Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation

Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (Japanese: ムヒョとロージーの魔法律相談事務所, Hepburn: Muhyo to Rōjī no Mahōritsu Sōdan Jimusho), also known as simply Muhyo & Roji, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshiyuki Nishi. The series premiered in Japan in Weekly Shōnen Jump in November 2004, and ran until its conclusion in March 2008. It follows a young genius Magical Law Executor, Toru Muhyo and his assistant, Jiro Kusano as they track and find ghosts, then send the spirits to heaven or hell depending on the account of their lives in his magical law book. The individual chapters of the series were collected and published in 18 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha.

Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation
Cover of the first manga volume
ムヒョとロージーの魔法律相談事務所 (Muhyo to Rōjī no Mahōritsu Sōdan Jimusho)
Genre	Dark fantasy[1][2] Mystery[3][4] Supernatural[3]
Manga
Written by	Yoshiyuki Nishi
Published by	Shueisha
English publisher	^NA Viz Media
Imprint	Jump Comics
Magazine	Weekly Shōnen Jump
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	November 29, 2004 – March 3, 2008
Volumes	18
Manga
Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation: Magical Genus Magic Tool Master Chapter
Written by	Yoshiyuki Nishi
Published by	Shueisha
Magazine	Shōnen Jump+
Demographic	Shōnen
Original run	March 19, 2018 – March 7, 2019
Volumes	2
Anime television series
Directed by	Nobuhiro Kondo
Written by	Yasuyuki Suzuki
Music by	Ryo Kawasaki
Studio	Studio Deen
Licensed by	Funimation
Original network	SKY PerfecTV!, Animax
Original run	August 3, 2018 – present
Episodes	19

The series is licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media, which released the first volume of the series in October 2007 under its "Shonen Jump" manga line.

An anime television series adaptation by Studio Deen aired from August 3, 2018 to October 19, 2018 on SKY PerfecTV! and Animax. A second season premiered on July 7, 2020. In March 2020, Funimation confirmed they would license and dub the series.

Characters

Tōru Muhyō (六氷 透, Muhyō Tōru, ムヒョ Muhyo)

Voiced by: Ayumu Murase[5]

It's said to be the youngest executor graduated from the Magical Law School. Muhyo paired up with Roji and the two formed their own business of exorcising ghosts. Muhyo has a somewhat emotionless personality, showing no sign of pity when dispensing of the ghosts. He seems to be sleeping most of the time (for as an executor of the Laws, large amount of spiritual energy is needed for him to summon the necessary Hellish being to carry out the sentences of various ghosts, spirits). He tries to show no signs of caring for his assistant, Roji, but it immediately becomes evident that he does during dangerous situations, or when one of Muhyo's friends or acquaintances points it out. He is often rude to other people, and keeps a stern face, but deep down, he has a strong sense of Justice. He is also extremely powerful, being able to perform a judgment that normally requires four top-notch executors by himself. Despite Enchu's vile attacks upon him and those he cares for, he still wished to redeem him. Muhyo has shown that he can speak the language of the underworld allowing him to speak with the creatures he summons to carry out his sentences, this talent also allows him to command the creatures to pause or stop the punishment they were delivering.

Jirō Kusano (草野 次郎, Kusano Jirō), nicknamed Roji (ロージー, Rōjī)

Voiced by: Yū Hayashi[5]

He is Muhyo's assistant. He's a kind-hearted person, almost to a fault, as it interferes with his ability to exorcise ghosts with a sob story. He is a bit of a whiner and a crybaby. However, he is adept at writing seals to hold back ghosts while Muhyo sentences them. He is knowledgeable on types of ghosts, but has nearly no knowledge on exorcism of ghosts and how to use the laws of magic. He initially feels that Muhyo is rude, mean, and hates him. But as the series progresses, he finds out that Muhyo chose him to be his apprentice even though the normal standard is to choose someone who is the rank of an assistant judge and Muhyo actually deeply cares for him. His power often seemingly fluctuates between strong and weak, becoming stronger when he has more confidence in himself. He was frustrated that Muhyo didn't ever instruct him. In a flashback showcasing how Roji met Muhyo, it was revealed that Roji wanted to learn Magic Law after a friend was possessed and an executor, specifically Page, showed up and saved him; Roji also successfully used an item only an assistant judge could handle. During the Magic Law Examination, it is revealed that he has an extraordinarily high tempering (ren). Roji is definitely more feminine, which causes comedic scenes to emerge sometimes.

