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Mashle: Magic and Muscles
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Mash Burnedead
マッシュル-MASHLE-
(Masshuru)
Genre
Manga
Written byHajime Kōmoto
Published byShueisha
English publisher
ImprintJump Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Jump
Original runJanuary 27, 2020 – July 3, 2023
Volumes18 (List of volumes)
Anime television series
Directed byTomonari Tanaka
Produced by
  • Souta Furuhashi
  • Diana Lu
  • Takao Shimazaki (S1)
Written byYōsuke Kuroda
Music byMasaru Yokoyama
StudioA-1 Pictures
Licensed by
Original networkTokyo MX, GTV, GYT, BS11
English network
Original run April 8, 2023 – March 30, 2024
Episodes24 (List of episodes)
icon Anime and manga portal

Mashle: Magic and Muscles (Japanese: マッシュル-MASHLE-, Hepburn: Masshuru) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Kōmoto. It was serialized in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 2020 to July 2023, with its chapters collected in 18 tankōbon volumes.

An anime television series adaptation produced by A-1 Pictures aired from April to July 2023. A second season aired from January to March 2024. A sequel to the anime series has been announced.

Plot

[edit]
Further information: List of Mashle characters

Set in a magical world in which an individual's position within society is defined by their power and skill with magic, Mash Burnedead is a young man without so much as an ounce of magic in his blood. In order to live a peaceful life with his adoptive father, Regro, Mash will need to become a Divine Visionary (神覚者, Shinkakusha), a title which is only given to exceptional students from the Easton Magic Academy. Despite having no magic whatsoever, Mash goes to the magic school, determined to survive and show the world that muscles can beat magic.

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]
Further information: List of Mashle chapters

Written and illustrated by Hajime Kōmoto, Mashle: Magic and Muscles was serialized in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 27, 2020,[3][4] to July 3, 2023.[5][6] Shueisha collected its chapters in 18 tankōbon volumes, released from June 4, 2020,[7] to October 4, 2023.[8] A special one-shot chapter was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on January 6, 2024, on the occasion of the anime series' second season premiere.[9][10]

The manga was digitally serialized by Viz Media and Manga Plus in English.[11] In October 2020, Viz Media announced the print and digital publication of the manga;[12] the volumes were released from July 6, 2021, to December 3, 2024.[13][14]

Anime

[edit]
Further information: List of Mashle episodes

An anime television series adaptation was announced in July 2022. The anime series is produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomonari Tanaka, with scripts written by Yōsuke Kuroda, character designs by Hisashi Toshima, and music composed by Masaru Yokoyama.[15] According to the official website of the series, it will be a "complete" anime adaptation.[16] The first season aired from on Tokyo MX and other networks from April 8 to July 1, 2023.[17][18][a] The opening theme song for the first season is "Knock Out", performed by Taiiku Okazaki, while the ending theme song is "Shū Cream Funk" (シュークリーム・ファンク; "Cream Puff Funk"), performed by The Dance for Philosophy.[18]

A second season was announced after the airing of the first season finale. Titled Mashle: Magic and Muscles - The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam (マッシュル-MASHLE- 神覚者候補選抜試験編, Masshuru: Shinkakusha Kōho Senbatsu Shiken-hen), it broadcast from January 6 to March 30, 2024.[19][20][21][22] The opening theme song for the second season is "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born", performed by Creepy Nuts,[23] while the ending theme song is "Tokyo's Way!" (トーキョーズ・ウェイ！), performed by Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku.[20]

In May 2024, a sequel to the television series was announced.[24]

Aniplex of America revealed an English version of the announcement video at its Anime Expo panel on July 3, 2022.[25] On February 21, 2023, Crunchyroll announced that they would stream the series;[26] an English dub premiered on May 26 of the same year.[27] Medialink licensed the series in Asia-Pacific.[28][29] In October 2024 at its New York Comic Con panel, Aniplex of America announced that the English dub would broadcast on Adult Swim's Toonami programming block beginning on November 10 of the same year.[30] The second season premiered on the same programming block on November 9, 2025.[31]

