Loved Mashle? Top 5 Picks for Muscle-Bound Hero Fans
Anime Similar to Mashle Magic And Muscles
Looking for an anime like Mashle Magic And Muscles? Based on fan votes, the best starting pick is One Punch Man.
What if Harry Potter spent his entire childhood bench-pressing instead of studying?
Fans connect with Mashle because it’s a hilarious subversion of the chosen one trope where physical gains beat mystical destiny. You likely want another show that balances high-stakes action with deadpan gag comedy. You can upvote or downvote these matches below, but please only vote if you’ve finished both series.
Core Themes in Mashle Magic And Muscles
Hard Work vs. Natural Talent
Fantasy Parody
Societal Discrimination
Power System Explained
Magic in this world is determined by marks on one's face, with more lines indicating higher mana capacity and social status. Combat usually involves casting elemental or spatial spells through wands. However, Mash lacks magic entirely, so he uses Muscle Magic—essentially using extreme physical feats like kicking the air to fly or flicking pebbles like bullets—to mimic and overcome traditional sorcery. This creates a hilarious contrast where physical logic defies magical laws.
Saitama is a hero for fun who can defeat any foe with a single punch, leading to a hilarious existential crisis.
Why it's similar: Both series feature a protagonist who is infinitely stronger than everyone else but remains completely unimpressed by the spectacle of their enemies. The humor relies on the contrast between high-budget battle animation and the main character's deadpan, simplistic reactions.
Power comparison: While Mash uses muscles to mimic magic, Saitama has simply broken his human limits to achieve god-like physical stats that end fights instantly.
Why watch after Mashle Magic And Muscles: If you want the exact same brand of dry humor and physics-defying strength, this is the essential follow-up.
Asta is born without magic in a world where magic is everything, aiming to become the Wizard King through pure physical grit.
Why it's similar: This is the serious version of Mashle's premise, focusing on an underdog who uses physical training and anti-magic tools to disrupt a class-based magical society. It hits the same emotional notes regarding a hero proving their worth to elitist peers.
Power comparison: Asta uses specialized anti-magic swords to negate spells, whereas Mash just hits the spells so hard they break.
Why watch after Mashle Magic And Muscles: Watch this if you enjoyed the Easton Academy setting and the concept of a magic-less hero climbing the social ladder.
Will there be a Mashle Magic and Muscles Season 3?
Yes, a sequel has been officially announced. It is expected to cover the Divine Visionary Candidate Exam arc, continuing the story directly from where the second season's finale left off.
What is the correct watch order for Mashle?
The watch order is straightforward: start with Season 1 (12 episodes), followed by Season 2, known as the Divine Visionary Selection Exam Arc (12 episodes). There are no movies or mandatory OVAs to watch.
Is the Mashle manga finished or ongoing?
The Mashle: Magic and Muscles manga is complete. It ended in July 2023 with Chapter 162, meaning the anime has a clear path to adapt the entire story without needing filler.
Is there any romance in Mashle?
Romance is a very minor subplot. While characters like Lemon Irvine are vocal about their feelings for Mash, the series focuses almost entirely on comedy, action, and Mash's love for cream puffs.
Kusuo Saiki is an all-powerful psychic who just wants to live a quiet life and eat coffee jelly in peace.
Why it's similar: The comedy style is almost identical, featuring an overpowered main character who is constantly annoyed by the eccentric idiots surrounding him. It replaces the physical action with rapid-fire psychic gags and internal monologues.
Power comparison: Saiki has every power imaginable but tries to hide them, while Mash has no magic but tries to fake it.
Why watch after Mashle Magic And Muscles: This is the best choice if the cream puff jokes and Mash’s blunt personality were your favorite parts of the show.
Mob is a middle schooler with world-ending psychic abilities who chooses to focus on self-improvement and muscles instead.
Why it's similar: Like Mash, Mob is a socially awkward boy who possesses immense power but values simple, human traits like kindness and hard work over his innate gifts. It balances incredible, fluid animation with a grounded, heartwarming story about growing up.
Power comparison: Mob uses massive psychic energy that triggers at 100% emotion, whereas Mash is always at 100% physical capacity.
Why watch after Mashle Magic And Muscles: Choose this if you want a show that has the same visual soul and a protagonist who stays humble despite being a god.
In a world of superpowers, a boy born without them is granted the strongest ability of all to become the greatest hero.
Why it's similar: The early arcs mirror Mashle’s school setting and the focus on a character who doesn't fit the standard mold of a hero. It explores the burden of power and the importance of a support system among classmates.
Power comparison: Deku's One For All quirk is a physical enhancement that requires him to train his body to survive the output, much like Mash's natural conditioning.
Why watch after Mashle Magic And Muscles: This is perfect if you want more of the 'shonen battle' intensity and a larger cast of characters with unique abilities.