Kenji Satō (佐藤 健二, Satō Kenji) / Kenji (ケンジ)

Voiced by: Kōhei Amasaki[6]

A trouble-making boy who had believed Muhyo and Roji's business was a sham and wrecked their sign. He did not believe in ghosts until the pair saved him from a blood-drinking ghost he had accidentally freed. Afterwards, Kenji grew a liking for the pair, often referring to Roji as "Bean Sprout" and Muhyo as "Onion". He always tries to find excuses to hang around their office, as Muhyo has made it a rule never to meet a client after the case is complete unless they bring a new one.

Nana Takenouchi (竹乃内 菜々, Takenouchi Nana) / Nana (ナナ)

Voiced by: Iori Nomizu[7]

A photographer who Kenji introduces to the duo. Her late father had made a living producing fake ghost pictures, causing a rift between the two. Nana becomes another of Muhyo and Roji's regular clients after Muhyo sends her father's troubled spirit to the River Styx for purification so he can go to heaven. She is notably well endowed which often causes her to be the target of perverts. It is later revealed that she is a spirit medium.

Yōichi Himukai (火向 洋一, Himukai Yōichi) / Yoichi (ヨイチ)

Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara[5]

A judge and a childhood friend of Muhyo's. He is a pervert who enjoys trying to guess girls' cup sizes (his first appearance was him squeezing Nana's breasts). Yoichi appears to have a crush on Nana, which is unfortunate, since she considers him a creep. However, underneath this exterior resides his experience and wisdom that rival Muhyo's. Yoichi had offered to be Muhyo's partner, but Muhyo had already chosen Roji instead. He's an expert at every type of Magical Law except for Execution.

Soratsugu Madoka (円 宙継, Madoka Soratsugu), also called Enchu (エンチュー, Enchū)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya[5]

He was a childhood friend of Muhyo and Yoichi. Unlike Muhyo, he was studious and serious about Magic Law. Enchu had wanted to be an Executor so he could support his family, including his sick mother. Enchu spent hours everyday studying, with his friends not noticing. One day, Muhyo's talent "woke up", which overtook Enchu and created a desire within him to surpass Muhyo. When Muhyo and Enchu were both up for becoming Executor, Enchu had left because he had learned his mother had died. When he had returned, Muhyo had been promoted to Executor, causing Enchu to break down mentally. He has shown to have some control over ghosts and other spirits through his knowledge of Forbidden Magic Law. He has also apparently become inhuman as at one point he generated ten forearms on a single arm. Despite his grudge, Enchu still cares for others, claiming its better to practice Forbidden Magic Law with friends and retreating in order to save Rio who was Ghosting. Eventually, Enchu was "saved" from his madness, realizing that his friends never stopped caring about him despite what he put them through. This realization did not keep him from punishment, however, as afterwards, he was sentenced to the Arcanum for an indefinite amount of time.

Yū Abiko (我孫子 優, Abiko Yū), also known as Biko (ビコ)

Voiced by: Rie Kawamura[7]

She is a Magic Tool Artificer, who is able to make magical tools, but cannot use them herself. She is deeply devoted to her teacher, Rio, and was shocked by the revelation that she was a traitor. When she was younger, she disliked Rio until Rio saved her from an experiment gone wrong. Roji first believed she was a boy when she first appeared. She has three apprentices of her own. She hoped that Rio could be saved, and wished to go raspberry picking with her. After the battle had ended, Biko and Rio lived together since Rio had been sentenced to imprisonment within their home.

Rio Kurotori

Voiced by: Satomi Akesaka[7]

Biko's teacher and a skilled Artificer. While she initially seemed to help Muhyo and Roji, she was actually working with Enchu, having grown bitter after no one helped save her mother from an evil spirit. Despite having become a traitor, she was still fond of Biko, but believed that it was too late to go back. When her mother was alive, Rio had to resort to low means in order to make money so that she could take care of her mother. When a spirit attacked her mother, she frantically sought help but was turned down by the executors in her neighborhood. It was revealed that Teeki had intentionally caused the attack on her mother in an attempt to gain Rio as a pawn. When she discovered this, she tried to deny it, then denied that she was able to be saved at all, but soon came to terms with her situation and did her best to turn things around. She lives with Biko, sentenced to imprisonment within their home. According to Muhyo, she is a "kissing fiend", which is an accurate statement.

