MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES

 MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES SEASON 1

In this magical world, one is easily identified as having magical abilities by a distinctive mark on their face. Those unable to practice magic are swiftly exterminated to maintain the magical integrity of society. However, deep within a forest lies an anomaly in Mash Burnedead, who can be found pumping iron with one arm and lifting a cream puff with the other. This aloof boy with superhuman strength—but no magical abilities—leads a quiet life with his father, far removed from society.

Mash's peace is soon disturbed when the authorities discover his lack of magical powers. They issue him an ultimatum: compete to become a "Divine Visionary," which would force everyone to accept him, or be persecuted forever. To protect his family, he enrolls in the prestigious Easton Magic Academy, which only the most elite and gifted students are allowed to attend. Now, Mash must overcome his shortcomings as a magicless being and surpass the other students—relying solely on his muscles.

The official website for the television anime adaptation of Hajime Kōmoto's Mashle: Magic and Muscles manga is listing that the anime will be a "complete" anime adaptation. The anime is premiered in 2023, and Aniplex is involved in the production.

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. 

The 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.

THE 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.

MAIN CHARACTERS:

"Mashle: Magic and Muscles" features a variety of characters with unique personalities and abilities.
Here are some of the main characters from the series:

Mash Burnedead: The protagonist of the series, Mash is a young boy born without magical abilities in a world where magic is everything. To attend the prestigious Easton Magic Academy, he uses his incredible physical strength and combat skills to navigate through challenges.

Lance Crown: Lance is Mash's roommate and becomes one of his closest friends. He's a skilled magic user and comes from a noble family. Despite his magical prowess, he respects Mash's abilities and befriends him.

Finn Astel: Finn is another one of Mash's friends at Easton Magic Academy. He has a calm and studious personality and specializes in magic related to plants and nature.

Mariel: Mariel is a student who initially dislikes Mash but eventually warms up to him. She's known for her affinity with animals and her impressive magical abilities.

Emely Nemy: A student who has a crush on Mash and becomes one of his supporters. She's known for her bright personality and dedication.

Gorgon "Gordeau" Galett: A powerful teacher at Easton Magic Academy who seems to have a complicated history with Mash's family.

Principal Babylon: The strict principal of Easton Magic Academy who is constantly surprised by Mash's unconventional methods and abilities.

Elementalers: Various students and teachers who specialize in different magical elements, showcasing a diverse range of abilities and personalities.

These are just a few of the characters you might encounter in "Mashle: Magic and Muscles." The series is known for its humorous and action-packed interactions between characters with contrasting abilities and backgrounds.