Manga Review: Haridama Magic Cram School Volume One

[Jason]

Title: Haridama Magic Cram School
Mangaka: Atsushi Suzumi
Originally Serialized In: Shonen Sirius (Kodansha)
Genre: Shonen
Licensed by: Del Rey
Price: $10.95/US

Like so many other popular tales these days, Haridama Magic Cram School focuses on exactly what you'd expect after a cursory glance at the title: scrappy young heroes studying magic and becoming the most powerful wizards in the world, and so on and so forth. However, in this world, the Western idea of magic is thrown out the window, thus leading us to the series' sole unique quality.

In the world of Haridama, magic is utilized by balancing the proper flow of yin and yang throughout the world. To cast these spells, the magician too must possess this flow throughout their body. If they do not, then they may use a piece of obsidian to balance their missing attribute and cast magic like any other wizard, albeit with a bit more difficulty.

Our story focuses on two apprentice wizards: the brash and fiery, Kokuyo and the wonderfully tsundere, Harika. Yep, these two are shonen cliches through and through, which unfortunately means they fit right in with about 95% of the story. This first volume has it all: the older and more talented lecherous student, the ridiculously young-yet-powerful school principal, heroes that are dozens of times more powerful than they should be, and, of course, the dumbstruck minor characters that just wonder how this can be happening.

Throughout the entirety of the volume, Kokuyo and Harika discover that together they balance the attribute that the other lacks. Through this talent, the two young mages decimate opponent after opponent and shock numerous people into disbelief. Typical shonen fare.

Now, I'm sure I sound overly critical, and I guess I might be. There are so many other shonen tales out there that are done better, so it's really difficult to recommend Haridama to anyone. Absolutely nothing about it stands out, not even the art, and the characters are one-dimensional carbon copies of the usual archetypes. Harika might be fairly enjoyable, but the rest of the cast is so cut-and-dry that even she can't save the story.

If you're really hurting for a new, light-hearted tale to read, or if you just can't get enough of the magical boarding school genre, then go ahead and give Haridama a try. Otherwise, pass. Haridama gets an E for effort, and that's about it, as you can find better stories without even trying.

Reviewer: Kiara
Proofer/Editor: Lissa Pattillo