Farewell Reaper Scans, you will be missed.

This review is highly subjective. The story's beginning is a bit weak, but it gets better.

You can probably guess, but this novel isn't something you can just sit back and laugh through. It's a grim story filled with a dark world and some seriously messed-up characters.

I knew going in that it would be a rough read. I expected awful twists and characters that would shock me. I was ready for the frustration... But to my surprise, the story is mostly driven by characters who... more>> act out of genuine goodwill and a sense of justice. Most of them are honorable, and the plot moves quickly and smoothly.

This is what good writing looks like. You don't need to stretch out inner monologues for pages and pages to get the point across. The character development is sharp and well-done. A great example of this is the way Puella Magi Madoka Magica handled Tomoe Mami.

If you've seen Madoka Magica, you'll remember how Mami shows up as this powerful veteran magical girl, but then she dies suddenly and kind of meaninglessly just two episodes in. It almost feels like she was pretending to be strong the whole time. But as the series progresses, even without her being there, you start to realize how tough she really was.

Mami worked as a magical girl for over two years, which is way longer than most others, who barely last a few months. Even though she dies quickly, the impression she leaves is strong. Her skills were diverse, unlike the others who relied on just one or two abilities. The more you watch, the more your view of her shifts, even though she's hardly on screen.

Mr. Magical Girl does something similar, but it goes even further. As the story progresses, your perception of the characters changes, not just in terms of how strong they are, but how you see their personalities and past actions. It's clear that the author planned out these shifts from the beginning, and it makes for a refreshing read. Not many novels pull this off as well.

I've been reading different genre of stories for a couple years, and over time, you start to notice familiar character types. You've got your naive but good-hearted characters like Luffy from One Piece or Goku from Dragon Ball, or the more righteous types like Edward from Fullmetal Alchemist or Ichigo from Bleach. You get the idea. But with Mr. Magical Girl, even though the characters seem familiar, the story constantly changes your perspective on them. It keeps you guessing.

At one point, the protagonist is described as "someone who lights a cigarette and acts like nothing's wrong, even in a place where everyone else has given up." It's such a great line that sums him up perfectly, but it also makes you wonder why he's like that. That question sticks with you the whole time, and it's part of what makes the story so engaging.

I'd love to go into more detail about the plot and why this novel is so good, but I don't want to spoil anything. It's one of those stories that's best experienced without knowing too much going in.

But at the same time, I can't just leave it at that because missing out on this would be a real loss. So, a few things that stand out: the attention to detail is amazing. It's on par with military fiction in terms of how realistic and immersive it feels. Imagine that level of realism in a story about a magical girl. It's wild.

The world of Mr. Magical Girl includes enemies with powers like mind control and thought corruption. The characters have to learn how to check if they've been mentally compromised, and this is explained in such a natural way that it feels like just another part of their daily life. These little details really made the world come alive for me.

I've read so many mass-produced hunter and modern fantasy novels, where overpowered characters exist in shallow worlds. You know the ones, stories full of S-rank and A-rank superhumans like in My Hero Academia. But they usually lack depth. When you have a world full of superpowers, it should feel different from our own, with changes in society and technology, but most stories don't bother with that. They just slap superpowers onto modern-day Korea and call it a day. Mr. Magical Girl actually puts in the work to make its world believable.

Everything feels thought-out, from how society changes to how people adapt to the existence of superhumans. And it's not over-explained either, it's just woven into the world in a way that feels natural.

It respects the reader and lets you figure things out without spoon-feeding every little detail. It's been a long time since I've come across such a well-crafted story. Out of the hundreds of novels I've read, this one really stands out.

• • •

Summary and a more lengthy review, it may contain some spoilers :

Mr. Magical Girl is a unique and gripping novel that takes the magical girl genre and turns it on its head. What starts as a seemingly light-hearted story soon spirals into a dark, post-apocalyptic narrative that digs deep into themes of betrayal, survival, and the harsh realities of heroism.

The premise is intriguing from the start. Lee Ha-ram, a 30-year veteran magical girl, but this is far from the typical hopeful, dream-filled magical girl story. Instead, it presents a hero who's had enough, of society, of the system, and of the people who have used her and others like her as tools for vanity and entertainment, while turning a blind eye to the real dangers in the world.

The novel synopsis opens with a powerful scene where Lee Ha-ram, now in her magical girl form, looks down at a so-called hero who's nothing more than a TV idol. It's a striking moment that sets the tone for the entire story. This world has twisted the concept of heroism into something shallow, and Lee Ha-ram's disillusionment is palpable. The hammer scene, where she literally brings the hero down, is symbolic of her decision to reject the false ideals she's been forced to uphold for so long.

As the story progresses, the tone shifts dramatically. What begins as a light narrative quickly becomes darker, with a strong post-apocalyptic atmosphere that adds depth and tension. The writing is sharp and dry, focusing only on what's necessary, which enhances the bleakness of the world. The lack of lengthy explanations, and the very well-written world-building details keeps you grounded in the protagonist's perspective, and as the story unfolds, these elements are revealed naturally.

Lee Ha-ram is a standout character. She's deeply complex, a former hero turned rogue not because she seeks power, but because of the years of trauma she's endured. Her decision to become a villain is rooted in this trauma, and the emotional weight behind her choices makes her both sympathetic and formidable. Her internal struggles and the gradual revelation of her past show how deeply the system has scarred her, and it's easy to see why she would turn against everything she once stood for.

