“Ouka Namae, a magician's pupil, is incapable of feeling emotion. That is…he's almost incapable. One circumstance in particular does bring his feelings to the surface, but the result of such an occasion is unimaginably sinister…Ouka's complete story of deadly affection unfolds in this new deluxe omnibus!” (Yen Press)
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“When a Magician's Pupil Smile” succeeds first and foremost as a fantasy series, lead by a strong visual style and great action sequences. Notably, the use of familiars presents these adorable creatures that can turn blood thirsty monsters at their owner's command. As a result, it is easy to get lost in the fantasy elements which act to keep the work engaging. Unfortunately, outside of the fantastical, the release falters in some notable ways.
Where the work begins to fall apart is in the greater narrative, with underrealized characters and a plot that poses a lot of questions only to fizzle out without addressing them. A prime example, Ouka Namaes' desire to kill his friends is sloppily explained and when pushed towards ‘romance' between him and Shou, the concept is further muddied by rushed explanations that lead nowhere. Outside of the fantasy, mangaka Chisaki Kanai attempts to interject genres of drama, psychological and romance all fail. At best, the story may appeal to younger readers who can take Namae's struggles on a base level of intertwining death and romance without digging too deep into the actual psychology or meaning behind it. Sadly, the drama is just too immature and underdeveloped to appeal to seasoned manga fans.
Regardless of the reader's perception on the quality of the story, Yen Press continues to reflect an understanding of titles deserved of an omnibus edition. “When a Magician's Pupil smiles” does struggle with a unique identity, so to read the story in one shot is undeniably favorable to collecting over three volumes. On a level of personal appreciation, the omnibus editions from Yen have stood up with travelling with me and reading in various locations with no real wear and tear, and they still look great on the shelf after having finished.
“When a Magicians Pupil Smiles”, is a competent fantasy series punctuated by memorable art and inventive magic battles. Unfortunately, when put under scrutiny, the narrative starts to crumble, making the title a hard one to recommend. Regardless, having the series collected in one omnibus does allow readers to experience the full story in one shot, making it a nice collectible for younger fans who are less likely to get tripped up by moments of underdeveloped narrative.
