Hello and welcome to Project Nitsuj. It’s really hard to think of a better manga magazine than Shonen Jump. I mean when you look at the history and all the stories that have graced the magazine it’s really hard to think of anyone else that can hold a candle to them. However, when you have so many great stories in one magazine it’s only natural that some of them would get lost in the shuffle and not get the attention and recognition they deserve. A good example of this is Demon Slayer. Yes, the series has received worldwide recognition but that was near the end of its run when the anime came out. Could you imagine the popularity of the series if the anime aired a lot sooner? Another good example, is Mashle. A combination of magic and muscles, this was a fantasy comedy written by Hajime Kōmoto. It had a relatively short run of only 162 chapters from 2020-2023. With the pandemic around the corner and the popularity of Demon Slayer it was understandable why this series got lost in the shuffle. I started reading the manga late last year and found it pretty enjoyable. It was nothing ground-breaking but the humor was good and a fun light read. It was like Harry Potter if it took place in the universe of ONE. So when I found out it was getting turned into an anime I was happy for it. The anime was produced by A-1 Pictures (SAO and Kaguya-sama) earlier this year and received positive reviews with the promise of a second season next year. With the year almost ending I figure why not take a look at this anime and see if I can get more people interested in checking out the series. Muscles must defeat magic. This is Mashle.
Opening and Ending Theme
The opening is “Knock Out“ by Taiiku Okazaki. I was not expecting this kind of opening for an anime about magic and muscles but I ain’t complaining. I liked it. It gets you pumped for the anime and Taiiku’s voice sounds great. The lyrics also get a good chuckle out of me as it makes it sounds like magic is useless against a good old fashion punch and suplex.
“Chou Cream Funk” by Philosophy no Dance is the ending. Again, a song I was not expecting but I dig it. Bring the funk! It actually does fit the anime perfectly and makes you wanna get up and dance. While I wouldn’t call this one of my favorite endings I will say I love the energy this song brings and how the anime manages to incorporate a variety of music I wasn’t expecting it to have.
Episodes 1-4
The anime starts by talking about the magic realm. In this realm magic is a part of everyday life and everyone can use it (it looks like what would happen if Hogwarts Legacy was an MMORPG). However, in this world, there’s one person who’s an exception to this rule, Mash (who looks like what would happen if you fused Mob and Saitama together) voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi (Gabimaru from Hell’s Paradise. Wait, this guy played the main character in two animes and both of them were Shonen Jump stories?). Unlike everyone else, Mash is unable to use magic, something his father keeps from him. In order to make up for his lack of magic skills, Mash’s dad gives him strength training exercises which has resulted in him being physically fit and powerful (now if only we could teach him common sense). When his dad heads out to run an errand, Mash sneaks off into the city for a special cream puff sale because he loves them (I can respect that. I have a thing for Reese’s). While in the city he gets recognized for not having a magic mark on his face and the police come after him. We find out that those who can’t use magic are killed that way they rid themselves of any inferior blood (in their eyes. Also, do you guys not know how genes work?). Mash’s father refuses to hand his son over and tells Mash to run, but Mash sticks around to fight (scene here: https://youtu.be/JmLFyD-9iKs?si=kY905UrGDTzrcPlC, such a good son). Mash manages to overwhelm the officers with his strength and their captain, Brad makes a deal. He wants Mash to go to magic school and become an exceptional student known as the Divine Visionary. It’s said that Divine Visionaries are God’s chosen and if Mash becomes one then everyone will have no choice but to accept him (or divine judgment will befall them). Seeking fame and fortune, Brad will back him up and Mash takes him up on that deal in order to create a world where he and his father can live at peace.
