutoh
- Midori Katō
- Keiko Yamamoto
- Fuyumi Shiraishi
- Sanae Takagi
Sally the Witch - FAQs
Is Sally the Witch the first magical girl anime?
Sally the Witch is widely recognized as the first magical girl anime series ever produced. Premiering in December 1966 on NET, it established the foundational template for the entire magical girl genre — a legacy that continues to influence anime decades later.
What inspired the creation of Sally the Witch?
Creator Mitsuteru Yokoyama drew direct inspiration from the American sitcom Bewitched, which featured a witch living secretly among ordinary people. He reimagined that concept for a younger Japanese audience, centering the story on a child witch rather than an adult, and setting it in a school environment.
When did Sally the Witch first air?
Sally the Witch first aired on December 5, 1966, on the Japanese network NET. The series ran until 1968, spanning a single season of 109 episodes. Its success was so enduring that a sequel series was produced roughly twenty years after the original concluded.
Did Sally the Witch get a sequel or continuation?
A second series was produced approximately twenty years after the original ended, picking up the story a few years after Sally's departure. It concluded with the original video animation Sally the Witch: Mother's Love is Eternal, in which Sally ultimately becomes Queen of the Magic Kingdom.
Who are the main voice actors in Sally the Witch?
The principal voice cast includes Kenji Utsumi, Reiko Mutoh, Midori Katō, Keiko Yamamoto, Fuyumi Shiraishi, and Sanae Takagi. The series was produced by Toei Animation and originally broadcast on the Japanese television network NET.
What is Sally the Witch about?
Sally is a young witch princess from the Magic Kingdom who accidentally teleports to Earth and decides to stay, befriending two schoolgirls. She tries to blend in as a normal child while secretly using her magic to help those around her — all while keeping her true identity hidden.
How many episodes does Sally the Witch have?
Sally the Witch ran for 109 episodes across its single season, airing from December 1966 to December 1968. Each episode has an average runtime of around 30 minutes. The series was produced by Toei Animation and broadcast on the Japanese network NET.
What shows are similar to Sally the Witch?
Fans of Sally the Witch may enjoy Sailor Moon Crystal, Magical Girl Site, and The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior for their magical girl themes. The Owl House and Hilda offer similarly charming supernatural adventures for younger audiences with a modern sensibility.
More About Sally the Witch
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