Mashle: Magic and Muscles, Vol. 13

マッシュル-MASHLE- #13

by Hajime Komoto

In the magic realm, magic is everything—everyone can use it, and one’s skill determines their social status. Deep in the forest, oblivious to the ways of the world, lives Mash. Thanks to his daily training, he’s become a fitness god. When Mash is discovered, he has no choice but to enroll in magic school, where he must beat the competition without revealing his secret—he can’t use magic!

Right before the destined day of the eclipse, an army of demi-humans invade, throwing the land into chaos. Renatus and the other visionaries launch a counterattack, but they immediately find themselves face-to-face with Innocent Zero’s four remaining sons. Later, after a crushing display of power, Innocent Zero demands the frightened populace hand the unconscious Mash over. Can Meliadoul find a way to recharge Mash in time for him to defend himself?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Humor, Action, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Comedy

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2022

About the author

Hajime Komoto 甲本一 (Kōmoto Hajime) is a Japanese mangaka.

Reviews

[Adam M · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the home stretch of this series and you can really see Komoto's growth as an artist. The scale is so much larger than when this started, it's impressive. - That said, it's also miles away from where this tiny story started. It's tough to feel like there are any real stakes anymore because it was a fairly contained story once upon a time about a boy who couldn't use magic in a world of magic users and now there is an all-powerful antagonist who will eradicate all of humanity. This isn't what we signed up for, but it's where we are. I don't hate it, but I do miss the early days of this when it was more comedy. This is more spectacle art and less story craft.

[Kayla Benedict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I missed my man Mash this volume 🥲🥹😭

[nani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aua. Großes Aua.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh I love this silly little series. It has just gotten better each volume

[Myriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's always a point in manga/anime where you ask yourself, "How the hell are they getting out of this situation?" And this is it right here ! Because how ?! 🥹⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Cassie Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best quote:
"Don't just open up my steel walls like a curtain"

[Queens Love Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

“By the way, thorny one, you may be right about us not being able to win. But there are times when you must put your life on the line and fight anyway. That’s what makes a man.”



It feels good to say this volume pulled me right back into the series. The last few entries didn’t leave much of an impression on me, but this one had the perfect mix of excitement, tension, and humor that reminded me why I liked Mashle in the first place. The battles are not only creative but also layered with character quirks that make them stand out. Every clash feels unique, with the right balance of intense action and clever twists, making the fights more than just flashy power displays.

What really hooked me was how the supporting characters got their time to shine. Their personalities and abilities were showcased in a way that added variety and freshness to the story, and some of them were surprisingly funny in the middle of chaos. It also helped that the humor landed well here—Mashle has always thrived on its mix of absurd comedy and shonen bravado, and this volume struck that balance better than the recent ones. Even the overconfident characters felt more entertaining than grating, and their banter gave the heavier moments some breathing space.

By the end, I was actually excited to see what happens next, which I haven’t felt with this series in a while. The setup for future conflicts feels grand, and the tension is building in a way that makes me curious without dragging things out. On top of that, the comedy bonus chapters hit just right and lightened the mood after all the action. If the series can keep up this energy, I think the coming volumes will be a lot more memorable. This was easily one of the stronger installments in the back half of the series.

Date Read: 2025.09.14

[Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know who translated this volume, but whoever it was clearly was having the time of their life.

+++

This volume was absolutely perfect from start the finish. The action? Amazing. The characters? Literally perfect, all of them. The humor? Has never been better. The vibes? PEAK. So much was packed into one volume, but it didn't feel rushed in the slightest. I loved how we jumped around between the charcters, and we've gotten to a very exciting point in the series as we inch ever closer to the final face-off that will inevitably happen between Mash and Innocent Zero. I've been in love with this series from the beginning, and I'm enjoying it even more thirteen volumes in. I'm so glad I read picked this series up because it has been peak, even if my ratings have been a tad bit critical. This is one of those series that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what my exact thoughts are. Hell, this is only the second volume of the series I've given five stars. I am quite picky after all. But I have been having the time of my life with these books and have been deeply engrossed in this world and its characters, regardless of any issues I may have had.

Now, as much as I love Mash, I really enjoyed that having him out of the volume opened the opportunity to focus on some of the other protagonists of the series. I liked getting to see the other Divine Visionaries that we haven't seen much of get to fight, and I thought their fights, although limited were insanely cool. None of the previous volumes have been quite as gruesome and gory as this one was, and I think it was important to up the stakes and make the story darker leading up to the climax. The crucifixion of the bested Divine Visionaries was an insane touch, but between that and showing their discarded bodies it was so metal. Easily 0ne of the single most shocking and intense moments of the entire series so far. I thought the way the fight scenes were handled, especially in the beginning of the book, made this volume feel a lot more intense and consequential in the long run.

