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My Super-Cute Black Mage!, Vol. 1

Aria, an honor student and prefect at her magic school, has just one problem— Jade, the black mage. Known for being cold and harsh towards his peers, Aria has been doing her best to avoid him. But when she runs into him by accident, she hears...his thoughts?! Now that she knows what he’s thinking, he’s almost kind of cute...

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2026

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Takidon

5 books2 followers

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5 stars
40 (29%)
4 stars
58 (42%)
3 stars
36 (26%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Kyky.
360 reviews16 followers
May 8, 2026
3,5 Sterne
Profile Image for Mark.
3,109 reviews305 followers
May 1, 2026
Awkwardly, I finished reading this manga in the morning and by the time I went to write the review over lunch I had forgotten that I read it to start with. Sometimes we throw around the term ‘forgettable’ and in this case I genuinely mean it.

This really suffers because it’s showing up at the same time as Merit & the Egyptian God, which is also a fantastical story about a girl and a tsundere, except the latter story is way more fun.

Aria’s problem, for me, is that she’s not really defined enough to lead this story. There’s nothing compelling about her character and whatever capability she has tends to go away when paired with Jade, the titular black mage.

This feels like a female first fantasy, where the mean old jerk is a big softie who just needs to learn to open up and you can totally fix him, Aria! But Aria herself needs constant saving and starts going crazy around Jade when she realizes he likes her.

Jade is fine, which surprised me for somebody who threatens to kill Aria in the first couple pages. Once Aria starts reading his mind, the juxtaposition between his outward prickishness and internal marshmallowness is fairly cute.

Still, a lot of this just feels underwhelming to me. The joke is the joke and it’s basically the one you’re getting. The few dangers that pop up are mostly undercut by the gags or attempts thereof. I didn’t find these worked super well. There’s a weird running gag about a jail dog that is pretty good, I admit.

Everybody else besides the two leads are so vaguely defined as to not even register. Sure, Merit might be cheating by having a known pantheon as its base, but that’s not to say that these students couldn’t be a little more than just occasional dialogue tossers.

The sad part is that this means well, offering a basic (but good!) message about not judging others for things they had nothing to do with. And Jade starts to learn to be a human being and Aria is getting used to his crazy mental images.

But there’s just this premise and not enough anything else. I might give it another volume, but there’s definitely the sense that we’ve seen pretty much all this can offer us in its opening salvo.

Heck, there’s a lengthy one-shot included that has a similar feel (included in the first volume for heaven’s sake) and might be a little bit better. It at least milks its idea for all it’s worth and then wraps it up.

3 stars - not bad, not good, just average. If you could read my thoughts it would be very dull because they would say the exact same thing. We’ll see how it goes.
Profile Image for Hisgirl85.
2,632 reviews57 followers
August 31, 2026
3.5 stars. Cute and unique set-up. I liked the idea that the female lead can read people's thoughts when close to or touching them, as well as someone who has a rough exterior but is literally planning the rest of life with the lead (dreams of marriage and children while he outwardly is "ew" to her to keep her away as he has a bad reputation and would rather be apart than bring her any harm by association). She's a bit two-dimensional and inconsistent/weird, but I'm digging it. Lots of banana pants plots happening.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
16k reviews472 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
March 3, 2026
I received this manga from Yen Press on Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.


I love a gap story. This guy? Looks wild. Looks dark. Looks dangerous. Says things that aren’t that nice. But what happens when our MC grabs his wrist and magic happens? He: “Stubborn hag.” His inside voice: “You’re so cute. Damn it.” Her all confused. He: What’re you spacing out for?” His inside voice: “Crap, that dumb look on your face is so adorable too.” He: I’ll kill you.” His inside voice: “I love you, Aria.” And from that moment I knew I would love this one. I was invested. I needed to know if he knew if his inside voice was heard and if he would be able to confess in real as well.

