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An incredibly meta magical girls show that is single-handedly responsible for my fascination and love for the genre. It seamlessly pokes fun at common tropes while telling an engaging narrative through those same means. The primary focus falls on Illya, a normal girl who's dragged from her everyday life into a magical battle. Given her image of magical girls, she initially goes along with these developments to chase an exciting fantasy, but once the threat of death rears its head she's desperate to escape it all. Throughout this journey, Miyu serves as her peer, and also the main point of comparison. In this way, we ... learn a significant amount about both characters, with their dynamic bringing the themes of normalcy, fear, and friendship to life.

Tonally, the series balances levity and intensity well, never lingering too long on one sentiment or transitioning too quickly from another. Even if you know nothing of Fate, and can't appreciate the humor/depth of having these characters in these roles, you have plenty to look forward to in this self-contained story. And if you are familiar with Fate, you not only get all that, but a fresh take on beloved concepts like Noble Phantasms and the Holy Grail War. Give Prisma Illya a go!