I think this volume also may have cemented Ryoh as one of my favorites, although I'd still say I might like Rayne the best. I think Ryoh is so goofy and I have a soft spot for the overly confident and charismatic characters; especially those like him who do have a good heart and are a hero first and foremost. I thought his character in particular was a standout, and I like how much we've gotten to see from him as we've gotten further into the series. I also particularly like Orter because he is one of the more complex characters in the series, and one who is shrouded in a lot of mystery. He is very much against Mash and holds the law to the highest value, but also doesn't mind working with him to defeat greater threats.





On second thought, maybe Orter is the greater threat.

But unlike some of the other characters that Mash has been at odds with over the series, Orter's reasonings is neither selfish or personal. (I'm sure Anakin Skywalker REALLY wouldn't like him, though.) In many ways I am attracted to his mystique and stoicism, just like how I am with Rayne.

Speaking of Rayne, it was really nice to see him and Finn somewhat work together. We learned a little bit more about their backstories, but most of it is rather vague and their interactions have been brief. It was nice to get to see them pair up together in a way that brought both their strengths and weaknesses to light. So far, Rayne has never really shown to have many weaknesses and is harolded as one of the best magic users for his age, but in his fight against Delisaster we see him struggle. (Even though he'll obviously succeed in the end becauses Deisaster BLABBED about his secrets in his villainous monologue.) Finn also got another moment of his own in this volume where everything depended on him, and I always like seeing Mash's friends get to have their moment because they are all very unique in their own ways and don't always get their magic showcased. Of course the next volume will finish up the fight and we'll see how things go for the brothers, but I really want them to reconcile and get to fight together!

I've been really loving this final act so far, and I hope it just gets better from here on out! This volume is easily the best one I've read so far, and I had such a blast reading it. I was floored by some of the scenes, impressed with how dark this book got, and touched by the sweet dynamics present in this volume. On top of that the humor was the greatest thing ever, and I am so impressed with how many emotions were packed into one volume and dealt with so well. There never was a moment where things felt rushed or overwhelming, and they may have been partially due to the fact Mash was barely in the volume so we got the time and energy to focus on the other characters. Whatever the reason is, I know the next volume has big shoes to fill, and I hope that I continue to enjoy the rest of them as much as I did with this one. This is certainly a volume I will keep thinking about over and over again once I'm finished with this series.

[Nicolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Mash and his friends must defend the Magic Academy from a massive invasion by the forces of evil, but where's Mash? They all went into their training arc together, but Mash isn't done yet.

MASHLE: Magic and Muscles is a manga series that will leave you spellbound! Published in Shonen Jump, this series follows the story of Mash Burnedead, a magicless protagonist in a world full of magic. The manga is a comedy with a vibe akin to a mashup of One Punch Man and Harry Potter. The story is set in a world where magic is everything, and those who don’t possess it are considered weak. Mash, however, is an exception to this rule. He has no magical abilities but makes up for it with his incredible physical strength. The series is known for its unique blend of humor, action, and fantasy elements, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. The series has been praised for its engaging storyline, well-developed characters, and stunning artwork. It has also been adapted into an anime series, which has been well-received by fans.

MASHLE: Magic and Muscles is a hilarious and action-packed manga that is sure to delight fans of shonen manga. The series features a lovable cast of characters, epic battles, and plenty of humor. If you're looking for fun and entertaining read, MASHLE is worth checking out!

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Is that something you can give people?!"
"In infinite amounts."

"Lord Delisa, show them how you Chad it up!!"

I'm blazing through the manga, so I haven't given myself much time to write any lengthy or remotely critical reviews, but I wanted to take a bit of time to say how I appreciate how laser-focused the manga is. I'm uncertain if it's really inspired by Kimetsu no Yaiba at all, but it has that similar thing of setting up a singular main villain early on and letting the story go forward toward the final fight while taking on tough sub-bosses on the way. Overall, I prefer Dragon Ball, One Piece, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Hunter x Hunter, but those stories are all a bit more "disjointed" with many villains having very little connection to one another. I think, if you're not going to be as "pure" as a Toriyama, Oda, or Togashi, the next best thing is to be succinct. And it's also important that it feels like Komoto-sensei cares about the fights in his manga, unlike e.g. the contemporaneous Jujutsu Kaisen that felt more nonsensical around this same time, when we just got near-random battles in the Culling Game.

[Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

... and that's it! That's my 300th volume of manga of the year!
I meant to hit my goal on a bigger note than a random volume of Mashle but hey, I love Mashle, and a wins a win!

On to my review: this volume was actually insane. The tone has definitely shifted a tad into something way more drastic. Suddenly all those big baddie threats are seeming a lot more legit. This volume really made me question if our heroes were even going to be remotely okay.

