The Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor is a manga series written by Hitsuji Tarou and illustrated by Tsunemi Aosa. It revolves around the life of Glenn Radars, a lazy and unmotivated substitute magic instructor at the Alzano Imperial Magic Academy. In this fictional world, magic exists and is widely studied by individuals at academies. However, Glenn is not your typical magic instructor. He is known for his lack of enthusiasm and unorthodox teaching methods. He often shows up late to his classes and is generally not well-liked by his students.
And for even more fantasy recommendations, check out “7 Fantastic Fantasy and Science Fiction Heroines!”
With its roots in the myths of King Arthur taken with a twist, and the system itself a secret society, Legndborn feels like one of those books where you could accidentally stumble into it all really happening, and that takes a huge amount of skill. Police detectives Jared Caddrett and Dana Campbell are tasked with finding the killer, but when a mysterious FBI agent from the big city shows up, they begin to realize that something far more sinister has come to their little town.
He often shows up late to his classes and is generally not well-liked by his students. Despite his reputation, Glenn possesses incredible magical abilities and is secretly a former assassin. Throughout the series, his true past is revealed, and he becomes entangled in various adventures with his students.
Five Books With… Unique Magic Systems
It’s been a little while since I did one of my stops in my Five Books With… series, and I really wanted to spend some time talking about magic this time around. Fantasy books, both young adult and adult, have taken on a whole new wave of popularity in recent years, and there’s now so many utterly unique books with creative magic systems that authors have blown us away with. I could write about so many books, but there’s a reason I limit myself to five in the rules; none of us need a whole essay.
It’s only in the last year or so I started reading fantasy, and it’s been amazing to be discovering it while it’s becoming so popular. The amount of books I’ve been reading with magic in them to some degree has really shifted since that first book, and it’s been brilliant for a whole host of reasons.
Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood
This book had to be mentioned because it was not just the first SJM book I read, but the first fantasy book I read as an adult. It utterly captiavated me how easy it was to get lost in the wonder of a magic system. It had werewolves and angels and demons and all things that blew my mind because I guess I’d forgotten the wonder of really having magic surround you in a book. The system is detailed, elaborate and has terms and coniditions – legally! – for all the different groups that were co-existing. It’s still one of my favourite books. You can read my review here.
Shadowhunters Series
We can’t talk about detailed magical systems without mentioning Shadowhunters. I know this is is two big authors in a row, but they’ve become well known because of the magical systems – and amount of books – they create. What I particularly like about the Shadowhunters books is that there’s so many of them, and how they might all be in different sets, but they overlap, with characters reappearing in different books or being mentioned further down the line. Part of what allows that to happen is the magic, with characters such as warlocks being immortal. My reviews for the books I’ve read in the series so far are here, and in the recommended reading order:
City of Bones
City of Ashes
City of Glass
The Red Scrolls of Magic
Clockwork Angel
Clockwork Prince
Clockwork Princess
City of Fallen Angels
City of Lost Souls
Witches Steeped In Gold
This first part in a duology takes inspiration from Jamaican folklore and myths to create a dark and detailed system. Here’s the synopsis:
Divided by their order. United by their vengeance.
Iraya has spent her life in a cell, but every day brings her closer to freedom – and vengeance.
Jazmyne is the Queen’s daughter, but unlike her sister before her, she has no intention of dying to strengthen her mother’s power.
Sworn enemies, these two witches enter a precarious alliance to take down a mutual threat. But power is intoxicating, revenge is a bloody pursuit, and nothing is certain – except the lengths they will go to win this game.
This Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut about two enemy witches who must enter into a deadly alliance to take down a common enemy has the twisted cat-and-mouse of Killing Eve with the richly imagined fantasy world of Furyborn and Ember in the Ashes.
Legendborn
I love the magical system that takes place within this book. With its roots in the myths of King Arthur taken with a twist, and the system itself a secret society, Legndborn feels like one of those books where you could accidentally stumble into it all really happening, and that takes a huge amount of skill. Making magic feel realistic, and making you look around your room just in case there’s any secrets to be found when you look up from the pages of the book… This is the kind of comfort-but-terrifying magic we all want.
Malice
In Malice, we follow Alyce, known as the Dark Grace, as she tries to get her magic to work to the traditional Grace system. It doesn’t work properly for her, because she’s not a Grace. But the magic system itself is carefully constructed and full of terms and conditions that all Graces must follow – even Alyce. A Grace only has a certain lifespan of magic, and so has to watch how much magic she is using each time, should it be used up too quickly, for example. It’s all much more detailed than that, and I loved it for not being so happily ever after, even for those with magic! Find my review of this sapphic Sleeping Beauty retelling here.
So there we are. If you’re looking for magical systems that will keep you utterly enchanted, here’s a few to get you started. I promise that wasn’t a magic spell. Or was it?
Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood
This book had to be mentioned because it was not just the first SJM book I read, but the first fantasy book I read as an adult. It utterly captiavated me how easy it was to get lost in the wonder of a magic system. It had werewolves and angels and demons and all things that blew my mind because I guess I’d forgotten the wonder of really having magic surround you in a book. The system is detailed, elaborate and has terms and coniditions – legally! – for all the different groups that were co-existing. It’s still one of my favourite books. You can read my review here.
One of the central themes of the manga is the concept of the Akashic Records. These records are said to contain all knowledge and experiences from the past, present, and future. The protagonist, Glenn, has a deep understanding of the Akashic Records and uses this knowledge to his advantage. As the story progresses, Glenn teaches his students how to harness their own magical abilities and uncover their potential. He also helps his students navigate the challenges they face at the magic academy, including ruthless classmates, dangerous missions, and personal growth. The Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor combines elements of fantasy, action, and comedy. It explores the theme of redemption and the importance of perseverance. The manga has gained popularity for its unique characters, thrilling plot twists, and the underlying moral lessons it imparts. Overall, The Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor is an entertaining manga series that showcases the journey of a flawed and unlikely hero. It combines magic, adventure, and personal growth to create an engaging and captivating story..
Reviews for "The symbolism of the Akashic library in Bastard Magix Instructor"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor" manga. The pacing felt incredibly rushed, and it was hard to get invested in the characters or the story. The art was also quite lackluster, with poorly-drawn action scenes and unimpressive character designs. Overall, I found it to be a subpar manga that failed to deliver on its potential.
2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't stand "Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor" manga. The protagonist, Glenn Radars, is one of the most annoying and unlikable characters I have encountered in manga. His lazy and apathetic attitude made it impossible for me to root for him. Additionally, the plot felt convoluted and predictable, lacking any originality or surprises. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this manga.
3. David - 2 stars - "Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor" manga had an interesting premise, but it fell flat in execution. The story was disjointed and poorly developed, making it difficult to follow or care about what was happening. The dialogue and character interactions were also monotonous and lacked depth. Overall, it was a forgettable and underwhelming manga that I wouldn't recommend to anyone looking for a captivating magical story.