My Favorite Magic Systems

[@merphynapier42]

For 16 free meals with HelloFresh across 7 boxes AND 3 free gifts, use code MERPHY16 at bit.ly/3csPVuo !

[@nikkisweezea2388]

This is the best Hello Fresh ad I've ever seen. They should use it as a regular commercial.

[@Struggler12349]

Im pretty sure that you would absolutely adore Naruto

[@marocat4749]

You might like childed of the whale, its floating islands ok in a weird landscape. Mermaid saga fom legendary takahashi who, its dark mermaids and the horror elements with romance?! Good. And immortality Children of the seal you will likely like, its about the mysteries of the sea, nature, aw, magic?! The magus bride has gaelic nature magic and spirits, its not the ocean, but nature.

[@moonstonepearl21]

@@marocat4749 She read Mermaid Saga a couple of months ago. I only know of one of your suggestions, but they all sound intriguing. I also love The Ancient Magus' Bride :)

[@neilmannion9322]

I'm a bit late to comment but if you're looking magic systems that are less structured and more in tune with nature then you should check out the Earthsea series, I think you'd really like it. Its an older series which really shows in the prose which seem sometimes more like a fairytale or a poem. The story never gets bogged down, to the point it sometimes moves so fast I found it a bit jarring at first as I'm so used to modern fantasy. Sailing is a major part of the series (the world is a series of islands) and for the time it was written it was unique in fantasy that the main characters weren't white (few are in that world at first though it does get expanded on). I found the series a really unique read and have always thought it would click well with you. Also fun fact that Studio Ghibli made a film, directed by Goro Miyazaki, inspired by combining a bunch of the series plots but Ursula K. Le Guin sees it as a totally different story while Hayao Miyazaki criticized his sons debut film saying ' He's not an adult yet' (Yikes).

[@sloopgamer1730]

Impressive, she didn't forgot that bungee gum has the properties of both rubber and gum!

[@merphynapier42]

Hard to remember but I got there 😆

[@sloopgamer1730]

@@merphynapier42 When you said that..I just had to comment that hahaha

[@EVER_PRINCE]

Wait…wait…wait…so let me get this straight, rubber and gum?

[@britneynicole8903]

Yummy. Rubber and gum. What a delicious combination over here!

[@jesse8924]

Nen system: Absurdly intricate, making it possible to create unique abilities with no limits on creativity. Main character: I'll use it to punch really really hard.

[@benign_oracle8875]

Why go around problems and obstacles when you can just break through them. ~Gon probably

[@costelinha1867]

@@benign_oracle8875 Saitama in a nuttshell.

[@s3studios597]

Taking lessons from Goku I see.

[@username-ql8ox]

@@s3studios597 didn't Goku have techniques?

[@islandboy9381]

That's just enhancers, specialists are the ones that get the most intricate

[@Punkandcannonballer]

My favorite part of Avatar's magic system is how deeply ingrained it is in the world. The different elements give each region a specific culture, a specific dress, specific advantages/disadvantages down to being able to deliver mail quickly to being able to build anywhere because you can literally fly.

[@tygrenvoltaris4782]

thats why worldbuilding is such an important aspect and how semi realistic it is.

[@groveri2]

plus different areas in the world have different types of bending styles.

[@nikgokuhil]

You'll love Mushishi. Every episode is about exploring the magic system and its world in a scientific way but at the same time its most mysterious and every next adventure could be anything.

[@iRagePenguin]

Yeah I’ve thought about that a lot. That show is the perfect combination of soft and hard magic systems, and it’s done beautifully.

[@Morfeusm]

I wish I watched that when it was on Netflix. Now I can’t find it anywhere and manga is sold out too 😞

[@nikgokuhil]

@@Morfeusm Manga is great but it really comes to life in anime with vibrant colors and haunting music

[@Wuffskers]

I'd also recommend anyone who likes Mushishi to check out Mononoke. Not Princess Mononoke, a show titled just "Mononoke" very similar vibes to mushishi but leaning more into the horror side of things and more akin to ghost stories but just as captivating, with a stunning rather avant garde art style on top of it.

