The Irregular at Magic High School

The Irregular at Magic High School

The first light novel volume of The Irregular at Magic High School published by Dengeki Bunko. It features Tatsuya and Miyuki on the cover.
魔法科高校の劣等生
(Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei)
Genre Alternate history, Science fantasy
Novel series
Written by Tsutomu Satō
Published by Shōsetsuka ni Narō
Original run October 12, 2008 – March 21, 2011
Volumes 6
Light novel
Written by Tsutomu Satō
Illustrated by Kana Ishida
Published by ASCII Media Works
English publisher

‹See Tfd›

Demographic Male
Imprint Dengeki Bunko
Original run July 10, 2011 – present
Volumes 20 + 1 side story
Anime television series
Directed by Manabu Ono
Music by Taku Iwasaki
Studio Madhouse
Licensed by

‹See Tfd›

Hanabee
Network Tokyo MX, GTV, GYT, MBS, CTC, tvk, TVS, TVA, TVQ, TVh, AT-X, BS11
English network

‹See Tfd›

Original run April 6, 2014 – September 27, 2014
Episodes 26
Anime film
The Irregular at Magic High School The Movie: The Girl Who Calls the Stars
Written by Tsutomu Satō
Released Q3 2017

The Irregular at Magic High School, known in Japanese as Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei (魔法科高校の劣等生?, lit. "The Poor Performing Student of a Magic High School") , is a Japanese web novel series by Tsutomu Satō. It was published on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, an internet web novel website, between October 2008 and March 2011. Satō reached a deal with Dengeki Bunko and began releasing his work in a light novel format beginning July 2011. In 2013, each story arc received a manga adaptation with varying manga artists and publishers. That same year, an anime adaptation by Madhouse was announced and was broadcast between April and September 2014. The Irregular at Magic High School franchise had been localized for English by two companies: The light novels and one of the manga adaptations are licensed by Yen Press while Aniplex of America licensed the anime series. The anime series was simulcasted on four networks, and was later made available on Netflix.

The story takes place in an alternate history where magic exists and is polished through modern technology. It follows Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, siblings who enroll into First High magic high school. While keeping their connections to the infamous Yotsuba clan secret, they attempt to live their daily life in peace where Tatsuya is shunned for his apparent ineptness and Miyuki is validated for her magical abilities.

The series has been well received. The light novels appeared on Sugoi Japan's 2015 polls and since 2011, is one of the top selling series in Japan with 5.3 million copies sold as of 2014. In addition, its manga and anime adaptations also appeared on top selling charts. English reviewers had mixed to negative reception towards the anime adaptation. The complex technicality of magic within the series was received warmly but the exposition was criticized for being heavy, unclear, and poorly executed.

Plot

The series is set in a world with an alternate history, where magic exists and has been polished through modern technology. However, the ability to use magic is determined by genetics, limiting the amount of magicians in existence. Following the Third World War, the world's superpowers shifted to these four nations: The United States of North America (USNA), New Soviet Union, the Great Asian Alliance, and Japan. In Japan, the magic community is informally governed by the ten master clans in lieu of the government. Due to the limited amount of magicians, they are treated as commodity and are forced to enter magic related schools and professions. Nine magic high schools exist in Japan; they each specialize in different aspects of magic and are simply referred to by their numbers.

The story follows Tatsuya Shiba, a bodyguard to his sister Miyuki Shiba who is also a candidate to succeed the master clan, Yotsuba. They enroll into First High School which segregates its students based on their magical abilities. Miyuki is enlisted as a first course student and is viewed as one of the best students, while Tatsuya is in the second course and considered to be magically inept. However, Tatsuya's technical knowledge, combat abilities, and unique magic techniques causes people to view him as an irregular to the school's standardized rankings.

Main characters

Tatsuya Shiba (司波 達也 Shiba Tatsuya) and Miyuki Shiba (司波 深雪 Shiba Miyuki)

