Magic represented by 2D patterns in anime and manga (lemmy.nz)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by pglpm@lemmy.ca to c/anime@lemmy.ml

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/68868025

Since quite a few years back, it's been quite commonplace in fantasy anime and manga to represent casting magic as some kinds of 2D circles or geometric figures with patterns, possibly multiple ones, as in the image on the right (Frieren). I see this idea used in almost all – if not all – anime and manga now.

It hasn't always been that way though. Older anime and manga used other and different kinds of representations, say from blinking stars (image on the left, Majokko Megu-chan) to smoke, or even just sound effects.

I'm just curious: does anyone have any info or links to share about how this "2D representation" came about and why it's become so popular? Cheers!

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[-] Daryl76679@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 month ago

I think it ultimately comes from the magic circle, which is a pretty ancient idea. I know Fairy Tale is pretty notable for this, but I don’t think it’s the first anime to do it

[-] ZeroHora@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Fate did first I just don't remember if is in the Stay Night or the Zero. Toaru Majutsu no Index has some too.

Fairy Tale was annoying because if I recall correctly is an anime thing, the manga doesn't have this shit.

If is not one those is some 90s anime that I can't remember.

Edit: I completely forgot that the first full metal anime is from 2003, is probably the one that made it popular.

[-] DarkSirrush@piefed.ca 2 points 1 month ago

The manga has a few magic circles, but its for very specific types of magic only, and honestly after the first time someone casts that magic they tend to drop a lot of the flair around the spell, including needing things like a magic circle to cast it.

[-] ZeroHora@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I can't remember. I'm genuinely very happy that Fairy Tale is just a blur in my mind, if I start to remember things I'll get angry at it again.

[-] pglpm@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 month ago

Thank you all for these! Interesting that the anime used this graphic device but the manga didn't. It fits with what some are saying, that this device became popular thanks to computer graphics.

[-] marcie@lemmy.ml 6 points 1 month ago

I feel it's mostly MMOs causing this new conception

[-] pglpm@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 month ago

I never played any, didn't know they used this too. Will check some out. Any suggestions?

[-] Xenoscribbler@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 month ago

My take is that it just made distinctive sense to show that magic was being cast as opposed to spiritual manipulation that was on the rise of superpowers.

[-] Axolotl_cpp@feddit.it 2 points 3 weeks ago

It's just the ideas of magic circle, it's actually very old and i am quite happy they use it, people just using magic wihout always felt lame to me tbh

[-] excel@lemming.megumin.org 2 points 1 month ago

Cardcaptor Sakura and Mahojin Guruguru are, off the top of my head, both older examples that still used 2D magic circles.

this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2026

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