In episode 2 Mash applies at the Easton Magic Academy where his examiner, Claude, doesn’t like him (because he uses common sense. Stop using magic to be dramatic). The first part is the written exam where the papers have been enchanted with magic so you can’t read the questions unless you dispel the enchantment. Mash literally scares the letters into standing still for him and then passes the exam. He continues to pass the other exams thanks to his physical abilities until Claude decides to stop playing around and creates a maze for the students to figure out and he even plants a girl named Lemon voiced by Reina Ueda (Mira from Dimension W) into the maze to sabotage Mash. Mash of course abandons Lemon when she tries to chain him up, but returns to save her when she gets attacked by the sphinx (boo~, where’s the minotaur?). Mash then punches his way to the exit to beat the clock (scene here: https://youtu.be/prR2ePGLNmY?si=KeqcPGeNKLU0DLIn) where everyone calls bullshit and demand he go home (you know he could punch the crap out of you, right?). Lemon confesses Claude’s plan and he not only admits it he gloats about it saying that if anyone has a problem with it they can fight him. Just when it looks like Mash is going to make him pay the headmaster shows up to take over the exam and punish Claude at a later time. He then teleports Mash away for the final interview where he passes with flying colors and gets accepted into the academy (scene here: https://youtu.be/4PXAoWQSopo?si=ngU4nvt4JdXVJ43H). He meets his roommate Finn voiced by Reiji Kawashima (Fushi from To Your Eternity) who wants nothing to do with Mash because he’s weird (I like him but he doesn’t make the best first impressions). Finn gives us exposition into how one becomes a Divine Visionary by collecting these coins which grade you on everything you do at the academy. Along with these coins he has to become the top student at the academy.
Mash’s first day of school begins in episode 3. His first class is broom riding 101 where he beats someone in a broom race (by cheating of course but nobody can prove it so, haha. Scene here: https://youtu.be/7VvvxNheDfI?si=hdx1b4SWvPArWf9N). This earns him the attention of Lloyd Cavill a high noble who is obviously a bully (and who I swear looks like Malfoy from Harry Potter) and wants to Mash to drop out. In order to do this, he forces Finn to tear up Mash’s books and even tricks Mash into being his servant. No longer able to do this, Finn stands up to Lloyd which gets him beat up for his troubles. Mash comes in and slams Lloyd’s head to the ground to knock him out instantly. The vice-principal who is close friends with Lloyd’s family sees this and threatens to expel Mash and Finn (because he can). Mash decides to bury him alive (scene here: https://youtu.be/qM6rRSdSlLM?si=T9V41NySiHJqN25f, no witnesses) and this lands him in trouble with the Bureau of Magic. These are the guys who maintain order and uphold the law in this world (in short, they’re the highest authority). Lloyd’s dad works for the Bureau who are demanding that Mash be expelled. However, the principal is on Mash’s side and is even cheering for him to become a Divine Visionary. He’s fully aware of how corrupt and self-serving the Bureau is and how it needs to be changed for the better. He believes Mash is that change. The principal handles Lloyd and the vice principal (honestly, after what Mash did to them I don’t think they’ll be messing with anyone ever again). The next day, Mash gets invited by an underclassman named Tom to play Duelo (it’s essentially quidditch except more basic).
Episode 4 starts with the quidditch I mean Duelo game. At first, Mash doesn’t really care and wants to go home, but when he sees Tom get injured due to unsportsmanlike conduct he takes action. Kicking his feet as fast as possible he’s able to create the illusion that he’s flying (that’s both funny and clever. He’s like a duck in the water, only in the air). Mash scores for his team but he puts a little curve on the ball to make it come back to him and he scores again. He continues to do this trick (nothing in the rule book about it) and scores a record-breaking 999 points (I’m sure it would have been higher but there’s a limit to what the scoreboard can do) to give his team the win (scene here: https://youtu.be/TP3pyXDGick?si=gO0c351N5s0c6Ki_). Thanks to Mash’s efforts, everyone on the team earns a silver coin. The next day, Mash gets approached by Lance another first-year who ranked first on the entrance exams. He’s voiced by Kaito Ishikawa (Genos from One Punch Man) As if that wasn’t bad, he’s got two magic marks on his face. Ever wonder why everyone has a black mark on their face (aside from stealing a quirk from Dr. Stone)? That line represents their talent for magic. If a person doesn’t have a line that means they can’t do magic and on rare occasions, some people have two or more marks. Lance captures Finn, Tom and Lemon in a magic jar in order to force Mash into a duel where they’ll bet their silver coins. Lance considers Mash soft for putting others before himself and wants to put him in his place. Lance seems to have the advantage with his gravity magic but Mash is able to fight through it and has Lance on the run. When Lance drops a necklace we discover that he has a little sister named Anna and he has a sister complex (which he’s proud of). We find out that his sister has an incurable illness that’s taking away her magic mark. In five years’ time, her mark will be completely gone and she’ll be handed over to the bureau where they’ll execute her for not having any magic powers. Wanting to protect his sister Lance vowed to become a Divine Visionary and change the system. Returning to the fight, Mash (I keep fighting the urge to call him Mob) manages to steal the jar off of Lance and he decides to accept his defeat after realizing he and Mash aren’t so different (yes you are. You’re night and day. Scene here: https://youtu.be/j9dOLFwF47I?si=G6zsTbETjKPbjkBU). He gives Mash his silver coin and takes his leave with Mash wondering what would happen if they went all out against each other.
