Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a popular manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Komoto. It is a unique blend of fantasy, comedy, and action that has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. The story revolves around Mash Burnedead, a young man who lives in a world where magic is everything. However, unlike everyone else, Mash has absolutely no magical powers. Despite this, he dreams of attending the prestigious Easton Magic Academy, a school that only accepts talented magic users. To make matters worse, Mash is also incredibly strong physically, thanks to his rigorous training in martial arts.
Most of the comedy in Mashle: Magic and Muscles comes from Mash himself. Like Saitama in One Punch Man, he works best in small doses, as the punchline rather than the whole joke – a guy who can do no wrong and solves everything with a single blow gets repetitive fast. Unlike Saitama, Mash lacks a character arc and some nuance. He is, well, very dumb, a caricature of a meathead who never knows if doors open in or out and so rips them off their hinges instead. Thankfully, Mashle recognizes that Mash is not as interesting or important as the way he impacts those around them, and therein lies the heart of this anime.
There are countless anime stories set in schools ninja schools, superhero schools, giant murdering mecha schools , and a bunch centered around magic, so it was inevitable that we would eventually get a proper Hogwarts-like anime school of witchcraft and wizardry. There are countless anime stories set in schools ninja schools, superhero schools, giant murdering mecha schools , and a bunch centered around magic, so it was inevitable that we would eventually get a proper Hogwarts-like anime school of witchcraft and wizardry.
To make matters worse, Mash is also incredibly strong physically, thanks to his rigorous training in martial arts. This anomaly makes him an outcast among his peers, as magic is considered the ultimate power in their society. However, Mash's immense strength catches the attention of the Academy's headmaster, who decides to make a deal with him.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 1 Review
Regardless of your stance on the Wizarding World and the upcoming TV remake of the Harry Potter saga, there's no denying that the idea of a story set in a school for magic is compelling. There’s a lot of fun to be had by putting a layer of fantasy over recognizable issues with bullies, privileged kids, and social cliques. There are countless anime stories set in schools (ninja schools, superhero schools, giant murdering mecha schools), and a bunch centered around magic, so it was inevitable that we would eventually get a proper Hogwarts-like anime school of witchcraft and wizardry. That Mashle: Magic and Muscles also serves as a hilarious parody of the Wizarding World and a One Punch Man-like story of a ludicrously overpowered kid is just icing on the cake.
Adapted from Hajime Kōmoto's manga of the same name, Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a direct and unapologetic parody clearly made by a Harry Potter fan who isn't afraid to poke fun at the more ridiculous aspects of the franchise. There’s a similar visual style, and every episode title is formatted like that of a Harry Potter book. The school at the center of the show – Easton Magic Academy – has a Dumbledore-esque headmaster and different houses distinguished by their animal sigils. The music that introduces Mashle’s Magical Realm is reminiscent of John Williams' "Hedwig's Theme." The parody works because it’s not just making fun of a hugely popular franchise, it’s doing so from a place of admiration that still sees lots of flaws in the original – like quidditch (yes, there's quidditch) being very dumb and complicated.
Loading PlayThe story follows Mash Burnedead, a magic-less kid who enrolls at Easton and aims to fool everyone into thinking he's top of the class (he has a good reason for this, however). Luckily for Mash, he is stupidly fit, having trained his body every minute of every day all of his life. Here is where most of the comedy of the first half of the season comes, with Mash’s fellow students being so dependent on their powers that they simply consider Mash’s physical strength to be some rare form of magic. He can fly a broom by jumping really high, and he even joins the quidditch team and "flies" during matches by kicking so hard his feet keep him afloat.
Most of the comedy in Mashle: Magic and Muscles comes from Mash himself. Like Saitama in One Punch Man, he works best in small doses, as the punchline rather than the whole joke – a guy who can do no wrong and solves everything with a single blow gets repetitive fast. Unlike Saitama, Mash lacks a character arc and some nuance. He is, well, very dumb, a caricature of a meathead who never knows if doors open in or out and so rips them off their hinges instead. Thankfully, Mashle recognizes that Mash is not as interesting or important as the way he impacts those around them, and therein lies the heart of this anime.
