<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/2015-12-01Anti-Magic Academy poster.jpg">
<b>Review of Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon #1 by Joshawott</b>
Aside from a few break-out hits like Madhouse's <em>One Punch Man</em> and the triumphant return of an historic franchise with Sunrise's <em>Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans</em>, I think it would be fair to say that this current season of anime hasn't exactly set the world on fire. Perhaps this is a much-needed breath of fresh air for the industry though, because I've found that instead of everyone rallying behind a cluster of highly anticipated shows, viewers are instead branching out and discovering their own guilty pleasures – series that may never be industry linchpins like <em>Attack On Titan</em> but can still be endearingly enjoyable in their own right.<br>
Silver Link's adaptation of Tōki Yanagimi's light novel series <strong>Anti-Magic Academy: The 35</strong><sup><strong>th</strong></sup><strong> Test Platoon </strong>is a series that fits that bill for me. While its overall set-up and formula are routine enough to court unfavourable comparisons with similar currently airing titles such as <em>Chivalry of a Failed Knight</em> and<em> The Asterisk War</em>, I find my fondness towards this particular franchise exposes the true strength hidden in the depths of a relatively uninspired narrative.<br>
While Takeru Kusanagi's dream of becoming an anti-magic enforcing “Inquisitor” is born from the burden of inherited debt as opposed to any hatred for spell-casters, when Ōka Ōtori's trigger-happy desire for revenge lands her with a reassignment to the Anti-Magic Academy's struggling small-fry 35<sup>th</sup> Test Platoon, the inexperienced commander and accomplished newbie have to come together to confront the magical mechanisms working around them and secure their squad's success.<br>
With the source material being a light novel with a school setting, it should come as no surprise that the titular platoon is perhaps closer to being the 35<sup>th</sup> Test Harem, with Takeru commanding an otherwise all-female squad consisting of numerous character archetypes. Ōtori quickly establishing herself as the platoon's resident tsundere, alongside Mari the flat-chested sufferer of boob envy, Ikaruga the resident pervert, and Usagi the cute klutz, who all display a degree of attraction to the series' protagonist on at least one occasion in the first six episodes.<br>
Although I have yet to read Tōki Yanagimi's original novels (due to the lack of an English release), I can't shake the feeling that Silver Link's anime adaptation is perhaps burning through the source material a little too quickly. While I appreciate characters being given the spotlight in individual story arcs, the erratic pace often robs the climaxes of the impact they deserve; which I found most noticeable in the conclusion of Mari's arc. The increased emphasis on standalone character-driven drama also ended up taking attention away from elements of the overarching story, such as the Relic Eaters, who have been relegated to the background since their seemingly important introduction. Exploring the characters' often dark pasts however, does grant the series the welcomed freedom to delve into deliciously darker territory; which mixes surprisingly well with the light-hearted tone of the other scenes.<br>
Unfortunately, the series' animation doesn't hold up to scrutiny either; which is perhaps most noticeable with the choppy CGI utilised for Relic Eater battles, as well as wide shots where proportions are thrown out of the window on occasion, sometimes leaving characters looking like wonky caricatures. Fortunately, the character close-ups are usually of a high standard, effectively showcasing a range of emotions in noticeable detail, with the contorted creepy grimaces of Reima Tenmyōji and fearful faces of Usagi Saionji being particularly memorable.<br>
Despite my lofty criticism towards the series however, I still find myself rushing to Crunchyroll each week to watch the latest episode because of its bread and butter: the incredibly likeable cast. In this first half of the series, the majority of the characters are given their own reasons for being in the platoon and distinct personalities that naturally mould around both the comedic and macabre moments. For example, the cameraderie Takeru feels for his subordinates remains his most defining trait whether he's reluctantly cross-dressing for a photo-shoot, giving a comforting pep-talk or unleashing an anger terrifying enough to leave even the most twisted of foes literally cowering and wetting themselves. One aspect of the 35<sup>th</sup> Test Platoon that really helps its members stand out is the philosophy of shouldering problems together; as opposed to similar series' where the lead male may simply take all responsibility himself (like in <em>Sword Art Online</em>, for example). This led to the satisfying solution to Usagi's arc in particular; where the recognition of her talents allowed her to transition from a damsel-in-distress to being crucial to the conclusion.<br>
With its mix of endearing highs and worrisome lows, I would be hard-pressed to award <em>Anti-Magic Academy: The 35</em><sup><em>th</em></sup><em> Test Platoon</em> with any critical acclaim, but the series is still charming enough to be one of my favourite guilty pleasures in what is admittedly a mediocre season. I just hope the narrative of the latter half is one the likeable members of this rookie platoon deserves.<br>
<em>Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon</em> is currently being simulcast on Crunchyroll.<br>
<b>Final score: 7 out of 10</b>
<b>Additional screencaps</b>
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-12-01Anti-Magic Academy 1.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-12-01Anti-Magic Academy 2.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-12-01Anti-Magic Academy 3.png">
<b>Review of Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon #1 by Joshawott</b>
Aside from a few break-out hits like Madhouse's <em>One Punch Man</em> and the triumphant return of an historic franchise with Sunrise's <em>Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans</em>, I think it would be fair to say that this current season of anime hasn't exactly set the world on fire. Perhaps this is a much-needed breath of fresh air for the industry though, because I've found that instead of everyone rallying behind a cluster of highly anticipated shows, viewers are instead branching out and discovering their own guilty pleasures – series that may never be industry linchpins like <em>Attack On Titan</em> but can still be endearingly enjoyable in their own right.<br>
Silver Link's adaptation of Tōki Yanagimi's light novel series <strong>Anti-Magic Academy: The 35</strong><sup><strong>th</strong></sup><strong> Test Platoon </strong>is a series that fits that bill for me. While its overall set-up and formula are routine enough to court unfavourable comparisons with similar currently airing titles such as <em>Chivalry of a Failed Knight</em> and<em> The Asterisk War</em>, I find my fondness towards this particular franchise exposes the true strength hidden in the depths of a relatively uninspired narrative.<br>
While Takeru Kusanagi's dream of becoming an anti-magic enforcing “Inquisitor” is born from the burden of inherited debt as opposed to any hatred for spell-casters, when Ōka Ōtori's trigger-happy desire for revenge lands her with a reassignment to the Anti-Magic Academy's struggling small-fry 35<sup>th</sup> Test Platoon, the inexperienced commander and accomplished newbie have to come together to confront the magical mechanisms working around them and secure their squad's success.<br>
With the source material being a light novel with a school setting, it should come as no surprise that the titular platoon is perhaps closer to being the 35<sup>th</sup> Test Harem, with Takeru commanding an otherwise all-female squad consisting of numerous character archetypes. Ōtori quickly establishing herself as the platoon's resident tsundere, alongside Mari the flat-chested sufferer of boob envy, Ikaruga the resident pervert, and Usagi the cute klutz, who all display a degree of attraction to the series' protagonist on at least one occasion in the first six episodes.<br>
Although I have yet to read Tōki Yanagimi's original novels (due to the lack of an English release), I can't shake the feeling that Silver Link's anime adaptation is perhaps burning through the source material a little too quickly. While I appreciate characters being given the spotlight in individual story arcs, the erratic pace often robs the climaxes of the impact they deserve; which I found most noticeable in the conclusion of Mari's arc. The increased emphasis on standalone character-driven drama also ended up taking attention away from elements of the overarching story, such as the Relic Eaters, who have been relegated to the background since their seemingly important introduction. Exploring the characters' often dark pasts however, does grant the series the welcomed freedom to delve into deliciously darker territory; which mixes surprisingly well with the light-hearted tone of the other scenes.<br>
Unfortunately, the series' animation doesn't hold up to scrutiny either; which is perhaps most noticeable with the choppy CGI utilised for Relic Eater battles, as well as wide shots where proportions are thrown out of the window on occasion, sometimes leaving characters looking like wonky caricatures. Fortunately, the character close-ups are usually of a high standard, effectively showcasing a range of emotions in noticeable detail, with the contorted creepy grimaces of Reima Tenmyōji and fearful faces of Usagi Saionji being particularly memorable.<br>
Despite my lofty criticism towards the series however, I still find myself rushing to Crunchyroll each week to watch the latest episode because of its bread and butter: the incredibly likeable cast. In this first half of the series, the majority of the characters are given their own reasons for being in the platoon and distinct personalities that naturally mould around both the comedic and macabre moments. For example, the cameraderie Takeru feels for his subordinates remains his most defining trait whether he's reluctantly cross-dressing for a photo-shoot, giving a comforting pep-talk or unleashing an anger terrifying enough to leave even the most twisted of foes literally cowering and wetting themselves. One aspect of the 35<sup>th</sup> Test Platoon that really helps its members stand out is the philosophy of shouldering problems together; as opposed to similar series' where the lead male may simply take all responsibility himself (like in <em>Sword Art Online</em>, for example). This led to the satisfying solution to Usagi's arc in particular; where the recognition of her talents allowed her to transition from a damsel-in-distress to being crucial to the conclusion.<br>
With its mix of endearing highs and worrisome lows, I would be hard-pressed to award <em>Anti-Magic Academy: The 35</em><sup><em>th</em></sup><em> Test Platoon</em> with any critical acclaim, but the series is still charming enough to be one of my favourite guilty pleasures in what is admittedly a mediocre season. I just hope the narrative of the latter half is one the likeable members of this rookie platoon deserves.<br>
<em>Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon</em> is currently being simulcast on Crunchyroll.<br>
<b>Final score: 7 out of 10</b>
<b>Additional screencaps</b>
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-12-01Anti-Magic Academy 1.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-12-01Anti-Magic Academy 2.png">
<img src="http://www.animeuknews.net/img/uploaded/screens/2015-12-01Anti-Magic Academy 3.png">