It's been almost a year since anime studio A-1 Pictures confirmed this. Mashle: Magic and Muscles The third season was in production and fans haven't heard anything since. Many are now pinning their hopes on a big reveal at Tokyo's annual anime and manga convention Jump Festa in December, but the silence has made the wait seem endless. Fans scream in the void of forums: “Where the hell is Machelet!?” However, there is still time for newcomers to watch one of the funniest new anime shows before it returns. Young is a shonen parody that is as sincere as it is hilariously absurd.
Young The story takes place in a world where social status is entirely dependent on magical abilities, but Mash Bernedad, a magic-less boy with superhuman strength, refuses to be left behind. To protect the quiet life he shares with his adoptive father, he enrolls in the elite Easton Magic Academy and pretends to master magic, replacing the art of spells with bare muscle. With her unflappable logic and incredible strength, Mash challenges the foundations of a society built on magic, becoming a symbol of the rebellion of brute force.
This series is both a love parody and a clever inversion Harry Pottercomplete with a Hogwarts stand-in, a not-so-original Sorting Hat, and a headmaster I affectionately call “Fumbledore.” There's even a fake Professor McGonagall and the sport of Quidditch. Bye Young deftly sprinkles in low-budget, cheap versions of familiar franchise tropes, it never relies solely on parody for laughs. What really sets this anime apart is its commitment to the subject: each episode takes Mash's ridiculous exploits to the next level, ignoring physics and common sense in the name of comedy.
The results are always funny. If Mash needs to fly, he will do it – only to show that he moves by quickly shuffling his feet in the air. If he's locked in a magical maze, he won't be able to solve it, he'll just bulldoze his way through every leafy wall until he gets out. These absurd decisions happen in every episode, and somehow they never get old, only getting funnier and more over-the-top each time. What would normally be used to showcase cool feats is instead used to promote comedy.
Young it's more than just the main character. This world is filled with a whole ensemble of classmates. Mash's stoicism creates chaos, while roommate Finn's timidity, Lemon's obsessive crush on the protagonist, Lance's little sister complex (I know…) and the twisted antics of rival Dot all add spice to the mix. What begins as competition develops into camaraderie, and soon everyone in Mash's orbit learns to embrace their own eccentricities. The English dub cast is especially good, bringing the series' absurd humor to life with perfect comedic timing. Anjali Kunapaneni's performance as Lemon, especially her passionate outburst when she declares herself Machel's “wife” in front of an angry crowd, lives rent-free in my head. And the band's signature, over-the-top cheers became just as unforgettable.
Young It also stands out for its stellar soundtrack, which leans heavily on hip-hop, which is a refreshing surprise for a comedy fantasy series. From the original score to infectious opening theme by Creepy Nuts, the music adds a unique energy that perfectly complements the humor and dynamics of the show. Mash's obsession with working out isn't just fun, it's truly motivating, and the soundtrack serves as the perfect gym playlist. Everything that does Young superb, from the quirky comedy to the bold sound design that only improved in the second season. With season three adapting the Tri-Magic Athlon storyline and focusing on the demanding Divine Visionary Selection Exam, the action and absurdity will inevitably ramp up as Mashle sets out to prove that it's all about the muscles and not the magic.
Young available to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus and Crunchyroll.