Tatsuya and Miyuki are siblings of the same year and children to Tatsurou Shiba and the late Miya Yotsuba;LN 3.2 their parents had a loveless forced marriage, and when their mother died, their father married his mistress, Sayuri Furuha, leaving the siblings to live by themselves.LN 6.2 Maya Yotsuba, their aunt and the leader of the Yotsuba, was the reason Tatsuya was born with the unique magic to decompose, reconstruct, and detonate matter.LN 16.6 Out of fear, the Yotsuba rallied for Tatsuya's death, forcing Miya and Maya to take measures to ensure his survival: the first was Miyuki's creation, a powerful magician who will act as a seal to Tatsuya's power; the second is to magically dull Tatsuya's emotions except for his love towards Miyuki; and the third was to assign Tatsuya to be Miyuki's bodyguard in order to develop his sense of loyalty towards her.LN 16.6 During a family vacation in Okinawa, Tatsuya wards off an invasion by the Great Asian Alliance and joins the 101 Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion which is headed by major Kazama Harunobu.LN 8.7 At some point during his life, Tatsuya developed an interest in engineering magical technology and commercialized revolutionary technology through his family's company, Four Leaves Technology, under the identity Taurus Silver.LN 3.2 He is voiced by Yuichi Nakamura.[1]

Miyuki is considered one of the strongest magicians in the world and is a candidate to succeed the Yotsuba. Her specialty is freezing magic, and her unique magic allows her to freeze a person's consciousness. In addition, half of her magic casting abilities is used to seal Tatsuya's powers. Before the family vacation in Okinawa, Miyuki treated Tatsuya coldly akin to how the other Yotsuba clan members did. She begins to warm up to him and when Tatsuya saves her life, devotes her existence to him. It evolves to the point she disdains the touch of other males and expresses jealousy towards females around Tatsuya.LN 11.15 Genetically different from Tatsuya, Miyuki professes her love to him following their engagement under Maya's orders.LN 16.6 She is voiced by Saori Hayami.[1]

In the polls by Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!, both Tatsuya and Miyuki ranked as one of the most popular light novel characters.[2] Outside of the franchise, Tatsuya and Miyuki also appear in Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax.[3]

Tatsuya's group

Tatsuya's group consists of seven classmates whom he spends time with in his daily school life. They often assist Tatsuya during investigations and dangerous situations.

The Student Council and Disciplinary Committee

The student council is a group of students which provides a liaison between the teachers and students. Meanwhile, the Disciplinary Committee consists of students who are essentially rule enforcers. The third less notable committee is the Extracurricular Activities Federation who ensures that school clubs don't come into conflict with each other. The three committees are closely related and work together to preserve the peace on campus.

Mayumi Saegusa[Jp. 8] is the student council president during the Shiba siblings first year at school.LN 1.2 She puts on a coy and innocent facade but is actually mischievous and highly perceptive. Mayumi is talented as a sniper and her form of offensive magic involves firing dry ice as projectiles.LN 3.5 During the course of the story, she manipulates Miyuki into joining the student council and Tatsuya into the Disciplinary Committee. She develops an attraction to Tatsuya and places him in awkward situations for fun. After enrolling into Magic University, her twin sisters, Kasumi and Izumi Saegusa, enroll into First High.LN 12.6 Mayumi is voiced by Kana Hanazawa.[1]

Two people worked alongside Mayumi during the year. The first is Mari Watanabe[Jp. 9] who is the leader of the Disciplinary Committee.LN 1.2 Mari has a tomboyish personality but becomes completely feminine in front of her boyfriend, Chiba Naotsugu, who is also Erika's half brother.LN 4.10 For combat, she uses a whip like blade and uses magic to manipulate toxic chemicals.LN 6.6 Second is Katsuto Jumonji[Jp. 10], the leader of the Extracurricular Activities Federation.LN 2.6 Katsuto is the next head for the Jumonji clan and inherited the clans barrier magic, Phalanx; an impenetrable and perpetual barrier used for defensive and offensive purposes.LN 4.12 Both the Saegusa and Jumonji are members of the master clan, forcing Mayumi and Katsuto to be politically involved with the magic community outside of school. Mari is voiced by Marina Inoue while Jumonji by Junichi Suwabe.[1]

During the Shiba siblings second year, Mayumi is succeeded by Azusa Nakajou[Jp. 11], a timid and youthful looking girl.LN 5.6 Azusa has an interest in magic engineering and suspects Tatsuya is Taurus Silver. She is able to use a unique magic named after her, Azusa Dream, to forcefully pacify people.LN 7.10 Mari is succeeded by Kanon Chiyoda[Jp. 12], an impulsive and good-natured girl.LN 6.1 She is engaged to Kei Isori[Jp. 13], an androgynous and timid boy, and loves him dearly.LN 3.4 Azusa is voiced by Saki Ogasawara, Kanon is voiced by Saori Onishi, and Isori is voiced by Sōma Saitō.[1][4][5]

