Summary
Mashle’s new one-shot manga explores the consequences of Mash’s story and how it improves the treatment of non-magical individuals. Mash’s success shows that relying solely on magic is not the only way to achieve success in a world filled with magic. The one-shot manga expands the Mashle universe, making room for potential future stories with new characters.
Warning: SPOILERS for Mashle: Magic and Muscles special one-shot
Just in time for the highly anticipated second season of the hit anime Mashle: Magic and brawn, Jump Shonen left out a special one-shot chapter. This special release adds to Mashle’s lore and introduces potential new stories for the future. It’s a bit of fan service that shows there are still stories to tell in the Mashle universe that don’t necessarily include Mash, Lance, Finn and the other students and teachers at the Magic Academy Easton.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles by Hajime Komoto tells the story of Mash Burnedead, a non-magical person living in a world where those who cannot use magic are ostracized and condemned. After being captured, Mash made a deal to avoid being chased by the government for life. According to the terms of the agreement, Mash must become a Divine Visionary – a position always awarded to Easton’s most outstanding magic user.
Despite all the odds against him, Mash becomes a student at Easton, where he meets and befriends a diverse group of classmates. Using his superhuman strength, muscles, and will, Mash is not only capable of excelling in school, but also helping and inspiring his friends. After 162 chapters, Mashle ended but not as fans expected. Mash was actually chosen as Divine Visionary of the Year, but he turned down the position. Instead, he used the fame he gained from saving the world to advocate for a world where non-magical people enjoyed the same status as magic users and were given the right to live in peace. equality without discrimination.
The second season of Mashle: Magic and Muscles is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
Mash returns and proves he’s changed the world for the better
The new one-shot manga takes place after Mash loses his position as Divine Visionary – which instead goes to his good friend, Lance. Thanks to Mash, the world seems more tolerant of non-magical people. Mash’s success not only improved the status and treatment of non-magical people, but also demonstrated that reliance on magic was not the only path to success. Mash’s success shows that one can survive and even thrive without placing all hope in one’s magical abilities. IIn a world where status and power have traditionally been based on one’s ability to wield magic, Mash’s success is an existential threat to the system..
In the new one-shot manga, this is the story of a young magic user from a famous magic-using family. Even though the boy had the bloodline to one day become a Divine Visionary – he wasn’t that good at magic. Accordingly, his tutor decides to inspire him by taking him to Easton to observe the elite of the magical world. Unfortunately, Mash still exists and offers an equally compelling reason why magic is overrated. Naturally, this will inspire the child to live life on his own terms and not let others dictate his decisions, like Mash.
There are many more Mashle stories to be told
With not much more to say in the story of Mash’s rise from outcast to savior of the world, the new one-shot manga is a great way to add interesting content to the Mashle mythos without retelling the story. We see Mash and his friends from a new perspective, expanding their story after the end of their adventure. It also creates the possibility of continuing the franchise if creators Hajime Komoto and Jump Shonen decided to bring it back Masha universe through the stories of new characters.
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