Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

Light novel series “魔法科高校の劣等生” written by Satou Tsutomu, which has already spawned several manga adaptations and even a Playstation Vita game, gets a two cour anime adaptation that recently started.

Although it sounds all about magic, it is really a science-fiction story too since in the setting of “Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei”, magic is used and intertwined with advanced technology that have shaped the world.

Considering the importance and power of those who can wield magic, they are not simply offered the best possible education to hone their skills, but their school’s system showcases growing rifts within society itself where the most powerful magic wielders become an elite that lords over the others.

To those strong social themes in a futuristic setting, “Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei” adds plenty of action, strife, a large cast of characters including a male protagonist shrouded in plenty of mystery and his sister who seems just a bit too affectionate of her own brother.

Have enjoyed watching this series so far, even though it has not really broken the mold by bringing us anything novel or shocking. Nonetheless, it has been a solid, standard action anime about people with powers, who even though they in a futuristic world, still face many challenges and strife.

While Miyuki being a brocon has mainly been used for comedic relief, am not sure personally want the series to elaborate on that plot or make it into something more serious. Although do suspect they may explain her behavior by showing tragedy that Tatsuya (and she?) suffered in the past, which has been hinted to.

Animation by Madhouse Studios is rather good, with lots of care going into rendering the characters facial traits, making them look even more dazzling as if their stylish uniforms were not sufficient to that end.
Nice to see that Kana Ishida who created the illustrations for the light novels, is also the character designer for the anime, making the adaptation more faithful to the original look.

Miyuki is voiced by Hayami Saori, who also voiced Ayase in “Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga nai”, Yukino in “Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru”, Izumiko in “Red Data Girl” and this season also voices Asishu in “Mangaka-san to Assistent-san to”.

Satou Satomi voices bespectacled Mizuki, she has voiced Ritsu in “K-ON!”, Chitanda in “Hyouka”, Aria in “Seitokai Yakuindomo”, Sakura in “Kiniro Mosaic” and voices Chiya in this season’s “Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka?”.

Erika is voiced by Uchiyama Yumi, she’s tackled roles like Nagi in “A Channel”, Youko in “Kiniro Mosaic”, Ruri in “Nisekoi” and this season she also voices Shiki in “Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin”.

Hanazawa Kana voices student council president Mayumi, she also voiced Charlotte in “IS: Infinite Stratos”, Ruri in “Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai”, Kobato in “Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai”, Roka in “D-Frag!”, Onodera in “Nisekoi” and also voices Ritsu in this season’s “Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou”.

Leader of the public morals committee Mari is voiced by Inoue Marina, who also voiced Kana in “Minami-ke”, Matsurika in “Maria†Holic”, Yozora in “Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai”, Laura in “IS: Infinite Stratos” and Yumiko in “Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru”.

Tomatsu Haruka voices Sayaka, she’s tackled roles like Asuna in “Sword Art Online”, Haruka in “Sakura Trick”, Saki in “Kakumeiki Valvrave”, Shizuku in “Tonari no Kaibutsu and Ichika in “Ano Natsu de Matteru”.

Will keep on watching this series as I have rather enjoyed it so far.
For those of you looking for an entertaining action anime without bearing too high expectations, then definitely do try “Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei”.