On Dec 31, 2025, Mengel Brothers wrote:

The new product - The Breakthrough System (TBS) allows you to do things, which are not possible with ANY of the previous releases in the plot - mine or others.

And it’s not just “a trick”, it’s a system- TBS is a combination of several methods, which could have been their own separate releases, but because they work so beautifully together it made sense to put them all into this one massive project that allows you to perform absolutely impossible multi-phase routines.

Here’s a quick overview of what TBS brings to the table:

1. You get FOUR versions to perform this effect with NOTHING but just ONE NORMAL CAN and a tab from the same can! So the effect is completely self-contained - all you need is one can, ANY can!

2. I will teach you FOUR gimmicked versions which makes your performance super visual and easy!

3. You get several versions to perform the effect IN THE SPECTATOR’S HANDS.

4. You get full multi-phase routines that turn “a trick” into a “show”.

In total there are I think 15 versions. So it’s massive!

Let me know if you have more questions!

Johannes

On Dec 31, 2025, TresBoss wrote:

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On Dec 31, 2025, Mengel Brothers wrote:

The new product - The Breakthrough System (TBS) allows you to do things, which are not possible with ANY of the previous releases in the plot - mine or others.

And it’s not just “a trick”, it’s a system- TBS is a combination of several methods, which could have been their own separate releases, but because they work so beautifully together it made sense to put them all into this one massive project that allows you to perform absolutely impossible multi-phase routines.

Here’s a quick overview of what TBS brings to the table:

1. You get FOUR versions to perform this effect with NOTHING but just ONE NORMAL CAN and a tab from the same can! So the effect is completely self-contained - all you need is one can, ANY can!

2. I will teach you FOUR gimmicked versions which makes your performance super visual and easy!

3. You get several versions to perform the effect IN THE SPECTATOR’S HANDS.

4. You get full multi-phase routines that turn “a trick” into a “show”.

In total there are I think 15 versions. So it’s massive!

Let me know if you have more questions!

Johannes

Ok so if I have the original Breakthrough trick - and I know how to do it with a tab instead of a coin and I'm easily able to extrapolate the version where the customer does it - then will I learn some more PRACTICAL and BETTER method in this new version so that is worth investing the extra money and buy this new version? Thanks in advance for the answer.

On Dec 31, 2025, countrymaven wrote:
I do have one question, though. Even if you call this a system, your prior video, Breakthrough which Penguin used to sell, had several methods too. It is not really hard for any experienced magician to add 5 more versions, after testing. Also, I think most magicians would agree, it is not really wise to do a trick with even a different version more than once, maybe a max of two times.
One thing keeping me from going for this is this: In the past few years, magicians started demanding that video trailers with too much "deceptive artistic license" should be accurate. The short video should not show it "as the magician thinks the spectators sees it" and allow the video to be totally dishonest as to how it looks. But it seems like you are doing this here, with your own admission, and asking for this to be "blessed" by the potential customers. This is wrong, as almost all magicians have agreed in the past few years, that trailer videos should not be trailer trash; if they have to skip a part that is one thing, to show it as something completely different than reality is wrong. They should reflect, very accurately at least, what is going on in the trick.

On Dec 27, 2025, loeld wrote:

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On Dec 27, 2025, Mengel Brothers wrote:

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On Dec 27, 2025, RichOrvec wrote:
Johannes,

In the ad, there are several shots that show a tab being placed on the bottom of a can, the spectator putting their hand over it themselves, shaking the can and the tab penetrates. I know you've said the spectator can't do it themselves, and there has to be something done to accomplish it. I don't care about what has to be done before, during, or after to accomplish it. I'd just like to know if that exact sequence of what happens in the ad is what is actually seen and experienced by the spectator, specifically them placing their hand over the tab on the bottom of the can and being able to see it in there before they cover it and the penetration happens.

Thanks in advance!

Yes, this is possible! This is what the spectator sees and experiences! And thank you Rich for simply asking a clarifying question respectfully if something was not clear for you. I appreciate that!