Other characters

Publication and conception

The story was conceived around a protagonist whose abilities can not be measured through standardized evaluation;LN 2.A as such, he is mistakenly categorized as a poor performing student or an irregular. This premise served as a basis for the character, Tatsuya Shiba.LN 2.A Satō has two processes for scripting the story arcs: the first is to create scenarios to have characters behave and interact in certain ways; the second is to plan a scene, then script the story so it leads to that scene.LN 11.A Satō professed that he does not feel his characters are alive or have a will of their own when scripting them.LN 11.A

Tsutomu Satō published his work on the online web novel website, Shōsetsuka ni Narō, between October 12, 2008 and March 21, 2011.[11] At some point during his publication on Syosetu, Satō sent an original work to Dengeki Bunko under a pseudonym.LN 1.A The original work's setting shared similarities to The Irregular at Magic High School causing an editor to deduce his identity and offer him a publication deal.LN 1.A On March 11, 2011, the author announced his work is going to be published as a light novel under the Dengeki Bunko imprint.[12] The author expressed some regret turning free content into paid commodity and cited his financial needs as the reason.LN 1.A The illustrations accompanying the light novels were done by Kana Ishida.[13] The first light novel volume was unable to accommodate the first story arc; deciding against cutting content from the web novel, it was split into two volumes and released a month later.LN 2.A On March 9, 2015, Yen Press announced its licensing of the light novels for English localization through Twitter.[14] Yen Press' first volume is slated for April 2016.[15]