[@alemholas]

One of the best and more pure representations of Shinto and Animism there is! I love Mushishi

[@JAKEBB]

This video is so awesome, the music the way you're describing the systems, the thumbnail, the ad, the transition to the ad, did I miss anything 🤣🤣 thanks for all you do merphy, and how awesome you are,hope you and the family are well.

[@merphynapier42]

Oh wow that’s so kind of you!! Thank you so much Jake!

[@JAKEBB]

@@merphynapier42 you're very welcome

[@slevinchannel7589]

@@merphynapier42 Hard Magic Systems are the Best. If anyone has Quesitons about Nen: Just ask me.

[@YouWinILose]

​@@slevinchannel7589 There are pros and cons to both soft and hard magic. Hard is not the best. As Merph brings several times in this video, soft magic has a long and venerable history making readers feel wonder.

[@francineapelo6905]

Nen is sooo good and it feels soo grounded like its an actual real thing that can exist to the point that I placed a leaf on a gLass and wondered what my nen would be lmao.

[@blackcloverfan541]

Hahahahahha really

[@noraa1991]

I feel like hunter definitely has one of the best systems, the hexagon of power, the system is so creative it is simply limited by the imagination of the wielder, for instance conjurers have to be very creative since most of the things you would want to conjure you can just go out and buy so most have to invoke restrictions

[@rasaecnai]

HxH fights are well thought ought. You can tell that Togashi really has given them some thoughts. Hisoka giving his arm to Castro was one of the most bad ass fight scene ive seen in anime.

[@laithaljibat4108]

My favorite power systems are nen, stands from jojo, and curse energy from jujutsu kaisen, they all have so many unique abilities and are used in so many creative ways, they also dont break the established limits of the power system.

[@jaredbanares9514]

I love powers that have the properties of both rubber AND gum. It’s such an amazing and unheard of concept.

[@zerodlaw9622]

That's great. But did you know that Hisoka's power is bungee gum. And more importantly Bungee gum posseses the properties of both rubber and gum

[@jaredbanares9514]

@@zerodlaw9622 Wow. I did not know that Bungee Gum has the properties of both rubber AND gum! I am now adding to my knowledge that Bungee Gum has the properties of both rubber and gum. Thank you!

[@rramirezvip]

5:26 "...or having the properties of both rubber and gum" Hearing you say it made me so happy :')

[@kimroberteslabon8849]

Nen is one of my all time favorite system, and I think Togashi created it so brilliant and very complex..

[@virustoohazem]

Nen truly is a fantastic system. Togashi has a great mind.

[@costelinha1867]

Considering he's also the guy who gave us Yu Yu Hakusho, I'm not surprised. (Although Yu Yu's magic system is nowhere near as complicated... I think.)

[@virustoohazem]

@@costelinha1867 yep, nen is way more complex and the fights with it can at times be conducted like a chess game so to speak.

[@quizzlybear]

Merphy "2 years ago Merphy didn't know anything" Me "How dare you insult Merphy ... Merphy?!"

[@KingKP96]

I honestly have such massive respect for a well crafted magic/ability/power system in any form of writing/media. When I do my own writing, the thing I struggle with the most by far is coming up with an ability system that is interesting without being overly complex. It's really hard to strike that perfect balance without things either feeling incredibly vague and uninspired or being overly complex and hard to grasp to the point of seeming convoluted and working however it needs to work. Stuff like HxH that can strike that perfect middle ground is so fantastic to look at and see how creatively it can be used while still making sense without going over your head.

[@mohammedamaan5397]

My top 5 list: 1. Alchemy from Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood 2. Nen from Hunter x Hunter 3. Bending from Avatar The Last Airbender 4. Allomancy from Mistborn 5. Chakra from Naruto And I love BioChroma from Warbreaker And I also like Cursed Energy and techniques from Jujutsu Kaisen there are so many its so difficult to put them in a top 5 list

[@xandex69]

try one piece

[@jankyyard5610]

​​@@xandex69One Piece with their diverse power systems of Devil Fruits, Sword Mastery, Martials Arts, and Haki takes the cake It amplifies it's theme of freedom for there is more than one way to fight to achieve your goals.

