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魔法科高校の劣等生 [Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei] (Novel) #4
The Irregular at Magic High School, Vol. 4 (light novel): Nine School Competition Arc, Part II
The rookie competition is one of the most highly anticipated spectacles of the Nine School Competition and a chance for freshman athletes to shine. First High's beloved Miyuki Shiba takes center stage during these matches to give a beautifully elegant performance. Her brother, Tatsuya, doesn't have a moment to waste as he works around the clock as part of the engineering team, relaxing only when he gets a chance to admire his sister from behind the scenes. But after his teammates fall prey to a horrific accident, Tatsuya is suddenly thrust into the spotlight and set on a direct collision course with the Crimson Price, Masaki Ichijou!
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2011
About the author
Tsutomu Sato
152 books150 followers佐島勤 / Tsutomu Sato / Tsutomu Satou
Author of 魔法科高校の劣等生 / Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
Author of 魔法科高校の劣等生 / Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 30, 2019
This is really a review of both Volume 3 and 4 since they're the same extended storyline dealing with the Nine Schools Competition.
Again, the book version of this is a great addition to the anime version, containing more detail and explaining things which, frankly, don't really make sense in the anime. The explanation of the actual events (games) is much better here than in the anime. One event, Cloud Ball in the book and Crowdball in the anime (not sure why that was changed, but I suspect an error in the anime translation) is actually explained in the book. It just looks like a weird version of tennis on screen.
The only complaint I have regarding the books is their unremitting gloomy persecution of Tatsuya (the protagonist). He does come across as a bit of a jerk in the books. His anime counterpart is emotionally cold and extremely hardline when it comes to protecting his sister, but he doesn't come across as mean. I'm starting to think that this isn't simply that we don't get as much of his thought processes in the anime version; the original (book) version isn't as nice and they changed him to be more sympathetic.
There are also some weird changes of tone between the two versions. Primarily, scenes which are played more for laughs in the anime, are not just serious but frequently negative in the book. I'm not a great fan of relentlessly beating your main character over the head with the plot stick because he's been written to have a tragic sort of life.
However, the author is clearly getting into the swing of things with this arc. I'd rate them more highly than the first two books in the series. The world building continues to be impressive, and the books are worth reading to get the most out of that. For pure enjoyment, the anime is more fun.
Again, the book version of this is a great addition to the anime version, containing more detail and explaining things which, frankly, don't really make sense in the anime. The explanation of the actual events (games) is much better here than in the anime. One event, Cloud Ball in the book and Crowdball in the anime (not sure why that was changed, but I suspect an error in the anime translation) is actually explained in the book. It just looks like a weird version of tennis on screen.
The only complaint I have regarding the books is their unremitting gloomy persecution of Tatsuya (the protagonist). He does come across as a bit of a jerk in the books. His anime counterpart is emotionally cold and extremely hardline when it comes to protecting his sister, but he doesn't come across as mean. I'm starting to think that this isn't simply that we don't get as much of his thought processes in the anime version; the original (book) version isn't as nice and they changed him to be more sympathetic.
There are also some weird changes of tone between the two versions. Primarily, scenes which are played more for laughs in the anime, are not just serious but frequently negative in the book. I'm not a great fan of relentlessly beating your main character over the head with the plot stick because he's been written to have a tragic sort of life.
However, the author is clearly getting into the swing of things with this arc. I'd rate them more highly than the first two books in the series. The world building continues to be impressive, and the books are worth reading to get the most out of that. For pure enjoyment, the anime is more fun.
July 3, 2023
Who would have thought high school competition could be so dangerous?
October 30, 2020
Great conclusion.
This volume marks a great finale for the Nine School Competition arc. Again the author does a great job describing the magical competition. The characters keeps evolving and more details are added to their backgrounds. Some interesting twist and new plots are added which keeps the reader interested from beginning to end.
This volume marks a great finale for the Nine School Competition arc. Again the author does a great job describing the magical competition. The characters keeps evolving and more details are added to their backgrounds. Some interesting twist and new plots are added which keeps the reader interested from beginning to end.
September 30, 2017
Very good for remembering what the plot in the series was. Maybe too much technical blabber but overall it was a good read.
There are a few more important facts than in the anime series and they sure make the whole thing more understandable.
There are a few more important facts than in the anime series and they sure make the whole thing more understandable.
