FEATURE: 5 Things About MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES That’ll Pump You Up
Imagine a world where the true magic was the muscles we gained along the way… And friends. Probably. MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES is set to arrive here at Crunchyroll via broomsticks, wizardry and weight training, but what the heck is the series even about? Who is this mysterious swol protagonist? What’s the deal with Divine Visionaries? Can you ever have too many cream puffs? The answer to that last question is no, of course, but let’s cast a spell to break down five things you need to know before (magic) school is in session.
What is MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES about?
MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES takes place in a world where magic is a normal, everyday part of life. Magic is so common that everyone uses it for the most mundane things. Need to fix a light bulb? Don’t just use magic to illuminate the room in place of your broken light, use it to grab a new light bulb and screw it into your lamp. Need to brush your teeth? Use magic to squeeze out the last bit of toothpaste instead of rolling the tube up (actually, that’s not a terrible idea).
RELATED: Crunchyroll Announces Spring 2023 Anime Season Lineup!
Magic also dictates your place in society. The better you are at it, the better life you’ll have. However, there is one individual who has no interest in that kind of glory, one who would rather live a life that’s full of peaceful morning workouts and a healthy amount of cream puffs. Who needs notoriety when you can bench press in the woods?
Who is Mash Burnedead?
Everyone has a mark on their face to show the world that they have been blessed with magic. Mash, on the other hand, has no such mark because, gasp, he doesn’t have ANY magic at all! This doesn’t bother him, in fact, he’s completely content with living in the woods with his pops.
Oh, and he really likes cream puffs.
RELATED: Mash Eats His Weight in Creampuffs in MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES TV Anime Character Trailer
While the rest of the world has become heavily reliant on magic, Mash has taken the time to never skip leg day, arm day or any day that involves working out. He’s completely RIPPED, so much so that his muscles are kinda like an epic, magical summon of their own. Besides, why use magic to open a door when you can just… open a door?
There are people who can’t accept the fact that this simple, magicless boy is minding his own business. Mash doesn’t understand what the big deal is, which he conveys via blank expressions and monotone commentary. This often stands in complete contrast to everyone else’s comically large reactions to his existence. Guess he’s gonna have to go up against magic with his flawless muscles so he can continue to live his life.
What is a Divine Visionary?
If you manage to pass an entrance exam that may be tougher than Mash’s fists, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of magic at Easton Magic Academy. Here, many students are hoping to earn the prestigious title of Divine Visionary — someone who excels in magic and who rests at the center of the Bureau of Magic. The Bureau of Magic is the highest legal authority in the land, so being a part of that is extremely beneficial.
RELATED: Here’s the Exact Time the MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES Anime Begins on Crunchyroll!
Every year a student is chosen to uphold the title and they go on to be treated like something beyond royalty. Divine Visionaries are seen as the chosen ones, which is why many are trying to prove themselves as viable candidates for the role. Also, a lot of perks come with the title such as fame, fortune, and an eternity’s worth of bragging rights. That said, Mash is only interested in becoming a Divine Visionary so folks can accept the fact that he doesn’t have magic. Essentially, he wants to be left alone, and in order to be left alone, he has to insert himself into the narrative.
Who created MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES?
Mash, the wizard of buff bodies, was created by Hajime Komoto. MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES is Komoto’s debut work and began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in January 2020. Currently, there are 15 volumes that have been released in Japan, with a 16th volume planned for April 2023. VIZ Media releases the English version of the manga with the 12th volume scheduled for June 2023.
RELATED: MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES TV Anime Shows How Much It Benches in Full Trailer
In the first volume of MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES, Komoto laid out the path that led him to Shonen Jump. This included being a fan of comedy series like Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo and Gintama in grade school and having aspirations of being a comedy writer. While that didn’t pan out the way Komoto had originally planned, it’s clear that Mash’s adventure is one full of delightfully absurd humor. Yes, Mash can slap an energy blast away with the palm of his hand as if it were a mere mosquito, that’s the power of having the muscles to back up an admirable goal of leading an ordinary life.
Who’s whipping the anime into shape?
A-1 Pictures is the animation studio bringing about this sorcery. Tomonari Tanaka, who directed Engage Kiss, will be working as director with Yosuke Kuroda working on series composition. Kuroda was also responsible for series composition in My Hero Academia, Trigun and Birdie Wing -Golf Girls’ Story-. Hisashi Higashijima, who was chief action director for BLUELOCK, will be working on character design and Masaru Yokoyama will be working on music. Yokoyama also did the music for Fruits Basket, Horimiya, Mobile Suit GUNDAM Iron-Blooded Orphans and Tomo-chan Is a Girl!.
RELATED: MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES Anime Gets Pumped with Main Character Visuals
Mash Burnedead, our main protagonist, will be voiced by Chiaki Kobayashi (Gabimaru in Hell’s Paradise, Louis James Moriarty in Moriarty the Patriot and Langa Hasagawa in SK8 the Infinity). Along with him is Finn Ames, who will be voiced by Reiji Kawashima (Jonas Anders in Sugar Apple Fairy Tale and Fushi in To Your Eternity), Lance Crown, who will be voiced by Kaito Ishikawa (Tobio Kageyama in Haikyu!! and Tenya Iida in My Hero Academia), Dot Barrett, who will be voiced by Takuya Eguchi (Akihiko Kaji in given, Loid Forger in SPY x FAMILY and Soei in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime) and Lemon Irvine, who will be voiced by Reina Ueda (Kanao Tsuyuri in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Ruri in Dr. STONE).
GET PUMPED, everyone, because MASHLE: MAGIC AND MUSCLES is set to premiere right here on Crunchyroll on April 7, 2023.
Briana Lawrence is the Senior EN Features Editor here at Crunchyroll. When she’s not writing she’s taking care of her three butthead cats and playing Hades for the 100th time. You can check out her writings and her book series over at her website and give her a shout over on Twitter.