Johannes

.

Hi Johannes! I think that your answers are great and your patience is enormous! You never get irritated. I would have been. I am co creator of Frozen in Time together with Masuda and I have experienced similar comments. Good luck with your product!

Alll the best

Lars-Peter Loeld

On Jan 1, 2026, Jacob Smith wrote:
I bought it. Looks frigg’n sick, got the body magic upsell too, I like your style Johannes.

-Jake

On Jan 2, 2026, stanjarin wrote:
Johannes, I'm confused. You say "The trailer...just skips some parts, I can't show the parts that expose the method..."
I'm trying to follow the logic. A full performance video shows what the spectator sees, start to finish.
But if you show a full performance, it exposes the method? So it logically follows that doing a full performance for a spectator would expose the method to the spectator.
I cannot see any other explanation for these words. If I'm wrong, please help clarify.

On Jan 2, 2026, martydoesmagic wrote:
I think he means the method would be evident to magicians, not transparent to laypeople.



Personally, I don't have an issue with the video or the website. Johannes highlights the need for the edits in the video. This is more than the big producers do. I also love his energy for the product; I really do hope it lives up to the hype.

I do, however, find the FOMO marketing distasteful. At £65, I'd expect a very well-designed, multi-modal learning resource. This really feels like it should have been a Kickstarter campaign. I cannot see how the product is worth the full asking price, especially if you have to make your own gimmick.

Regarding the repetition of the effect, I think this could work well, especially if you start with the tab and end with a coin. Is this more impressive than a traditional Coin in Bottle? No, because the spectator can shake the tab/coin out of the can. Does it look like a valuable alternative in more casual situations? Yes, I think it does.

Marty

On Jan 2, 2026, ArtIn wrote:
I hope it's not “just“ Breakthrough combined with a m***** in the sleeve.

On Jan 2, 2026, Johannes Mengel wrote:

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On Jan 2, 2026, ArtIn wrote:
I hope it's not “just“ Breakthrough combined with a m***** in the sleeve.

If you have watched the trailer and read the description you know there has to be more to be able to perform it just with one can and a tab from the same can and nothing else!

There are total of 15 versions including completely different methods, which could have been their own separate releases, but instead of flooding the market with different products in the same plot I decided to put everything together to create this massive project that can satisfy absolutely any performers needs within this plot.

If you are turned off by simple methods, then don’t buy it. Making the methods as simple as possible is always my goal, something I consciously strive for, which to me is an achievement. If you don’t appreciate simplicity and are not aware how much effort it takes to make things simple, then we probably value different things in magic and should go our separate ways.

As I have repeatedly said, all I’m offering are methods that work for one of the most impossible magic routines ever created. And it IS simple.

I am not here to scratch magicians’ itch for some crazy innovative methods, I’m here for magicians who care about their audience and want to create strong and memorable experiences for them. And this is what I have created.

I ask each magician to self-identify are they someone who is excited to create the experience demonstrated in the trailer for their audience or are they just looking to consume the next magic product. If you are the latter, move on, this product is not for you!

On Jan 2, 2026, Johannes Mengel wrote:

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On Jan 2, 2026, martydoesmagic wrote:
I think he means the method would be evident to magicians, not transparent to laypeople.



Personally, I don't have an issue with the video or the website. Johannes highlights the need for the edits in the video. This is more than the big producers do. I also love his energy for the product; I really do hope it lives up to the hype.

I do, however, find the FOMO marketing distasteful. At £65, I'd expect a very well-designed, multi-modal learning resource. This really feels like it should have been a Kickstarter campaign. I cannot see how the product is worth the full asking price, especially if you have to make your own gimmick.

Regarding the repetition of the effect, I think this could work well, especially if you start with the tab and end with a coin. Is this more impressive than a traditional Coin in Bottle? No, because the spectator can shake the tab/coin out of the can. Does it look like a valuable alternative in more casual situations? Yes, I think it does.

