About Misu

Illustration by B. Paikai

I am a Masters Candidate at the University of Victoria, where I have immersed myself in the study of Japanese Popular Culture for the last four years.  My interest in Japanese Street Fashion, Cosplay, Shojo Manga, and Magical Girls have segued into a life of Convention hopping throughout the Pacific Northwest with my seven-year-old son.  What began as a dare – what would happen if I did a panel on magical girls – has evolved into the greatest adventure of my life, being invited to amazing conventions and meeting new, amazing people.

I have completed my thesis (yay!) and will graduate with my masters in November of this year.

I have only been on the convention circuit for three years, but I’ve already been asked to present at some of the best conventions around (in my humble opinion), most notably Emerald City Comic Con, GeekGirlCon, and Anime Revolution.  In addition to presenting, I am also an avid cosplayer.  I have also written various articles regarding Sailor Moon, Cosplay in Japan and the West, as well as Japanese popular culture for Global Voices. My website “Maho Shojo Gakuen” covers everything related to magical girls series and I am planning to release a short book regarding magical girl anime and its influence in the west to be released independently later this year.

If you are interested in having me present at your event, please feel free to contact me with all the details at mahoshojokenkyuusha@gmail.com.

Illustration by Kathryn Fell.

Conventions I have been invited to present at include:

• Anime North 2017 (With Charles Dunbar)
• Puli Con at the Puyallup Public Library (May 2017 – featured Speaker)
• Emerald City Comicon (March 2017, 400+ room capacity)
• Tsukino-Con (Regular Local Panelist)
• GeekGirlCon (October 2016, Moderator)
• Anime Revolution Summer (August 2016, Two Panels)
• Anime Revolution Winter (February 2016, Three panels at capacity)
• Anime Evolution (July 2015)
• March Fest [now “Harumatsuri”] (March 2015)

Research Awards I have received for my Magical Girl Research

• Joseph Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship – Masters Level
• University of Victoria Graduate Studies Award – 2015-2017
• Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Award – 2014-2015

Panels for Presentation/Discussion

• Magical Girls Rock! The Mahou Shoujo Panel – my main panel presentation.  Discusses the history of magical girl anime,
• A Henshin Gone Wrong – WTF Magical Girls?! – a comical look at magical girl anime
• Read the Fine Print – an exploration of the darker themes present in the series Maho Shojo Madoka Magica, including arguments about power, selflessness, justice, and sociopathy.

Me talking all about the magical warriors. Taken by Charles Dunbar.