History Main / Mana

Commonly referred to as "Magic Points" or [=MP=] in {{Role Playing Game}}s (and depicted by the ManaMeter), "mana" is the popular term for quantified magic, conceptualized as a sort of supernatural energy -- the [[PowerSource spiritual fuel]] that makes FunctionalMagic work (in addition to other [[SpellConstruction spell components]]) that gets used up as the character casts spells or performs other superhuman acts. Typically each magic user has a store of mana on or inside their person (in which case this limit is caused by the character having a finite supply to work with), or draws it from a BackgroundMagicField on demand (in which case this limit is caused by the strain that gathering it places on their body). Each character can use only a limited amount of mana before running out, thus restricting the number and strength of spells that can be cast consecutively.

In some works, mana and LifeEnergy can overlap. Creatures and other beings who are inherently magical often require to remain suffused in magical power, else they become weak, or worse. Talented casters can, in some cases, use up their mana stores to the point where they faint or, in extreme cases, die from mana deprivation, making it similar to CastFromHitPoints.

Mana can have many names, and often overlaps with KiManipulation in its depiction -- what differentiates them is how they are drawn out and used. Typically KiManipulation are martial-arts-based and can be improved through physical training, while wielding mana is [[MagicIsMental an exclusively mental affair]] which may [[RitualMagic require components and rituals]]. But prior to leaving the body, the "stuff" used seems to be the same.

If someone has a ''lot'' of mana stored up, expect various people in {{anime}} to [[ReadingsAreOffTheScale comment]] on how their [[AuraVision aura]] is strong.

Commonly referred to as "Magic Points" or [=MP=] in {{Role Playing Game}}s and depicted by the ManaMeter.

A subset of LifeEnergy, mana is the [[PowerSource spiritual fuel]] that makes FunctionalMagic work--in addition to EyeOfNewt--and is used up as the character casts spells or performs other superhuman acts. Each character can use only a limited amount of mana before running out, thus restricting the number and strength of spells that can be cast consecutively. Typically the character has a store of mana on or inside their person (in which case this limit is caused by the character having a finite supply to work with), or draws it from a BackgroundMagicField on demand (in which case this limit is caused by the strain that gathering it places on their body).

* 'TabletopGame/DisneyLorcana'' uses Ink as mana, which is represented by a player putting an Inkable card (denoted by the swirl around their ink cost in the corner) onto the play area face down in their "inkwell".

** ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' features the titular Stormlight. This mysterious energy is carried in the uber-hurricanes known as highstorms, and can be stored in gemstones (gems are charged by leaving them outside in a storm). Once charged, gemstones can be used to fuel the [[{{Magitek}} fabrials]]. Additionally, the mages known as Surgebinders can draw Stormlight from gems and hold it in their bodies for short periods of time, which boosts their physical abilities and allows them to expend Light to use the Surges. ''Literature/WordsOfRadiance'', the second book in the series, introduces Lift who can instead draw power from [[CastFromCalories the food she eats]]. It's eventually revealed in ''Literature/RhythmOfWar'' that this is because [[spoiler:Lift doesn't use Stormlight for her powers but Lifelight, a similar energy created by the Shard Cultivation who gave Lift this ability for as-yet-unrevealed reasons]].

In some works, mana and LifeEnergy can overlap. Creatures and other beings who are inherently magical often require to remain suffused in magical power, else they become weak, or worse. Talented casters can, in some cases, use up their mana stores to the point where they faint, or in extreme case, die from mana deprivation, making it similar to CastFromHitPoints.

* Parodied in ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'', in an early episode it is revealed that witches and humanoid demons have a sack of magic bile attacked to their heart which allows them to cast spells. Played more straight with "glyphs" which are used to command ambient magic in the air.