The world-building is grounded in harsh realism, without the typical fantasy elements like status windows or guilds. The enemies Lee Ha-ram faces are powerful, each with unique abilities that make every confrontation a challenge. The stakes feel real, and there's no easy way out for the protagonist, which keeps the tension high throughout the novel.

Another strong point is how the story alternates between perspectives. While most of the story is seen through Lee Ha-ram's eyes, the shifts to other characters allow the reader to understand just how terrifyingly strong she has become. The contrast between her indifferent view of her own power and the awe (or fear) of those around her adds depth to the story.

What really sets Mr. Magical Girl apart is how it critiques the concept of heroism itself. It's not just about government or society, but the entire system that exploits heroes and turns them into nothing more than pawns. Lee Ha-ram's power, rather than being something to celebrate, becomes a curse. Her struggles with controlling this power are central to the story, and as she learns to harness it, we see the toll it takes on him mentally and physically.

While some readers may find the emotional shifts and heavy themes a bit much, they are what give the story its weight. It's not just a tale of a hero gone rogue; it's about what happens when someone who has been a hero for so long loses sight of what that means and decides to tear down the system that betrayed him.

Overall, Mr. Magical Girl is a dark and chaotic novel that offers a fresh take on the magical girl genre. Its gritty realism, complex characters, and critique of heroism make it stand out from the usual fare. If you're looking for a story that challenges the traditional notions of what it means to be a hero, this is definitely one to check out.

(This is an AI summarized version. I was kinda lazy to edit the typos)

PS. The setting is incredibly unique, blending a diverse range of heroes and monsters throughout the story. You've got everything from Power Rangers and Giant Robots to witches, magical girls, sci-fi elements, and martial arts, all seamlessly woven together. It's really impressive. What stands out the most is how each "hero" has a "story" of their own, rather than just randomly acquiring powers to fight monsters. On top of that, the way their abilities are written is top-notch. They don't just have powers, they use them in smart, creative ways. I know I'm yapping sh*t and all, but the villains in this series are also well-written. The series also has TONS of illustrations, go check it out.

One more thing, the story is actually very VERY gory, that's all.

Spoiler

I won't spoil anything, but there's a MASSIVE foreshadowing between Chapters 10-12 that you'll probably miss

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The start is actually quite boring tbh, I nearly dropped it lol. <<less

To sum up everything I've read so far (currently ch 18) : It's a story of a Hero with a strong sense of justice disillusioned with the current society and heroes. Thus, he decided to beat it (heroes and society) back to a shape that's aligns with his sense of justice. Literally. With a crowbar. One hero at a time, hoping that with enough incidents society will change as well.

The MC's sense of justice is righteous. The textbook kind. Fight evil and protect the innocent. It doesn't matter how ridiculous,... more>> dangerous and frightening —to the point of reality being wrapped— it can be. It doesn't matter if the people his protecting are prosecuting him. It doesn't matter if the bigwigs of society treated them like monsters. He'll protect them and defeat the evil enemy.

But, you need to know the MC has been active for 30 years. Think of him as a veteran of a great war but cannot retire due to circumstances. Add the fact there are side-effects to him becoming extremely strong to be able content with the strongest enemies that comes out. The aforementioned pressure from society. The changes that made society see hero as coinvent (and also unable to harm people) and heroes that only are in it for fame, fortune, and just "to add another line in their resume"

That, folks, is our MC.... and an incident broke the camels back that pushed him to go to the extreme to straighten society and worthless heroes.

I cannot anymore about the setting, other characters and so on. But this is truly a good webnovel. I'll say stick around at least till chapter 18 (truly peak) before making your judgement to drop or continue reading. <<less

Don't get fooled by the beginning of this novel. The story of Mr. Magical Girl explores how the empty life of Haram Lee, who's basically a magical girl war vet, has his sense of purpose reignited one fateful day.

The story is dark and a little sad but is contrasted with the hope and joy of a new generation that gradually replaces the old and forgotten. It's theming revolves around the changing of society and how those who can't keep up with the times are eventually left behind.

The serious notes of... more>> this novel are broken up by the unexpected spots of comedy and the occasional hammer-wielding magical girl bad*ssery that is: Magical Girl★Bloodbath~

All in all, I would recommend this if you enjoy stories that explore the darker side of magical girl stories similar to 'Hagakure Sakura does not lament' with (debatably) better writing and pacing. <<less

Mr. Magical Girl is worth reading for people who enjoy anti-heroes beating up other heroes.

Haram Lee, a genderbent magical girl, is a man on a mission to find real heroes. After living for 30 years as an active hero, Haram Lee witnesses a former comrade die not in battle, but in a hospital room. The mu*derer was a mentally deranged human, but that is not what Haram Lee hates. Haram Lee hates that his friend's death is used to push sensational heroes and keep the status quo that today's heroes... more>> are the same as they were 30 years ago. Fed up with corrupt heroes, Haram Lee sets out to beat up the fakes.

I do not mind stories about defining the meaning of a word. This plot pops up a lot in comics, and is as old as human writing. What a hero means to each person is different. A hero could be a person of great feats, or a symbol of hope. In any case, Mr. Magical Girl is another look at heroism, but not an innovative story. <<less

Recommended: Read at least 40-60 Chapters.

First time review. But I don't know if this count as review...

Well, I come here from the manhwa of this novel (Chapter 30)

The story itself is good, or at least refreshing even if it's saddening.

I didn't read the novel, so I don't know the writing and translations.

There will be many painful memories, so keep your tears from dropping.

I like how the MC act after still stay silent in old days.

The ending may look sad, so prepare yourself...