Our MC? She can read minds (and not just see words but also gets to see images). She is not too happy about that, which I can understand. Thankfully there is a caveat, she needs to touch people or they touch her. But imagine having to be careful to not touch someone. Still, hey girl, on the upside you now know that the deredere boy in your class is actually protecting you and likes you. I loved how at first she was startled by his thoughts and getting flustered but as his thoughts got to marriage (in gorgeous imagery) and even more protective she turned super shy and had no clue how to react to him which made me giggle as it was so cute. She just tried to dodge him, but the universe kept pushing them together. There is no escape! Just accept his hotness! His deredereness!

I also love that Aria is a prefect and I loved seeing her at school trying her hardest to make sure everyone learns in her class and tries to help wherever possible, from special programs to special places. Everyone sees Jade as a problem child (and to be fair with his mouth and attitude you can understand that) especially because his magic is dark. Yep, you heard that one right. It is your typical fantasy world in which dark magic is seen as bad. In the mean time Jade is just a good guy. Just pissed at the world, for good reason. I love that Aria was helping Jade extra so that his classmates would see him in the same light as she does. And I loved seeing the change happen in his classmates. Yay!

While Professor Sven was THAT, I am also sorry, but he was so hot. And totally my type. blushes

I love seeing Jade’s thoughts and how much he wants to be with Aria, he really is a sweetheart at heart and boy boy I need all these dreams and fantasies to be reality. Make it happen. Chop chop!

The art was so much fun, I love the character designs (Jade is hot and Aria is just the cutest) and I love the faces and expressions on everyone’s faces, especially Aria’s when she is reading Jade’s mind. So cute! So funny!

Oh, and then last bit of the manga is an one-shot about a saint and Satan. He wants to eat her but she lives in a trash pile and eats bad food. He is dedicated to eating her though so I had a laugh at how he started taking care of her. From massages to cleaning to feeding her to yes yoga (which I want more of). I also love finding out more about the Saint, though I hadn’t expected that one. She is a clever one! I loved how the story went and I loved the ending, though haha Satan is a bit of an idiot.

OH OH and we get some character profiles at the end! I always LOVE LOVE LOVE character profiles so thank you to the mangaka for adding those!

This was just a hoot to read and I had oodles of fun. I love the dark/blackness and then infused with cute in the inside. I am shipping these two like mad! I would highly recommend it to all!

Review first posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Profile Image for Sol.
927 reviews35 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
March 9, 2026
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to Edelweiss and Yen Press for the ARC! 🙇 I owe them my life! I wanted to read this so badly!

Here's the thing: if you're not into the trope where the male lead is super mean to the female lead, but secretly possesses a heart of gold, you probably won't like this. The ML, Jade, always speaks with venomous words, and pushes away anyone who comes close to him, saying things like "I'll kill you", "Go die", or "Shut up, hag", et cetera -- typical fanfare for a rude character like him. So if that doesn't work for you, this might not be the one for you...

... but oh my god, it so was for me!!
This is like everything I love in a male and female lead, oh my god!! I was squealing and dying of moe the entire time!! Even though he's mean, he loves her so much, and I'll say it again -- that gap moe is everything to me!! I thought that these two were so precious and that their relationship totally spoke to me. I love an icy-cold guy too, whose heart needs to be thawed by a sunny heroine. I also loved that our female lead is both smart and emotionally mature, leading her to be caring and responsible to her classmates. I ended up caring quite a lot about both of them as people. It's just so specifically my type of book that I enjoyed myself so much all the way through.

Even though the setting is pretty much your typical fantasy fare, I felt that the uniforms and fashion really stood out!! The art style was really great and reminded me of great shojo I've read, like Shugo Chara and Kamisama Kiss. The eyes are so bubbly and adorable, and the mangaka chose great screentones to use throughout, that gives the manga's visual feel a light, airy, gorgeous look. There's a lot of visual interest on the page, and the characters poses and expressions are really lovely.

There was also a great short story at the end about a romance between a saint and Satan, which also utilizes tropes that I'm crazy about, so I totally enjoyed myself all the way through. It's so great to find something that speaks right to your favorite concepts in a book, making it feel tailor-made for your enjoyment, almost like having a favorite AO3 tag. I feel happy!!