Episodes 5-8
We begin episode 5 by learning that Mash’s school has three dorms for its students that match their characteristics. The first is Adler, students of courage and conviction are in this dorm. Second, Orca, is for students who are wise and willing to learn new things. Finally, Lang, who houses students with great abilities and ambition. These three dorms have a rivalry with each other that spans across the whole academy (it’s an us versus them mentality. Sort of like a wrestling forum). Mash and Finn are in the Adler dorm along with Lance (yes, his conviction to his siscon lifestyle is very disturbing) and Lemon. Lance helps Mash and Finn with their potions assignment. First they stop their mandragora from crying by putting it to sleep (or just pimp slapping it). When it’s time to make the potion Mash keeps making cream puffs (even defying the laws of physics. Scene here: https://youtu.be/fGbvar6OCCU?si=o-1dsaqRROjQNj0Z). The next day Adler and Lang students participate in an outdoor class where their assignment is to eliminate scorpions and retrieve their magic stones. During this class we get introduced to a new character named Dot voiced by Takuya Eguchi (Loid from SpyxFamily) a loudmouth who considers himself the main character (not even in your spin-off manga) and uses explosion magic. He quickly comes to see Mash as a rival and plans to squash him in the outdoor class. There’s also another student from Lang named Silva who targets Mash and plans to harm him (this kid has the power to attract strange people around him). While in the forest Mash gets lost and comes across Dot who rescues a girl from another student. The girl is in Lang and is using magic to charm Dot to her will. She tries to do the same thing to Mash but it has no effect on him (what did you expect? He’s a guy. We’re pretty clueless when it comes to flirting). Silva shows up where he reveals his magic is metal monoliths. He beats up Dot and knocks Mash’s cream puff out of his hand (and you just made the biggest mistake of your life).
At the start of episode 6 Dot steps up and takes 10 direct hits from Silva’s monoliths in the hopes of protecting Mash and the Lang girl. Once the Lang girl reveals she’s with Silva, Mash finally steps up to fight. In a short fight, Mash manages to land two hits on Silva but he intends to hit him eight more times. He also suplexes the girl (following the Kazuma code of gender equality. Love it). Mash also defeats a rare scorpion monster (scene here: https://youtu.be/8jb6WKQzlFc?si=74SANKPwy2nfhXfs, impressive form). After reuniting with the others we learn that Lang is mostly composed of the upper crust of society. They value birthright above all else and will stop anybody they deem unworthy from moving up in society (so they’re the Slytherin of this world. Also, their dorm selection is way more traumatizing than the Sorting Hat. Scene here: https://youtu.be/n_Sbio-Xd_4?si=LmiPTQnifKM755YM). Lance warns Mash to stay on his toes and keep close to students from Adler, but Mash is never one to listen to reasoning. The next day he accidentally walks into Lang territory and interrupts a meeting between their top students.
So we pick up where episode 6 left off with Mash coming face to face with Lang’s top students who want to create a society where the strong strive and the weak are eliminated. They’re not too pleased with him interrupting their meeting (then don’t host your meetings in such obvious places) and demand his gold coin (oh hey this is interesting. When did Hell freeze over?). Mash refuses so their leader Abel takes it by force and Mash retreats after saving Silva who was turned into a puppet (it was honestly an improvement). However, we find out later that Mash managed to save his gold coin and escape with it and Silva. When Mash returns to his dorm room, he finds out from Lemon that Lang students are on the hunt for any students with gold coins. Since all the upperclassmen are away on internships and the Orca house is more interested in research that means Lang is going to be coming after Mash and only him because he’s the only first year with a gold coin. In the second half, members of Lang named Olore and Anser come after Mash and Lance while they’re cleaning the owl hut. Olore transforms into a shark and fights Mash in the water while Lance takes on Anser who uses shuriken to fight. Lance and Mash easily defeat their adversaries (scene here: https://youtu.be/7PJFp4a5_IA?si=TcsaEMhGQKBZ-8u-) and think they won’t have to worry too much about the Lang students but another student shows up to crush their illusions. While the student doesn’t fight them and retreats after rescuing their comrades, they’re able to dodge Mash’s attack and nullify Lance’s gravity magic (finally, a worthy opponent).
Nothing much happens in episode 8. Mash and the boys follow a puppet version of Lemon and get led deep into Lang territory. After Dot gets done defeating one of Lang’s first years in a short but good fight (that shows Dot isn’t a complete idiot and his skills are legit) the four boys sink into the ground and get separated from each other. Mash comes face to face with the masked student from last episode named Abyss Razor (wow, edgy teenager much?) while the others fight against other Lang students with weird names (that you thought were cool names when you were a teenager but now you see how stupid they are).
Episodes 9-12
Episode 9 gives us two good fights. The first one is Lance fighting against an earth magic user who can create mud clones of himself and we see he has a dad who doesn’t consider him worth his time despite his hard work (well that’ll raise some issues down the line). After Lance destroys the Lang student’s best spell he admits defeat and Lance says he respects him. Lance can’t help but see himself in the Lang student because he was like Lance before he met Mash. Lance relied on himself and no one else, but thanks to Mash he was able to see that relying on others doesn’t make you weak it makes you strong and helps you grow. In the second half we focus on Mash’s fight with Abyss Razor who has the power to speed himself up and slow people down (it’s similar to Medusa’s powers from Soul Eater). He also has what’s known as the Evil Eye, a cursed ability that nullifies the magic abilities of others (seems pretty useless against a guy like Mash). Just like those who can’t use magic, anyone who has the evil eye is looked down on by society and Abyss Razor was no exception. Even his parents were ashamed of him and locked him in the basement like some animal before they eventually decided to kill him but he escaped. The fight sees Mash get slashed multiple times but he absorbs the shots. Even catching a sword thrust with his abs (by God he makes me self-conscious about my body). Mash eventually gets a good shot in and goes on the attack where he dominates and wins (scene here: https://youtu.be/v7eCMhloHQY?si=FJhEjwfcPTM4YQyj). After the fight he extends the hand of friendship to Abyss Razor who is still hesitant to take it but warns Mash not to continue as there are dangers ahead. I do like how both fights end with Mash and Lance acknowledging their opponents and even trying to help them out.
Episode 10 sees Dot and Finn (well mostly Dot) fight against the Lang students. He manages to beat the first one named Love (scene here: https://youtu.be/a0YE3sHdIcM?si=DLCPMPku0_vJ6elB) but the second puts up more of a fight (and Finn. . .he just stands there doing nothing). Luckily, Dot gets saved by Raynes a Divine Visionary student, the ace of Adler, and Finn’s older brother (all of a sudden his low self-esteem makes sense). Raynes easily defeats the Lang student so bad that Love offers to jump ship to Adler just to save herself. Raynes was sent to investigate Lang’s business by the headmaster and when he comes across Mash he tests out his skills. Mash easily deflects and dodges Raynes’s attacks (if anything it looks like he’s having fun) and Raynes figures out that Mash can’t use magic (scene here: https://youtu.be/UJa5FdL3obQ?si=364VwGSalUZYBc7W). He warns Mash to turn back saying it’s dangerous but Mash continues to move forward determined to fight and Raynes lets him go. Mash finally reaches Adel and gets ready to fight.