Face-Ripper Sophie / Sophie (ソフィー)

Voiced by: Yūko Gotō

An extremely powerful ghost who was once imprisoned in the Arcanum, but released by Rio. In life, she was kept away from parties by her older sister due to her being considered "plain", and killed people for their faces because she wanted people to think she was pretty. As a ghost, she was able to shapeshift and assume other people's forms. Muhyo used a high-level magical commandment to sentence her for her crimes. As she faded she cried and stated, "Sister, why can't I go to the party?". She was a very powerful ghost as it took the usage of an envoy that normally requires four executors to summon to defeat her.

Reiko Imai (今井 玲子, Imai Reiko)

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga[7]

A judge of Magic Law. She was assigned to be a guard for the Arcanum, a prison for powerful ghosts including Sophie. When Rio freed Sophie, she nearly became a victim but was spared because Sophie considered her face ugly. She was also nearly strangled by Teeki, but luckily escaped. Since the Arcanum incident, she has become friends with Jiro and escorted him to the Magic Law Academy. In chapter 155, it is revealed that Imai possibly has feelings for Roji.

Teeki the Fallen

Voiced by: Tetsuharu Ōta[6]

He was Enchu's right-hand man and a powerful but mysterious foe to Muhyo and Roji. The association had marked him for 800 years or so. He 'meddled' in magic law and when he was finished, he disappeared into thin air. It was unclear what Teeki was; a ghost or a practitioner turned immortal by forbidden law. Teeki was also the one responsible for the fire inside the Arcanum after Rio followed Muhyo and company out into the forest. He seemed to like to killing and destruction, as he laughed at Mr. Maeda when he set the Arcanum ablaze and wanted to kill Muhyo's group instead of retreating. He was the one to introduce Enchu to Forbidden Magic Law. Teeki wore a four-eyed mask and gloves that had the mark of Forbidden Magic Law on them.

Page Klaus (ペイジ・クラウス, Peiji Kurausu)

Voiced by: Wataru Hatano[7]

The teacher of Muhyo and Enchu, he is very famous within the association. He believes that Magic Law starts with physical fitness. He likes to compose poetry and thinks he's good at it; he also acts as a father to his students (ex. Rushing to Muhyo when he was supposed to be healing, out of relief that he was okay). Although Roji is unaware of it, Page was the practitioner that exorcised a ghost from a friend of his and gave him his tie. He claims that Muhyo and Roji were destined to meet.

Daranimaru Goryō (五嶺 陀羅尼丸, Goryō Daranimaru) / Goryo (ゴリョー, Goryō)

Voiced by: Yūsuke Kobayashi[8]

An executor of magic law like Muhyo, and head of the centuries-old Goryo Group Syndicate. While the Goryo group are not particularly strong in magic law, they make up for it with cunning use of strategy; in addition, they perform extremely vicious practices ranging from bribery to murder. Goryo was a jerk who only cared about money and his family's pride, threatening to release ghosts he had exorcised if clients do not pay him, and treating his assistants like trash and discarding them should they fail him. But after the Goryo Group is destroyed by Ark and he is rescued from Tomas, he becomes a better person.

Hanao Ebisu (恵比寿 花夫) / Ebisu (エビス)

Voiced by: Shinya Takahashi[8]

A judge of Magic Law who worked for Goryo as an assistant. He looks like a clown and is afraid of Goryo's wrath. He was jealous of Roji because Roji was only a clerk who was practically given his current job, with Muhyo no less, while Ebisu had to claw his way to where he is now. He helps Goryo in banishing ghosts and running his company. After Goryo and Muhyo's competition, he was fired by Goryo for failing him in a strategy. Despite that, he is the first to run to Goryo's aid when the Group is attacked.

Tomas

An evil practitioner working for "Ark". He was once a teacher and Page's friend, but it was revealed that he faked his credentials and was wanted for several crimes. He had an obsession for collecting, anything from teacups to souls, because he paired up with Beelzebub.