Volume list

No. Translated title Japanese English
Release ISBN Release ISBN
1 Enrollment Arc (I)[Jp. 22] July 10, 2011[13] 978-4-04-870597-4 April 19, 2016[15] 978-0-316-34880-5
The siblings, Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, begin their first day at First High School, one of the nine magic high schools in Japan; the school segregates its students as first course or second course based on magic practicality. Miyuki is considered a prodigy within first course, and is recruited as a member of the Student Council, while Tatsuya faces the scorn and prejudice alongside peers in the second course. A scuffle caused by a first course student reveals Tatsuya's ability to predict magic before it is cast causing him to be recruited by the Disciplinary Committee with Miyuki's endorsement; in order to defend Miyuki's honor, Tatsuya displays his combat abilities to the Student Council, proving his competency as an enforcer. Shortly after, Tatsuya intervenes in a scuffle between the kendo and kenjutsu club and overwhelms the latter with his physical abilities.
2 Enrollment Arc (II)[Jp. 23] August 10, 2011[16] 978-4-04-870598-1 August 23, 2016[17] 978-0-316-39029-3
Tatsuya garners the attention of an anti-magician faction called Blanche who send a classmate named Sayaka Mibu to recruit him. After declining her invitation, Blanche infiltrates First High to steal its research. Tatsuya and friends foil their attempt and attacks their headquarters in return. Learning that the head of Blanche used mind controlling magic on its student collaborators, which includes Sayaka, Tatsuya was able to plead their innocence, absolving them of any punishment.
3 Nine Schools Competition Arc (I)[Jp. 24] November 10, 2011[18] 978-4-04-870998-9 December 13, 2016[19] 978-0-316-39030-9
The Nine Schools Competition is Japan's national sporting event which pits the nine magic schools against each other. Miyuki is elected as a contestant while Tatsuya reluctantly joins the team as an engineer. During the competition, an anti-magic terrorist group named No Head Dragon makes several attempts to sabotage First High, which eventually injures their teammate, Mari Watanabe. With Miyuki forced to substitute for her, Tatsuya enlists the help of his friends to assist in his investigation before Miyuki is targeted.
4 Nine Schools Competition Arc (II)[Jp. 25] December 10, 2011[20] 978-4-04-870999-6 April 18, 2017[21] 978-0-316-39031-6
It is revealed No Head Dragon has placed bets on the competition and require First High to lose. Tatsuya, Leonhard Saijo, and Mikihiko Yoshida are substituted in as players after No Head Dragon injures the original rooster for Monolith Code, and are able to achieve first place. After catching a member of No Head Dragon attempting to sabotage Miyuki's equipment, Tatsuya retaliates by killing every member of the organization based within Japan. The competition concludes with First High achieving first place.
5 Summer Holiday Arc +1[Jp. 26] April 10, 2012[22] 978-4-04-886522-7 — —
Several characters' summer vacation are highlighted. Most notability: Tatsuya and friends play at Shizuku Kitayama's private resort; Masaki Ichijo and Shinkuro Kichijoji reflect on their defeat by Tatsuya; and Tatsuya recalls shopping with Miyuki at the mall. Afterwards, First High clubs begin planning their successors and Tatsuya is asked to convince Azusa Nakajou to become the next Student Council president.
6 Yokohama Disturbance Arc (I)[Jp. 27] July 10, 2012[23] 978-4-04-886700-9 — —
Tatsuya is asked to partake in the school's thesis competition. At the same time, his step-mother places an OOPart capable of storing magic into his care. Chen Xiangshan, a military captain from the Great Asian Alliance, leads a team in order to steal the OOPart. During the course of the novel, two students affiliated with Chen are detained by authorities after they were caught stealing information from First High's thesis project.
7 Yokohama Disturbance Arc (II)[Jp. 28] September 10, 2012[24] 978-4-04-886701-6 — —
The thesis competition begins in Yokohama where an army led by Chen initiates their attack. During the battle, Tatsuya's power and military status is revealed to his close peers; the battle concludes with Tatsuya using matter detonation, a strategic level magic, to destroy the invading naval ship and a Great Asian Alliance harbor.
8 Recollection Arc[Jp. 29] December 10, 2012[25] 978-4-04-891158-0 — —
Maya Yotsuba summons Tatsuya and Miyuki to discuss recent events. Miyuki reminisces how she and Tatsuya reached their current status quo. Three years ago, Tatsuya, Miyuki, their mother Miya, and a bodyguard named Hoonami Sakurai were vacationing in Okinawa. There, Miyuki warms up to Tatsuya, and Tatsuya develops a friendship with major Kazama Harunobu. During that time, an invasion by the Great Asian Alliance results in Hoonami's death, and is resolved with Tatsuya's matter detonation. Back in the present, Maya warns Tatsuya that his matter detonation has garnered the attention of the United States of North America (USNA).
9 Visitor Arc (I)[Jp. 30] March 10, 2013[26] 978-4-04-891423-9 — —
Following a black hole experiment in the USNA, deserters from the military flee to Japan. The Stars military unit pursue in order to execute the deserters and investigate the magician behind matter detonation. Angelina Kudo Shields infiltrates First High to spy on Tatsuya and Miyuki. As the story progresses, the deserters abnormal abilities and activities garner the interest of Japan's magic clans. After confronting Angelina and one of the deserters, Tatsuya trades his silence for her information.
10 Visitor Arc (II)[Jp. 31] June 7, 2013[27] 978-4-04-891609-7 — —
Tatsuya deduces the deserters are possessed by sentient psychic energy beings which came from the magic dimension during the black hole experiment and are dubbed as parasites. When one of the parasites enters First High, it is defeated by Tatsuya's group and possess the android known as Pixy; the parasite is imprinted with Honoka's feelings and decides to serve Tatsuya. Meanwhile, the USNA suspect Tatsuya is the one behind matter detonation and orders Angelina to assassinate him.
11 Visitor Arc (III)[Jp. 32] August 10, 2013[28] 978-4-04-891610-3 — —
Tatsuya defeats Angelina while the Yotsuba clan forces Stars to stand down. Knowing that the eleven other parasites will attempt to retrieve Pixy, Tatsuya's group uses her as bait. Several magic clans attempt to capture the parasites resulting in a large-scale battle. This concludes with Tatsuya and Miyuki destroying nine of the parasites, leaving the remaining two in the custody of the Kudo and Yotsuba clan. As Tatsuya and Miyuki enter their second year, Maya has Minami Sakurai assigned to be Miyuki's bodyguard.
12 Double Seven Arc[Jp. 33] October 10, 2013[29] 978-4-04-866003-7 — —
Tatsuya and Miyuki's second year begins. A student named Takumi Shippou holds a displaced grudge towards the Saegusa twins, Kasumi and Izumi, causing conflict throughout the novel. Eventually, Takumi's arrogance is quelled by Tatsuya and friends. Meanwhile, Zhou Gongjin and the Saegusa clan cooperate to have the media denounce the magicians of Japan by scapegoating First High, but backfires when Tatsuya learns of their plans and demonstrates the concepts of a magician operated power source. By coincidence, Tatsuya also foils an attack on a famous actress while dealing with Takumi.
13 Steeplechase Arc[Jp. 34] April 10, 2014[30] 978-4-04-866507-0 — —
The Kudo clan have managed to create humanoids housing parasites as weapons. In order to test these weapons, they decided to place these humanoids as obstacles in the Steeplechase event of the Nine Schools Competition. Aware of the dangers these weapons would pose to Miyuki, Tatsuya infiltrates and neutralizes the robots before the other players arrive. Behind the scenes, Zhou attempts to sabotage the parasites to discredit magicians as a way to denounce the Yotsuba; fed up with his actions, the Yotsuba begin their manhunt for him.
14 Ancient City Insurrection Arc (I)[Jp. 35] September 10, 2014[31] 978-4-04-866860-6 — —
Tatsuya is ordered to participate in the hunt for Zhou. Several clues reveal Zhou is hidden by the traditionalist magicians. Tatsuya requests aid from the Kudo clan who are knowledgeable about the traditionalist. Led by Minoru Kudo, Tatsuya's group confronts the traditionalists in Nara but are unable to find Zhou, leaving Kyoto as the remaining location. Meanwhile, the Saegusa head sends an assassin to kill Zhou in order to destroy any evidence of their coalition. The assassin is killed instead, spurring Mayumi to request Tatsuya's aid in finding his killer.
15 Ancient City Insurrection Arc (II)[Jp. 36] January 10, 2015[32] 978-4-04-869167-3 — —
Tatsuya and his companions investigate Zhou's whereabouts in Kyoto and eventually catch and corner him. Zhou then commits suicide, proclaiming someone else will take his place. Tatsuya's success forces members of the Yotsuba who despise him to allow Maya to proceed with her plans.
16 Yotsuba Succession Arc[Jp. 37] May 9, 2015[33] 978-4-04-865116-5 — —
Miyuki is summoned to the Yotsuba New Years meeting which will establish her as the next head of the clan. Several bunke members of the clan attempt to prevent Miyuki from attending as her succession would elevate Tatsuya's status. Upon their arrival, Miyuki is appointed as the next head, and the origins of Tatsuya and Miyuki's birth is revealed. Since they are genetically different from each other, Maya announces Tatsuya is to become Miyuki's husband.
17 Master Clan Conference Arc (I)[Jp. 38] August 8, 2015[34] 978-4-04-865313-8 — —
Tatsuya and Miyuki adjust to their daily life as their ties to the Yotsuba and marriage have become public knowledge. Meanwhile, a meeting between the master clans take place where they discuss possible members of the master clan, Tatsuya and Miyuki's marriage, and Saegusa's coalition with the deceased Zhou. Jiedo Heigu, the leader of the organized crime group and Zhou's boss, initiates several bomb attacks against the master clans in order to discredit the magic community.
18 Master Clan Conference Arc (II)[Jp. 39] November 10, 2015[35] 978-4-04-865512-5 — —
Jiedo's plan succeeds, inciting several hate crimes towards magicians throughout the world. The master clans makes plans to dissuade the public as well as attempts to capture Jiedo. The volume ends with civilians invading and attacking the students of Second High.
19 Master Clan Conference Arc (III)[Jp. 40] March 10, 2016[36] 978-4-04-865809-6 — —
SS May 10, 2016[37] 978-4-04-865952-9 — —
20 South Sea Riot Arc[Jp. 41] September 10, 2016[38] 978-4-04-892318-7 — —

