Countering the Wizarding World
Regardless of your stance on the Wizarding World and the upcoming TV remake of the Harry Potter saga, it’s hard to deny the appeal of a story set in a school for magic. There’s something exciting about overlaying a layer of fantasy onto relatable issues such as bullies, social cliques, and privileged kids. With countless anime stories centered around schools of different themes, including ninjas, superheroes, and giant mecha, it was only a matter of time before we saw a proper anime school of witchcraft and wizardry resembling Hogwarts. That’s exactly what Mashle: Magic and Muscles has delivered, all while hilariously parodying the Wizarding World and embodying a One Punch Man-like narrative with an absurdly overpowered protagonist.
A Parody Rooted in Admiration
Adapted from Hajime Kōmoto’s manga of the same name, Mashle: Magic and Muscles is an unapologetic parody that clearly comes from a Harry Potter fan unafraid to poke fun at the franchise’s more ridiculous aspects. The show bears a similar visual style and even formats every episode title like a Harry Potter book. The Easton Magic Academy, the school at the heart of the series, boasts a Dumbledore-esque headmaster and different houses distinguished by animal sigils. The music that introduces Mashle’s Magical Realm is reminiscent of John Williams’ “Hedwig’s Theme.” What makes this parody successful is that it doesn’t merely mock a beloved franchise, but rather does so from a place of admiration, while still recognizing the flaws in the original, such as the unnecessary complexity of quidditch.
A Magic-less Protagonist
The story revolves around Mash Burnedead, a magic-less student who enrolls at Easton with the goal of fooling everyone into thinking he’s at the top of his class (although he has a good reason for doing so). Mash possesses extraordinary physical strength, having trained his body relentlessly throughout his life. This leads to much of the comedy in the first half of the season, as Mash’s fellow students are so reliant on their magical abilities that they mistake his physical prowess for a rare form of magic. He can use a broom by jumping exceptionally high, and even participates in the quidditch team, “flying” during matches by kicking so forcefully that his feet keep him afloat.
The Comedy of Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Mashle: Magic and Muscles primarily derives its comedy from its protagonist, Mash himself. Similar to Saitama from One Punch Man, Mash’s humor works best in small doses, serving as the punchline rather than the entire joke. Watching a character who can do no wrong and effortlessly solves every problem with a single blow can become repetitive quickly. Unlike Saitama, however, Mash lacks a character arc and nuanced development. He is intentionally portrayed as a very dumb caricature of a meathead, tearing doors off their hinges because he doesn’t know if they open inward or outward. Nonetheless, Mashle acknowledges that Mash isn’t as interesting or significant as the impact he has on the people around him, which forms the heart of the anime.
Beyond Parody: An Original Story
After cleverly mocking Dumbledore and Slytherin for playing favorites and breeding fascism, Mashle: Magic and Muscles reveals itself to be more than just a parody. It presents an original narrative set in an intriguing world with its own inherent problems and criticisms of the caste system established by the existence of extraordinary abilities. The series reveals that everyone in Mashle possesses magical powers because non-magic users are “expelled from the gene pool.” The Magical Realm depicted in the anime is flawed and plagued with systemic issues. Mash’s appearance shocks the system and has the potential to bring about significant change. Throughout the first season, enemies become allies, allies become friends, and there is a clear indication that something fundamental has shifted within these characters.
A-1 Pictures Delivers
Studio A-1 Pictures does an excellent job of realizing the magical world of Mashle: Magic and Muscles and smoothly transitioning from a Harry Potter parody to a more traditional battle shonen. As the series evolves into its own unique entity, Mashle occasionally falls into the trap of relying too heavily on repetitive fight scenes where each character repetitively employs the same attack. Nevertheless, the fights are visually appealing, and the team at A-1 Pictures ensures that the tonal change feels natural and not jarring. The series demonstrates an awareness of tired battle shonen tropes, such as long fights, rivalries, enemies turned allies, and surprise power-ups, while still occasionally following those tropes.