Mahō Shōjo: Lauren Moss: update

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So on the 2nd of July, 2015, I was awarded my bachelors degree, English Literature and Creative Writing (joint honours), 1st Class.

I really hope that this will be the first of a few higher level qualifications, and I dream of a day when I can fill in forms for online shopping with "Dr" instead of "Miss" (can you do that if you're not a science/medical type doctor? Hm. Also, what kind of qualification is the title "Professor" associated with? So many questions.)

I don't want to say that getting such a high mark (it was an easy 1st, let's put it that way), was straightforward or easy, but it felt right, and all of the work felt natural. The end products, my essays and dissertation, all made me very proud. Grade or no grade, it's the writing that matters to me at the end of the day.

That's why this blog is here. To keep me accountable and keep that work coming.

Unrelated news, I had a big clear out of my books they other day, and my manga has it's own dedicated shelf now. I even bought volume one of CLAMP's Cardcaptor Sakura to celebrate! I've also been pricing up copies of the various Puella Magi Madoka Magica series', and I'm pretty interested in looking at Tarte Magica - I love when mangaka lift elements of Western history, you get some really original work.

I'm Lauren Moss, and I was just an ordinary sixth former, until I met a magical creature named SFE, and signed a contract to become a Magical Student! That was three years ago, and I'm not exactly a shōjo anymore, but certainly not ready to grow up and give up my powers! I don't have SFE looking out for me anymore, but I'm going to do my best to defeat the yōma named 'MA' - wish me luck!

Forgive the indulgent silliness, I'm currently engaged in researching the mahō shōjo subgenre of Japanese manga and anime, and it only seems right that I kick this blog off in fitting style! This year I graduate from York St John University with a Bachelors in English Literature and Creative Writing (joint honours), and will (touch wood) begin my Masters study in English Literature at the same institution.

When I was eight or nine, the only TV show I really wanted to watch was Sailor Moon (specifically the English dub produced by DiC), and, as it was only repeated on Fox Kids at about eight o'clock on Saturday mornings, I actually tried to persuade my mother to let me quit ballet as it clashed with Sailor Moon. I was dead serious.

And although the magical girl subgenre as a whole can seem very silly indeed, it's standing within the Japanese media is very important indeed. Shōjo in general is a driving force behind Japanese consumerism, Hello Kitty being a go to example. Pretty girls in pretty clothes are absolutely ubiquitous to Japanese popular media, and, unsurprisingly, giving those girls some magical powers has led to some of the most dynamic and fascinating texts I have personally ever explored.

So, please enjoy some more indulgent silliness, with more glitter, bows, and frills than you've ever seen in one place.