Media adaptations

Manga

The Irregular at Magic High School was adapted into a manga series with storyboards by Fumino Hayashi and illustrations by Tsutomu Satō; it was serialized between GFantasy's January 2012 and October 2013 issues.[39][40] Square Enix collected the individual chapters into four tankōbon volumes and released them between September 2012 and December 2013.[41][42] After the conclusion of the first manga adaptation, it was immediately followed up with two more adaptations beginning in GFantasy's November 2013 issue; the two adaptations were based on the light novel's Nine Schools Competition Arc and Yokohama Disturbance Arc story arcs.[43] The Nine Schools Competition Arc is illustrated by Tsuna Kitaumi and is currently ongoing. It was collected into four tankōbon volumes released between April 2014 and October 2015.[44][45] Meanwhile, the Yokohama Disturbance Arc is illustrated by Gin Amau and ended in the October 2015 issue.[46] It was collected into five tankōbon volumes released between April 2014 to November 2015.[47][48] A manga adaptation subtitled and based on the Recollection Arc was serialized between Dengeki Daioh's April 2014 and September 2015 issue.[49][50] It is illustrated by Waki Ikawa and was collected into three tankōbon volumes under the Dengeki Comics Next imprint.[51] In the final chapter of the Yokohama Arc Amau announced he will adapt the Visitor Arc, the next part of the story.[52]