This book really shot an arrow through my heart. I totally can't wait to preorder and have the physical edition in my hands when it comes out!
Profile Image for Angie.
17 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
February 24, 2026
Thank you to Edelweiss and Yen Press for the free early access to a Digital Copy of this manga.

I enjoyed this volume so very much that I could simply not put it down! The concept was super cute sounding and I adored how it was executed! Jade’s such a great character I love how much his thoughts conflict with what he says. It’s absolutely hilarious some of the thoughts that come up! And our female lead Aria is adorable but also such a joy her reactions were so much fun! I can seem them both having some fun development as individuals and together.

I also loved how Aria tried to help Jade get along with his classmates more and to have his classmates try and understand him. That was such a sweet gesture and you could tell he really appreciated it considering how he said how he felt for once.

I’m super interested in learning more about Jade and Aria but also about their families magic. I truly wish this volume was longer cause I loved it that much.

Overall for the core of this manga I’d give it a 5/5 cause it was everything I love in a good romcom.

Now to the little extra one-shot story: I liked it but it doesn’t take up quite a lot of this volume which was a shame cause I personally would have preferred more of the main story. The couple featured in this one-shot was cute still nonetheless!
Profile Image for Susanna.
Author 55 books104 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
April 21, 2026
This was cute, but very short, only three chapters. The rest is a longish stand-alone story by the same author. That was ok too.

Aria is a prefect at a magical high school, a third year student who has to teach first years. One of them is Jade, a black mage feared and despised by everyone for something black mages did centuries ago. He’s sourly and doesn’t want to participate in classes, but Aria’s scholarship depends on her teaching record, so she tries her best to include him. He’s very rude and hostile about it, but touching him triggers her ability to read minds and she learns he has a huge crush on her.

The chapters are more slice-of-life style than an ongoing story, each with its own plot. Aria discovers that Jade is observant and helpful, and makes other students learn it too. And along the way, she falls for him in return. The volume ends before the two even become properly friendly. Art was ok.

I received a free copy crom Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Isa Newbury | reading_isa.
723 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
March 11, 2026
**Thank you to Edelweiss & YenPress for the ARC; all opinions are my own.**

5⭐️

A magic school, black cat x golden retriever vibes, and an MMC who cannot say what he truly means. I actually really loved this one, and I wish volume 1 had been longer! Aria really wants to make sure her 1st year students (she's a 3rd year Prefect) do well, but is worried about Jade falling behind as he doesn't interact with others and seems mean. When she touches his hand, she 1) activates her mind reading magic for the first time, and 2) finds out that Jade's is actually nice and has feelings for her! She isn't quite sure what to do about that yet. I'm looking forward to volume 2!!!

☆magic school
☆black cat x golden retriever energy
☆mind reading
Profile Image for E (manga_runner).
266 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2026
He is already planning their future in his head 🤣

It's a cute one with some funny moments.

Jade keeps up a certain attitude, but he really is thinking something else. And Aria finds out what he is truly thinking due to her ability to read minds.
Hopefully we see some of Jade's true thoughts leak out especially if he continues with those pick up lines lol. I'm glad though Aria and his classmates didn't believe the professor, shows while he comes off mean and from a black mage clan they are seeing his true character. I can see Aria slowly coming around to having feelings for Jade.

Jade : descent of black mage clan (everyone has a negative opinion about it), tsundere, 1st yr
Aria: 3rd yr tutoring 1st yrs, sweet & clumsy, can read minds
Profile Image for Kelli.
2,777 reviews39 followers
August 20, 2026
Like the rest of you heathens, I do love a down BAD loser boy. It’s the only kind of attractive guy, to be honest.

If you aren’t already planning our wedding after two life-saving interactions, what’s even the point???

Anyway.

If you can’t tell, I think this is a very fun, sweet little story about a blossoming relationship between a grumpy grump underclassman, Jade, who can’t express his feelings and his human sunshine upperclassman, Aria. It’s a little cliche but quite adorable.

