The Honor at Magic High School Episode 1 Review – Best In Show

Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts

The Honor at Magic High School Episode 1 Review – Quick Summary

In The Honor at Magic High School Episode 1, “I’ll cherish this for the rest of my life,” it’s almost Miyuki Shiba’s birthday. Tatsuya Shiba said she could ask for anything, and if it were in his power, he’d give it to her. Can you guess what she asked for? She asked him to spend the day with her! She felt delighted when he agreed, and for a while, they had a wonderful time in the mall. But then Tatsuya got a call from Maya Yotsuba, and one does keep her waiting. Unfortunately, almost as soon as Tatsuya left, a mysterious fire broke out — a magically-ignited fire. And then Miyuki had something else to worry about…

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Favorite Quote from The Honor at Magic High School Episode 1

Tatsuya gets points for trying to make Miyuki’s birthday special. Capture from the Funimation stream.

I think it’s canon that Tatsuya is almost emotionless. Extreme danger? He yawns. Condescending sneers from “Blooms?” Not worth noticing. But in fact, he’s not completely without emotion. He still experiences emotion when it comes to his sister, Miyuki. In this episode, my favorite quote shows just how warm he can be towards her.

And keep i mind that this is a same young man who is classified as a strategic weapon. We learned about that in the Visitor Arc! It’s not exaggerating to say that the guy has the power of nuclear weapons, but he still dotes on his sister. That’s kind of cool.

In this episode, after readily agreeing to her request to spend her birthday with her, he took her to the mall. As she practically danced in the aisles, she happily admired how nice the weather was.

“It’s like the weather’s celebrating your birthday, too!” he said (03:16). Talk about smooth! That’s the kind of thing I’d think to say — about three weeks after the event!

Best in Show Moment for The Honor at Magic High School Episode 1

Well, what did the villain expect when he destroyed oniisama’s present? Capture from the Funimation stream.

Setup: Miyuki Doesn’t Ask for Much

Okay, wait a second. Does this episode have a title? Like, an actual title and not simply a restatement of the episode number? Wow. It’s like I don’t even know what’s real anymore…

Seriously, I think that’s a good sign. I also find it interesting that it seems like this series is going to be a restatement of season 1 from Miyuki’s perspective. I’ve always enjoyed the series’ combination of supreme badassery, complex politics, fascinating magical systems, and high class fanservice. Yeah, I have a strange view of the world. But it works (most of the time!).

Anyway, in the previous series, we’ve seen Miyuki get angry. She’s usually such a kind, gentle character that the transformation looks remarkable. We need to remember that she’s powerful. Like, “Make Tatsuya look relatively weak” powerful. He is, after all, her limiter. They have to keep her powers secret, so we don’t see her often cut loose. But when we do, it’s awesome.

Miyuki is ordinarily so loving and kind. Seeing her cut loose is all the more sobering. Capture from the Funimation stream.

Even better? She only gets really worked up for three things. In this episode, the poor villain happened to tick all three boxes.

Delivery: Miyuki Is Usually So Sweet Tempered!

First, the villain used magic to commit a crime. Miyuki has taken on the role of showing that Magicians can be more than simply weapons in the hands of governments. When a Magician goes rogue and commits crimes, it makes her job harder. Since she’s fighting not only on behalf of herself and her brother, but on behalf of all Magicians everywhere, she takes a dim view of magical criminal acts.

Second, the villain put children in harm’s way. Twice, actually. The first time was when he first attacked, and he put everyone in the mall in danger. That included children, and it make Miyuki angry. Later, the villain was stupid enough to actively target a child, right in front of Miyuki. He might as well have signed his own death warrant.

And third… oh, that poor man. Tatsuya had just purchased a beautiful snowflake-themed hair pin for Miyuki. Her brother has seriously good taste in jewelry! Much better than the identical sets of pearl earrings I bought my wife on consecutive Christmases… It’s not my strength, okay? I’m going to move on now. Yes, the guy actually destroyed the present oniisama had just purchased her.

This was the instant Miyuki saw oniisama’s present destroyed. It was, not coincidentally, the moment the villain’s fate was sealed! Capture from the Funimation stream.

She destroyed his CAD, and therefore his ability to cast spells. Thinking he still had his ace in the hole, he drew a pistol — the kind with gunpowder and lead bullets. It wouldn’t fire, either.

“I’ve suppressed all flammable phenomena,” she said with the icy calm that comes before a monumental beatdown (17:13). Moments later, he was encased in ice, which was probably better than he deserved. I was cool with her converting him to inert matter as soon as he targeted the child. Her combination of furious beauty was something to behold.

What did you think of Miyuki’s response to the fire? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!

The Honor at Magic High School Episode 1: Other Posts

Other Anime Sites

• Reddit: Mahouka Koukou no Yuutousei – Episode 1 discussion
• The Anime Rambler – By Benigmatica: Mahouka Koukou no Yuutousei Episode #01
• 100 Word Anime: Mahouka Koukou no Yuutousei Episode 1 Impressions – The Brother Complex is Strong With This One

This Site (Crow’s World of Anime!)

• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 1: I’ll Cherish This for the Rest of My Life
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 2: May I join you?
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 3: The Girls’ Detective Club is here!
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 4: Friends
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 5: I won’t let anyone interfere
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 6: The Nine Schools Competition Begins
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 7: Arithmetic Chain
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 8: Hell of Ice and Flames
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 9: Because You Were by My Side
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 10: I Don’t Want to Lose
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 11: Brother, good luck
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 12: I will fly!
• The Honor at Magic High School Episode 13: I can’t lose