Novels

[edit]

Kiyoko Hoshi has written three novels based on the series; the first one, titled Mashle: Mash Burnedead to Bōken no Sho 1 (マッシュル-MASHLE- マッシュ・バーンデッドと冒険の書1; lit. 'Mashle: Mash Burnedead and the Book of Adventure 1'), was released on May 2, 2022;[32] the second one, Mashle: Mash Burnedead to Fukkatsu no Jumon (マッシュル-MASHLE- マッシュ・バーンデッドと復活の呪文; lit. 'Mashle: Mash Burnedead and the Resurrection Spell'), was released on April 4, 2023;[33][34] and the third one, Mashle: Mash Burnedead to Gangan Ikōze (マッシュル-MASHLE- マッシュ・バーンデッドとガンガンいこうぜ; lit. 'Mashle: Mash Burnedead and Going with a Bang'), was released on October 4 of the same year.[35][36]

Stage plays

[edit]

A stage play adaptation of the manga was announced in April 2023. It ran at the Tokyo International Forum Hall C in Tokyo from July 4–11, and at the AiiA 2.5 Theater Kobe in Hyogo from July 15–17. The play is directed by Imagine Ito, written by Shinjirō Kameda, music composed by Shingo I with lyrics by Yūji Mitsuya, and choreographed by Umebou. The cast includes Ryotaro Akazawa as Mash Burnedead, Hiroi Yuto as Finn Ames, Ryoga Ishikawa as Lance Crown, Takeshi James Yamada as Dot Barrett, and Misato Kawauchi as Lemon Irvine.[37]

A second stage play adaptation was announced in December 2023.[38] It ran at the Tennozu Galaxy Theater in Tokyo from August 2–12, 2024, and at the AiiA 2.5 Theater Kobe in Hyogo from August 17–19.[39][40]

Video game

[edit]

In March 2025, Poppin Games Japan and MuscleMagic Games announced that the series will receive a smartphone puzzle game titled Mashle: Muscle Puzzle (マッシュル-MASHLE- マッスルパズル, Masshuru Massuru Pazuru). The 3-match puzzle game incorporates the series' worldview, allowing players to form teams with their favorite characters, and features new illustrations. It will be free to play but will have optional in-game purchases. The game is available for pre-registration on the App Store and will be available for pre-registration on Google Play later.[41]

Reception

[edit]

Manga

[edit]

In June 2020, it was reported that the first volume of the series performed well enough to be sold out.[42] By April 2021, the manga had over 1.4 million copies in circulation;[43] over 2.1 million copies in circulation by August of the same year;[44] over 3 million copies in circulation by March 2022;[45] over 4 million copies in circulation by November of the same year;[46] over 5 million copies in circulation by April 2023;[47] over 6 million copies in circulation by November 2023;[48] and over 10 million copies in circulation by March 2024.[49]

In 2020, the manga was nominated for the sixth Next Manga Awards and placed eleventh out of the 50 nominees with 12,894 votes.[50][51] The series ranked third on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2021" by the Honya Club website.[52][53] Mashle was nominated for the 67th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōnen category in 2021.[54]

The Nippon Foundation included the manga on their list of "5 Recommended Manga Available in English" and wrote: "[c]omic scenes of characters tormenting each other are fun to read, with no sense of distaste. In an amusing way, the story shows how cultivating special skills can overcome adversity."[55] Writing for Le Figaro, Clémence Ballandras made a positive review about the series and wrote that it "combines the very specific universe of manga, with that of Harry Potter, while infusing a good dose of humor."[56] Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network gave the first volume a B+. Silverman praised the series for its humor, calling it a "Harry Potter parody with overtones of One-Punch Man." Silverman, however, wrote that apart from Mash, the rest of the characters are "forgettable" and said that the art is "fairly unattractive", comparing it to Mob Psycho 100. Nevertheless, she concluded: "It doesn't look pretty, but it also doesn't need to, making this a good addition to the library of humor manga."[57]

