Kurokata's Chiyu Mahou no Machigatta Tsukaikata, aka The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic, centers around this guy named Usato, who, surprise surprise, isn't the center of attention in his school; it's these two named Kazuki and Suzune, who are the smartest, hottest, basically anything that marks the definition of perfect. On one particular rainy day, Usato walks home with the two when all of a sudden they start to hear a bell ringing... except for Usato. Out of nowhere, a magic circle summons around them, and since Usato happens to be there, he gets transported with them as well into this isekai. And this king-sama says the typical stuff every king in isekai says, blah blah blah, defeat the demon lord, blah blah blah. Now, if it sounds like I'm describing every isekai ever made, that's because I am. They get their magic tested, and it turns out that forgettable run-of-the-mill Usato becomes the center of attention because he gets the rarest magic known to man: healing.
This show starts off like any basic isekai. There's nothing special about the first episode. In fact, you could read mine or the official synopsis and just skip to the second episode, and you'll miss nothing. Usato then starts training with a healing master, and believe me, when this shit came up, it brought a tear to my eye. You see, normally when an isekai MC gets new powers, he's like, "Oh, what is this new power? I have no idea what it is," and when up against a monster, they say, "Oh, it's like a video game, ain't it?" and then proceeds to wipe out the entire monster clan and the forest alongside it. I very much appreciate the time this anime takes to build up our MC. It's not much, but seeing Usato go through the training of hell, as it's LEGIT CALLED IN THE ANIME, and for a while at that, tells me that he worked hard for it, and so it feels more deserving when he pulls off the gamer shit.
It's sad we live in an age where competent writing is considered a good point to make in an anime. Like, don't get me wrong, credit to the author, you're great, but shouldn't most non-parody anime be like this? And you know the craziest part of this anime? Sure, there are females in this show, but you know what? They're not annoying. They're not weak. They're not fan service. THERE ARE NO BIG-BOOBED FEMALES IN THIS SHOW AT ALL. Wow, Kurokata, I gotta hand it to you, bold move. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but this isekai actually has good characters.
Usato, you'd think after being all "Oh, I'm a nobody loser no one cares about," would do a complete 180 once he gets his powers, but no, the guy who felt invisible all his life finds a new purpose as a healer in the rescue squad, as support to the heroes, his friends. He doesn't really act like one, but it's the thought that counts. Despite having the rarest magic, Usato is still humble, he still wants to learn, and he's still afraid of the unforeseen danger that awaits anyone who heals. You get it... he HAS FUCKING EMOTIONS. Who the hell thinks of this? Give healing magic to any of the isekai MCs, and they'll find a way to heal their anxiety. Fuck, is depression just a smile? It's moments like these sprinkled throughout the show that make it feel more grounded and unlike a stereotypical power fantasy.
I also like how they handle the side characters. Suzune is an obsessive, borderline perverted character who will do anything to go on an adventure. Why? Because back home, she was a sheltered rich kid who had her future set in stone. And the bond between the other dude who got isekaied, Kazuki, and Usato is just like a friendship from real life. You feel like it's a real bond between those two. It's small stories like these that get you invested in the characters, it establishes an emotional connection, and gives you a reason to want to like them.
Overall, this show surprised me in many ways I wouldn't have imagined. Now, do I recommend for you to start watching every isekai, or hell, just any healing isekai because of it? No. But I think for people who've never watched or are avoiding isekai, this is a pretty good show to start on.
