Rental Magica (レンタルマギカ) is a Japanese light novel series by Makoto Sanda, with illustrations by Pako. It was serialized in The Sneaker magazine published by Kadokawa Shoten from August 2004 to March 2013. An anime television series adaptation produced by Zexcs aired in Japan from October 7, 2007 to March 23, 2008.

Plot

The plot centers on the magician-dispatch service and Mage's Society: Astral. The main protagonist of the story is Astral's second president: Itsuki Iba, who, although he is young and inexperienced, ironically is not even a mage. Central to the story are Astral's many adventures with magical spirits and creatures, competing with rival company Goetia, rogue members, taboos and the Dark Magician's Society: Ophion, all while trying to complete enough jobs to pay the bills and fill The Association's quota and evade abolition. Each story arc is written as an incident in which the Astral members and their associates are involved.

Characters

Astral

Ex Astral employees

Magic Society Goetia

Association

Katsuragi family

Others (magic related)

Others

Explanation of magic

In Rental Magica, paranormal abilities and acts by "spell power" (呪力) are defined as "magic".

Media

Light novels

Manga

Rental Magica

Rental Magica from SOLOMON

Anime

The anime series is shown out of chronological order, meaning that episode one chronologically occurs later in the series. This is quite similar to how The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya was shown, although it is not stated as such in next episode previews. The anime uses four pieces of theme music; two opening themes and two ending themes. The first opening theme is "Sora ni Saku" (宇宙に咲く) by Lisa Komine, and the second opening theme is "Faith" by the same artist. The first ending theme is "Aruite Ikō." (歩いていこう.) by Jungo Yoshida, and the second ending theme is the same song sung by Astral no Mina-san in episodes twelve and twenty-one.