Sheena McNeil of Sequential Tart gave the first volume a 7 out of 10. McNeil also noted the similarities with One-Punch Man and Harry Potter, praising as well its story and art, concluding: "I enjoyed this read a fair amount. It's low key hilarious. It has flaws, but it also has potential, and I look forward to where it goes from here."[58] In a review of the second volume, McNeil gave it a 8, and wrote: "[i]f you want action, humor, and magic, this story hits you over the head with all three."[59]

Anime

[edit]
Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.
2023 Reiwa Anisong Awards [ja] Arrangement Award "Shū Cream Funk" by The Dance for Philosophy[b] Nominated [60]
2024 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards Best Comedy Mashle: Magic and Muscles Nominated [61]
Best Fantasy Nominated
Best Voice Artist Performance (Spanish) Gerardo Ortega as Mash Burnedead Nominated
Best Voice Artist Performance (Castilian) David Flores as Dot Barrett Nominated
10th Anime Trending Awards Best in Soundtrack Mashle: Magic and Muscles Nominated [62]
[63]
Ending Theme Song of the Year "Shū Cream Funk" by The Dance for Philosophy Nominated
Comedy Anime of the Year Mashle: Magic and Muscles Won
Fantasy Anime of the Year Nominated
TikTok First Half Trend Awards Special Award "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts Won [64]
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Won
46th Anime Grand Prix Best Theme Song "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts 7th place [65]
U-Can [ja] New Words and Buzzwords Awards [ja] New Words and Buzzwords Awards Nominated [66]
Yahoo! Japan Search Awards Anime Category Mashle: Magic and Muscles Won [67]
Music Category "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts Won
TikTok Awards Japan Anime of the Year Mashle: Magic and Muscles Nominated [68]
Billboard Japan Music Awards Hot 100 "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts Won [69]
Most Streaming Songs Won
Most Downloaded Songs Won
Hot Animation Won
Top User Generated Songs Won
Top Global Japan (Excl. Japan) Songs Won
Top Japan Songs (South Korea) 11th place
Top Japan Songs (Thailand) 5th place
Top Japan Songs (Singapore) 2nd place
Top Japan Songs (India) 3rd place
Top Japan Songs (France) Won
Top Japan Songs (United Kingdom) Won
Top Japan Songs (South Africa) Won
Top Japan Songs (United States) Won
Top Japan Songs (Brazil) Won
Abema Anime Trend Awards Anime Song Award Won [70]
66th Japan Record Awards Grand Prix Nominated [71]
Excellent Awards Won
2025 Reiwa Anisong Awards Best Work Award Won [72][better source needed]
11th Anime Trending Awards Best in Soundtrack Mashle: Magic and Muscles - The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Nominated [73]
Opening Theme Song of the Year "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts Nominated
Ending Theme Song of the Year "Tokyo's Way!" by Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku Nominated
Action or Adventure Anime of the Year Mashle: Magic and Muscles - The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Nominated
Comedy Anime of the Year Nominated
39th Japan Gold Disc Awards Song of the Year by Download (Japan) "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts Won [74]
Top 3 Songs by Download Won
Song of the Year by Streaming (Japan) Won
Top 5 Songs by Streaming Won
MTV Video Music Awards Japan Song of the Year Won [75]
30th AMD Awards Excellence Award Won [76]
43rd JASRAC Awards Silver Award Won [77]
Music Awards Japan Song of the Year Won [78][79][80][81]
Best Japanese Song Won
Top Japanese Song in Asia Nominated
Top Japanese Song in Europe Won
Top Japanese Song in North America Won
Top Japanese Song in Latin America Won
Best Japanese Hip Hop/Rap Song Won
Best Japanese Dance Pop Song Won
Best Anime Song Nominated
Best Music Video Nominated
Best Viral Song Won
Best of Listeners' Choice: Japanese Song Nominated
Karaoke of the Year: J-Pop Nominated
9th Crunchyroll Anime Awards Best Comedy Mashle: Magic and Muscles - The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Won [82]
Best Opening Sequence "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts Nominated
Best Anime Song Nominated
Best Voice Artist Performance (Portuguese) Pedro Azevedo as Dot Barrett Nominated
Japan Expo Awards Daruma for Best Opening "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts Nominated [83]
20th AnimaniA Awards Best TV Series: Disc Mashle: Magic and Muscles Nominated [84]
Best Anime Song "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts Nominated

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mashle

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mashle: Magic and Muscles (Japanese: マッシュル -MASHLE-, Hepburn: Masshuru) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Kōmoto. It was serialized in Shueisha's magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 27, 2020, to July 3, 2023, with its chapters collected in 18 volumes. The story is set in a world where magic is essential for society and determines social status, but follows protagonist Mash Burnedead, a young man born without magical abilities who relies on his immense physical strength and training to overcome challenges, enroll in the prestigious Easton Magic Academy, and pursue the title of Divine Visionary to protect his adoptive family. The series blends action, comedy, and fantasy elements, parodying tropes from magical school narratives like those in through its emphasis on physical prowess over supernatural powers, while featuring distinctive characters such as Mash's eccentric friends Finn Ames and Lance Crown, and antagonists from the academy's elite houses. Kōmoto's artwork highlights exaggerated muscular builds and dynamic fight scenes, contributing to the manga's humorous tone and themes of perseverance, friendship, and defying expectations. As of March 2024, Mashle had sold over 10 million copies worldwide, reflecting its popularity among shōnen audiences for its lighthearted yet engaging storyline. An television produced by aired its first season from April to June 2023, consisting of 12 episodes, followed by a second season from to 2024, also with 12 episodes, covering the manga's early arcs up to the Divine Visionary Selection Exam. A third season was announced in May 2024. The , directed by Tomoya Takahashi and featuring music by , was streamed internationally on platforms like and , earning praise for its faithful , vibrant animation, and voice performances, including as Mash. Additional media includes light novels, stage plays, video games, a live-action in development, and merchandise, further expanding the franchise's reach.

Story

Plot

In a world where magic is the cornerstone of society and determines one's through visible magical marks on the face, individuals without magic face and execution by authorities like the Bureau of Magic. The protagonist, Mash Burnedead, born without any magical abilities, is raised in isolation in the forest by his adoptive father Regro to evade detection, honing his body through rigorous physical training to achieve . After Bureau of Magic agent Brad Coleman discovers Mash's lack of magic, injures Regro, gives him a fake magic mark, and instructs him to enroll to become a Divine Visionary, Mash enters the prestigious Easton Magic Academy, a competitive institution that serves as a proving ground for aspiring mages, where he must conceal his lack of magic while competing against talented students. The central narrative follows Mash's progression through the academy's rigorous challenges, including exams and duels that blend magical confrontations with physical feats and comedic elements, as he aims to rise to the rank of Divine Visionary—one of the elite mages selected to protect the kingdom. Along the way, Mash forms bonds with fellow students like Finn Ames, Crown, and Dot Barrett, who become key allies in navigating the academy's house rivalries and external threats from antagonistic forces within the magical hierarchy. The overarching conflict pits Mash against the rigid societal structure enforced by magical authorities and powerful adversaries who seek to maintain the , forcing him to rely on ingenuity and brute force to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Easton Magic Academy functions as the primary setting, divided into houses that foster competition, while the broader world emphasizes a hierarchy where higher magical marks grant privileges, and non-magical individuals are deemed inferior. The story incorporates humor through Mash's unconventional approaches to magical problems, contrasting the elegance of spells with the raw power of muscles in duels and trials. The manga, serialized in from January 2020 to July 2023, concludes after 162 chapters across 18 volumes, wrapping up the final arcs centered on divine trials for the selection and Mash's personal growth in a society that initially rejects him.

Characters

The characters of Mashle: Magic and Muscles revolve around the students, staff, and adversaries at Easton Magic Academy, a prestigious institution where magical prowess determines . In this magic-centric world, the cast explores themes of , perseverance, and defying expectations through their diverse personalities and abilities, with the protagonist's lack of serving as a catalyst for interpersonal dynamics and growth. Key figures include the muscle-bound hero and his allies, who form bonds that underscore mutual support, as well as authority figures and antagonists who represent the rigid magical hierarchy. Mash Burnedead is the , a stoic and single-minded teenager born without in a society that reveres it; he compensates with extraordinary physical strength honed through rigorous training, humorously referred to as "Muscle Magic" in the series, and his unwavering determination to protect his motivates his enrollment at the academy. His love for cream puffs serves as a simple yet endearing quirk, reflecting his uncomplicated personality and drive for perseverance amid challenges. According to the VS Battles Wiki, Mash Burnedead's tier is 8-B (City Block level) for his higher keys, with lower keys at 9-A to High 8-C depending on the version or form. Finn Ames, Mash's timid roommate and closest friend, provides emotional support and with his straightforward nature and tendency to correct Mash's social ; as a , his swap-based personal , Changeas, allows him to exchange positions of objects or people, tying into themes of by aiding Mash in academy trials. His arc emphasizes growing confidence through loyalty to his peers. Lance Crown acts as a serious rival to Mash, hailing from a traditional wizard family and excelling academically with his neat, overprotective personality—particularly toward his sisters; his gravity-manipulating , Graviole, enables him to increase gravitational forces, showcasing his talent as a top transfer exam scorer and highlighting perseverance in balancing family duties with personal ambitions. Dot Barrett is the hot-headed, explosive member of Mash's group, known for his loud demeanor and disdain for handsome rivals, often leading to comedic outbursts; his explosion-based personal allows him to generate blasts, reflecting his passionate personality and role in fostering group camaraderie through shared rivalries and support. Lemon Irvine, a supportive and impulsive classmate with a crush on Mash, brings cheer and determination to the ensemble; her growth magic manipulates plants, aligning with her nurturing side and dreams of a future with Mash, which underscores themes of friendship evolving into deeper bonds. Rayne Ames, Finn's reserved older brother and Adler House dorm prefect, serves as a stoic authority figure and Divine Visionary with the title "War God's Staff"; his animal magic specializes in summoning and controlling rabbits for combat, embodying quiet perseverance and guidance for younger students like Mash and Finn. Wahlberg Baigan is the wise and supportive principal of Easton Magic Academy, recognizing untapped potential in students regardless of traditional magic lines; his vast magical abilities, including advanced spells, position him as a mentor figure who promotes themes of equality and perseverance in the face of societal norms. Regro Burnedead, Mash's adoptive father, is a caring and gentle figure who raised Mash in secrecy from the magical world; lacking prominent magic himself, his role emphasizes familial bonds and the perseverance required to protect loved ones in a discriminatory society. Among antagonists, Innocent Zero leads a dark magic organization from the shadows, characterized by his cunning and god-like ambitions; his advanced magic involves life creation and manipulation, serving as the ultimate challenge to the protagonists' themes of friendship and defiance. Abel Walker, a confident and doll-carrying dorm prefect affiliated with Innocent Zero's group as the "First ," uses spatial manipulation magic; his mysterious persona contrasts with the protagonists' growth, highlighting rivalries rooted in differing views on power and perseverance. Other notable supporting characters include Margarette Macaron, the strict Orca House prefect and professor with a fondness for tartar sauce, who enforces discipline using his magical expertise; Orter Mádl, a cold, glasses-wearing Divine Visionary titled "Sand God's Staff" who manages magic regulation with sand-based spells, representing bureaucratic authority; and Kaldo Gehenna, an eccentric Divine Visionary titled "Flame God's Staff" overseeing personnel with fire magic, adding unpredictable elements to the academy's hierarchy. These figures collectively illustrate the series' exploration of motivations driven by friendship and unyielding effort against magical elitism.

Media

Manga

Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hajime Kōmoto. It was serialized in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 27, 2020, to July 3, 2023. The series comprises 162 chapters, which were collected and published by Shueisha in 18 tankōbon volumes between June 4, 2020, and October 4, 2023. In , announced an English-language release of the in October 2020, with digital serialization beginning simultaneously via Shonen Jump and apps starting in early 2020 alongside the Japanese debut, and the first print volume released on July 20, 2021. A special one-shot sequel chapter, titled "Mash Returns" and designated as Chapter 162.1, was published in on January 6, 2024, coinciding with the premiere of the anime's second season. Kōmoto drew inspiration for the series from the magical academy tropes of , reimagining them in a world where and replace spellcasting as the path to power, blending fantasy with over-the-top muscular physiques and comedic exaggeration. His art style prominently features hyper-exaggerated muscular forms for the and supporting characters, paired with dynamic action sequences and humorous facial expressions to emphasize the series' satirical tone. This highlights the contrast between the protagonist's brute force and the elegant, wand-based magic of the setting, enhancing the comedic and action elements throughout the narrative. The is structured into several major story arcs that follow the protagonist's journey through a magical academy. Early arcs include the Easton Enrollment Arc, focusing on the initial entry and to the academy environment, and the Divine Visionary Selection Exam Arc, which centers on competitive trials to select elite students. Subsequent arcs build on these foundations, escalating challenges within the magical society while maintaining the core theme of strength versus sorcery, culminating in the series' resolution across the 162 chapters. The serves as the material for its and other media extensions.

Anime

The television anime adaptation of Mashle: Magic and Muscles is produced by and directed by Tomonari Tanaka, with series composition by and character designs by Hisashi Higashijima. The first season aired from April 8 to July 1, 2023, on and other networks, consisting of 12 that adapt early arcs from the while incorporating original content to enhance pacing and flow. Each runs approximately 24 minutes, focusing on Mash Burnedead's entry into Easton Magic Academy and his initial challenges against magic users. The second season, subtitled The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc, aired from January 6 to March 30, 2024, also comprising 12 episodes that continue adapting subsequent arcs with added original scenes for dramatic tension and character development. A third season was announced in May 2024 following the second season finale, with no premiere date announced as of November 2025. The voice cast includes as Mash Burnedead, Reiji Kawashima as Finn Ames, as Lance Crown, as Dot Barrett, and as Lemon Irvine, among others. The music is composed by ; for the first season, the opening theme is "Knock Out" by Taiiku Okazaki, and the ending theme is "Chou Cream Funk" by Philosophy no Dance. The second season features the opening "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts and the ending "Tokyo's Way!" by . The anime streams internationally on , with simulcast releases during its original Japanese broadcast periods. In the United States, the second season began airing on Adult Swim's block starting November 8, 2025.

Light novels

The light novel series for Mashle: Magic and Muscles consists of three volumes written by Kiyoko Hoshi and illustrated by Hajime Kōmoto, published by under the Jump j-books imprint. The first volume, titled Mashle: Mash Burnedead to Bōken no Sho (Mash Burnedead and the Book of Adventures), was released on May 2, 2022. The second volume, Mashle: Mash Burnedead to Fukkatsu no Jumon (Mash Burnedead and the Resurrection Spell), followed on April 4, 2023, and the third, Mashle: Mash Burnedead to Gangan Ikouze (Mash Burnedead and Let's Go Wild), on October 4, 2023. These novels serve as non-canon side stories that expand on the daily life at Easton Magic Academy and delve into character backstories, without progressing the main manga's overarching plot. They are targeted at existing fans, providing deeper exploration of the series' lore through episodic adventures involving protagonist Mash Burnedead and his classmates. Each volume spans approximately 300 pages, featuring black-and-white illustrations by Kōmoto to complement the prose. The first volume adopts a format, where readers make choices that branch the narrative, leading to multiple endings such as happy or bad conclusions. It centers on Mash's quest to recover stolen cream puffs from trolls in the perilous Forest of Forewarning, incorporating interactions with friends like Lance Crown, Dot Barrett, Finn Ames, and Lemon Irvine during academy-related escapades. The second volume focuses on a , detailing how Brad Coleman discovers and enrolls the magicless Mash into the academy, highlighting early challenges in a magic-dominated society. The third volume depicts Mash and his friends on a summer vacation trip to the beach, which escalates into chaotic, non-canon adventures amid bizarre incidents, further emphasizing group dynamics and lighthearted exploits.

Stage plays

The first stage play adaptation of Mashle: Magic and Muscles, titled MASHLE: THE STAGE, premiered at Hall C from July 4 to 11, 2023, before transferring to AiiA 2.5 Theater in Hyogo from July 15 to 17, 2023. The production was overseen by general director Fumiya Matsuzaki, with direction by Imagine Ito of the theater group Umebou/Gekibaka and script by Shinjiro Kameda. It featured a runtime of approximately 160 minutes, incorporating live action, songs, , and dynamic fight scenes to portray the series' blend of magical effects through stage props and physical performance. The cast was led by Ryotaro Akazawa as the protagonist Mash Burnedead, alongside Yuto Hiroi as Finn Ames, Ryoga Ishikawa as Lance Crown, Takeshi James Yamada as Dot Barrett, and Misato Kawauchi as Lemon Irvine. Additional performers included Taiga Fukazawa as Rayne Ames and Shuto Nakamura as Abel Walker, emphasizing ensemble dynamics in the comedic and action-oriented scenes. The adaptation focused on the manga's early , including Mash's enrollment at and initial confrontations, streamlined for theatrical pacing while highlighting and mock magical feats via inventive . A , -MASHLE- THE STAGE 2.5, retained the core creative team of Matsuzaki, Ito, and Kameda, and ran at Galaxy Theatre in from August 2 to 12, 2024, followed by performances at AiiA 2.5 Theater from August 17 to 19, 2024. Akazawa reprised his role as Mash, joined by returning cast members Hiroi, , and Kawauchi, with Seitaro Yogayo newly cast as Lance Crown and additional actors portraying expanded Divine Visionary candidates like Kaldo Gehenna (Yuki Hamaoka) and Ryoh Grantz (Kosei Hosaka). Like its predecessor, the production integrated high-energy dances, vocal numbers, and prop-based illusions to convey the series' themes of strength versus sorcery in a roughly 2.5-hour format.

Video games

Mashle: Muscle Puzzle is a puzzle game based on the Mashle: Magic and Muscles franchise, announced on March 7, 2025, by GCREST and released on April 9, 2025. The title incorporates in-app purchases and is available on and Android platforms. The gameplay revolves around match-3 puzzles that incorporate themes of muscle-building and magic battles, allowing players to assemble teams from the series' characters as playable units. A story mode adapts key arcs from the , providing narrative progression alongside the puzzle challenges. Gacha mechanics enable character collection, enhancing team customization and strategic depth in battles. Developed by GCREST, the game emphasizes the franchise's blend of physical prowess and magical elements within an accessible puzzle format.

Live-action adaptation

A live-action of Mashle: Magic and Muscles was reported on September 23, 2025, in the Weekly Josei magazine's Issue #14. The project marks the manga's first venture into live-action cinema, drawing from Hajime Kōmoto's original series published by . The film is potentially directed by Yuichi Fukuda, known for his work on action-comedy adaptations, and stars in the lead role of Mash Burnedead. , recognized for portraying in Netflix's live-action series, reportedly bulked up physically to embody Mash's superhuman strength and muscular physique central to the story. Production is being handled in early development by and its partners, with filming already underway in as of early September 2025. Formatted as a , the adaptation has no confirmed release date, though reports indicate it aims to capture the series' blend of humor, action, and fantasy through real actors and sets.

Reception

Critical reception

The series Mashle: Magic and Muscles received positive reviews for its parody of magical school tropes and humorous take on shōnen conventions, with AIPT Comics awarding the first volume an 8.5 out of 10 and praising its clever subversion of familiar setups like a magic-less rising through sheer determination and comedy. Critics highlighted the series' strong character dynamics and witty humor, though some noted the fights could feel predictable within the genre's formulaic structure. The anime adaptation garnered acclaim for its animation quality and voice performances, particularly in delivering the comedic timing and exaggerated action sequences. IGN rated Season 1 a 7 out of 10, commending its evolution from a hilarious parody into a more engaging fantasy narrative with vibrant world-building. However, reviewers pointed out pacing issues in Season 1, where rushed adaptations sometimes led to uneven flow in early episodes. The series won Best Comedy Anime at the 9th in 2025, recognizing its blend of humor and heartfelt moments. Critics and analysts have discussed Mashle's themes as a deliberate of shōnen tropes, emphasizing hard work and over innate magical talent to challenge notions of inequality and privilege in a wizard-dominated society. The promotes through Mash Burnedead's muscular physique as a symbol of self-worth and resilience, while underscoring the value of and perseverance amid . Academic and analyses have noted its effective blending of with these elements, offering a fresh lens on traditional power fantasies. The stage plays adaptations received positive feedback for their energetic live performances and faithful recreation of the manga's action and humor, with previews showcasing dynamic staging that captured the series' over-the-top fights. The 2025 puzzle game adaptation generated early buzz for its accessible gameplay and integration of the anime's characters, appealing to fans seeking casual engagement with the franchise's world.

Popularity

The Mashle: Magic and Muscles has achieved significant commercial success, with over 10 million copies in circulation worldwide as of March , reaching over 11.5 million by the end of . This milestone reflects steady growth, bolstered by strong performance in , where individual volumes frequently topped weekly sales charts, including multiple entries in the top rankings during despite no new releases that year. For instance, the series ranked 15th among best-selling of with approximately 1.59 million copies sold, highlighting its enduring appeal among readers. The anime adaptation has driven substantial viewership growth, particularly on streaming platforms. Season 2's opening theme video amassed over 11 million views on within weeks of its January release, contributing to the series ranking among the top 10 most-watched of 2024. By mid-2025, the opening song "Bling-Bang-Bang-Born" by Creepy Nuts surpassed 700 million global streams, underscoring the anime's viral impact and international reach through dubs on platforms like , where it garnered 1.3 million views in a single week in June 2025. Merchandise sales and collaborations have further evidenced the franchise's popularity in Japan and abroad. Notable partnerships include a January 2025 tie-in with Beard Papa's cream puffs, featuring limited-edition items inspired by the series' characters, which sold out quickly and extended to U.S. events like a September 2025 cosplay-themed promotion in . These initiatives, alongside official figures from Tamashii Nations, have fueled fan engagement through global trends and resale markets. In 2025, announcements have heightened interest, including a March smartphone puzzle game developed by Poppin Games Japan, allowing players to form teams with series characters. Reports in September emerged of a potential live-action film adaptation directed by Yuichi Fukuda and starring Arata , slated for 2026 release, sparking widespread speculation. Additionally, the anime's Season 2 premiered on on November 8, 2025, broadening its U.S. audience via broadcast television.

References

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