August 24, 2017
I really love this series, everything is so thought out and planned that it makes the world and characters seem so deep
July 26, 2018
So intense! Wow! He used his ability!
Want to Read
December 21, 2019Too Good!!!
April 28, 2021
See review of volume 3 (3 and 4 are one story).
March 30, 2024
I felt the competition tended to be a little repetitive. The action and reveals, and the comedy aspects, as well, made this quite enjoyable, though. Also, Tatsuya‘s sniping was crazy!!
August 21, 2014
The fourth book of the series is the conclusion to the "Nine Schools Competition" arc. Main plot takes up about 20% of the book directly, and at other times it's happening behind the scenes, taking the back seat to the beautiful competition itself (which is integrated into the story in a really nice way, so that everything about it is justified and moves the plot forward while supplying great imagery and fanservice in the form of scantily clad battling girls).
The whole arc featured some great views and scenes. The events that comprise the competition are written out beautifully. The book really did paint a picture of what was going on, which I generally regard as good thing. Obviously, the great attention to detail while describing the scenery of each particular event, the movements of the competitors, and the venue in general (which was good), as well as every emotion and facial expression of all the characters who are currently in the shot (which was redundant) was done keeping the then-future anime in mind.
Character development-wise, the book offered nothing terribly new. New stuff gets revealed, strangely, in the 5th book, the fanservice beachy one (totally written to be a mandatory beach episode). Said stuff was probably moved over there so that more people would buy it. In the fourth book, however, the character development is almost nonexistent.
To summarize: the events look (as in, "visually") brilliant, the plot has advanced enough for a light novel to be called sufficient, I mean, you gotta push out 4 books per year, so the fact that there is no filler in it is already awesome. And it's pretty thick for a light novel.
The strongest book out of the first four and probably five. The whole arc is worth reading through the first two books, which consist mostly of blatantly infodumping the same stuff over and over again.
The whole arc featured some great views and scenes. The events that comprise the competition are written out beautifully. The book really did paint a picture of what was going on, which I generally regard as good thing. Obviously, the great attention to detail while describing the scenery of each particular event, the movements of the competitors, and the venue in general (which was good), as well as every emotion and facial expression of all the characters who are currently in the shot (which was redundant) was done keeping the then-future anime in mind.
Character development-wise, the book offered nothing terribly new. New stuff gets revealed, strangely, in the 5th book, the fanservice beachy one (totally written to be a mandatory beach episode). Said stuff was probably moved over there so that more people would buy it. In the fourth book, however, the character development is almost nonexistent.
To summarize: the events look (as in, "visually") brilliant, the plot has advanced enough for a light novel to be called sufficient, I mean, you gotta push out 4 books per year, so the fact that there is no filler in it is already awesome. And it's pretty thick for a light novel.
The strongest book out of the first four and probably five. The whole arc is worth reading through the first two books, which consist mostly of blatantly infodumping the same stuff over and over again.
April 13, 2015
It amazes me. Actually, the word [amaze] cannot describe this story because its beyond that. Especially, the 9SC itself. It is a new advance school competition which includes the complexity of an active participation.
It also introduces a new character that augments the comedy and romance factor of the characters. Aside from that, this volume is only a part of how scary Shiba Tatsuya is.
It also introduces a new character that augments the comedy and romance factor of the characters. Aside from that, this volume is only a part of how scary Shiba Tatsuya is.
October 25, 2020
I would say that this one is better written than the previous ones, a bit longer than also.
There are more background/history about the characters, which is always good.
About the story: it was shown to the other characters how strong the siblings are, but new strong characters were also presented to help develop the plot.
Again we see the questions marks (?) which could be taken out...
There are more background/history about the characters, which is always good.
About the story: it was shown to the other characters how strong the siblings are, but new strong characters were also presented to help develop the plot.
Again we see the questions marks (?) which could be taken out...
January 24, 2015
I love how even with the sports going on, there was still scenes that showed what was going on with the other characters. I want this to be the future. I just can't get over the thought of scientic magic!!!!
March 18, 2016
The marvelous scene at the end between Tatsuya and Miyuki fills me with dread. Not for the expected reasons, but because I'm beginning to fear that I will soon ship them as a couple- if I don't already.
March 18, 2014
Woo! I'm swoo~ning...
Tatsuya, you are so damn impressive. My reverence knows no bonds.
What a guy!
Tatsuya, you are so damn impressive. My reverence knows no bonds.
What a guy!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews