‘A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special’ Season 1 Review- Going Back In Time
This anime aired in 2024.
A Returner’s Magic Should Be Special is the first season of the anime series based on the popular fantasy manhwa, a Korean comic book. It was produced by the Japanese animation studio Arvo Animation, which recently announced it would get a second season.
Desir Herman (Austin Tindle) and some of the last remaining humans defeat an evil dragon who has taken over their home with a “shadow realm.” However, the dragon makes a last-ditch move to kill them by self-destructing. Desir tries to analyze the spell and “invert” it with his power. This seems to fail, and he closes his eyes. To his shock, he awakens in the past when he is just enrolling in Hebrion Academy.
Determined to change the fate of the world, he recruits hot-headed mage Romanitca (Sarah Roach) and swordsman Pram (Macy Anne Johnson) into a school club to make them stronger. However, because they are peasants in the Beta Class, they face opposition from the elite in the Alpha Class, including the powerful student Azest (Anastasia Muñoz).
The animation is sublime. I really thought they did a good job of bringing the action, character designs, and the story to life. It is always interesting when a Japanese animation studio adapts a Korean webcomic. You never know what to expect, but I thought this one was done very well. The only time I felt that it was downgraded was in episode eleven, where a large force attacked a castle. I do not know what went wrong there. Otherwise, it was excellent.
My only complaint is that I think they should have had a guy voice actor for Pram, but, as per tradition, Crunchyroll cast a woman to voice him since he is so young. It made him sound a little too effeminate. I’m not criticizing Johnson as a voice actress, I am just saying she was miscast here.
I rarely read the “flung back” subgenre of fantasy, but it is very popular in South Korea. I am so glad that I gave it a try because it is an interesting tale.
Reading Desir’s story is one thing, but actually seeing it brought to life, you really grasp how Romantica is suspicious of him and Pram admires him. You cheer Desir on because he truly wants to prepare them and save them from their horrifying fate. I was hooked, and as a fan of the book series, I thought this was a superb adaptation. I cannot wait to see the second season.
Check out the trailer below:
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Action violence, Minor foul language, Rude humor
This review is based on the dub from Crunchyroll.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, anime, or novel you would like me to review.