This book was a lot of fun. I laughed out loud more than once. I really enjoyed how it took two familiar tropes (the magical school trope and the “I’m gonna be the very best like no one ever waaaas…” trope) and did its own unique spin on them. The way Mash used his muscles was both clever and entertaining. I’d definitely read the next book in the series..

In a world that is full of magic, Mashle has none. But his father has made sure to train him, and train him he has! Mashle is the buffest person in the land! And Mashle is determined to become the top student at the magic school in order to save his father's life.

Thank you to NetGalley, VIZ Media, and Hajime Komoto for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this world, everyone can use magic and one's magic power determines their status. Unfortunately, Mash cannot use magic, and since that would make him the lowest of the low, it's a bit of a secret. Though he is super strong... He gets enrolled in a magic school even though he cannot use magic and finds ways to get through tasks just by using his absurd brute strength to achieve things that would appear to be magic.

The art adds to the humor that is doused throughout this book. At times it almost feels like a Harry Potter parody. I am not sure if that is intentional, or just unoriginal ideas, but we have a Dumbledore-looking headmaster, a class to use a spell to unlock things, potions class, and even broom-flying with a game in which fliers try to get a ball in the goal...Let's look at the cover. The character kind of looks like Harry and the castle looks quite similar to Hogwarts...hmmmm...

Of course, there are other original aspects to this manga. There is a coin system in which students can earn coins of varying values for completing certain tasks. The student with the most coin value by the end of the term gets the top-ranking place in the school, which is quite an honor.

I thought this manga was quite quirky and fun, a very enjoyable first installment to a more shounen magical comedy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viz for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Mashle: Magic and Muscles is a breath of fresh air. Hajime Komoto's simple, yet dynamic art style complements Mashle's witty, dry dialogue perfectly. Mashle builds off of a familiar premise (a boy with no magic goes through life in a magical world), but puts a fresh spin on common shonen tropes like the chosen one and big boss battles. Readers follow the main character, Mash, as he leaves home for a magical school and makes friends, and enemies, along the way. Supporting characters carry the story well, and although many have similar reactions to Mash's lack of magic, Komoto always finds a way to keep things interesting.

Mashle has been one of my favorite comics, and I was happy to read this first collected volume.

This book had some major 'Mob Psycho 100', 'Black Clover', and 'One Punch Man' vibes for me, which I absolutely adored. I'm definitely excited to see this series continue, and I'll definitely be purchasing this collection for my teens.

In a world where magic rules, and those without a mark are subject to death, Mash lives his life in secrecy; hidden away from society thanks to his "father". However, Mash decides one day to leave their hidden home and venture to the city for Cream Puffs, of all things. Putting himself and his father in danger when the Magic Police find out about him, the young man without a mark.

Mash is followed home, and attempts to fight off the head of the Magic Police, but is instead offered a trade; the Police will leave him and his father alone if Mash goes to Magic School and becomes the next Visionary. A non-magic user in a magical school, while trying to be the most magical person ever, sounds easy right? Of course it will be, Mash just needs to try hard, that's all.