A spin-off manga titled The Honor Student at Magic High School (魔法科高校の優等生 Mahōka Kōkō no Yūtōsei) by Yu Mori premiered in Dengeki Daioh's June 2012 issue.[53] It is currently ongoing, and was collected into seven tankōbon volumes under the Dengeki Comics Next imprint.[54] Yen Press licensed the series' tankōbon volumes for a North American release; the first volume is localized in November 2015.[55][56]

Anime

An anime adaptation of the light novel was announced during the Dengeki Bunko Fall Festival on October 6, 2013.[57] It is directed by Manabu Ono and animated by Madhouse.[57] It premiered on Tokyo Metropolitan Television, Gunma TV, and Tochigi TV on April 6, 2014;[58] nine other networks and three streaming services broadcast the series afterwards.[59] The final episode premiered on September 28.[58] The individual episodes were later encapsulated into ten DVD and Blu-ray volumes released between July 2014 and April 2015.[60][61]

In March 2014, Aniplex of America announced its acquisition for streaming rights to the anime series;[62] much later they unveiled their plans to release the series into three Blu-ray volumes which segregate the episodes by story arcs.[63] Four networks simulcasted the series with English subtitles: these include Aniplex Channel, Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Daisuki.[64] In June 2014, the Australasia distributor, Hanabee Entertainment, announced its licensing of the series for streaming and home media release.[65][66] Months later, Netflix made the series available on their network.[67] Animax Asia also began broadcasting the series in July 2015.[68]

The development of The Irregular at Magic High School The Movie: The Girl Who Calls the Stars[Jp. 42] was revealed in the 19th light novel volume which was released in March 2016.[69] The film will feature a plot scripted by series creator Tsutomu Satō,[70] and will premiere in Japan in Q3 2017.[71]

Three related media to the anime were created. The first is a super deformed short series titled Get to Know Magic Studies![Jp. 43] by Aniplex.[72] These shorts were uploaded on Aniplex's YouTube channel, and was later English subtitled and uploaded on Aniplex of America's channel.[73] An internet radio show titled The Irregular at Magic High School Web Radio Full Bloom! Bloom Broadcasting Committee[Jp. 44], premiered on March 23, 2014 and is hosted by Sora Amamiya and Yuiko Tatsumi, the voice actresses for Honoka Mitsui and Shizuku Kitayama respectively;[74] the radio show episodes was later made available for purchase on CD.[75] The third is a radio drama DVD which was released in December 2014 and is based on the light novel's Recollection Arc.[76][77]

Video games

Three video game adaptations have been made for the franchise. The first is The Irregular at Magic High School: Out of Order by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is a 3D fighting game for the PlayStation Vita and was released on December 25, 2014.[78] The second game is The Irregular at Magic High School: School Magicus Battle[Jp. 45], a Japanese role-playing game by Mobage. It was made available for Android, iOS, and feature phone on June 9, 2014.[79] The third game is The Irregular at Magic High School: Lost Zero, developed by BeXide and published by Square Enix. It was made available for the Android and iOS on September 4, 2014.[80]

Reception

The light novels have been well received. They were ranked seventh in Sugoi Japan 2015 polls and since 2011, was one of the top selling light novel series in Japan.[81][82][83] As of 2014, 5.3 million copies of the light novel have been sold.[84] In addition, its manga and anime adaptations also appeared on top selling charts.[85][86]

Anime News Network had four editors review the first episode of the anime:[87] Carl Kimlinger saw potential in its take on a typical anime premise, praising Tatsuya as the lead protagonist and its handling of mysteries surrounding the plot; Theron Martin, although hopeful because of its male lead and plot concept, expressed criticism towards the indistinguishable animation and constant exposition for the viewers; and Rebecca Silverman felt that it was bland and nothing special. The fourth reviewer, Hope Chapman, expressed immediate dislike towards the series, criticizing it for lacking anything to engage the viewers and for being a lazy adaptation of a light novel, and concluding the review with "I can't even remember the last time I saw something with not a single redeeming factor or thing to recommend about it at all."[87] Silverman reviewed the series future episodes.[88][89] Plotwise, she praised the Enrollment Arc's underline on standardized testing, criticized the Nine Schools Competition Arc for its execution and weak exposition, and felt the characters were uninteresting. Silverman felt the series doesn't live up to its potential and cited the background music and stilted animations as possible reasons.[89]

