REVIEW: ‘The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic’ Season 1 Stands Out In The Isekai Crowd

While walking home from school, Kazuki Ryûsen (Kengo Takanashi, Scarlet Nexus) and Suzune Inukami (Ayaka Nanase, Fena: Pirate Princess) are transported to a fantasy world where they are destined to be heroes. Their friend Usato Ken (Shogo Sakata, Chainsaw Man) was also accidentally pulled through the portal. While he does not have the makings of a legendary hero, he does possess the rare ability to use healing magic. Now, under the “tender” tutelage of Commander Rose (Atsuko Tanaka, Bayonetta 3), he trains to be part of the Rescue Squad so he can support Kazuki and Suzune in the upcoming battle with the Demon Lord in The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic (Chiyu Mahô no Machigatta Tsukai-kata: Senjô o Kakeru Kaifuku Yôin) Season 1, produced by Studio Add and Shin-Ei Animation.

The prevalence of Isekai in anime can get overwhelming. With several new series every season focused on a character traveling into another world, the concept can become a burden. Getting out from under it can be crucial for a series to thrive. It can be groan-inducing for many to have to face the prospect of going through the motions of watching another main character going through the motions of adapting to a new world. The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic Season 1 delivers so many unique concepts and elements that the weight of its genre’s abundance quickly fades away.

The first thing viewers will note about the main character is his role in the narrative. Usato’s arrival is an accident. The heroes are the world’s focus, so Usato has more freedom within the narrative. This allows the series to do several things with him that wouldn’t make sense otherwise. It takes risks and allows him liberties that can’t be done with the heroes. After all, the kingdom rides on their shoulders. And no one would risk the life of a hero with the training regime Commander Rose plans for Usato.

The first half of The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic Season 1 focuses on Usato’s training under Rose. While the series uses the training trials to flesh out a wholly likable and optimistic protagonist in Usato, Rose steals the show.

Initial impressions of the leader of the Rescue Team are that of a hardened drill instructor. Dispassionate to Usato’s pleas for leniency, she pushes him time and again. However, there are clues from the start that there is more to her nature than that of an unmitigated hardass. The utter devotion of her men alone speaks volumes of her deeper character. Every time it looks like she’s doing something terrible to Usato, it’s proven false. She was watching over him or that his healing magic would keep him going. Even though Usato didn’t know it yet, he always had a safety net. As the young man begins taking her challenges in greater stride, The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic Season 1 never avoids showing the viewer her pride in Usato. Of what she knows he will become.

Rose’s part in the present-day narrative is coupled with an amazing two-episode flashback arc. This arc reveals why she is the way she is. Landing as they are riding out to meet the Demon King’s army, this character exploration delivers a poignant tale that finishes making Rose an outstanding character.

While Rose and Usato are the focus, The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic Season 1 has a wonderful supporting cast that gives viewers even more reasons to invest in the world and its survival. Ryûsen and Inukami bring a pair of surprising personalities to their roles. With the former’s self-doubts and the latter’s exuberance at being isekaied, the duo always brings memorable moments with them. They are likable enough that viewers will be happy for the pair if they turn out to be the heroes that save the day rather than Usato. They rock and deserve the win.

With the battle to save the realm upon them, Usato shows off all the fruits of his labor in the final episodes. Thanks to his healing magic, he gains tremendous strength and speed through his training. This allows him to pass through melees, saving lives and aiding his friends. While his presence is instrumental, the series continues to drive home the narrative that Usato is not the hero.

While the series could still backtrack on this point, given how much creativity the narrative delivers, it will likely stick. If Usato does manage to keep his role as a support player when the final battle comes, that would give the series another unique element. One that would allow it a different perspective from other adventure series. While we’ve all seen the unplanned character ultimately become the hero, a change of pace would be nice. Seeing him support his friends without taking center stage would be a unique perspective.

With two distinct sides, one of The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic Season 1‘s biggest strengths is its tonal balance. While the bulk of the series leans into the comedic, especially as Rose kicks Usato’s butt sometimes miles at a time, it knows when to get serious. The battle with the Demon King’s army is brutal. This raises the stakes for the series, making the viewer invest in the dangers that it builds up.

The visuals do a great job of delivering all the story’s elements with equal care. From Raose’s wrath to Inukami’s unfettered joy, healthy doses of emotion bring these characters to life. The combat, while simple, is fierce. Every crushing blow and piercing sword thrust hits hard for the viewer to witness. What the combat lacks in dazzle, it more than makes up for in impact.

The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic Season 1 delivers a unique take on the isekai genre. Centered around memorable characters, the show uses its original approach to healing magic to craft a great story. Even those who are over the isekai craze will enjoy it. It balances its fun and stakes, never having the two detract from each other.

The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic Season 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.