Manga Monthly: Mashle – Magic and Muscle
Today we are introducing you to – Manga Month. Our monthly Manga review, as chosen by ZILLO Young Reporters. Manga is a a genre of Japanese comics books and is really popular among young people.
Today we are recommending: Mashle - Magic and Muscle
Created by Hajime Komoto, Mashle: Magic and Muscle is a fairly new manga releasing its first English translation last summer on July 20th 2021. This comical manga currently has four volumes released with the fifth volume having plans on releasing on March 1st 2022.
The entire Manga centres around magic – a basic necessity in this particular society, so much so that they take away those who do not possess magical ability. Despite this, Mashle (our main character) is hidden away in a forest and is under the orders of his father to practice training his physical aspect to be able to defend himself should he ever to appear in front of a magic user. One day, he is discovered by Brad Coleman (who works for the police station) during his adventure into the city to eat some creampuffs. After fighting him to protect his dad, Mashle and Mr. Coleman strike a deal for Mashle to enter the magic school to become the ‘Divine Visionary’, where Brad will try gain fame from his success whereas Mashle will prove to his worth to society as a Mashle’s powers would be as valuable as one with magic. With his key mission, he enters the magic school to complete just that.
When I first heard of Mashle, I wasn’t really interested as nothing about it seemed special. It seemed like it was going to be another casual shonen (characterised manga that have action-filled plots and usually aimed at boys) and so I didn’t research it. But when I did, my initial opinion of it was mixed. I didn’t like the art style as it’s too simplistic for me but on the other hand it was comedy, which is something that I like if they get the comedy right as well. So, I was hesitant to buy it but decided to go through with it anyway as I convinced myself that I could just give it away to someone else who might like it. How I’m glad now that I bought it. How I’m glad.
I ended up falling in love with each page of the book. The comical outtakes of the stereotypical shonen tropes paired up nicely with the art style as the funniest emotions and panels had the least amount of detail put in it. The main character himself is loveable and likeable, as his father describes him as ‘acquiescent’ and ‘doesn’t mean any harm’, presenting to the readers as honourable and kind as well. If I was to give a rating out of ten, I would give it a 9 because as you keep reading the manga it can get confusing with the mass characters being added and then forgotten about if not paying attention. If you perhaps catch it on a bookshelf in your local library, I would guarantee it’s not a bad choice to have sit on your bookshelf as well.