Magical Sempai

Magical Sempai (Japanese: 手品先輩, Hepburn: Tejina Senpai, lit. "Magic Trick Senior") is a Japanese manga series by Azu. It was serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Magazine from February 2016 to February 2021 and has been collected into seven tankōbon volumes. The manga is published digitally in English by Kodansha USA under the Kodansha Comics imprint. An anime television series adaptation by Liden Films aired from July to September 2019.

Magical Sempai
Manga volume 1 cover
手品先輩 (Tejina Senpai)
Genre	Comedy[1]
Manga
Written by	Azu
Published by	Kodansha
English publisher	^NA Kodansha USA (digital)
Magazine	Weekly Young Magazine
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	February 29, 2016 – February 1, 2021
Volumes	8
Anime television series
Directed by	Fumiaki Usui
Written by	Rintarou Ikeda
Music by	Takeshi Hama
Studio	Liden Films
Licensed by	^NA Crunchyroll
Original network	Tokyo MX, MBS, BS-NTV
Original run	July 2, 2019 – September 17, 2019
Episodes	12
Manga
Isekai Senpai ー Tejina Senpai wa Kono Sekai de mo Ponkotsu na Yō Desu
Written by	Shotan
Published by	Ichijinsha
Magazine	Manga 4-Koma Palette
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	November 22, 2019 – present

Plot

An unmotivated first-year high school boy finds a girl practicing a magic trick. Sempai, the only remaining member of the Magic Club, has stage fright whenever she performs in front of an audience, which often results in her screwing up. She recruits the boy to be her assistant, despite his objections.

Characters

Sempai (先輩, Senpai)

Voiced by: Kaede Hondo[2] (Japanese); Lizzie Freeman[3] (English)

A high school girl who is a very skilled magician when no one is watching. However, due to embarrassment and clumsiness, she easily gets stage fright and often blunders her magic tricks when even one person watches her perform.^{Ch. 1}

Assistant (助手, Joshu)

Voiced by: Aoi Ichikawa[2] (Japanese); Landon MacDonald[3] (English)

A high school boy who gets recruited to be Sempai's assistant in the Magic Club, despite his objections.^{Ch. 1-9} It has been shown he can do magic tricks better than Sempai.^{Ch. 2, 11, 17} He has short hair in a bowl cut.^{Ch. 1} He also joins the school's Chemistry Club.^{Ch. 31}

Sister (お姉ちゃん, Onee-chan)

Voiced by: Himika Akaneya[2] (Japanese); Cristina Vee[4] (English)

Sempai's older sister is a teacher at the school. She agrees to be the Magic Club advisor.^{Ch. 9} She is a bit air-headed as well, and enjoys dressing Sempai in cosplay costumes.^{Ch. 14-15} It is later revealed that she is married.^{Ch. 50-51}

Saki (咲ちゃん, Saki-chan)

Voiced by: Eri Kitamura[2]

Saki is a third-year transfer student with long wavy hair. She is in charge of the Street Performance Club and intends to take over the Magic Club. She is obsessed with her little brother, Masashi. She can make balloon animals, but her performances are as clumsy and ditzy as Sempai's.^{Ch. 33-35} After losing to Sempai in comparing breast sizes, she and Masashi join the Magic Club.^{Ch. 35} She and Sempai are not good students academically.^{Ch. 43}

Masashi (まさし)

Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa[2]

Masashi is Saki's obese little brother. He is level-headed like Assistant. He and Saki join the Magic Club.^{Ch. 33-35} Saki affectionately refers to him as "Ma-kun" (まーくん).^{Ch. 33}

Madara (斑さん, Madara-san)

Voiced by: Rie Takahashi[2]

Madara is a second-year student and president of the Chemistry Club. She let Assistant join her club when the Magic Club did not have enough members. She has long dark hair and wears glasses.^{Ch. 31} She is able to do some tricks by using science techniques but is annoyed by Sempai's antics.^{Ch. 53}

Media

Manga

Magical Sempai is written and illustrated by Azu. It was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine from February 29, 2016 to February 1, 2021.[5][6] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on August 5, 2016.[7] The eighth and final volume will be released on March 5, 2021.[8][9]

In North America, Kodansha USA publishes the series digitally since September 12, 2017.[10]

A spinoff manga series titled Isekai Senpai ー Tejina Senpai wa Kono Sekai de mo Ponkotsu na Yō Desu by Shotan was launched in Ichijinsha's Manga 4-Koma Palette on November 22, 2019.[11]

