The MM6 Basics Guide on GameFAQs says every single status spells like Charm, Mass Fear, Feeblemind, etc, don't work at all on enemies, due to a bug. I haven't invested in these schools/spells as a result.

I've seen it said in some comments elsewhere, but only a couple of times. What worries me is that no other guides say this.

So what's the deal? Do they work or not?

think the thing was that status spells don't work in turn based mode, I'm not 200% sure tho