The 2020 comedy fantasy manga series Mashle: Magic and Muscles made quite a stir among genre fans with its first serialised release in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. While it certainly did not cause the craze some other popular mangas of the age generated, it still amassed quite a following with fans who loved the trope.
Another reason the franchise received a lot of attention is its comparison with the most popular modern literary series of our time, “Harry Potter.” There may not be many overtly apparent similarities for a casual reader, apart from the fact that they both feature magicians and a world filled with magical beings. But most Harry Potter fans believe that Mashle: Magic and Muscles is the result of applying inverse functions to Potter's universe.
The magical world of Harry Potter and the muscular one of Mash Burnedead have several key differences that set them apart. But they negate each other so spectacularly that these differences frequently look like extensions of each other.
Let's closely examine the plot, settings, and other pivotal aspects of each magical universe. Then you can decide whether the concept behind Mash Burnedead and his universe is genuinely innovative or if fans will forget it as a Harry Potter clone.
THE MAGICAL WORLD SETTING
The Harry Potter series is set in a magical world hidden within our contemporary world. The world of Harry Potter includes a richly developed magical society living right alongside the Muggles, or non-magical people, across every continent. The magical world has distinctly defined political and social structure, with various magical locations, creatures, and spells that remain hidden from the muggle world.
Mashle: Magic and Muscles occurs in a magical world where magic is an integral part of society and is publicly acknowledged. This magic world is utterly intolerant of people who do not possess magical powers; therefore, the “other” side of this world is not as developed, nor is any emphasis paid to its expansion. The story is primarily set in the Easton Magic Academy, a school for magic users, and so far, the plot setting has not ventured too much outside the Academy.
BRAVE PROTAGONISTS
Harry is a young wizard who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is known for his bravery and is famous for surviving an attack by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort as a baby. He has a mark shaped like a lightning bolt on his forehead. This mark sets him apart from the rest of the wizarding community as a boy who touched and survived death itself.
Mash Burnedead is a non-magic user with extraordinary physical strength. He tries to navigate a world where magic is the norm by relying on his muscles and wits. He was born without a magic mark, which made him identifiable as someone who lacks magic. Once he decides to enter the Magic Academy, he gets a fake magic mark in the shape of a lightning bolt on his cheek.
PS: Both protagonists are raised as orphans, have somewhat similar-looking school uniforms, and have visibly identifiable scars on their faces. The scar on Mash’s face looks like an extension of Harry’s on his forehead. Coincidence? We beg to differ:)
THE MAGIC MAKING
In the Harry Potter series, magic is a central element of the series. J.K. Rowling even evolved the concept of magic as a way of life by dividing it into various branches, including spells, potions, and magical creatures. Wizards and witches cast spells using wands and incantations; these wands become extensions of their physical capabilities.
In Mashle: Magic and Muscles, while magic is the norm in this world, Mash stands out because he lacks magical abilities. He solely relies on his physical prowess to combat magical threats. In several posters and scenes from the manga and anime, he effortlessly snaps wands into two pieces using a single hand, showcasing his disdain for magic powers.
VARYING THEMES
The “Harry Potter” series explores themes of friendship, courage, the battle between good and evil, and the coming-of-age journey of its characters. It delves into complex moral and ethical questions. The issue of using or not using magic fades into the background, serving as a backdrop for the intense story.
“Mashle” is primarily a comedy-action series that uses humor and absurdity to explore the contrast between magic and brute strength. It often satirises the tropes of traditional magical school settings. The series primarily uses these tropes to highlight Mash’s progress in a magical school without magic.
CONTRASTING TONE
The world of Harry Potter may be filled with magic, but it is never just sugar, spice, and everything nice. While “Harry Potter” has quite memorable moments of humor and light-heartedness, it becomes progressively darker and more mature as the series progresses, dealing with themes of death, loss, and sacrifice.
In striking contrast, “Mashle” maintains a comedic and light-hearted tone throughout, focusing on Mash's humorous attempts to fit into a magical world using his brute strength and, occasionally, his brains.
While “Harry Potter” and “Mashle: Magic and Muscles” are set in magical worlds, they have different themes, tones, and target audiences. There are several overt references to “Harry Potter,” as it has become a classic in the magic and fantasy genre for its depth and exploration of complex themes. However, “Mashle” hits closer to quite a different audience. It is a comedy-action manga that uses humour and absurdity to tell its story and never takes itself too seriously.
There are some striking similarities in the characters portrayed in both works, like those of the school principal, the motley group of friends, and even some story scenarios. However, let's remember that these are usually trope- and genre-specific rather than trying to be copycats. These are more used in parodical situations than just copying the setups from the original work. Each appeals to a different type of reader or viewer. Given the popularity of “Harry Potter,” it is unlikely that Mashle: Magic and Muscles is the last one to draw inspiration from the expansive world of J.K. Rowling’s masterpiece.
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