[@xandex69]

@@jankyyard5610 yeh

[@ImbaModi]

Chakra is the concept of indian mythology

[@xandex69]

@@ImbaModi ok

[@reaper2r]

Shattered my screen clicking on this video so fast

[@MatiasBenavides]

I really like the magic system of Witch Hat Atelier. It has both misery to it and some rules. And the magic itself leads the plot so that's cool too.

[@tuxxle8830]

Song of the Sea is just a 90 minute movie, but the entire journey is woven around the magic of the ocean. It's such a beautiful experience, and I also love how it explores Gaelic Folklore, my culture that is so often overlooked (I'm 50% Irish).

[@ValieNion]

Also, different comment bc I just now realized it fit... one of my favorite magic systems is from this (I feel) quite unknown series by Garth Nix, The Seventh Tower. It follows a boy who lives in a world where there's no natural light because a veil covers the sun, and people have magic stones that they can use to focus light and color based magic to do all sorts of things, and can travel to another world where they capture monsters that then take the place of their shadows in the real world and become their "familiars".

[@alexinator-hh5fe]

Sometimes I wish I could wipe my memory of some of these series so I could get to experience the world and magic systems all over again

[@carlosdanielcalderonmontoy3723]

*I LOVE THE MAGIC IN THE NASUVERSE, IT IS INFINITELY FASCINATING💯* I comment here because otherwise nobody will see it :'v

[@Vuirotto]

I feel like that with HxH

[@tavern.keeper]

How do you know you didn't already do that?

[@mahbubsaiteidesu]

No cap

[@98codex]

Emperor's Soul has my favourite magic system of all time. I love how Sanderson uses it as the driving force for the novella instead of it just being an accessory.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

That ad spot transition! 👏👏🤣💖🤍💜

[@marshwiggle8364]

Excellent choice of ambient background music. I've always considered myself a sci-fi person.... But I've had a growing appreciation for certain types of fantasy and magic

[@brandonchapman4532]

I just loved the way you describe the magic of Lord Of The Rings, and it makes me love the world and characters even more.

[@TacticusPrime]

My favorite magic that I've read recently is in Sarah Lin's Weirkey Chronicles. Magic users build houses within their souls, using different magical materials to enhance themselves and allow them to use different techniques. It's so evocative and also it reflects the characters in such a visceral way. Ultimately magic systems are about storytelling and the whole idea of soulhomes always her to show, not just tell, in such a clever and interesting way.

[@nicko6773]

I love the magic of Pale & Pact: you get power based on contracts, some of which are necessary to even begin to access magic in the first place (i.e. telling the truth, giving up the protections of not knowing magic, etc), with these contracts and various patterns enforced by spirits.

[@Yondi1000]

I'm just so inspired by what must be your incredible work ethic and time management skills Merphy. You somehow manage to put out so many videos in a week while still continuing to read and consume so many new books. It inspires me to get my own work done keeping up with my reading. Honestly I credit Merphy and Daniel for getting me back into reading again. I started reading Sanderson last summer because of y'all and now have read over 25 new books since then.

[@nickblellow9317]

The two Avatar Kyoshi novels expand the magic system even more, i highly recommend them ^^

[@amandanorris8]

The Yangchen book came out 10 days ago.

[@nickblellow9317]

@@amandanorris8 didn't know it! Thanks! :D

[@sjajsjsja4523]

Those are not canon.

[@amandanorris8]

@@sjajsjsja4523 where did you see that? I figured with the creation of avatar studios, they may create a new “expanded universe” but I haven’t seen anything other than a tweet from the studio that said the comics/books were “mostly canon”

[@nickblellow9317]

@@sjajsjsja4523 they are ---> "We've been involved in all those main ancillary stories, so in our minds it's mostly canon," DiMartino said (transcription via Avatar News). "There's probably some stuff if we may go back, like: 'that doesn't totally line up with this', so there may be some little tweaks here and there, but as of right now we're proceeding as if all this stuff is part of the proper universe and hopefully building on it."

