The Irregular at Magic High School
“Season One”
It has been a long time since The Irregular at Magic High School, a popular novel series in Japan, began to be adapted into anime, a story in a world where magic and technology are one. Such a premise hooked me to follow the series back in 2014. But how well does this series handle this concept? So, today, we bring you its review!
The Irregular at Magic High School aired from April 6th to September 28th, 2014, spanning 26 episodes. Produced by Madhouse Studios under the direction of Manabu Ono, the series features animation supervision by Kana Ishida and music composition by Taku Iwasaki. The anime adapts Tsutomu Satō's light novel series, which began publication in 2011 under ASCII Media Works's Dengeki Bunko imprint. The series targets a Shounen demographic and combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and school life genres.
It has been difficult, but the siblings Tatsuya and Miyuki have entered the prestigious Institute of Magic. This institute is where future master magicians are trained before joining the National University of Magic, an incredible opportunity for anyone. However, there is terrible news. In high school, not all students have the same category. While the Blooms are considered superior for their magical abilities, the Weeds come in as a spare. They are the ones who will replace the Blooms in case there is an accident or they decide to leave their place. Miyuki has entered the institute as one of the most promising Blooms, but Tatsuya is just a Weed. How will the two siblings cope in an environment that threatens to separate them?
What is interesting about The Irregular at Magic High School is the environment in which the story takes place. Forget spellbooks, magic potions, and wands. The spells used by the characters in the series are far from what we can find in any epic fantasy story. They have been transformed into programs and data. It is now a high-tech device that must be used to activate one's magical abilities (CAD).
So setting it in a magic high school and beginning with their first days of classes is the perfect first arc for a story with so many concepts to learn by using it to present the magic system it proposes and the discrimination towards people untalented in magic. This drastic distinction between Booms and Weeds generates conflicts among the students themselves. What matters in the Institute of Magic are the magical abilities. Entrance tests examine all students in the same way as if there are no differences in their abilities. Tatsuya gets the best marks in the theoretical part, with an average that many of his classmates could not reach. But that doesn't matter.
Because of their noticeable difference from Blooms, Weeds cannot access many of the Blooms' advantages, such as individualized practical lessons to hone their magical skills. The Blooms avoid associating with the Weeds; it is frowned upon. They must remain separated by that category difference. Despite everything, Tatsuya struggles to gain a foothold and ensure that nothing separates him from his sister until he attracts some important students' attention.
The second arc is much less critical to the story (it can seem to be the typical school anime filler with a touch of magic), except for certain occasions like Tatsuya and Maki meeting, and the ending is a twist for the last arc of the season. It is filled with some brutal deaths with the so-called Yokohama incident. This is where there is a rush in the script that makes it more evident that the previous arc served as a transition fill between arcs. It is an ending full of fights, mechs, armor, and much more complex magic mixtures with technology. The anime manages to finish, leaving you waiting for a second season (which, at the time of writing, has just ended its broadcast)
In my opinion, one of the franchise's most prominent weaknesses is how the characters have been developed. It starts with creating Tatsuya as a perfect OP character, but at levels where he already becomes too much. He is an inventor, technological genius, and military officer capable of defeating an entire army independently. Each episode suffers from the things that Tatsuya can secretly do. And no one does anything but be amazed and say, "Wow, how amazing is Tatsuya!"
I think the rest of the characters' potential is quite subtracted if all these characteristics are focused on a single character (apart from the fact that he has the most screen time). It does not make them wrong; they are pretty great but could have offered much more and are left in the protagonist's shadow. It's almost as if their importance is if they help Tatsuya's story progress, and there it ends. And despite that, when you meet them, they become fascinating to you, so that they are simply left behind little by little when you want to know them more profoundly is sad.