I would like to read a couple more volumes of this series, please~
Profile Image for -moonprismpower-.
3,234 reviews22 followers
May 6, 2026
Aw. This was cute! I find Jade’s true thoughts about Aria so sweet and the things he actually says out loud to be absolutely hilarious. Yeah, he’s being mean but he’s definitely a tsundere and it makes me laugh. This story is definitely light and I don’t expect it to get “deep” or dark in any way but I enjoyed it. It was a fun read!
I’ll keep reading because I want to see Jade’s daydreams come true! Haha.
Profile Image for Kaitlynne.
1,701 reviews53 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
February 17, 2026
It took a little bit to get used to reading Jade's actual feelings at the same time he was saying something completely opposite. It felt like whiplash which, I think, is the whole point.

It's super cute and I can't wait to see where the next few volumes will take us.

Thank you Yen Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Mary.
648 reviews28 followers
May 20, 2026
This was cute! The difference between Jade's real feelings/thoughts and what he says was really funny. He could be a little mean but I think seeing his true thoughts helps balance it out a little better.

I saw someone compare the main characters to Anya and Damien from SPY X FAMILY and I totally get it.

Thanks to Yen Press and Edelweiss+ for the ARC!
Profile Image for cw ˙ᵕ˙.
124 reviews
Review of advance copy
December 22, 2025
Ugh, bring back tsunderes…
I love how standoffish Jade is, while having the cutest little fantasies of Aria and him together… I just hope he admits his true feelings soon! They deserve to be together ♡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kykuuichi.
62 reviews2 followers
May 12, 2026
Its very cute! But I feel like the ML's lines are very repetitive. I suppose it's to reflect the stereotypical tsundere but I want him to have more variety in his lines so I can see him with an actual personality
Profile Image for Natalie.
224 reviews
August 23, 2026
AAHHHH HES SO CUUTTTEEE I love a rough exterior with an interior softer than pillows!!!! He is so cuteeee im in LOVE. I'm scared what will happen when/if he finds out she's been reading his mind, but i can't worry about that rn!!! I just want his marriage fantasies to come true!!!
Profile Image for Tori Sprankle.
60 reviews2 followers
January 2, 2026
So stinking cute! I was on a bit of a manga run at the end of the year and it didn’t disappoint. I wish it were longer!
Profile Image for Salo.
90 reviews1 follower
Read
January 10, 2026
5 ⭐ Son super monos, me encanta lo grumpy que es él
Profile Image for Jourdy.
1,021 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2026
This was cute! A bit fast paced but a fun idea. I hope they expand more on people’s backstories
Profile Image for Kali.
114 reviews
May 2, 2026
the art is great but the story is a bit mid. i’m still willing to see what else it has in store.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
3,995 reviews6 followers
June 7, 2026
Does it count as tsundere if the quiet part doesn't get spoken aloud? I liked the character profiles at the end.
Profile Image for The_BookAce.
474 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2026
4.5/5 stars

Unfortunately I am a sucker for this type of trope, so I did enjoy this
Profile Image for Kayla.
350 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2026
So cute! Can't wait for more!
Profile Image for Amanda.
419 reviews25 followers
August 19, 2026
I had higher hopes for this one but it's a bit repetitive on dialogue/inner monologue.
Profile Image for Laura A. Grace.
2,135 reviews342 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
April 25, 2026
Very cute volume!!

I didn't expect Jade to be QUITE as mean as it was to Aria, but I suppose that is where some of the humor comes in because the things he says compared to what he thinks are absolutely hilarious! LOL! That ending was especially wonderful, and I do feel bad for Aria because how does anyone handle what she's seen when they're barely friends yet?! LOL!

Speaking of, Aria is a complete sweetheart! I really, really liked her character and was so happy to see how much she really did believe in Jade! She probably wouldn't have, though, if she didn't have mind-reading, but she's a fun and earnest heroine! I'm excited to see her (hopefully) develop real romantic feelings for Jade, and in turn, his cute "fantasies" will come true! Hehe!

The world-building seems interesting from the little shown, and I think overall I will continue to really enjoy this manga with how light and fun it is!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews