The first episode of the series One-Punch Man meets magic Mashle: Magic and Muscle aired on Crunchyroll. The fantasy shōnen series follows the famous hero, Mash Burnedead, who is “unmarked” in a world full of marked mages. The anime’s first episode is very faithful to the first chapter of the original manga, reinforcing some of the emotional moments and slightly tweaking some of the comedic aspects.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles began as a manga of the same name created by Hajime Kōmoto. It began serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2020. The series is ongoing and currently has sixteen volumes. This anime adaptation comes from A-1 Pictures, known for producing other anime series including Black Butler, Fairy Tail, Blue Exorcist, Your Lie in April, Sword Art Online and Lycoris Recoil, among others. . Mashle: Magic and Muscles is directed by Tomoya Tanaka, written by Yōsuke Kuroda, and designed by Hisashi Toshima.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles got off to a strong start with anime premiere
The first volume has the same title as the manga’s first chapter, “Mash Burnedead and the Body of the Gods.” It showcases the world Mash lives in, the way he has lived in it, and the dynamic he has with his father. It also features the debut of Brad Coleman, who serves as the episode’s villain and is a bigger catalyst for Mash’s upcoming life changes. The episode’s plot directly mirrors the manga’s plot, so fans who’ve followed its publication will feel at home with the adaptation that’s streamed on Crunchyroll so far – albeit with some minor differences. Mashle often parodies popular series like Fullmetal Alchemist, and that’s on full display in this first volume.
Given the humor present in Mashle: Magic and Muscles, there’s a chance the jokes won’t work. For the most part, however, this element is handled very well. Many humorous elements read well and catch the eye effectively. One of the biggest changes is the amount of time spent in each humorous – and emotional – moment. Mash’s ability to handle doors is naturally far beyond what a static panel can provide, while his workout sequences can visually move faster, making these sections even even more funny. However, Mash’s first battle gets a little more action-packed with a little less of the original humor. Although the counter count is the same, its approach allows for subversion of typical shōnen action sequences. As a result, the comedic rhythm comes in a little later than in the manga. The heartbreaking history behind Mash and his father’s relationship is also heavily emphasized in this episode, making it hit harder emotionally.
Mashle: Magic and Muscle definitely delivered a great first episode. It contains the best of the shōnen genre, combining action, mystery, and world-building with comedy. It is very faithful to its original material to begin with and certainly has the opportunity to shape the emotional scope of the story and its characters in its direction. It has the same rhythm and elements as One Punch Man. Hitherto, Crunchyroll’s Mashle: Magic and power has the potential to be the next big magic, action comedy.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Now available to stream on Crunchyroll.