I don't like that Miyuki (second sister) is introduced as a magic PRODIGY and is reduced to her dependence on her brother. She doesn't use this great magical potential and typically waits for her brother's approval to use her powers, so I went to read the novels to learn more about her story. I ended up finding out that there is part of the novel that was not adapted. It is explained in the novel why such adoration towards her brother exists. The anime adaptation did not explore her attachment in great detail and instead gave us pseudo-romantic scenes and an obsessive Miyuki. Lastly, the villains they introduce into the season are lame. They seem to be placed in the story to be easily defeated by Tatsuya in just one episode—entirely disposable enemies, which is disappointing.
The animation seemed more than decent, with a quality that remains constant. It gives precise detail to the characters' expressions and, in my opinion, improves the interactions and the original script of the novel on many occasions through the brilliant direction of the scenes. But it shines the most in the fight scenes, specifically when they use their magic and activate their CADs. They are pretty great, and the animation scenes amazed me the most.
The sound design in The Irregular at Magic High School remains consistent throughout the series. Taku Iwasaki's soundtrack complements the show's technological and magical elements without overshadowing the narrative moments. The music in The Irregular at Magic High School is just perfect for the sci-fi magic it has going on. The first opening, "Rising Hope" by LiSA, is an absolute banger and easily one of the best openings from that season. "Gillette" by GARNiDELiA also keeps the hype train rolling for the second half. As for the endings, "Millenario" by ELISA and "Mirror" by Rei Yasuda are pretty solid. But get this—they used "Rising Hope" as both the opening and ending for the first episode. Talk about setting the tone!
The background music throughout the series is on point. It knows exactly when to ramp up during those crazy magic fights and when to chill out during the school slice-of-life moments. It might not be the most iconic anime OST, but it gets the job done and immerses you in the world.
The voice acting deserves special mention, with Yuichi Nakamura delivering a stellar performance as Tatsuya, perfectly capturing the character's calculated nature and subtle emotional moments. Saori Hayami, as Miyuki, brings the right balance of dignity and devotion to her role, though the script's limitations on her character development are apparent. The supporting cast provides consistent performances that help bring the magical high school setting to life, even if they aren't given as much material to work with as they deserve.
Since its initial airing, The Irregular at Magic High School has garnered a mixed response from fans. While some viewers praise the series for its unique blend of magic and technology, intricate worldbuilding, and impressive action sequences, others criticize it for its overpowered protagonist, slow pacing, and lack of character development. Many fans appreciate the show's detailed magic system and how it incorporates scientific concepts, finding the explanations and theories engaging. The tournament arc and fight scenes have also been praised for their visual flair and for showcasing the characters' diverse magical abilities. Additionally, some fans enjoy the dynamic between Tatsuya and Miyuki and the supporting cast's interactions and contributions to the story.
However, many audience members find Tatsuya's overpowered nature and lack of emotional depth a significant drawback, as they remove any sense of tension or relatability. The pacing has also been a contention, with some viewers finding the exposition-heavy episodes and slow plot progression tedious. Furthermore, the series has been criticized for its fan service elements, particularly the pseudo-incestuous undertones in Tatsuya and Miyuki's relationship.
Despite these differing opinions, The Irregular at Magic High School has a devoted following. Many viewers applaud its unique take on the magic school genre and eagerly anticipate future adaptations of the light novel series.
The Irregular at Magic High School is an ambitious anime that combines magic, science, and school life into a compelling narrative. While it succeeds in creating a fascinating world with intricate magical systems and stunning action sequences, it struggles to balance its pacing and character development. Tatsuya's overpowered nature and lack of emotional growth can frustrate viewers seeking a more relatable protagonist, and the series' heavy exposition can slow down the plot's momentum.
However, the show's unique take on magic, engaging supporting cast, and impressive animation make it worth watching for fans of the genre. Ultimately, The Irregular at Magic High School is a series that will appeal to viewers who enjoy intricate worldbuilding, strategic magical battles, and a blend of science and fantasy. While it may not be perfect, it offers an entertaining and thought-provoking experience for those who overlook its flaws.
Originally Published: 5/22/2021. Edited and Updated 10/26/24
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