[@hanc2w]

Hello Merphy. I never really liked to read because of school, I always though it was very boring. A few years ago whenever I went to grab a cup of coffee, I started to read the sports newspaper every single day until today. Right now I read other newspapers besides the sports one. This is basically to say that when I was at home doing nothing during the pandemic, I thought about reading but I didn't know what to read, I couldn't go out to buy the newspaper. I fell in love with your channel and your videos helped me a lot to buying books, enjoy reading them and thinking about books in general, so for that, thank you!

[@nothappening5510]

One of my favorite magic systems is from a certain magical index/a certain scientific railgun because its two separate power systems based on magical and scientific theory and they clash in wonderful ways I do recommend a read of the light novels.

[@unseenasymptote4976]

From what you said on Nen, I think you’d enjoy the way Cursed Energy from Jujutsu Kaisen is written. At the cost of being a bit softer of a system, it has even more mystery than Nen and it leads to fights that are just as intricate and entertaining

[@guilhermepupo2840]

no lmao, curse energy is good but nen is way more balanced

[@unseenasymptote4976]

@@guilhermepupo2840 Balanced in what way?

[@karabomasibi2331]

@@unseenasymptote4976 I love how Cursed Energy is really someone who got inspired by Nen to create their own thing

[@junjunjamore7735]

My favorite magic system that lives rent free in my head is the "silvertongue" magic system from the Inkheart series, in which characters can either take someone or something out of a book, or enter a book world itself. I don't think it reached its full potential though.

[@shadowrodney]

I watch these kinds of videos to test my magic system and it's always interesting to see what draws people to magic. I've built a sort of hybrid hard magic system with my foundational essences and the combinations of them. But it is meant to allow everything and anything anyone can come up with. So it's sort of a hard system that allows for very vague and soft possibilities depending on how creative you are. There's multiple ways to interact with essences depending in who/what you are but really anyone can learn to cast magic through Mana initiation. But magic can be very dangerous if not done with care. A fireball cast wrongly may blow up in your face for example. All magic systems mentioned in this video can work although in different ways.

[@xaviercopeland2789]

Since a lot of my favorites are already mentioned here, I like the magic in Chainsaw Man. Devils being made from the fears of humans and being able to make contracts with these beings to take power from them. The magic system isn’t that complex, but it allows for some gut-wrenching scenes. Edit: Stands from JoJo’s are great and should be mentioned here.

[@costelinha1867]

Both Stands and Hamon are great magic systems.

[@natwon633]

For me personally, Nen and Jojo stands + Hamon are about one thing on such a list, since it seems Nen might've potentially been largely inspired by Jojo's stands. They'd probably therefore stand (heh) on the same place in a ranking is what I mean.

[@PhoenixCrown]

Love your talk at 4 minutes about soft magic. This is how I'm writing my books: Magic is the harnessing of natural forces that different animals do knowingly or unknowingly, and intelligent beings are able to craft it into powerful weapons or useful tools. But they know much less than they think they do. Of course, my mortals have scienced it up and lost their understanding of what it's truly capable of...

[@Jess-sw2eq]

I like Earthsea's magic, and while it's not primarily nautical stuff, in an archipelago, there will definitely be some sailing, and the limitations on the magic with that world, as well as the power of the magic in that world, it's just something that I find really interesting

[@ri3sch]

The greatness of magic systems is based on the execution of the author. It can be soft or hard, doesn’t matter

[@stevetennispro]

Aka, a magical write. ;)

[@saurelviagbo1985]

I don't know if I've ever seen someone talk so sincerely and passionately about magic. this was such a refreshing video

[@raferda8716]

Yes i love the consistent Nen system absolutely the best

[@pewpewpandas9203]

Nautical story about magic ocean protection? Have you heard of Aquaman?