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	August 5, 2016[7]	978-4-06-382835-1	September 12, 2017[12]	978-1-68-233907-7
2	December 6, 2016[13]	978-4-06-382888-7	October 10, 2017[14]	978-1-68-233908-4
3	April 6, 2017[15]	978-4-06-382955-6	November 14, 2017[16]	978-1-68-233909-1
4	September 6, 2017[17]	978-4-06-510144-5	February 6, 2018[18]	978-1-64-212120-9
5	November 6, 2018[19]	978-4-06-513559-4	February 5, 2019[20]	978-1-64-212668-6
6	September 6, 2019[21]	978-4-06-516993-3	January 7, 2020[22]	978-1-64-659199-2
7	July 6, 2020[23]	978-4-06-520194-7	November 3, 2020[24]	978-1-64-659795-6
8	March 5, 2021[8]	978-4-06-522586-8	—	—

Anime

An anime television series adaptation was announced in the 49th issue of Weekly Young Magazine on November 5, 2018. The series was produced by Liden Films and directed by Fumiaki Usui. Rintarou Ikeda handled the series composition, Eriko Itō designed the characters, and Takeshi Hama composed the music.[25][26] It aired from July 2 to September 17, 2019 on Tokyo MX, MBS, and BS-NTV.[25] The series consists of 12 fifteen-minute episodes.[27][28] i☆Ris performed the series' opening theme song "FANTASTIC ILLUSION", while Minori Suzuki performed the series' ending theme song "Dame wa Dame" (ダメハダメ).[29][30] Crunchyroll streamed the series.[31]

On November 16, 2019, Crunchyroll announced that the series would receive an English dub.[3]

