A middle school girl, Kira, dreams of becoming a magical girl but faces challenges when Catacorn, a cat-unicorn-space-princess, enters her life. The graphic novel explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the humorous journey of embracing one's uniqueness in a wacky and colorful world.

"Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess" by Megan Brennan is a delightfully charming, quirky, and colorful middle grade graphic novel that pays loving homage to the magical girl manga and anime genre, while infusing it with a distinct Western cartoon flair. This first book in the new "Magic Girls" series is sure to captivate young readers, especially fans of beloved classics like Sailor Moon and Cardcaptor Sakura.

The vibrant, kawaii-inspired artwork is one of the book's greatest strengths. Brennan's illustrations burst with energy, sparkle and personality on every page. The character designs are adorable and expressive, from relatable protagonist Kira to the fantastical menagerie of creatures inhabiting Neo-Earth. The visuals alone make this a treat to read.

But beyond the cuteness overload, "Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess" tells a fun, humorous story with heart. Kira is a lonely misfit who dreams of becoming a magical girl to gain popularity and friends in junior high. Her over-the-top self-centeredness and bratty outbursts, while intentionally exaggerated for comedic effect, stem from a place of authentically tween insecurity and awkwardness that many young readers will empathize with. Watching Kira slowly mature, gain some self-awareness, and open herself up to genuine friendship over the course of her misadventures with Catacorn, her maybe-familiar from outer space, is ultimately heartwarming and uplifting.

The supporting cast shines as well, especially shy popular girl Tulip and the absoluteadorableness that is Catacorn herself. Brennan gleefully throws in every trope in the magical girl book, from transformation sequences to flashy attacks to the power of friendship, and has a blast poking affectionate fun at the genre. The story bogs down a bit in the middle with some plot confusion, but by the end, the characters and their relationships have progressed in a satisfying way, with hints of more shenanigans to come.

In the back matter, Brennan shares her personal connection to the magical girl genre and discusses how it helped her navigate the perils of middle school. This context adds an extra layer of meaning to Kira's journey of self-discovery and quest for belonging.

Overall, "Kira and the (Maybe) Space Princess" is a promising start to a new graphic novel series that will appeal to middle grade readers looking for a light, entertaining, and ultimately uplifting story told in a unique art style bursting with charm and personality. Existing magical girl fans will appreciate all the in-jokes and meta aspects, while newcomers will be drawn into this sparkly, silly, surprisingly relatable world. Catacorn is the breakout star, impossible not to love. This is a quick but very fun read that leaves you excited to see what further adventures await Kira and her friends in the sequel. Highly recommended for tween graphic novel collections.