Season 1 |
Season 2 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1: Mash Burnedead and the Divine Visionaries -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 2: Mash Burnedead and The Home Visit -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 3: Rayne Ames and God’s Gift -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 4: Mash Burnedead and the Brawny Balloon -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 5: Finn Ames and The Friend -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 6: Mash Burnedead and You Look and You Lose Your Life -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 7: Mash Burnedead and the Magical Maestro -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 8: Mash Burnedead and the Tall Tower -| Review Score – 3.5/5
Episode 9: Walberg Baigan and the Magic of Darkness -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 10: Walberg Baigan and the Greatest Danger -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 11: Mash Burnedead and the Origin of the Greatest Magic User -| Review Score – 2.5/5
Episode 12: Mash Burnedead and His Good Friends -| Review Score – 3/5
While Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 1 had fanfare, many felt other anime like Oshi No Ko, Hell’s Paradise, and others overshadowed it when it was released in the Spring of 2023. Moreover, the anime competed against The Ancient Magus’ Bride Season 2 and Konosuba’s spin-off series that offered similar settings and premises to Mashle. Yet, those who stuck with this one loved its comedy and action.
In Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2, some fans expected the series to continue churning out more fun content. Yet, some begged this series to up the ante, giving them something different, through notable character development, world-building, and other aspects. While Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 offers new content, more could’ve been done to make this season stand out.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 picks up where Season 1 left off with Mash celebrating his victory over Cell War with his old and new comrades. Unlike the prior season, this one delves head-first into the source material’s Divine Visionary Candidate Exam Arc. This arc focuses on Mash and his allies competing against other skilled mages to see who’ll be the next Divine Visionary.
The second season’s plot contains similar deadpan humor and enjoyable battles as the previous season. Additionally, this season opens up Mash’s world a smidge, giving viewers a taste of what the high-class mages are capable of while introducing a few of them too. Simultaneously, this season’s Divine Visionary Candidate Exam arc gives Mash, his allies, and his enemies some interesting activities to participate in.
From the Deadervant Haunt to The Life Crystal mission, fans will enjoy the fun-filled gaming vibe this tournament-themed story arc brings them. Additionally, it helps this story arc stand out from other favorable shonen anime like Yu Yu Hakusho, Naruto, and My Hero Academia since those series contain competition-centric arcs.
Furthermore, Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 contains some interesting turns. Details like Mash and his connection to this season’s big-bad, Innocent Zero will intrigue audiences and entice them to continue watching the season to see where that detail leads. In addition to its turns, Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 continues placing Mash and his friends in comfy and somewhat relatable scenarios that’ll put viewers’ minds at ease.
These scenes won’t hit as hard as the calming scenarios in anime like Laid-Back Camp or Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, but they’ll appeal to most viewers who need a break from Mash and his pummeling shenanigans. Although this tale offers quite a bit of delightful material, this season offers much to be desired. For instance, some viewers will feel underwhelmed by the Divine Visionary Candidate Exam arc.
Although the activities are fun, many of its resolutions feel predictable, convenient, and disappointing. Additionally, the one-on-one competition portion feels like a missed opportunity. Most scenarios could’ve been replaced with ones that explored and developed the supporting cast more. While the Macaron and Mash fight is pleasurable, audiences will be upset that the competition’s one-on-one phase is cut short due to a certain individual and his allies’ meddling. Most of the season’s major conflicts are resolved unsatisfyingly.
Next to the series’s resolution problems, the comedy can be an issue (at times). While the humor is enjoyable in some areas, it often undermines the story’s serious moments. Lemon’s speech she shares with the angry mob in episode 12 is a great example of this. While it starts stellar, it loses its momentum when Lemon announces her affection for Mash to the mob. Although the past season made it clear that she loves him, they could’ve left Lemon’s feelings for Mash out of this speech to make it feel stronger.
Besides those things, Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2’s plot provides audiences with a decent narrative. Story aside, many of the main cast remain the same and don’t receive as much depth as one would hope. However, Finn is an exception. While the character doesn’t receive development in the vain of newfound powers, fans will love his bit during The Divine Visionary Candidate Exam’s “The Life Crystal” segment. Seeing him outsmart a skilled mage like Luo-yang is nice to see.
Although Finn doesn’t defeat the mage in a physical sense, seeing him go toe-to-toe with someone who outclasses him in that field is charming. Besides Finn, viewers shouldn’t expect too much from the main characters like Mash, Lance, Dot, and Lemon.
Main cast aside, the series introduces several antagonists and supportive figures. Some worth noting include Macaron, Zero, Wahlberg, Orter, and Kaldo. While not all of them receive much depth, the ones that do via flashbacks or significant screen time will leave an impression on audiences. By and large, the characters partake in some favorable activities in Season 2 but only a few receive great development.
As for Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2’s animation and visual quality, it’s as good as the first season’s. However, the fights this time lack less impact and pizazz, unlike the ones in Season 1. While some fights like Mash’s battle with Macaron will please audiences on a visual scale, others look lackluster. One worth mentioning is Mash’s battle with Cell War in Season 2.
Fans will walk away disappointed with that one, especially after how stunning his first battle with Cell War looked in Season 1. Despite it all, Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 is a decent showcase from a visual perspective. As for this season’s OST, it’s fine and will certainly get viewers in the mood for Mash and his friends’ comical and eventful outings.
The opening song “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” by Creepy Nuts is catchy and may entice folks to jump from their seats and dance along with Mash. The voice acting is also enjoyable. Anyone can tell the actors and actresses had fun recording their lines for this anime. While the soundtrack and animation quality offer more of the same, fans will appreciate A-1 Pictures Studios for giving them an acceptable follow-up from these angles.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 2 isn’t what one wants out of a sequel. However, that doesn’t make it a terrible follow-up either. It has charming qualities that make it a satisfying, binge-worthy experience. Nevertheless, we’re optimistic that Mashle: Magic and Muscles Season 3, if it happens one day, will turn the series around, making it more impactful, well-written, and fantastic.
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Verdict - 6.5/10
6.5/10