Black Clover: Is It Worth Watching, and Where Should You Start?
Our verdict — 7/10, worth watching
TL;DR — Yes, if you like classic shonen: loud, earnest and full of big fights. The first 170 episodes aired from 2017 to 2021, and the first stretch is widely considered weak, with a loud lead and rough animation; most fans say it clicks somewhere in the first 20 or so episodes. A film followed in 2023, and Season 2 (24 episodes) premieres on October 3, 2026, continuing the story.
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Take the quizThe verdict
Worth it if you want an old-school shonen that never stops trying. Black Clover doesn't reinvent anything: an underdog, a rival, a team of misfits and ever-bigger fights. What it does well is momentum and heart. If you loved Naruto or My Hero Academia, you'll likely enjoy it; if those genre habits annoy you, this won't change your mind.
The premise
In the Clover Kingdom, nearly everyone has magic. Asta and Yuno, orphans raised at the same church, both dream of becoming the Wizard King. Yuno is a prodigy; Asta has no magic at all, only muscle and stubbornness, until he receives a rare five-leaf grimoire holding anti-magic swords. Both join the Magic Knights, Asta in the Black Bulls, the kingdom's rowdiest and least respected squad.
The rough start
The opening episodes are the show's biggest hurdle. Asta shouts almost every line, and the early animation is uneven. Most fans say it improves once the Black Bulls become the focus and the first big arcs begin, so a fair test is to watch until around episode 20. If you're still not enjoying it by then, it isn't for you.
How to watch it
- Black Clover (Studio Pierrot, October 2017 to March 2021, 170 episodes). Streaming services often split it into four seasons, but it's one continuous run with only a little filler.
- Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King (2023). A standalone film on Netflix, with past Wizard Kings returning. Optional.
- Season 2 (from October 3, 2026, 24 episodes, Crunchyroll). The first new TV episodes in five years, continuing the manga's story.
What people like and dislike
Fans love the Black Bulls, a huge cast of loyal oddballs, the Asta and Yuno rivalry, and the later arcs, which fans rate highly. Complaints focus on Asta's volume, the slow start, and some dated jokes about female characters.
Frequently asked questions
Does Black Clover get better? Most fans say yes. The early episodes have rougher animation and a very loud lead; the story and fights improve as the Magic Knight squads come into focus.
Do I need to watch the Black Clover movie? No. Sword of the Wizard King is a standalone story and isn't needed for Season 2.
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