The closing scene of "The Mercury Witch" is a powerful and dramatic conclusion to the play. The scene takes place in a dimly lit room, filled with smoke and the sound of howling wind. The protagonist, Emily, stands in the center of the stage, surrounded by her coven of witches. Throughout the play, Emily has undergone a journey of self-discovery and transformation, ultimately embracing her true powers as a witch. In this final scene, her newfound confidence and strength are on full display. She exudes a commanding presence, with an air of mystery and power.
Similarly, magical characters acting like normal people in a slice of life do not count if their magical abilities are given a logical framework. This reminds the audience that the characters are unusual and undermines the narrative power of the uncertainty of the fantastic. That's So Raven was a great show, but it wasn't magic realism.
Magic realist novelists - like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, or Alejo Carpentier - talk about magic as if it s not worth any more attention than any other event in someone s daily life. Magic realist novelists - like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, or Alejo Carpentier - talk about magic as if it s not worth any more attention than any other event in someone s daily life.
She exudes a commanding presence, with an air of mystery and power. As Emily addresses her coven, she speaks with conviction and authority. Her words are filled with wisdom and knowledge, gained from her experiences and growth as a witch.
A few words regarding magical realism in anime
I've seen the term 'magic(al) realism' dropped in discussion threads occasionally, and sometimes it's used, in my opinion, incorrectly. Now, the idea of magical realism has varied slightly since its conception in the early 1900s. So I can't object too much if you think it has a unique meaning in the context of anime.
However, for now, here's what I think it means, based on what I learned in English class: Magic realism makes the fantastic mundane. Magic realist novelists - like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, or Alejo Carpentier - talk about magic as if it's not worth any more attention than any other event in someone's daily life. Some stories may even border on the absurd, but it should never be enough to make the reader think, oh look that character is using magic. (I think this is roughly what wikipedia says, if you can trust that site.)
The original magic realists were inspired by their counter-culture sempais from the turn of the century. not by fantasy writers. Although I bet some of them respected people like Tolkien, they were much closer to Kafka and Borges. In The Metamorphosis, the MC doesn't turn into a bug due to mana or some fantasy world construct. He turns into a bug. just because. That episode is supposed to reveal more about the MC's inner psyche than whether or not magic exists in his universe. That's how magic realism works. It uses strange fantastical occurrences as a storytelling style.
So, what then exactly is magic realism in anime? It is NOT Fate Zero. Yes, Urobutcher shows us a world where magic is used tactically giving it the feeling of a realistic war game. But just because I wrote the words 'magic' and 'realistic' doesn't make it magic realism. In Fate Zero, magic is clearly a supernatural entity, whose origins are explained using classic fantasy tropes. A better word for it would be 'realistic fantasy'.
Similarly, magical characters acting like normal people in a slice of life do not count if their magical abilities are given a logical framework. This reminds the audience that the characters are unusual and undermines the narrative power of the uncertainty of the fantastic. That's So Raven was a great show, but it wasn't magic realism.
Here, I'll make a list of shows that may be mistaken for magic realism, to highlight their similarities:
- Madoka Magica - in fact anything with girls obtaining magical powers makes the magic too obvious
- Anything in the Fate/Garden of Sinners/Tsukihime universe
- Paprika - it does blur the line between reality and the fantastic, but it uses a scifi device to do so
- FLCL - quite absurd, but once again everything is resolved in a scifi framework
- The Devil is a Part Timer
Here're some shows that almost have all qualities of magic realism, but fall somewhat outside the genre, most often because they explain the magic with world building, effectively making it not mundane:
- Natsu no Arashi - characters are labeled as supernatural ghosts, and
- Uchouten Kazoku (Eccentric Family) - this one almost takes the cake, but in the last episode
And now for the magic realism:
- Tatami Galaxy - exaggerates mundane events, and characters grow bigger than life, but that's just how the story is told
- Millennium Actress - the MC's life is embellished by the narrator, who gives events a fantastic nature
In the last two examples the magical elements become part of the stories' styles, rather than a plot point to be consistently developed throughout the narrative. Animes featuring voiceover narrators reflecting on past events are especially well-suited for this. We the audience get the feeling that they're coloring their memories with magic. And who are we to claim that for such an interesting moment in their lives there really wasn't any magic at all?
If any of you are super English majors, feel free to counter what I say, or even better, we can have a good ole debate!
tl;dr - Magical realism makes magic indistinguishable from what's normal. It weaves fantastic elements in and out of the story as a stylistic device. It doesn't use magic for worldbuilding. It is Tatami Galaxy, not Fate Zero.
edit 2 - I tried to write out clearer examples of the difference between magical realism and fantasy in this comment
edit 3 - Some magical realism movies you may have seen: Amelie, Big Fish, Benjamin Button, Pan's Labyrinth. Note how there isn't any conventional LOTR style magic in any of the movies. The 'magical' events are more surreal. I think u/Portal2Reference put it well: "the first time you see Magical Realism, it's going to feel really really weird"
edit 4 - Also check out u/Squidstache 's comment
Here, I'll make a list of shows that may be mistaken for magic realism, to highlight their similarities:
She reminds her coven of the importance of unity, empathy, and the responsible use of their powers. The stage is adorned with symbols of magic and spirituality. The set design evokes a sense of otherworldliness, with mystical artifacts and candles flickering in the background. The lighting creates an ethereal atmosphere, enhancing the supernatural aspects of the play. Emily's closing monologue is a culmination of the play's themes. She emphasizes the power that lies within each person and the importance of embracing one's true self. She encourages her coven to use their powers for the greater good, spreading love and understanding instead of fear and manipulation. The closing scene leaves the audience with a sense of awe and wonder. It serves as a reminder of the beauty and complexity of human nature, as well as the potential for growth and change. The play concludes on a note of hope and possibility, leaving the audience inspired and uplifted. Overall, the closing scene of "The Mercury Witch" is a powerful and moving conclusion to the play. It showcases the protagonist's growth and transformation, as well as the themes of self-discovery and the responsible use of power. The scene leaves the audience with a sense of wonder and hope for the future..
Reviews for "The Mercury Witch's Final Scene: Writing and Directing Choices"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars
I found the closing scene of the mercury witch to be extremely disappointing. The buildup throughout the movie was fantastic, creating an intense and mysterious atmosphere. However, the final scene felt rushed and underdeveloped. It was as if the filmmakers didn't know how to wrap up the story properly, leaving me with more questions than answers. The resolution felt forced and cliché, taking away from the unique and captivating aspects of the movie.
2. Mark - 1 star
The closing scene of the mercury witch was a complete letdown for me. It was filled with unnecessary twists and turns that didn't add anything to the overall plot. The resolution felt forced and illogical, leaving me scratching my head in confusion. I was hoping for a satisfying conclusion, but instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed. Overall, I found the ending to be a major flaw that overshadowed any redeeming qualities the movie had.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I have to say, the closing scene of the mercury witch was a big letdown for me. The movie had built up such an intriguing and haunting story, but the ending failed to deliver on that promise. It felt rushed and poorly executed, leaving many loose ends untied and unanswered. I wanted closure and resolution, but instead, I was left feeling confused and unsatisfied. The filmmakers missed an opportunity to leave a lasting impact with the final scene, and it ultimately weakened the overall impact of the movie.