[@juleksz.5785]

17:20 In Dishonored game there was magic system tighly conected to the sea and ocean. Basicly : magic known from this universe comes from two things : - Void ; its cultis possibly claimed some magic potentian, but not much is known aside from the fact that they worshipped Void as source of ascension (they claimed to gain knowlegde and understanding of the word from it). At some point they decided that they need to go even furher in their studies so they choosed a person that will make it possible. - Outsider ; chosen of the Void Cultists ; sacrificed boy, turned -nearly- immortal god that can bestow powers of the Void upon other people, without them needing to practise it at all. Now the sea part starts. While in the Void at one point player can see whales. Aside from that, magical runes (that can enchant someone prowess and range of skills in Void magic - but only the people marked with Outsiders Mark) or magical charms are made exlusively from whale bones. In of the games player can claim note that tell on how whales are related to the Void. Also, newly come industrial age is based on whale oil, that without needing to be burned can be turn into pure energy, powering electrical fences, lights or machines (thou, it needs to be procesed in some way). There is place in the Void, with a sculpture like "dead god". to be more specific, his/her/its eye with part of the eyebrow and ckeek. Although very human, it also resembles face of certain whale species that actually exists. And finaly, *if i remember correctly* music played by anti-magic music boxes is somehow corelated with whale singing. There definatly was a thing with whales singing, thou i am not sure what that was, so this is my closes gues.

[@neetfreek9921]

Regarding the first magic system. You should really check out mushishi. It’s a magic system based on magical micro biology, it’s connection with nature, and the humans that have to navigate it. It’s a beautiful series.

[@FaintImpression]

A couple of recommendations. They're both Middle Grade but I think you would love them. Orphans of the Tide by Struan Murray, a wonderful book with water based/ocean based magic and Malamander by Thomas Taylor a fun mystery adventure set in the small seaside town of Eerie on sea (I saw in another video that seaside towns were one of your favourite settings). Oh also the YA Deeplight by Frances Hardinge, a very nautical book filled with ocean gods and underwater diving

[@IsaacH97]

I’ve just started Malazan and even though it’s a tough book to read I’m still left wanting to read more because I want to learn more about the world and magic system. I think magic systems that leave you wanting more are ones that stick with you the most and make you want to live in them. Finding out about the world and magic is like going out and exploring. Or even begin sucked into a world. I love it

[@frostburnwoof]

Nen happened before hard magic was cool and I’ve always loved that. Fullmetal Alchemist had a pretty cool magic system too.

[@hardyworld]

Merphy's commercials are always a must-watch.

[@brianlinden3042]

The best thing about stories with a nautical theme is the way that they take place on the undulating sea, as the undulating waters undulate. Undulatingly.

[@thewakandankingtchaka5331]

Another soft magic system I love comes from the series Baccano!. A short series set in the 1608s - 1934 Americas with Alchemists, gangstars & immortals travelling the landscape. The manga is great, but the Anime compacts the story into a satisfying 16-episode mind-bending journey. Highly underrated and highly recommended. edit - Must be watched in Dub as the voice actors took extra effort to give time accurate accents.

[@MordredPendragon7997]

My favorite magic system is from the Mystwick School of Musicraft series. In that universe, music is magic and you don’t cast a spell, you play a spell with an instrument.

[@fouadbane]

Powers systems have always been my favourite thing to discover when reading new stories. i appreciate when authors take time to build coherent and unique power system. my favourite one is from a chinese novel, Lord of the Mysteries. it has so much potential and it also works in different eras and settings.

[@pm6828]

Love Lord of the Mysteries! Heard a lot of complaints about the start being kinda slow, but I enjoyed it from the beginning. The author's worldbuilding is intense. Also, one of the pathways is heavily nautical (Sailor pathway). I love how the MC has a special power that's unique and interesting, but really well balanced. It's powerful with potential for growth without being completely overpowered. It's one of the few things I've read which has made me cry about tragedies without pissing me off, although I'm glad in their follow-up Embers Ad Infinitum they seem to have become a bit more merciful.

