The winter anime season gave fans a continuation of the anime 'Mashle: Magic and Muscles' about a non-mage boy named Mash, fighting for the right to live (and peacefully eat profiteroles) in a world of mages. The second season hasn't lost its form at...
On the same day as 'Solo Leveling', studio A-1 Pictures ('Fairy Tail', 'Blue Exorcist') released the finale of the second season of the anime 'Mashle: Magic and Muscles'. The creators said last summer that they don't plan to stop adapting Hajime Komoto's manga, announcing work on a continuation at the end of episode 12. This time, nothing similar happened, but given the increased popularity of the title, I want to believe that they won't drag their feet on a third season. Especially since the manga ended last year, so the creators simply must tell this interesting story to the end.
What's the plot?
After Mash defeated Cell War and the Magia Lupus wizards from the Lang department, rumors spread around the school that Burnedead was deceiving everyone and was actually unable to use magic. The musclehead doesn't really care, so he, along with his friends Lemon Irvine, Dot Barrett, Lance Crown, and Finn Ames, as well as former enemies Abel Walker and Abyss Razor, throws a celebratory dinner in honor of the victory over the latter. Unfortunately, the carefree life didn't last long, as the non-mage is discovered outside Easton School. An owl flies to Mash with a letter from the Magic Bureau, where the Mushroom Head must appear for his own trial, where his fate will be decided.
The organizer of the hearing, Bless Minister, almost immediately passes a sentence on Burnedead, but, as it turns out, Director Wahlberg decided to gather all the Divine Visionaries (there are eight in total, including Rayne Ames, Finn's brother) at the hearing. Many of them believe Mash should be executed, but suddenly a new player enters the field — the criminal group Innocent Zero (named after its leader), who wants to get the musclehead for themselves.
Using a magic parasite, the criminals gain control over the Minister to deliver their message. The little mushroom, without thinking twice, saves the mage from the annoying creature. Having proven he's a 'man' and gaining the support of two Divine Visionaries, Director Wahlberg, and the saved Bless, Mash gets a reprieve. However, to survive, he must become a pawn of the Magic Bureau in the fight against Innocent Zero, constantly be in the spotlight, and most importantly, become a candidate for the title of Divine Visionary.
Training mode for those who cannot use magic:
1. PUMP THOSE ABS
The second season has the subtitle 'Divine Visionary Candidate Exam'. This is the title Mash must earn according to the agreement with police chief Brad Coleman, which they made back in the first season. Now the Magic Bureau demands the same from Burnedead. So it all comes down to one thing — the profiterole lover simply must give it his all to become a Divine Visionary without a drop of magic, otherwise he'll never see a peaceful life. Although, I think the agreement with the police is nullified because in the end, everyone found out that Mushroom Head is a non-mage.
Because the musclehead is now under the watch of the Divine Visionaries, the stakes are higher, and the level of seriousness in the title has increased. It no longer descends into absurdity as often as before (unfortunately), but the humor is still there and still on point, even if there's a bit less of it. Just look at the joke with the meal where the Lang wizards, who literally recently wanted Mash and his friends dead, sit with them for lunch and play board games. Or Tom Knowles, who now, like Groot from , only speaks the word 'bamboo'. And the episode where he walks with friends, capturing all the serenity and naivety of the title, is simply hilarious.
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Open material'Mashle: Magic and Muscles' is still a very funny series, but it doesn't forget about lore development. The viewer continues to be immersed in the familiar fantasy world of magic, revealing new details and various secrets specific to this version. And, as was said last time, there are a couple of surprises.
For example, in the second season, we got to know the Divine Visionaries better and learned more about the bloodlines. It also turned out that the wands of powerful wizards can become staffs that grant strength in battle. The list could go on, but it's better to personally visit the Magic World on a 24-episode tour. It's interesting there.
2. RUN
As for the characters, the most development in the continuation was given to Finn and Director Wahlberg. Firstly, the magic of both characters was finally shown (the old man even has some, as it turns out). Secondly, each of them got their own named episodes (Baigan Wahlberg has two, and the younger Ames has one), where the focus shifts from the central character to someone else.
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In the case of Burnedead's friend, the viewer observes the hero's worries and reflections, who still feels guilty for his initial behavior and cowardice. Finn really wants to prove to himself that he is worthy of being Mash's friend. Even though he is a weak mage and almost always panics in critical situations, in the end, even in the greatest danger, Ames decides not to let down the person who cares so much about him. And it is his words of support that turn out to be decisive in one of Mushroom Head's victories (just like in 'Shaman King').
We get to know Director Wahlberg, so to speak, 'from scratch'. We are shown his past before studying magic, told about his apprenticeship period, and revealed that he was once a Divine Visionary (is anyone surprised?).
Even Lemon Irvine got a bit of development closer to the finale, but for the most part, she remained a love-struck cling-on (frankly, 'Mashle: Magic and Muscles' doesn't shine with bright female characters). And in addition, a couple of interesting newcomers appeared, like students from the Orc department with food names (Carpaccio Lo Yang and Margaret Macaron) or a local Voldemort named Innocent Zero.
Burnedead himself has hardly changed (as have his other friends) and in terms of vibe, he still balances somewhere between Luffy and Saitama. But a significant part of this title's success lies in Mash's naivety and stupidity. I'm afraid to even imagine what would happen if Mushroom Head turned out to be a smart and calculating musclehead. It would probably be, at the very least, not as funny and interesting.
3. ANJUMANYA
In the new season, 'Mashle: Magic and Muscles' has slightly distanced itself from the massive similarity to , but the parallels, of course, haven't gone anywhere. The qualifying exam is somewhat similar to the Triwizard Tournament (just without other schools). The wand purchase procedure is also identical to the cult saga, because 'the wand chooses the wizard'. And the trial of Burnedead with the suddenly appearing Director Wahlberg is clearly taken from 'The Order of the Phoenix' (and the battle between the latter and Innocent Zero also seems to be from there).
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What remained unchanged in the continuation is the cool soundtrack, mostly consisting of rap, which the creators are quick to include at any convenient (preferably pompous) moment. But the best part is the incredible opening, which went viral probably a second after its premiere.
The duo Creepy Nuts recorded a real hit called 'Bling-Bang-Bang-Born', which has garnered 81 million views on their YouTube channel alone (at the time of writing). If you add up the numbers from other official channels, the figures amount to several hundred million views. After the first listen, the track gets stuck in your head, and you want to listen to it over and over again, so skipping the opening of the second season of 'Mashle: Magic and Muscles' is a real crime (punishable by a huge fine).
By the way, the series still talks to the viewer about serious topics, hiding behind jokes. The power of friendship is clear, it's in almost every shonen, but globally, the title continues to show how an outcast of society fights for the right to a peaceful life. And in parallel, he also finds loyal friends and a loving girl (even if she's funny like that, but certainly sincere in her intentions, and one day Lemon-chan should melt that protein heart).
'Mashle: Magic and Muscles' is a story about xenophobia and accepting the fact that all people are different, because they have the right to be different. If a person differs from the majority, why should they be considered a mistake of nature and judged (or even killed)? Mash Burnedead, with his sincerity, knocks out almost everyone around him, proving that he is worthy of being a member of society.
Director Wahlberg (and not just him) is confident that Mushroom Head is capable not only of saving the world but also of changing it for the better. And we have no reason to disagree with him. The Magic World is mired in authoritarianism, which has led to years of stagnation, so this universe needs change. And a non-mage boy with a kind heart is the ideal candidate to push (and if necessary, kick hard) an imperfect society towards these changes.
What's the bottom line?
'Mashle: Magic and Muscles' is still in great shape. This somewhat simple and naive title has bulked up with the new season (thanks in part to the doping of the opening) and continues to spar on equal footing with seasoned rivals. Watching Mash's adventures is still interesting and funny, so we eagerly await the announcement of the third season, where there will be even more steel muscles. And magic (probably).
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