I disagree the assertion that “Key Magic”, as the term is used contextually, exists at all, and in fact, it slightly angers me that people continue to use that term so haphazardly, as it is often element that critics like to use in order to justify why Key stories arent that good.
The term “Key Magic”, to me, is used by people when being lazy, and not putting effort into thinking about and understanding the meaning of the story. I will not go through every example right now (because as people just love to point out, it is a motif), but I absolutely will in the future if prompted to.
It is true. Key stories do employ magical elements. And lots of times, they do seem a little convenient. But I argue that there is always an important purpose for these elements. Either 1) They are innately part of the setting, or 2) Convey an essential message. I defy the thought that “Key Magic” is simply meant to create a happily-ever-after, even if that is how it appears on the surface.