[@smileytlj23]

Bending, Nen, Hamon, Stands, Shamanism, are so much fun

[@johnsaxongitno4life588]

It is 4.55 am here in Australia on Saturday morning and I am really excited about watching this video as I no it will be amazing and fantastic please stay safe and enjoy your reading love your family friend John from Australia xxxxx prayers and thoughts for you and your family ❤️❤️❤️

[@m.e.881]

I sort of have a water based magic system recommendation for you Merphy! I know you don't read much romance, but if you ever find yourself in the mood for a relatively simple, not too long romance book, you might like The Siren by Kiera Cass! It's mostly a romance but there's a very soft magic system involved with the main character who's a siren (duh lol). I don't think the romance is anything too revolutionary to be honest, but making it about a siren who can't make any vocalizations around her love interest because then he'll compulsively try to drown himself is kind of fun! And you get to know the Ocean as its own character, which I always find intriguing! The prose was just my type, too. Not flowery, but still descriptive enough to fill my mind with interesting, beautiful visuals of the ocean!

[@mydoglikestolkientoo8477]

In LOTR I never thought of it that way with the magic being so interconnected with nature. Makes the message of our responsibility to nature in the story that much more poignant. Excellent observation!

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

Being older myself some of my favorite magic systems are also from older books: Lyndon Hardy's "Master of Five Magics", "Earthsea" and particularly De Camp and Pratt's "Enchanter" stories in which the protagonists use a system of symbolic logic to move into worlds of literature in which magic works. The magic in Reaves' "The Shattered World" is pretty cool too.

[@Torsin2000]

Every time I hear you discuss these lists I hope that you will get to the Paksenarrion books in your TBR stack. The magic systems alone really contrast how different people, and races, interact "magically" with the world. Where clearly some magic is soft and undefined and others are strict limits.

[@RexmanJ]

I really like Mendenbar's magic in searching for dragons. He was the king of the enchanted forest and would pull the magic strings to do different magics and stuff. Great series of books

[@cupcakes4018]

A really good nautical magic series is the Midships Wizard books. Each user interacts with magic differently but they must protect naval vessels.

[@rogeredrogered]

I love how you talk about these topics. It just really works and flows well, I love listening! Thank you!

[@Shadx27]

Couple more magic systems for you from Japan. Ascendance of a Bookworm, great world building, characters, and in depth magic system. Ancient Magus Bride. Deep into folk lore.

[@SpeziFischDE]

On nautical magic systems: there is a videogame being made, where the only magic is called aqua and is used by some Kind of marine humanoids. It's in early stages, so not much more is known about that rn. The game is called Ultracore.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

I completely feel you on the elemental magic, and on nautical stories, in general!!!💜 Every time you mention stories at sea though, I am just getting this increasingly deep deep longing lately to get back into Justin Somper's Vampirates books again! I am so sad that I never finished reading them, because they weren't all published yet at the time when I was reading them, among other life things that happened in the interim between books-I really really need to fix that; it was one of my favorite series(because it merged my love for sea/pirate stories with my love for fantasy/supernatural/vampires which the type of thing that almost never ever actually happens)!! 😊😊

[@Questions_Everything_]

1:06 the moving books in the background 😆

[@RedFuryBooks]

THANK YOU for your love for soft magic systems! I agree - I tend to like those more than the hard science-based systems.

[@TheRoomforImprovement]

I’ve been working on a series for a while and one thing I’ve tried striking a balance with my magic system is to make it simultaneously simple and complex. In this world, Druids can harness the power of nature through various means such as turning into a human animal hybrid, transmuting a mineral or plant or producing an elemental effect. Druids are organized not by elements but by biomes. Some of the more skilled Druids can combine these branches together. However, it requires a deep understanding connection with themselves and their capabilities. and how powerful your abilities are don’t matter as much. It’s how creative you can use them that matters. Thoughts? I’m looking for feedback.

[@caseycoker1051]

If you haven't read them I highly recommend the Dresden Files. The way your understanding of the magic within it grows and evolves as Harry's understanding of the world grows is really special. The way the characters and the scope of the narrative grow and evolve throughout is also really incredible.

