One of the better series (IMHO) this year has been Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei, or The Irregular at Magic High School. I was turned onto this by Ubu Roi in a couple of his early posts about the series. Before I saw the first episode, I read the manga until the point where the translations stopped. I think that was chapter 22 at the time. I then read through all the translations at Baka-tsuki.

It is a very exposition heavy series, with further tech jargon as you read. Not especially my forte, but it is a good enough - and original enough - story that it has kept me very entertained. The series is now into the Nine Schools Competition arc. This arc is very long and highly detailed in the LN. As with the entrance ceremony arc, the anime is very careful and very successful in my opinion on distilling the information while moving the story along. The writers know they can't skimp out on the action, which forces them into surgical territory to explain as they entertain. So far so good.

I still do not see how they can get through it all in this season (12 or 13 episodes), but I have to say they moved the earlier arc along quite well. I hope we see all of the competition, but i just don't know how they will do it and still end the story with the huge reveal at the end. It is truly something else. This is where they justify all the hype about the "Irregular" student.

Tatsuya, our main hero, has been tagged a Marty Stu, and I can see why he gets that. He is truly a spectacular talent with few around him able to compete on his level. He compares in some respects similar to Kenshi in War on Geminar, but whereas Kenshi is physical, Tatsuya is both a physical and intelligent character. They both finally meet stiff competition deep into their respective stories.

I will continue reading the translations as they become available, and I hope they do so soon. I am not thrilled with them having Miyuki (his adoring sister, and immensely powerful magician in her own right) seemingly so accepting of an arranged marriage, but she is noted to be dutiful to the family, so they certainly might go in that direction. Indeed, even Tatsuya, who is only able to feel strong emotions towards his sister - by design - and no one else might also go the same route, if that is what his sister wants for him. It would be no loss emotionally for him anyway, but I pity his wife and their children. Ther biggest tragedy for him would be forced to both watch his sister grow away from him emotionally and lose her constant presence in his life.

If Miyuki does get pushed into that direction, they seem to be hinting that the perspective partner would be Masaki Ichijo, one of the other strong family heirs. Kind of an arrogant little prick, but frabnkly better than most of the privelidged cast in the series.

Posted by: topmaker at 12:02 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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