Marty

As stated in the original post - I as the creator am the only one who knows the immense work that has gone into creating something like this and that’s just the price of my work. And this is not just the best product in the plot, it’s one of the most impossible routines in magic as a whole. We know when spectator is involved it usually heightens the experience for them, but here they are not involved just passively holding something, but they are actually PERFORMING the effect themselves… WITH THEIR OWN ITEM. This is a completely next level experience! How many effects you know that can do that?

I’m sure for some the product is too expensive, but this is just the price of my work and no-one is forced to buy it. I think magic should be more expensive in general anyway not to turn our art into a consumer product.

All the best!

On Jan 2, 2026, martydoesmagic wrote:

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On Jan 2, 2026, Johannes Mengel wrote:

Quote:

On Jan 2, 2026, martydoesmagic wrote:
I think he means the method would be evident to magicians, not transparent to laypeople.



Personally, I don't have an issue with the video or the website. Johannes highlights the need for the edits in the video. This is more than the big producers do. I also love his energy for the product; I really do hope it lives up to the hype.

I do, however, find the FOMO marketing distasteful. At £65, I'd expect a very well-designed, multi-modal learning resource. This really feels like it should have been a Kickstarter campaign. I cannot see how the product is worth the full asking price, especially if you have to make your own gimmick.

Regarding the repetition of the effect, I think this could work well, especially if you start with the tab and end with a coin. Is this more impressive than a traditional Coin in Bottle? No, because the spectator can shake the tab/coin out of the can. Does it look like a valuable alternative in more casual situations? Yes, I think it does.

Marty

As stated in the original post - I as the creator am the only one who knows the immense work that has gone into creating something like this and that’s just the price of my work. And this is not just the best product in the plot, it’s one of the most impossible routines in magic as a whole. We know when spectator is involved it usually heightens the experience for them, but here they are not involved just passively holding something, but they are actually PERFORMING the effect themselves… WITH THEIR OWN ITEM. This is a completely next level experience! How many effects you know that can do that?

I’m sure for some the product is too expensive, but this is just the price of my work and no-one is forced to buy it. I think magic should be more expensive in general anyway not to turn our art into a consumer product.

All the best!

All creators are free to charge whatever they wish. But it is perfectly acceptable for consumers of magic products, who are largely amateur magicians, to compare the value of one trick against another. This is a very expensive product, comparatively speaking. Suggesting otherwise is disingenuous at best. The teaching needs to be exceptional to justify this price. I think this is a perfectly fair expectation.

I like penetration effects, but I'm not sure if it is more or less impossible than other plots. I do enjoy your enthusiasm for the plot, though, and look forward to seeing what you've brought to the table.

I have to disagree with the idea that higher prices prevent magic from becoming a "consumer product". By definition, if a trick is packaged, marketed, and sold to a customer base, it is a consumer product. Raising the price doesn't change the nature of the transaction; it just changes the demographic that can afford it.

If the goal were truly to prevent the commercialisation of the art, the solution would be not to sell the secret at all. There is nothing wrong with magicians (or any artists) making money; I support that fully! But we shouldn't conflate "expensive" with "non-commercial". As the fine art market proves, astronomical prices don't protect art from commercialisation; they often drive it.

Marty

On Jan 2, 2026, martydoesmagic wrote:
I'm not saying it isn't worth the cost; I'm just pointing out that, for a one-trick project, it's relatively expensive. This isn't a new approach to marketing a magic trick; mentalists have been doing this for years (FOMO, plus a higher-than-average price tag). As someone who has been practising, performing and buying magic for well over 20 years, I get a little tired of this approach. It isn't very respectful of amateur magicians.

Even so, this looks like a fun project (I've never suggested otherwise), and I have, in fact, pre-ordered it. If you're going to engage the hype machine in this way, especially on TMC, you'd better make darn sure the teaching and end product reflect the higher-than-average price. If your instruction is as good as Gregory Wilson's, then I'll be happy.

I really do hope this isn't yet another release that fails to live up to the marketing hype.

Marty