In episode 11 we get the battle between Mash and Abel. Overall, it’s a good fight and they give Abel a good backstory into why he hates commoners so much and wants to wipe them out. We see that his mom unlike other nobles was kind to the commoners. Saying it was their duty to help the less fortunate. She would often serve the poor until one day she was stabbed to death by one of the commoners she was trying to help. Abel witnessed this and vowed to make all commoners pay for the death of his mom (just like I said in previous reviews I don’t condone the actions of the antagonist but it does give me a better understanding of their character and why they’re doing what they’re doing). In the end Mash is able to beat Abel (scene here: https://youtu.be/Jd485wu_RVc?si=SOrLyaDQx9lQY1b6) and releases everyone from his puppet control including Lemon and Finn (Dot was too beat up to be used as a puppet). However, a great danger is approaching them.
For the final episode as Mash and his friends celebrate his victory he heads to the restroom. While he’s away a man by the name of Cell War (what is up with these names that even an angsty teen would feel embarrassed about?). He’s an escaped criminal who has come to kill Abel for failing his organization. He forces Abel to choke himself (stop choking yourself. Stop choking yourself), but all this heavy atmosphere gets interrupted by Mash’s return and spilling his cream puffs on Cell War. Cell’s head begins to tingle as apparently his organization has been looking for Mash for quite some time. Cell War tries to kill Abel but Abyss Razor sacrificed his body to save his boss because he loves him (platonically. (Isis): Thanks for ruining the fantasy). Thankfully, the wound isn’t fatal thanks to Mash who redirected the attack by throwing a rock at Cell which broke his concentration. Mash then fights against Cell War where everyone finally starts putting together that everything Mash does is all physical and no magic (he’s pure warrior class baby). Cell retreats saying they shall meet again (https://youtu.be/JftDgVrfvNU) and the others finally figure out Mash can’t use magic and decide to keep it a secret to protect him (scene here: https://youtu.be/UGEzI25cxhA?si=GkJ0rD6ozvJUYNbw). However, one student overheard their conversation and plans to expose him (he just saved your damn life) ending the season on a cliffhanger.
Final Thoughts
Mashle is an enjoyable anime. It’s a fun adventure/comedy that gets a good laugh out of you and has a story that keeps your interest. Mash is like the perfect blend of Saitama from One Punch Man and Mob from Mob Psycho 100. He doesn’t panic and only takes things seriously when the time calls for it while going at his own pace. If something gets in his way he has all the confidence in the world he can punch or kick his way through it. And in the world that revolves around magic, his way of thinking works. The side characters for the most part are decent. Lance and Dot earn their keep and have their funny quirks while also showing they can fight and keep up with Mash. Finn and Lemon are the two that everyone found annoying. Finn doesn’t do much and Lemon plays the damsel in distress who simps for Mash. Not to spoil anything but these two start to earn their keep in the future arcs and become better characters.
If you were expecting big-time action you’re not going to get it here. It’s decent but nothing worth freaking out about. I will say I do like how everyone’s magic is different. It’s not just firebolts and shooting lightning. There’s this hint of science they add to their magic which makes it unique and interesting. Speaking of unique and interesting, let’s talk about the music. Rather than have typical fantasy music they instead switch it out for hip-hop and for the most part it works. It catches you off guard but there’s nothing there that sounded bad in my opinion. As for the animation, it looks good. Nothing too special about it. It’s A-1 so you’ll like it but it won’t do anything that stands out.
Final Score
The final score for Mashle is a 7/10. Definitely one of the funniest animes this year and I look forward to seeing the second season next year. If you’re looking for a good laugh give this anime a watch and check out the manga, you won’t regret it. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.