[@colibri224]

16:23: I feel you, girl. I've played Subnautica an unhealthy amount of time and I'm waiting for the next Avatar movie like a kid waiting for Christmas. The ocean is terrifyingly awesome.

[@isaiasramirez8224]

Now THIS is the best ad insert...ever.

[@alimohammadi746]

Knights of Dark Renown by David Gemmell is a heroic fantasy novel, it has an interesting magic system. its world is a balance of colors where magicians can see and use these colors to do magic, e.g. a magician who uses the green color can heel people or a magician who uses the blue color can craft magical stuff. by the way, the story is great and filled with Suspense.

[@owned008]

I was a big fan of Merphy two years ago, but I think she would have been blown away by how insanely professional your videos are looking nowadays! It must take ages to do, but it makes watching them totally gripping.

[@jalapenoofjustice4682]

I've said this elsewhere, but the best part of Nen is that the way people choose to manifest their powers & the conditions they place on them provides a great opportunity for characterization unlike any other system I've seen

[@kialovet]

17:50 This story not always ties to the sea but i feel like Merphy would love "Pet Shop of Horrors" by Matsuri Akino. A manga about magical , mythical creatures sold in a shady pet shop with a contract whose terms must not be broken. There are many sea creatures in the story so i guess this one count ? I think this manga is underappreciated by many manga fan.

[@Fuumass]

I love the magic sistem of the book: The name of the wind. Its feel so real that feels like a ciencie, and stil is so misteryus and poetic. I highly recommend this book *Sorry for the bad english.

[@Tomicida.]

Love how a lot of the comments from the previous video are suggesting HxH, and now it's on the list.

[@GalaxyAngelo]

One of mine is probably Honkai or more specifically herrschers and for a quick summary they basically have control over a concept and can bend physical laws

[@riakm921]

Well, I’ve suggested this series before in relation to similarities to Lord of the Rings but it’s magic system makes it an easy recommend again. Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn by Tad Williams!! The magic of the world is a marvelous example of what makes a good soft magic system, never cheapening stakes, always enriching and deepening the mystery and wonder of the world.

[@heather9130]

That description of the nen system made me want to actually try reading HunterxHunter. I had no idea it was so intricate. I just finished Spellbreaker, and I thought that magic system was refreshing. People basically buy their magic power from the big schools of magic, and everyone has a finite amount of latent ability that can cap out once they've learned enough. And some people are born with the ability to detect and break the spells of others. It feels like a hard system cause there are rules, but I think it's still soft cause we don't know all of the rules.

[@starandeath4735]

Nen is wildly regarded as the best magic system in all of anime. Literally every anime fans agreed on this lol.

[@manumaster1990]

@@starandeath4735 exactly. people who believe that Nen is bad because it is complicated are simply not truly adults mentally. sorry not sorry.

[@radicaldreamer927]

Saw it mentioned a few times already, just thought I’d add to it: Mushishi is amazing and not only is the magic system beautiful, the soundtrack is utterly gorgeous. One of the best anime I’ve seen.

[@Fangorn1]

I really loved hearing you talk about the Lord of the Rings. It really expressed what I loved about it. The Dark Souls series gave me some of the same feeling but maybe more vague and surreal.

[@charleysmith5849]

I'd love a video of you listing all of your favourite nautical themed books/series! I also love sea/water themes and would love to find some more!!

[@ViridianCrisis7]

Nautical magic is such an interesting thing because despite a central theme it can be so varied. Is it like waterbending? Is it weather manipulation? Is it a type of clairvoyance based around the ocean? Is it all of the above and more? You can make it into any number of things that have different implications on the story

[@chaossin7425]

"Magic that is rooted in nature." A) Nice pun. B) Instantly made me think of the Circle of Magic series, and its sequels.

[@billyalarie929]

You fully tricked me with that ad transition. Heck yeah that was so good

[@OutOfTheDarkTW]

I feel like you would enjoy the darker shades of magic trilogy, it's magic system is very similar to avatar with its own twists to it, and I find the world very intriguing as well.

