Black Clover is one of the most top-rated and popular Manga and anime series in the present generation.
It regularly features in the Next Big Three matchups of Shonen Anime with My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer series. The Japanese Manga was created by Yuki Tabata and featured in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2015.
The OAV and the Anime adaptation began in 2017 and ran till 2021 as it caught up with the manga series.
An Anime film is all set to feature in 2023.
Plot
The story takes place in a fictional world where magic is the norm. Everyone in this world has a magical power called mana, and the best of the best becomes part of the Clover Kingdom’s magical army.
The story follows the life and adventures of Asta, an orphan boy with absolutely no mana or magic prowess who competes with a brother/rival called Yuno.
Yuno seems to have quite a gift for magic, whereas an untalented Asta crafts his physique to peak form.
During the day, when the kids get their magical book of spells or grimoire, Yuno receives the much coveted four leaf grimoire setting him up to be the next big thing in the magical world.
However, Asta, much to everyone’s surprise, receives a Five dark leaf grimoire from which, instead of spells, he gets a dark blade with the power of Anti-Magic, which helps in destroying magic.
Together they set off to become the next Wizard King. While Yuno is picked by the Golden Dawn Magic Knights squad, and Asta is chosen by the rowdy squad of Black Bulls.
They both had numerous adventures and fought off the Midnight Sun, Elves, and the Spade Kingdom together.
Cast and Characters
Asta played by Gakuto Kajiwara
Asta is the protagonist of the series. He is shown as an optimistic simpleton, and he is fond of working out as a way of improving his magic.
He is selected by the Black Bulls and is helped to achieve the next level of magical and strategic skills by his teammates. He also has a sort of sibling rivalry with Yuno.
He has a huge crush on Sister Lilly though she’s much older than him. Noelle and Mimosa have a huge crush on Asta as well.
Yuno played by Nobunaga Shimazaki.
Yuno or Yuno Grinberryall is Asta’s brother from the orphanage; however he, in reality, is the son of Spade Kingdom’s royal family.
Yuno is very handsome and sort of a genius in the magic of wind, sun, and moon. He is also the partner of the great spirit Slyph which boosts his magic.
Noelle Silva
Noelle Silva is part of the famous Silva House. However, she cannot control her water magic well and is looked down upon by her brothers.
Asta helps her get confidence in her magic.
Captain Yami
Captain Yami is the leader of the Black Bulls. He is extremely strong and uses Dark Magic.
He is from a different land and was taken in by the current Wizard King Julius Novachrono.
Julius Novachrono, played by Toshiyuki Morikawa
The Wizard King is an extremely powerful and wise warrior who is obsessed with various magical forms. He sacrifices himself to save the kingdom from Midnight Sun but transforms into a child.
Awards and Accolades
As mentioned earlier, Black Clover is well received by both fans and critics. It was featured in Crunchy Roll’s “Top 100 best anime of 2010” and was one of the most watched anime from 2019 to 2020.