The Ames brothers, however, completely stole the show for me. Especially Finn. Finn's "do it scared" mentality really inspires me and hits hard, and it never gets stale for me. I'm really proud of his growth -- and the inklings of his backstory in this volume only make his friendship with Mash all the more powerful. Finn never had a place to belong, never had a place where he wasn't scared... and Mash welcomed him with open arms. That's just really touching.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mash.....IS DEAD! This is a rare experience when you read a graphic novel about a character in which is dead and so throughout the volume you see his dead body as things are in motion all around him. I will admit this is something I don't want to experience in every manga book. but the way it is presented upped the stacks and the intensity of the volume. Others may not like how this handled, but I loved it! I feel the art has always been solid, but if you go back to the beginning you will see the small ways in which Hajime Komoto has improved and I for one applaud it's sharp and crisp art style that over these volumes has become even more beautiful and exact. What a volume and it left me ready to read the next volume...as soon as I can get my hands on it.

[m.・゜゜・・゜゜・． · Rating 5 out of 5]

personally, i think delisa had all the right to run his mouth about killing rayne because before finn got involved and started healing rayne for support, delisa was beating the SHIT out of rayne all on his own. and you may say “he had the advantage because he had a regenerative demon heart” but why is that his problem??? he was still winning. so when rayne was like “don’t run your mouth if you can’t back it up” it didn’t really make sense cos rayne was getting the sonic coins beat outta him until finn started to help. doesn’t work imo . maybe i’m biased cos i love delisa

[Nekochimachan (⁠｡⁠•̀⁠ᴗ⁠-⁠)⁠✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mash is in the picture however he is too tired to fight so Lady Melidoul rewinds Mash as best as she can. On the other hand, Mash's brothers are able to destroy other divine visionaries and many of them are either injured or dead. I hate Innocent Zero and his selfish desires to become a God or something but I hope I can see Mash again ready to fight his real Dad with his amazing muscles. That's all.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite their best efforts, the Divine Visionaries are overwhelmed by Innocent Zero's sons, who then demand Mash in exchange for the lives of those who find him - but as Meliadoul desperately tries to wake him, a second team featuring Finn, Dot and Lance sets out to hold the evil forces back! Komoto raises the stakes with another tense yet darkly humourous entry. Will Finn and his allies be able to do what the Divine Visionaries couldn't?

[Amara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointing. I get we're trying to rush through to the end, but not even getting to see the Divine Visionaries get bested is ridiculous.
On top that the logic of sending Finn in and not having him change out with someone else doesn't make much sense. The Ames brothers' back story could have used more build-up.
The story is really starting to show big cracks now.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5
There is a lot of great action in this volume but it ultimately suffers because of a lack of Mash. Mash is really the heart of this series and he brings a great deal of the humor. Though I appreciate getting to see more of the other characters, without Mash present, it felt like something important was missing.

[Sadibebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non mais AAAAAAH!! C’est quoi cette fin il me faut absolument le tome 14 sous la main !
ça faisait longtemps que je n’étais pas tenue en haleine comme ça. Cette histoire évolue en crescendo. J’ai trop hâte de savoir la suite car là les dernières pages ont été vraiment une vraie torture !!!! (No spoiler)

[Louis Fritz v · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stakes Raised

The stakes are raised as Innocent Zero and his minions attack the city and divine visionaries. The build up is key here while Mash is still in training recovery. The artwork and buildup for fights are well done though some early ones end abruptly to hide the villains' talents.

[MajesticalLion · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good volume for Rayne. He's fast becoming my favorite character. Mashle doesn't tend to do stuff like character development, so seeing this was a fascinating change of pace. And it's only gonna get better in the next volume!

[Đức Nhật · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chưa gì đã vào arc cuối cùng rồi. Truyện này đi nhanh thật.

Tập này chia nhỏ các trận đấu giữa những người đứng đầu phe thiện vs các đứa con của Innocent Zero. Mash vẫn chưa tỉnh dậy nên mình được tập trung vào các nhân vật phụ khác: Dot, Finn và đặc biệt là Rayne. Hóng diễn biến các tập sau.

[Mindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entire volume without Mash feels so weird.

We are at the endgame here. This one got really dark, especially for Mashle. I guess if anything is going to change in this world, it needed to happen. Now we just need Mash to get back on his feet and take down Innocent Zero.

[Ady Weasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Innocent Zero ha atacado Adán demostrado que su poder s superior al de los visionarios divinos.
Ahora será cuestión de un grupo pequeño derrotarlos, pero serán suficientes?
Mash aún no se recupera y eso no es alentador

[Adrián · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comienza la saga final, se infiltran y Mash termina su entrenamiento.

[Shawnie Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viz chapter 110 to 118

[Aleja Uribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tan lindo Finn!! Y el hermano! Ay no!! Espero que lo logren!!!

[J-Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, Mash is sleeping (hopefully) and the war has begun….. Also, of course the younger brother would be great at supporting his friends and family, but he’s still the weakest.

[Lunasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rayne I’ll do anything for you

[nobody · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3,5)