Chiyo Sakurai (桜井 千代, Sakurai Chiyo), also called Panza (パンジャ, Panja)

She was a ghost assassin working for the Forbidden Magic Law group known as "Ark", working directly under Teeki. She was a powerful spirit with an overwhelming obsession with Roji, and because of this uses her powers of human puppetry to try and kill off Muhyo and kidnap Roji. It was revealed that she always got bullied because she could see ghosts and she wished her knight in shining armor would come and save her. Even her parents forced her out of their house by making her take the exam to become Muhyo's assistant and telling her not to come home. She lost her applicant form on the way and no one wanted to help her except for Roji, who gave her one of his applicant forms. That was when Chiyo fell in love with him. Unfortunately, she met Teeki and was misled by him into using forbidden law. On her way to heaven, Roji told her that he wished he had known her feelings so they could have been friends, but she said she preferred him as her knight. Her passing was the spark of determination within the group to end Enchu and Teeki's terrorization.

Mick Cortlaw

A swordsman known as 'Mick the Slasher' who worked for "Ark". However, he had a tendency to do what he wanted, and followed orders in his own straightforward style. Unlike many other Ark members, he was very simple-minded and had no long-term goals other than to move on to the next fight. Seemingly relaxed and casual, he could become rather eccentric in battle, using his whole body as a morphing sword. His parents were evil practitioners who were killed by the MLA after they attacked representatives bearing a treaty.

Ivy Cortlaw

A ghostmaster who worked for "Ark". She bore a grudge towards MLA for the death of her parents and tried to destroy the MLA, but was stopped by Goryo, then murdered by Buhpu.

Media

Manga

Main article: List of Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation chapters

Written by Yoshiyuki Nishi, Muhyo and Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation premiered in Japan in the 53rd issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump released on November 29, 2004.[9] The series ran in the magazine until its conclusion in the 14th issue published on March 3, 2008.[4] The individual chapters were collected and published in 18 tankōbon volumes by Shueisha.

The series has been licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media, which released the first volume of the series in October 2007 under its "Shonen Jump" manga line.[4][10] As of August 2010, the company has published all eighteen volumes of the series.[11]

A sequel series titled Muhyo to Roji no Mahōritsu Sōdan Jimusho: Mazoku Magushi-hen (Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation: Magical Genus Magic Tool Master Chapter) was serialized in Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ app from March 19, 2018 to March 7, 2019.[12][13][14]

Anime

A 12-episode anime television series produced by Studio Deen aired from August 3 to October 19, 2018 on SKY PerfecTV! and Animax.[15][16] Nobuhiro Kondo directed the series, while scripts were handled by Yasuyuki Suzuki, music composed by Ryo Kawasaki, characters designed by Kouichiro Kawano, and Kazuko Tadano and Hiromi Matsushita serving as chief animation directors.[5] The opening theme song "Gifted" is performed by SCREEN mode, while the ending theme song "Hotohashiru" is performed by Oresama.[17] The series has been streamed on Crunchyroll.[18]

On June 16, 2019, a second season has been announced, with the staff and cast reprising their roles.[19] It premiered on July 7, 2020.[8][20]

Episode list

Season 1 (2018)

No.	Title [21] [lower-alpha 1]	Original air date
1	"Rie and Taeko" Transcription: "Rie to Taeko" (Japanese: リエとタエコ)	August 3, 2018 (2018-08-03)
2	"Kenji and Nana" Transcription: "Kenji to Nana" (Japanese: ケンジとナナ)	August 10, 2018 (2018-08-10)
3	"Talent" Transcription: "Sainō" (Japanese: 才能)	August 17, 2018 (2018-08-17)
4	"Omen" Transcription: "Zenchō" (Japanese: 前兆)	August 24, 2018 (2018-08-24)
5	"Insanity" Transcription: "Kyōki" (Japanese: 狂気)	August 31, 2018 (2018-08-31)
6	"The Butterfly of the Night" Transcription: "Yoru no Chō" (Japanese: 夜の蝶)	September 7, 2018 (2018-09-07)
7	"Magic Prison" Transcription: "Ma-Kangoku" (Japanese: 魔監獄)	September 14, 2018 (2018-09-14)
8	"Becoming Someone Else" Transcription: "Narikawari" (Japanese: なりかわり)	September 21, 2018 (2018-09-21)
9	"Sophie" Transcription: "Sofī" (Japanese: ソフィー)	September 28, 2018 (2018-09-28)
10	"Raspberries" Transcription: "Ki Ichigo" (Japanese: 木イチゴ)	October 5, 2018 (2018-10-05)
11	"The Gamble" Transcription: "Kake" (Japanese: 賭け)	October 12, 2018 (2018-10-12)
12	"Swallows in the Wind" Transcription: "~Fū no Naka no Tsubame~" (Japanese: ～風の中のツバメ～)	October 19, 2018 (2018-10-19)