You see, after clowning on Dumbledore and Slytherin (the former for favoring certain students, the latter for being a breeding ground for fascists), Mashle: Magic and Muscles reveals itself to be more than a parody. It has an original story to tell, an interesting world with problems of its own, and jabs to take at the caste system established by a reality where some have extraordinary abilities, and some do not. We learn that everyone in Mashle is magical because non-magic users are "expelled from the gene pool." The Magical Realm is messed up and full of systemic issues, and the appearance of Mash is a shock to the system that can change everything. We see not how Mash tries to change things, but how everyone he comes across has their outlook shattered by the appearance of someone who doesn't care about the status quo or follow conventional magic rules, but nevertheless is incredibly powerful. By the end of the first season, enemies become allies, allies become friends, and there's a clear indication that something fundamental has changed in these people.
Studio A-1 Pictures does a good job not only realizing the magical world of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, but of making a smooth transition from Harry Potter parody to more standard battle shonen. As it becomes more of its own thing, Mashle falls victim to an overreliance on repetitive fight scenes where every character uses the same attack over and over. That being said, the fights look good, the team at A-1 Pictures makes the tonal change feel natural rather than jarring, and a self-awareness of tired battle shonen tropes (the long fights, the rivalries, enemies turned into allies, surprise power-ups) is expressed – even if Mashle ends up following those tropes anyway.
Verdict
Mashle: Magic and Muscles starts out as a hilarious One Punch Man-meets-Harry Potter parody that hilariously calls out the popular franchise with an endearing sense of humor. Halfway through, however, the show reveals itself to be its own unique thing with a complex world and fascinating story. Though it falls victim to some of battle shonen's worst tropes, this is an entertaining and often hilarious ride worth taking.
The interchangeable legs allow you to bend Mash’s knees when posing.
Headmaster Lancelot intends to let Mash enroll in the school on the condition that he hides his lack of magical abilities. Mash agrees, and thus begins his hilarious and action-packed journey at the Easton Magic Academy. Throughout the series, Mash encounters various challenges and adversaries, all while keeping his lack of magic a secret. He utilizes his incredible physical strength and martial arts skills to overcome these obstacles, often surprising his classmates and teachers. What makes Mash: Magic and Muscles unique is its humorous take on the tropes typically found in magical school manga. The series often pokes fun at the over-the-top nature of magic, contrasting it with Mash's grounded and down-to-earth approach. Komoto's artwork is another highlight of the series, with detailed action sequences and expressive character designs. The author also does an excellent job of balancing the comedic and serious moments, creating a compelling narrative that keeps readers hooked. In conclusion, Mash: Magic and Muscles is a manga that combines magic and physical strength in an entertaining and amusing way. Whether you're a fan of fantasy, action, or comedy, this series has something for everyone. Its lovable characters, comedic moments, and thrilling battles make it a must-read for manga enthusiasts..
Reviews for "Fueling Your Fire: Nutrition Tips to Enhance Your Mashle Magix Training"
- Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Mashle magix amd mjscles pst". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I just couldn't get into the story and found myself bored most of the time. The artwork was also not very impressive, with dull colors and lackluster details. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this manga to others.
- John - 1/5 stars - "Mashle magix amd mjscles pst" was a complete waste of time. The humor fell flat and the jokes were repetitive and juvenile. The concept of a world where magic is based on muscles was interesting, but unfortunately, the execution was poorly done. The pacing was off and the story lacked any depth or substance. The art was also subpar, with lack of attention to detail and sloppy character designs. I would not recommend this manga to anyone.
- Michelle - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Mashle magix amd mjscles pst", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing was weak and the dialogue felt forced. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked any real personality. The action scenes were also underwhelming and lacked excitement. The art wasn't terrible, but it didn't stand out either. Overall, I found this manga to be mediocre at best.
- Alex - 1/5 stars - I couldn't stand "Mashle magix amd mjscles pst". The story was nonsensical and hard to follow. The humor, if you can call it that, was cringeworthy and I found myself rolling my eyes more often than laughing. The characters were forgettable and had no depth whatsoever. The artwork was average at best, with nothing to make it stand out from other manga. I would not recommend wasting your time on this manga.