Fandom Post's review was highly positive towards the anime series, calling it a dark horse contender as one of their top new anime series of the year. They praised the technical and fundamental aspects of magic in the series for breaking the supernatural approach other works usually take and liked the potential impact it could have on future events.[90] However, while the reviewer liked the series' technicality, they noted it will frustrate certain viewers in that aspect.[91] Kotaku liked the characters, story, the complex and technical magic system, and mysteries.[92] However, they panned the exposition, citing it to be poorly timed, heavy, and failing to explain things with better clarity. They concluded their review writing that the anime might have been great if a different director or screenwriting was hired.[92]

Notes and references

Works cited
Japanese
  1. ↑ 千葉 エリカ Chiba Erika
  2. ↑ 柴田 美月 Shibata Mizuki
  3. ↑ 西城 レオンハルト Saijou Leonhart
  4. ↑ 吉田 幹比古 Yoshida Mikihiko
  5. ↑ 光井 ほのか Mitsui Honoka
  6. ↑ 北山 雫 Kitayama Shizuku
  7. ↑ 桜井 水波 Sakurai Minami
  8. ↑ 七草 真由美 Saegusa Mayumi
  9. ↑ 渡辺 摩利 Watanabe Mari
  10. ↑ 十文字 克人 Jūmonji Katsuto
  11. ↑ 中条 あずさ Nakajou Azusa
  12. ↑ 千代田 花音 Chiyoda Kanon
  13. ↑ 五十里 啓 Isori Kei
  14. ↑ 一条 将輝 Ichijō Masaki
  15. ↑ 吉祥寺 真紅郎 Kichijōji Shinkurō
  16. ↑ 小野 遥 Ono Haruka
  17. ↑ 九重 八雲 Kokonoe Yakumo
  18. ↑ ピクシー Pikushī
  19. ↑ 周 公瑾 Shū Kōkin
  20. ↑ 周 公瑾
  21. ↑ アンジェリーナ・クドウ・シールズ Anjerīna Kudou Shīruzu
  22. ↑ 入学編 〈上〉 Nyūgaku-hen (Jō)
  23. ↑ 入学編 〈下〉 Nyūgaku-hen (Ge)
  24. ↑ 九校戦編〈上〉 Kyūkōsen-hen (Jō)
  25. ↑ 九校戦編〈下〉 Kyūkōsen-hen (Ge)
  26. ↑ 夏休み編+1 Natsuyasumi-hen +1
  27. ↑ 横浜騒乱編<上> Yokohama Sōran-hen (Jō)
  28. ↑ 横浜騒乱編<下> Yokohama Sōran-hen (Ge)
  29. ↑ 追憶編 Tsuioku-hen
  30. ↑ 来訪者編＜上＞ Raihōsha-hen (Jō)
  31. ↑ 来訪者編＜中＞ Raihōsha-hen (Chū)
  32. ↑ 来訪者編＜下＞ Raihōsha-hen (Ge)
  33. ↑ ダブルセブン編 Daburu Sebun-hen
  34. ↑ スティープルチェース編 Sutīpuruchēsu-hen
  35. ↑ 古都内乱編＜上＞ Koto Nairan-hen (Jō)
  36. ↑ 古都内乱編＜下＞ Koto Nairan-hen (Ge)
  37. ↑ 四葉継承編 Yotsuba Keishō-hen
  38. ↑ 師族会議編＜上＞ Shizoku Kaigi-hen (Jō)
  39. ↑ 師族会議編＜中＞ Shizoku Kaigi-hen (Chū)
  40. ↑ 師族会議編＜下＞ Shizoku Kaigi-hen (Ge)
  41. ↑ 南海騒擾編 Nankai Sōjō-hen
  42. ↑ 劇場版 魔法科高校の劣等生 星を呼ぶ少女 Gekijōban Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei: Hoshi o Yobu Shōjo
  43. ↑ よくわかる魔法科! Yoku Wakaru Mahōka!
  44. ↑ 魔法科高校の劣等生Webラジオ 満開!ブルーム放送委員会 Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei Web Rajio Mankai! Burūmu Hōsō Iinkai
  45. ↑ スクールマギクスバトル Sukūru Magikusu Batoru
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