The Irregular at Magic High School (Mahoka Koukou no Rettosai)
Directed by Manabu Ono
Based on Light Novel Series by Tsutomo Sato
Produced by Madhouse, Aniplex
Voice cast: Saori Hayami, Yuuichi Nakamura, Yumi Uchiyama, Ryouhei Kimura.
Air dates: Streaming Saturdays at 1 p.m. CDT on Crunchyroll
In my experience in the world of academia, the two times of the academic year that are the most stressful for students and instructors alike are its beginning and end. It’s particularly stressful for students who are either entering an institution for the first time or are transferring from another school. Beside the usual difficulties, there is also the challenge of navigating the sometimes-treacherous waters of whatever social hierarchies exist in an academic environment.
Now imagine dealing with all that in a school full of magic users in a world in which magic has been systematized into an actual arm of technology. Such is the setting of The Irregular at Magic High School, or Mahou Koukou no Rettosai, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
In the first episodes, the social rift between the weeds and their so-called betters, the blooms, is expounded upon. Miyuki is appointed to be Student Council Secretary. However, the head of the Disciplinary Committee, Mari Watanabe, is impressed with Tatsuya’s analytical skills, and appoints him into the ranks of the Committee, an as-yet unheard of thing since up to now members of the Student Council and the Disciplinary Committee have been exclusively Course 1 members, although membership in the Disciplinary Committee supposedly is open to both Course 1 and Course 2 students, at least in theory. The move is vigorously opposed by Gyobu Hattori, Student Council Vice President, who challenges Shiba’s appointment on the Disciplinary Committee. When Hattori questions Miyuki’s judgment in defending her brother, Tatsuya challenges him to a simulated combat in order to defend his sister for having her judgment impugned. Will he, a mere Course 2 Student, supposedly unskilled in magic, survive against Hattori, the Student Council Vice President? You will simply have to watch and find out.
The Irregular at Magic High School is more than just another “magical high school” fighting anime. The series makes some clever social commentary about the dynamics between students in a school environment. It especially questions the authority and veracity of the oft-times arbitrary and sometimes ridiculous hierarchies that can be found in every school, whether those hierarchies are officially sanctioned or not. The series is currently streaming on Crunchyroll on Saturdays at 1 p.m. CDT. So put your thinking cap on and pay attention. There will be a quiz later.
No, this is just another run-of-the-mill magical fighting show, and not a particularly smart one at that. If anyone thinks that this show is original or “clever” then it is safe to assume that they’re not well versed in literature (or even the history of anime alone, which has such gems that contrast like day & night against these unsophisticated and pandering shows). Please don’t reduce the standard of what good anime can (and should) be just because you like a few things about a certain series. There is such a thing as objectivity even within personal reviews.
You may have noticed that we're now AD FREE! Please support Geeks of Doom by using the Amazon Affiliate link above. All of our proceeds from the program go toward maintaining this site.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
No, this is just another run-of-the-mill magical fighting show, and not a particularly smart one at that. If anyone thinks that this show is original or “clever” then it is safe to assume that they’re not well versed in literature (or even the history of anime alone, which has such gems that contrast like day & night against these unsophisticated and pandering shows). Please don’t reduce the standard of what good anime can (and should) be just because you like a few things about a certain series. There is such a thing as objectivity even within personal reviews.
Comment by SASUGA — August 15, 2014 @ 2:00 am