Season 2 (2020)

No. overall	No. in season	Title [22][lower-alpha 2]	Original air date
13	1	"Enter Goryo" Transcription: "Goryō Tōjō" (Japanese: 五嶺登場)	July 7, 2020 (2020-07-07)
14	2	"The Ruins of Akagawa Estates" Transcription: "Akagawa Danchi Ato" (Japanese: 赤川団地跡)	July 14, 2020 (2020-07-14)
15	3	"Win or Lose" Transcription: "Shōhai" (Japanese: 勝敗)	July 21, 2020 (2020-07-21)
16	4	"Encounter" Transcription: "Deai" (Japanese: 出会い)	July 28, 2020 (2020-07-28)
17	5	"The Testing Begins" Transcription: "Kentei Kaishi" (Japanese: 検定開始)	August 4, 2020 (2020-08-04)
18	6	"Their Respective Trials" Transcription: "Sorezore no Shiren" (Japanese: それぞれの試練)	August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)
19	7	"Trust" Transcription: "Shinrai" (Japanese: 信頼)	August 18, 2020 (2020-08-18)
20	8	"Conclusion" Transcription: "Kecchaku" (Japanese: 決着)	August 25, 2020 (2020-08-25)

Reception

For the week of June 5—June 11, the 12th volume of the premiered in seventh place in the list of weekly bestselling manga series in Japan.[23] In Jason Thompson's online appendix to Manga The Complete Guide, he describes the early volumes as having a "haunt of the week flavor", and describes the manga overall as maintaining a "quirky and sometimes creepy" tone, despite the plot becoming "conventionally melodramatic".[24]

Notes

1. All English episode titles taken from Crunchyroll.
2. All English episode titles taken from Funimation.

References

1. Komatsu, Mikikazu (March 18, 2018). ""Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation" Gets TV Anime Treatment This Summer". Crunchyroll. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
2. 「ムヒョとロージーの魔法律相談事務所」TVアニメ化！続編の連載もスタート. Natalie (in Japanese). March 19, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
3. "The Official Website for Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation". Viz Media. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
4. "Japan's Shonen Jump Ends Prince of Tennis, Muhyo & Roji". Anime News Network. 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
5. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 22, 2018). "New Muhyo & Roji Anime's Cast, Staff Unveiled". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
6. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 17, 2018). "Muhyo & Roji Anime Reveals 6 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
7. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 20, 2018). "Muhyo & Rogi Anime Reveals More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
8. Loo, Egan (January 23, 2020). "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Season 2's Teaser Reveals New Cast Member, Summer Debut". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
9. "2004年Vol.53" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
10. "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
11. "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, Vol. 18". Viz Media. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
12. "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Manga Gets Sequel in Spring". Anime News Network. January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
13. "Muhyo & Roji Sequel, Godzilla: Planet of Monsters Manga Dated for March on Shonen Jump +". Anime News Network. March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
14. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 7, 2019). "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Sequel Manga Ends". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
15. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 17, 2018). "Muhyo & Roji Anime Premieres on August 3". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
16. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 18, 2018). "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Gets Summer Anime Series". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
17. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 17, 2018). "SCREEN mode, Oresama Perform Theme Songs for Muhyo & Roji Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
18. Mateo, Alex (August 2, 2018). "Crunchyroll to Stream Muhyo and Roji Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
19. Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 16, 2019). "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Anime Gets 2nd Season". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
20. Loo, Egan (May 31, 2020). "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Anime's 2nd Season Reveals More Cast, July 7 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
21. "STORY｜ TVアニメ「ムヒョとロージーの魔法律相談事務所」公式サイト" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
22. "STORY｜ TVアニメ「ムヒョとロージーの魔法律相談事務所」公式サイト" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
23. "Japanese Comic Ranking, June 5–June 11". Anime News Network. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
24. http://www.suvudu.com/2009/09/365-days-of-manga-day-1-muhyo-rojis-bureau-of-supernatural-investigation.html

Further reading

• Santos, Carlo (October 23, 2007). "RIGHT TURN ONLY!! Welcome to the Scathing Reviews!". Anime News Network.
• Santos, Carlo (February 15, 2008). "Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation GN 2". Anime News Network.
• Santos, Carlo (May 13, 2008). "RIGHT TURN ONLY!! Wild Wild West". Anime News Network.

External links

• Anime official website
• Muhyo & Roji's Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia