10 Books/Manga Like Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a fantasy series that likes to poke fun at the genre. It’s written and illustrated by Hajime Kōmoto and concluded its run in July 2023 for Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine. The manga follows Mash, a boy born in a world without magical powers, unlike the people who inhabit the area. After someone threatens him and his guardian’s peaceful existence, Mash enters a pristine magic academy to become a Divine Visionary.
If you’re in the mood for more comedic, action-packed, or fantasy-themed books/manga that offer a similar vibe, fear not! We’ve gathered together 10 books/manga to check out when you’ve caught up with Mashle: Magic and Muscles. Of course, if you feel we’ve missed any of your favorites, do comment below and let us know!
One Punch Man – ONE
Similarities – Characters, Action, Comedy
When reading Mashle’s manga or watching the anime that aired during Spring 2023’s anime season, many saw Mash as a magical variant of Saitama. From the way the characters appear and the dormant strength they possess, one should assume One Punch Man would appear on this recommendation list.
One Punch Man follows a hero named Saitama who can take foes out in one punch. He embarks on a quest with his companion Genos in hopes of receiving more praise and admiration for his efforts. At the same time, he hopes to find someone who’ll provide him with a worthy challenge.
Like Mashle, One Punch Man features similar forms of humor from funny facial expressions to compelling parodic takes on the genre it’s based around. While Mashle pokes fun at fantasy series, solely magic academy-based tales, One Punch Man satirizes superheroes. Both series excel at their takes, leaving audiences in awe and in stitches.
On top of having stellar fight scenes that’ll boost your adrenaline, One Punch Man is a great alternative for Mashle fans to read.
Black Clover – Yuuki Tabata
Similarities – Fantasy, Action, Characters
Black Clover is another shonen manga many compared Mashle to when it was released. It follows Asta, a brawny protagonist like Mash who lacks magical prowess. Asta often butts heads with his rival Yuno, who is praised for being a skilled individual in the magical arts. After a fateful encounter with an enemy named Leputy, Asta unlocks his dormant magical abilities and beats him.
This victory convinces Asta to embark on a quest to become his world’s Wizard King. As one can tell, Mash and Asta are two peas in a pod. Both protagonists are physically strong and take part in journeys to become highly viewed figures in their respective fantasy worlds.
Moreover, both stories contain memorable side characters who’ll aid our heroes in their endeavors. Each supporting cast member has a great personality, an intriguing goal, and a marvelous set of skills.
In addition to having fabulous physical and magical battles that’ll get your heart racing, Black Clover is a great magic-themed series to check out if you love Mashle.
Mob Psycho 100 – ONE
Similarities – Characters, Comedy, Action
Another tale from the fabulous author ONE that shares similarities with Mashle is Mob Psycho 100. This tale follows Mob, a psychic with powerful abilities. He only uses his powers to impress his crush Tsubomi. To control his powers, Mob meets and befriends a man named Reigen, who asks him to exorcise spirits for money.
As with Mash. Mob is a great protagonist who looks weak but is extremely strong. Both characters come off as humble individuals in their series despite their immense strength though. Mob is someone who likes to protect others similar to Mash. Moreover, both stories feature great humor and tackle themes like friendship.
In addition to having fantastic supernatural bouts, Mob Psycho 100 is a great series worth checking out.
The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. – Shuuichi Aso
Similarities – Comedy & Characters
For those who adored Mashle for its comedic value, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K should suffice. This manga features a powerful psychic named Saiki who doesn’t adore his powers. Through countless wacky scenarios with his classmates and teachers, Saiki learns to appreciate the supernatural gift he was given.
Like Mashle, this series employs a parodic take on the norms of its genre. It adores satirizing common shon tropes by placing Saiki and his friends in surreal and hilarious situations. This will remind Mashle fans of the times when its series creator Hajime Komoto pokes fun at staple magical series like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter. However, both series feature some fun action elements to keep readers at bay.
On top of addressing lighthearted themes like friendship and teamwork, The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. is worth investing time into if you’re into funny manga like Mashle: Magic and Muscles.
Sakamoto Days – Yuuto Suzuki
Similarities – Comedy & Action
Sakamoto Days is an amazing assassin-themed comedy series. Like Mashle, it’s a tale that adds a refreshing spin to its genre. Instead of focusing on blood and gore like other assassin-themed series, it opts for humor and heartwarming segments. Nevertheless, the series contains fabulous chase segments and intense gunfights that will excite you as much as the magical bouts in Mashle.
This story follows Sakamoto, a former hitman who lives a peaceful life with his family. When his past catches up to him, he must reenter the assassin world to handle some business. Like Mashle, this story features a wide range of well-rounded characters. Each has their own backstory, motive, and set of skills that help them stand out.
With its similar humor, action, and charming moments, Sakamoto Days is a great modern shonen with enough elements to keep you entertained.
Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun – Osamu Nishi
Similarities – Characters, Setting, Comedy
If you adored Mashle for its fantasy school setting and comedy, you’ll enjoy Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-Kun. After our protagonist, Iruma, gets sold to demon parents, he’s forced to enroll in a school brimming with dangerous creatures with magical abilities. Readers will observe how Iruma plans to cope with this new educational setting.
As with Mash, Iruma is a genuine individual. He embodies aspects of kindness, bravery, and perseverance. Readers who adore Mash’s compelling side when he’s with his buddies will cherish Iruma’s interactions with his classmates and teachers. Iruma-kun’s world is fully realized and creative. You’ll adore the level of depth and detail Osamu Nishi put into crafting this universe.
On top of having a similar approach to humor, Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun is a must-read.
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic – Shinobu Ohtaka
Similarities – Fantasy, Action, Comedy
Magic: The Labyrinth of Magic is an exceptional fantasy series with great world-building, comedy, action, and characters. Like Mashle, this series explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the pursuit of one’s true potential in a magical world. Our story centers around two friends named Alibaba and Aladdin. They embark on a journey in search of rare treasures and dungeons.
Like Mash, Magi’s protagonists confront adversity and their own limitations during their journey. They’ll learn to embrace their unique talents and develop genuine connections with each other and different nations. Amidst both series’s intense action scenes, they excel at incorporating humor to lighten the mood. From funny facial expressions to witty jokes, you’ll love Shinobu Ohtaka’s humorous touch.
In addition to having an expansive world and clever plot twists, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is a must-read for Mashle fans.
Helck – Nanaki Nanao
Similarities – Comedy, Fantasy, Action
Helck is a fascinating fantasy manga with a fun anime adaptation that’s airing at the time of this writing. Like Mashle, this series contains strong characters, compelling humor, wonderful artwork, and an intriguing fantasy world. The story’s set during a competition to decide on a new heir to Demon Lord Thor’s throne in the demon realm.
Our protagonist Helck is a human hero loved by demons and hated by Vermilio, one of the Four Elite Lords of the Empire. After learning about a castle’s downfall at the hands of strange knights, Vermilio must ask Helck and other participants to assist her in retaking Castle Urum back.
Like Mashle, this series knows how to balance its comedy and action scenes well. Never once will viewers feel like one element overshadows the other. Furthermore, Helck and Mash come off as genuine individuals who shower their friends with kindness but will show their enemies no mercy.
In addition to having a compelling cast of side characters with great personalities, skillsets, and backgrounds, Helck is a great fantasy series to check out if you love Mashle.
Gintama – Hideaki Sorachi
Similarities – Action & Comedy
After Gintama ended, many flocked to Mashle to scratch that comedic itch. Gintama is a series with heart, action, and enough humor to keep you laughing for several hours. Our tale follows Gintoki, a samurai who likes tackling missions for money. He’ll embark on a journey alongside other quirky individuals that are downright absurd and occasionally heartfelt.
Like Mash, Gintoki is a strong-willed and awkward person to observe. He can be lazy but knows when to act serious when the time calls for it. His personality serves as a solid representation of his story’s tone. While it can be overly hilarious with its parodic, satirical, and gag humor, Hideaki Sorachi knows how to sell his audience on solemn story arcs.
In addition to having captivating fights, Gintama is another tale that’ll keep Mashle fans invested.
My Hero Academia – Kohei Horikoshi
Similarities – Characters, Action, Themes
My Hero Academia is a superhero-themed shonen manga with fun characters, great fights, and stellar themes. It follows Izuku Midoriya, a boy born into a world without a superpower (Quirk). However, when he impresses his role model and world’s number one hero, All Might, this hero grants Izuku his quirk and helps him enroll in the prestigious U.A. Academy.
Hence, we examine Izuku’s journey to becoming a fabulous hero like All Might. As with Mash, Izuku is another genuine protagonist with incredible strength. Although Izuku’s more intelligent about superheroes than Mash is with magic, both characters embark on journeys of self-growth and hope to become well-known figures in their respective universes.
Lastly, both manga emphasize the importance of friendship and teamwork. Like Mash, Izuku must rely on his masters and friends for support several times throughout My Hero Academia. Eventually, he’ll participate in thrilling bouts that’ll demonstrate the growth he achieves throughout My Hero Academia.
If you don’t mind reading a tale with a superhero focus, check out My Hero Academia.
So there we have it, our 10 books/manga to read after you’re caught up with Mashle: Magic and Muscles.
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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