You can tell the isekai anime genre is mature now because every title coming out has a twist, a trick, or a nuance to sell its story. The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic (治癒魔法の間違った使い方, Chiyu Mahou no Machigatta Tsukaikata), based on the popular light novel series, accidentally plucks our hero, high schooler Ken Usato, into another world. Usato was in the summoning circle splash zone when a kingdom in peril sought the help of his two friends. Oops. The comedy and combat mix together when the characters from the other world discover that Usato has a talent for healing magic, a rarity in the fantasy setting. Follow our unlikely hero’s harsh training to become the better man he always hoped to be.
Even with that setup, The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic still sounds generic. However, I found several selling points that piqued my interest. Take a look at the first preview from August.
Experience Counts in Comedy for Healing Magic
First, the animation quality from Shin-Ei Animation looks gorgeous. This studio earlier worked on The Dangers in My Heart, all the Teasing Master Takagi-san titles, and A Couple of Cuckoos. It knows how to make female characters tug at our hearts and look beautiful doing so. Shin-Ei Animation also has comedy chops from its experience with Doraemon and Crayon Shin-chan. I feel compelled to confirm how the funny beats work out in this fantasy adventure inside The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic.
Second, Usato’s trainer is a hot dominatrix! We recently heard Atsuko Tanaka’s voice as Motoko Kusanagi in the SAC_2045 anime seasons and movies for Ghost in the Shell. So, Rose sounds just like the harsh taskmistress we should expect in The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic. Heal me harder, Rose!
Third, Usato improves as a character. I like protagonists who have potential, not just in mindset but ability, and are not overly hesitant socially. Usato is the kind of kid who hasn’t found his talent, niche, or passion yet. His sudden and drastic change in circumstances gave him the nudge and opportunity to grasp what would make him a better man. That’s one of the twists The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic applies to its isekai story. Our lead character shows up in another world needing development, not fully formed and omnipotent with devastating attack powers. The other, of course, is how Usato is a healer instead of a warrior. Support Character in Another World sounds boring, though. Healing Magic chose the more entertaining route.
Producers Kadokawa and Gree have not yet announced a broadcast schedule or streaming information.
But… Is There a Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic?
This sounds like the philosophical question of our current age. My answer sounds like a copout: it depends. What do you think? And will you be watching Rose dish out extreme healing punishment from The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic this coming winter anime season? Let us know in the comments below or online on Facebook, Twitter, or Discord.
There’s a right way to use healing magic. Definitely! Just ask the women in this beautiful full-color doujin from artist Aoin. Healers will help you recover quickly, but your stamina might suffer in the short term. Pick up a copy today from the J-List store!
