Hiroyuki Etō’s Magical Circle Guru-Guru 2 manga is set to conclude with its 21st volume. The 20th volume, released on April 12, 2025, included an announcement that the next volume would be the last. This marks the end of a long journey for fans of the comedic fantasy series, which is a sequel to the original Magical Circle Guru-Guru manga that ran from 1992 to 2003.
A Journey Through Magical Circle Guru-Guru
Magical Circle Guru-Guru is a gag parody manga that draws heavily on early role-playing games (RPGs). Hiroyuki Etō utilized his appreciation for the genre to create a lighthearted series that follows the adventures of Nike, a reluctant hero, and Kukuri, a young magician who uses “Guru Guru” magic. The series is known for its humor, often poking fun at RPG tropes and conventions.
The Original Magical Circle Guru-Guru
The original manga was serialized in Enix’s Monthly Shōnen Gangan from July 11, 1992, to August 12, 2003, spanning 16 volumes. The series was adapted into an anime series in 1994, which gained considerable popularity. The anime, produced by Nippon Animation, ran for 45 episodes and covered the first four volumes of the manga, along with some original adventures. A film adaptation followed in 1996, and a second anime series, Doki Doki Densetsu Mahōjin Guru Guru, aired in 2000, covering volumes 5 to 11 of the manga.
The story of the original Magical Circle Guru-Guru centers on Nike and Kukuri’s quest to defeat the Demon King Giri, who has been resurrected after 300 years. Giri seeks to conquer the world, and it is up to Nike and Kukuri to stop him. Along their journey, they travel the world, battle monsters, and gain new abilities, all while parodying RPG elements.
Magical Circle Guru-Guru 2: A Sequel’s Tale
Magical Circle Guru-Guru 2 picks up the story after the original series. Etō launched the sequel in November 2012 on Square Enix’s Gangan Online website. The first volume was published in July 2013.
The sequel begins with Nike and Kukuri returning to Earth after becoming bored with life in heaven. However, a new Demon King emerges, prompting the king to seek out Nike once again. Kukuri, initially unable to use her Guru Guru magic, must regain her powers to join Nike on their new adventure.
Hiroyuki Etō: The Artist Behind the Magic
Hiroyuki Etō is a Japanese manga artist known for his comedic adventure stories. Born in Taketa City, Oita Prefecture, Etō’s early influences included rock music and the works of romance manga artist Yukiko Oshima. He attended Musashino Art University and began his career submitting comics to “Again Manga School”.
Etō made his professional debut in 1985 with Watch Store Lady SEKUNDEN ZEIGER GENT TICK TICK TICK. After a brief hiatus from the manga industry, he returned in 1990 to work on Enix magazine’s Game Dragon Quest IV. This led to the creation of Magical Circle Guru-Guru, which became his most famous work.
A Diverse Career
In addition to his manga work, Etō is also a DJ with the nickname NICK-Q, hosting events called “HUP” (Happy UFO Party). His interests extend to space, aliens, and mysteries, themes that sometimes appear in his manga. He also likes cats and has included them in his comics.
Etō’s work has inspired many, including Hiromu Arakawa, the creator of Fullmetal Alchemist, who worked as Etō’s assistant early in her career. Arakawa has cited Etō’s Magical Circle Guru Guru as an inspiration for her own work.
The Legacy of Magical Circle Guru-Guru
Magical Circle Guru-Guru has left a significant mark on the manga and anime world. Its humor and parody of RPGs have resonated with audiences for decades. The series has been praised for its lightheartedness and its ability to poke fun at genre conventions.
Adaptations and Spinoffs
The Magical Circle Guru-Guru franchise includes several anime adaptations, a film, and a browser game. The anime series have been particularly popular, with the original 1994 series and the 2017 reboot both receiving positive reviews.
In addition to the main series, Etō has also created spinoffs, such as Buyūden Kita Kita, a series about a comical dancing old man from the original manga. This demonstrates the rich world and characters that Etō created within the Magical Circle Guru-Guru universe.
A Lasting Impact
As Magical Circle Guru-Guru 2 comes to an end, the legacy of the series will continue to live on. Its influence can be seen in other works that parody RPGs and its humor continues to entertain fans. The adventures of Nike and Kukuri have become a beloved part of manga and anime history, and Hiroyuki Etō’s creation will be remembered for its unique blend of comedy and fantasy.
