How does the team get together, usually?
Hey y’all! I'm developing a concept for a Metroidvania called Neon Covenant, where you play as an entire magical girl team who have the powers of the arts, switching between eight members on the fly (think Monster Boy), bringing back human creativity and leadership to a dystopian technocracy. The story is episodic in the vein of classic mahou shoujo; the first two thirds are about putting the team together and building toward a larger conflict.
My question is about team assembly, because this is where MV structure and magical girl structure could either click or clash, and I want to be faithful to Mahou Shoujo. And I mean Good Mahou Shoujo. Not those edgy modern torture-Triple-X Madoka Clones.
See, in NC, the lead has to search for her future teammates, as each has a different moveset which helps you progress. Like, one has a movie reel which acts as a hook shot, and another uses a giant chisel to break obstacles the others can’t.
But, in the shows you love, how does the team… traditionally come together?
- Do the girls just stumble into each other by chance, or can the lead actively seek them out?
- What's usually the thing that gets a reluctant or broken girl to finally say yes and join? Is it a battle? Shared values? Witnessing something?
- How much does the lead knowing she needs a team affect the story? Is it better when she’s left in the dark, or when she's on a deliberate search?
- In a game context where the player needs each new girl for new traversal and combat abilities, does it feel more natural or faithful to the genre for recruitment to be story-driven (she joins because of her arc), or ability-driven (you need her power to progress)? Or is there a show that threads that needle well?
Coincidentally, one of the members is Neon Needle (Fashion and Textile Arts)
Any examples from specific series, old or new, as well as some guidance for my game would be super helpful. Classic era especially welcome!