[@devilhspartag927]

You should check the magic system of the banner saga trilogy games i think they have two novel or maybe more. So magic is called Mending and Menders are unique in that they are able to "mend", or use magical abilities by reshaping reality. As the world itself is a sort of tapestry, the Menders have learned to control its individual "threads". While many menders are known for their ability to heal the wounded, they are also quite proficient in combat, having abilities unmatched by others. Mending is only learned through years of practice, by constantly memorizing and practicing different patterns used to manipulate the world around them. Many Menders etch these patterns onto their tool of choice (usually a staff or spear) to more easily remember them. They can read Ingrid's runes, and thus are able to decipher the language of the gods.

[@s3studios597]

Oh crap, I completely forgot. My absolute favorite type of power system ever is weapon spirits. I just love the idea of the weapon also being its own character. Stuff like Laundry Detergent, Soul Eater, Tsugumomo. That stuff is just great.

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

Another great and comprehensive analysis.

[@CorMan426]

Ok so I’ve had friends try to get me into HunterxHunter but it’s never worked but the way you described the magic system sounded awesome and now I wanna start it immediately

[@korionterivers9995]

U won’t be disappointed. Your friends are smart people

[@s3studios597]

I love Bending and how simple it is as well as how it ties into the world. Another favorite is Negima's pactio system. It's the perfect power system for a battle harem short of outright censored. People join your harem and get a cool power specific to their personality/interest. On top of that, you get a cool costume change and card. Not a lot of people seem to think of it as such, but Pokemon. Both the Pokemon themselves, the type chart, and abilities. There are other great ones like MHA's Quirks, FMA's alchemy, Gurren Lagann's spiral energy, etc., but I don't wanna be here forever.

[@juliaforsyth8332]

You might like the Telesa and Telesa World series by New Zealand Maori/Samoan author Lani Wendt Young, particularly Ocean's Kiss. A combination of Pacific mythology, magic and the elements of wind, fire ans earth. When I got my Scuba ticket after years of being a snorkeller, it felt like I had come home. The Sea is a magical, mysterious world and magick exists!

[@katybeth7550]

Just finished reading "Our Wives Under the Sea" And I think I could recommend to you. It's more of a horror and very light fantasy novel. Except from the perspective of two women, one is an undersea scientist the other her wife. I read the book in about a day and a half so it's a quick one. I found the writing very metaphorical and relatable even tho The subject matter is a little bit strange at times. But definitely gave you all the creepy under the sea vibes

[@freitas1527]

I think that you will really like Kingdom. It's a war story manga. It's just like every war that have existed, but like no war story that have ever been told

[@fluffypuffy7511]

this video is so well done!! The music, inclusion of paintings and the Hello Fresh ad are great :) The Nen and the Avatar magic system are one of my favourites, too. I also really like the magic system of The name of the wind, because it feels so mystical and so many things are undiscovered and I just need to know more and (as far as I remember) the magic is tied to nature. I am a sucker for that 😅

[@trollsmyth]

If you haven't read The Black Tongue Thief, check it out. The magic in that book has a wonderfully dangerous feel to it, like it's a barely tamed viper that could turn at any minute to bite you if you approach it incorrectly.

[@MegaDman16]

Jujitsu kaisen has got to be my new favorite magic system to come out of Shonen Jump in a long time. It's right up there with Nen in terms of complexity and makes the fight really interesting.

[@fernandogalian2794]

I love your videos, I like your way of explaining yourself, I'm working in my comic series, and I use a lot of everyone's critiques and analysis to improve my writting. Thank you so much.

[@osanneart9318]

I mean, it's not a book, but the first three Pirates of the Carribean movies have an amazing soft magic system, that is basically "Pirate myths are all real, but all of them blend together". A lot of curses, rituals, hidden places and artifacts with mysterious properties. It's likely that you have seen those already, of course, but I recommend them if you haven't.

[@pranmukherjee7689]

Most of Patricia McKillip's books have nature-based magic systems. You should try Od Magic or The Book of Atrix Wolfe or Alphabet of Thorn if you haven't already.