No.	Title [32][lower-alpha 1]	Original air date [33]
1	"The Unknown Sempai" Transcription: "Michi no Senpai" (Japanese: 未知の先輩) "Sempai in a Box" Transcription: "Hakoiri Senpai" (Japanese: 箱入り先輩) "Sempai Calls" Transcription: "Yobidasu Senpai" (Japanese: 呼び出す先輩) "Sempai and the Pigeon" Transcription: "Hato to Senpai" (Japanese: ハトと先輩)	July 2, 2019
A first-year high school boy is forced to pick a school club to join when he stumbles upon his Sempai practicing a magic trick. However, upon finding herself with an audience, she gets stage fright and can't complete any of her magic tricks successfully. The same boy later finds himself drafted as the Assistant while Sempai tries to recruit new club members, but Sempai struggles to break out of her wooden box. The Assistant is called to the club room where Sempai has baked him some bread, but he immediately suspects her of testing a new trick. Sempai tries to show off her new white pigeon, but can't control it.
2	"Sempai Bends" Transcription: "Mageru Senpai" (Japanese: 曲げる先輩) "Impenetrable Sempai" Transcription: "Hikantsū Senpai" (Japanese: 非貫通先輩) "Sempai Shifts Responsibility" Transcription: "Sekinintenka Senpai" (Japanese: 責任転嫁先輩) "The Lady Who Stinks at Magic" Transcription: "Hetakuso Tejina Obāsan" (Japanese: ヘタクソ手品おばさん) "Sempai Gets Serious" Transcription: "Honki Senpai" (Japanese: 本気先輩)	July 9, 2019
The Assistant does a spoon-bending trick that Sempai fails at, despite explaining it to him. Sempai attempts a coin penetration trick, but keeps losing the coin in difficult spots. Sempai shows off "Behemoth-kun," a stuffed toy weasel. Sempai utterly fails at magic tricks in front of some kids in the park. Sempai locks her Assistant in the club room when she discovers he hasn't officially signed up for the Magic Club yet.
3	"Sempai Says No" Transcription: "Iyagaru Senpai" (Japanese: いやがる先輩) "Sempai's Quick Draw" Transcription: "Nukiuchi Senpai" (Japanese: 抜き打ち先輩) "Conquering Sempai" Transcription: "Kokufuku Senpai" (Japanese: 克服先輩) "Kimono Sempai" Transcription: "Wasō Senpai" (Japanese: 和装先輩) "Sempai Off Campus" Transcription: "Kōgai Senpai" (Japanese: 校外先輩)	July 16, 2019
Sempai hands in her Assistant's club form to his homeroom teacher, who happens to be Sempai's older sister. Sempai tests her Assistant's skill to try to act superior over him. Sempai tries to conquer her stage fright. Sempai puts on a kimono to do traditional Japanese magic. Sempai attempts to perform magic with wild pigeons in the park.
4	"Celebrating Sempai" Transcription: "Iwau Senpai" (Japanese: 祝う先輩) "Scouting Sempai" Transcription: "Sukauto Senpai" (Japanese: スカウト先輩) "Pigeon, Pigeon and Sempai" Transcription: "Hato to Hato to Senpai" (Japanese: ハトとハトと先輩) "Sempai Finishes the Job" Transcription: "Shitomeru Senpai" (Japanese: 仕留める先輩) "Magic Club Sempai" Transcription: "Kijutsubu Senpai" (Japanese: 奇術部先輩)	July 23, 2019
Sempai tries to celebrate her Assistant's one-month anniversary since joining the club when her Sister informs her that the Magic Club is not official because it doesn't have enough members. Assistant tries to join another club but can't escape his Sempai. Sempai introduces two new white pigeons. Sempai tries to do a sword box trick. Sempai is able to successfully perform magic by herself until her Assistant comes in and announces he's joined the Chemistry Club.
5	"Observer and Sempai" Transcription: "Kengaku-sha to Senpai" (Japanese: 見学者と先輩) "Onion Sempai" Transcription: "Tamanegi Senpai" (Japanese: タマネギ先輩) "Chemistry Sempai" Transcription: "Kagaku Senpai" (Japanese: 化学先輩) "Unexpected Sempai" Transcription: "Sōteigai Senpai" (Japanese: 想定外先輩) "Inviting Sempai" Transcription: "Maneku Senpai" (Japanese: 招く先輩)	July 30, 2019
Assistant dreads the potential arrival of a couple girls who want to observe the Magic Club. Sempai tests out a new quick-change trick as her Sister puts her in increasingly skimpy outfits. Madara uses her science knowledge to show off tricks to the Assistant. Sempai tries to surprise Assistant from inside a box, but overhears some embarrassing information from him instead. Sempai invites Assistant into her home.
6	"Unknowing Sempai" Transcription: "Shiranai Senpai" (Japanese: 知らない先輩) "Gal-Pan Sempai" Transcription: "Gyaru Pan Senpai" (Japanese: ギャルパン先輩) "Measuring Sempai" Transcription: "Hakaru Senpai" (Japanese: はかる先輩) "Suspicious Sempai" Transcription: "Usankusai Senpai" (Japanese: 胡散臭い先輩)	August 6, 2019
Saki, a senior student, announces her intent to take over the Magic Club with her "street performance" tricks. Saki introduces her brother, Ma-kun, to the club, though he is less enthused about joining. Sempai tries to show off her own magic tricks in response and fails, when her Sister announces she's decided to become the Magic Club's advisor. Sempai tries to practice hypnotism on her Assistant, but he turns the lesson back on her.
7	"Creative Sempai" Transcription: "Tsukuru Senpai" (Japanese: 作る先輩) "Fund-Raising Sempai" Transcription: "Kanpa Senpai" (Japanese: カンパ先輩) "Pool Sempai" Transcription: "Pūru Senpai" (Japanese: プール先輩) "Overcoming Sempai" Transcription: "Norikoeru Senpai" (Japanese: 乗り越える先輩)	August 13, 2019
Saki and Sempai each try to bake cookies for Ma-kun and Assistant, respectively. The Magic Club tries to raise funds in a nearby park. Sempai wants to demonstrate an underwater magic trick, but her Assistant fears she'll drown. Assistant tries to help Sempai overcome her stage fright again.
8	"Chinese Sempai" Transcription: "Chūka Senpai" (Japanese: 中華先輩) "Mentalist Sempai" Transcription: "Mentarisuto Senpai" (Japanese: メンタリスト先輩) "Mikan Sempai" Transcription: "Mikan Senpai" (Japanese: ミカン先輩) "Internet Sempai" Transcription: "Netto Senpai" (Japanese: ネット先輩) "Delivery Sempai" Transcription: "Deribarī Senpai" (Japanese: デリバリー先輩)	August 20, 2019
Sempai attempts to uncover the secrets of Bian Lian with the Magic Club. Sempai practices mentalism with her Assistant. Sempai has too many mikan. Sempai makes a webpage for the Magic Club. The Magic Club is invited to a local nursery school.
9	"Biased Sempai" Transcription: "Henken Senpai" (Japanese: 偏見先輩) "Make-Up Exam Sempai" Transcription: "Tsuishi Senpai" (Japanese: 追試先輩) "Ice Cream Sempai" Transcription: "Aisu Senpai" (Japanese: アイス先輩) "Swimsuit Sempai" Transcription: "Mizugi Senpai" (Japanese: 水着先輩)	August 27, 2019
Sempai attempts a mind-reading trick. Sempai and Saki play a counting game while waiting to take a make-up exam. The Magic Club get together during summer break. The Magic Club goes shopping for swimsuits.
10	"Beach Sempai" Transcription: "Umi to Senpai" (Japanese: 海と先輩) "Crab Sempai" Transcription: "Kani Senpai" (Japanese: カニ先輩) "Watermelon Sempai" Transcription: "Suika Senpai" (Japanese: スイカ先輩) "Fireworks Sempai" Transcription: "Hanabi Senpai" (Japanese: 花火先輩)	September 3, 2019
The Magic Club hits the beach in their new swimsuits. Assistant runs into Madara on the same beach. Assistant invites Madara to the Magic Club's watermelon splitting game. Sempai tries to demonstrate some fire magic tricks, setting off Saki's fireworks prematurely.
11	"Four Balls Sempai" Transcription: "Yottsu-Dama Senpai" (Japanese: 四つ玉先輩) "Ventriloquism Sempai" Transcription: "Fukuwajutsu Senpai" (Japanese: 腹話術先輩) "Tailing Sempai" Transcription: "Bikō Senpai" (Japanese: 尾行先輩)	September 10, 2019
Sempai practices magic tricks with four balls. Saki practices ventriloquism with a hand puppet of her brother. The rest of the Magic Club tail Sempai after school to find out if she has a boyfriend.
12	"Growing Sempai" Transcription: "Hayasu Senpai" (Japanese: はやす先輩) "Unfailing Sempai" Transcription: "Shippai shinai Senpai" (Japanese: 失敗しない先輩) "Persistent Sempai" Transcription: "Makenai Senpai" (Japanese: 負けない先輩) "Silent Sempai" Transcription: "Sairento Senpai" (Japanese: サイレント先輩) "Bunny Sempai" Transcription: "Banī Senpai" (Japanese: バニー先輩)	September 17, 2019
Saki teaches the club how to make balloon shapes. Sempai tries to prove her skills to her Assistant again. Madara shows off more tricks with her science knowledge. Sempai tries to practice magic while Assistant sleeps in the club room. Sempai tries to beat her stage fright by dressing in a sexy bunny costume.

Notes

1. All English titles are taken from Crunchyroll.

References

1. "The Summer 2019 Anime Preview Guide - Magical Sempai". Anime News Network. July 2, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
2. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 17, 2019). "Magical Sempai TV Anime Unveils Video, Cast, July Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
3. "Crunchyroll to Add English Dubs for Magical Sempai and More!". Crunchyroll. November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
4. Vee, Cristina [@CristinaVee] (December 20, 2019). "I'm Big Sister in Magical Sempai and Sylvia in If It's For My Daughter, I'll Even Defeat A Demon Lord. Thank you @Crunchyroll 🤩" (Tweet). Retrieved December 22, 2019 – via Twitter.
5. ヤンマガで「バカビリーバー」完結、次号「ブラッドラッド」の小玉有起登場. Natalie (in Japanese). February 22, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2019.

   ヤングマガジン 2016年第13号. magazine.yanmaga.jp (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.

6. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 18, 2021). "Magical Sempai Manga Ends in 2 Chapters". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 18, 2021.

   ヤングマガジン 2021年第10号. magazine.yanmaga.jp (in Japanese). Kodansha. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021.

7. 手品先輩 (1) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
8. 手品先輩 (8) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
9. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 18, 2020). "Magical Sempai Manga Ends With 8th Volume". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
10. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 10, 2017). "Kodansha Comics Adds Magical Sempai, Grand Blue Dreaming Manga Digitally". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
11. Mateo, Alex (November 20, 2019). "Magical Sempai Manga Gets Isekai Spinoff on November 22". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
12. "Magical Sempai Vol. 1". Amazon.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
13. 手品先輩 (2) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
14. "Magical Sempai Vol. 2". Amazon.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
15. 手品先輩 (3) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
16. "Magical Sempai Vol. 3". Amazon.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
17. 手品先輩 (4) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
18. "Magical Sempai Vol. 4". Amazon.com. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
19. 手品先輩 (5) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
20. "Magical Sempai Vol. 5". Amazon.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
21. 手品先輩 (6) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
22. "Magical Sempai Vol. 6". Amazon.com. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
23. 手品先輩 (7) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
24. "Magical Sempai 7". Kobo.com. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
25. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (November 4, 2018). "Magical Sempai Manga Gets TV Anime in 2019". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
26. "『手品先輩』本渡楓さん・市川蒼さんら出演声優6名解禁！ TOKYO MXほかにて2019年7月から放送スタート". Animate Times (in Japanese). March 18, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
27. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 2, 2019). "Magical Sempai Anime Shorts to Premiere on July 2". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
28. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (July 9, 2019). "Magical Sempai TV Anime Will Have 12 Episodes". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
29. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 1, 2019). "i☆Ris to Perform Opening Theme for Magical Sempai Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
30. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 14, 2019). "Minori Suzuki Performs Ending Theme for Magical Sempai TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
31. Sherman, Jennifer (May 17, 2019). "Crunchyroll Adds Are You Lost?, Magical Sempai, To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
32. "Story | アニメ「手品先輩」公式サイト". tejina-senpai.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved July 18, 2020.
33. "手品先輩". Tokyo MX (in Japanese). Retrieved June 30, 2019.

External links

• Magical Sempai manga official website at Weekly Young Magazine (in Japanese)
• Magical Sempai anime official website (in Japanese)
• Magical Sempai (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia