Anime/Magi: Labyrinth of Magic

Oh wow, I was not expecting those characters to show up at all now.

Also, this show is very relaxed with the time that runs in between episodes... though granted, nothing much seemed to have happened during that span of time and none of the characters are different.

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

I'm assuming that anime-only watchers will find their introduction confusing, ESPECIALLY since they kept their interactions with Aladdin, which would only make sense had their chapter not been cut out.

No manga thread for this? Oh well. I'm caught up to the anime and the manga. It doesn't break the mold or anything, but what it does, it does well. Best adventure/action shonen series I've read in a while. I like how the whole magic system is constructed and there's some nice background work here and there in the manga. I also enjoy that the side-characters aren't neglected and all three main characters get their share of character development - Aladinn less so, but Alibaba and Morgiana are done well enough. Can't wait for some of the moments later on in the manga to be animated, particularly the Ballbad arc.

edited 16th Nov '12 5:26:08 AM by Pipoko

Kind of hard to talk about the manga (manga-reader here!), particularly when there are anime-only watchers, especially when talking about stuff post-Balbaad.

Yeah, I understand. Just gotta wait till the anime reaches that part.

Favorite bit of episode 6 was Mor being awesome.

Finally, dark-skinned characters with lines.

Wondering what was the point of separating the characters in first place.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.

Episode 7.

They run into a naked guy. They both can't help but stare at his leaf. Lol.

I honestly think they should stop using names they stole out of myths and just do their own thing. They pretty much are anyway.

Still wouldn't be the first time In Name Only meets Historical Domain Character I guess. Still annoys me.

"Nullius addictus iurare in verba magistri, quo me cumque rapit tempestas, deferor hospes."

Did they really need to strip Sinbad completely and not even leave his underwear (unless he goes commando)? Rape!

But seriously, who is that incompetent he probably gave them everything.

Isn't Alibaba rich enough to just give the poor his money *

? Or has he run out by now, what with his uncontrollable desire to help every person in need.

edited 18th Nov '12 6:46:45 PM by Ruise

Loves feel-good animation a whole lot.

The manga leter goes on how Sinbad is a bad drunk, and while he never does anything violent, he does a LOT of questionable stuff (like hitting on grandmothers for example). I have a feeling that what really happened was Sinbad... gave his stuff away. When he finally sobered up, he realized how much more angrier Jafar would be, so he went with the old standby that he got robbed.

Take note, given what we've learned of Sinbad at that point, being robbed is kind of unlikely.

edited 18th Nov '12 6:49:18 PM by MyssaRei

Well, now I know why there was nearly naked gal in episode 6. To complement the nearly naked dude in episode 7.

Gorgeous city alert! Gorgeous room alert!

So pale... (takes deep breath) Okay, fine, but there better not be a group of dark-skinned villains /mooks in a future ep.

That table's expensive! Their Jafar is pretty... and has white hair 50% chance of turning villain.

I'm happy that the trio's back together, but I'm also more amused than awed by their reunion cause they were only separated for three episodes and those episodes kinda failed in making it seem like a lot of time has passed by.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.

I caught up on the episodes that are out. It's an interesting series. Think I'll read the manga.

People are mirrors. If you smile, a smile will be reflected.

Jafar's actually an inversion, as the Sinbad's musings in-series (chapter 79-85 ish I think) and the recently-released DVD special manga quickly shows: he was an assassin BEFORE he met Sinbad, but became his closest supporter.

Okay, now I'm caught up on the manga because I just couldn't stop reading. While there are a few things that bug me (which could be due to translation errors), Magi has avoided the pit falls - common to shounen - that make me lose interest.

People are mirrors. If you smile, a smile will be reflected.

Wow, didn't expect we would get Alibaba's almost complete backstory so early on. Also, I love Morgiana's school of problem solving. "Yeah, the whole... we are on different sides on this conflict even though we are friends due to secrets and stuff that you won't say and will generate angst? Yeah, we are not doing that. Prepare to meet Aladdin and explain what the hell is going on"

edited 25th Nov '12 12:52:43 PM by daltar

If I'm sure of something it's that I'm not sure of anything.

Morgiana, master of the direct approach.

Should've checked the list.

Okay, this series took a sudden turn for the better. Mainly due to Kassim.

'cause, y'see, this series has been trying to build moral ambiguity, but thus far it's failed in my eyes because, well, the guy with no redeeming features is obviously the bad guy in most situations, and the conflicts could be easily resolved by removing those people from the picture. It was even like that last episode, with Ahbmed obviously being the one in the wrong.

But this episode heavily featured Kassim, and he's a truly ambiguous character. I can't tell how he really feels about Alibaba and even if it turns out that he's just using Alibaba to accomplish his own goals, it still wouldn't make him into an outright villain.

Worst case scenario for me is next episode revealing that Kassim isn't really responsible for any of bad things Alibaba thinks he is and Ahbmed's secretly behind everything.

edited 25th Nov '12 5:07:55 PM by Gilphon

The plot will thicken before it becomes clearer. That is all I will say for now, but feel free to raise your expectations a little bit.

Yu hav nat sein bod speeling unntil know. (cacke four undersandig tis)the cake is a lie!

Episode 8

Alibaba, dear, I don't think it's a good idea to wear a noose as part of your regular wear.

Yeah, Mor, I know what you mean. Alibaba siding with the thieves is kinda jarring.

Mor is my fav of the trio. How can I not love her. She no need flying carpets and genies.

Trivia - Kassim is Alibaba's greedy older brother in the original story. Morgianna is the name of slave girl instrumental in defeating the 40 thieves. She usually ends up marrying Alibaba's son or Alibaba himself, depending on which story.

I am currently under the impression that Alibaba is suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

Plants are aliens, and fungi are nanomachines.

I'm really angry at Kassim! I'm really upset at these events!

And yeah, I've never understood the noose myself...kids these days and their crazy fashion statements.

edited 25th Nov '12 9:27:15 PM by Ruise

Loves feel-good animation a whole lot.

Love to watch but for some reason Hulu has decided not to upload the latest two eps of the official subs. Anyone know why?

Just got up to date with the series. I like it, thus far.

Rarely active, try DA/Tumblr Avatar by pippanaffie.deviantart.com

I don't know, but crunchyroll has them.

Aww, Jafar is just a tiny bit Yandere when people insult Sin. So moe.

I just realized the dramatic music that played, for example, at the end of this episode was English...or is it?

edited 3rd Dec '12 8:43:32 PM by Ruise

Loves feel-good animation a whole lot.

Jaffar seems to have been the first of the Generals that Sinbad encountered in his journeys (where he was shown as a kid), or at least that's what my impression was in the little bit implied by Sinbad in the manga (see the Was It All a Lie? entry). It's likely why he's so loyal, and what's more, so complicit to whatever Sinbad does, despite complaining all the way.

The DVD special should clear some things about Sinbad's early years though (70+ pages), so maybe we'll get even more clarification there.

edited 3rd Dec '12 8:48:09 PM by MyssaRei

I have a headcanon Jafar was being used by Al Sarmen when Sinbad first meet him. Then Sinbad saved him and thus his intense loyalty.

People are mirrors. If you smile, a smile will be reflected.