Corrector Initialize!
A schoolgirl gains self-confidence, new friends, and a cache of chic outfits when she becomes the computer-programming magical girl, Corrector Yui. She must stop the rogue A.I. Gurossa (Artificial Intelligence computer program) and his hench-programs from taking control of the global computer network. In this future, all human activity is supported by computers, so it's possible to control the world using the network.
Yui is reluctant at first to play the heroine because of her complete lack of confidence and ability with computers. Meeting the challenge requires that she find and correct the seven wayward programs that have abandoned their guardian posts. All of the computer programs in this story have personalities, and the ex-guardians must be convinced to aid the young would-be Corrector. Helping Yui on her quest are her loyal guardian program, IR, and her friend/crush, Toujou Shun, an older student who's full of charm and computer advice. A couple of rival Correctors, Haruna and Ai, liven things up a bit with their own plans and motivations.
The Japanese manga Corrector Yui was published in two distinct versions, the first with story & art by Kia Asamiya while the second featured a different, shoujo-style artist, Keiko Okamoto. The second version is a bit easier to find. Produced by NHK as a companion to the TV series, it is chock full of fan goodies, including interviews with the cast & crew, fan letters and art, and Asamiya's character designs on the inside of the jacket.
This story definitely has a made-for-TV pace and flair, consistent with its early adaptation into a TV series. The constant costume changes and bright, shining people seem to indicate that this is a story designed with young children in mind. Following that reasoning, there ought to be a flood of toys bearing the logo and likenesses of Corrector Yui and her pals. I haven't seen any yet, but I suspect that if Yui becomes more popular here in the States, then the local dealers will bring Yui stuff over.
The story's popularity may receive a boost from the TV show even before the animation is subtitled. The music developed for TV is really quite good, with a more melancholy, ballad-like air than the rock, R&B, and classical songs usually used for Asamiya-based anime shows. The opening ("Eien to iu Basho", v. Kyoko) has been compared in style to late-Beatles songs, probably because of its tone of bittersweet remembrance.
As of this revision, Corrector Yui has hit the States in force. The Okamoto version of the first series of the manga (5 volumes) has been released by Tokyopop, though it remains to be seen whether they'll update it to their unflipped, "100% manga" format. The first season of the TV series is in current release from Viz, hopefully to be followed by the second season in another year or so. The licenses for an English release of both the second series of Okamoto's manga (4 volumes) and the Asamiya manga (2 volumes) seem to be held by Tokyopop and Viz respectively, although neither have shown up on any release schedules.