First Impressions: Magi – The Kingdom of Magic
Magical shota is back to save the world!
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Yaaaay! Magi is back! I can’t quite remember where the anime left off in the first season, but there are some really interesting arcs coming up. Many thanks to anaaga for letting blog first impressions with her (and for introducing me to this series in general~) |
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Oh god, Magi is finally here after one season of break. It’s been a while since I caught up with Magi manga, but one thing for sure is how fabulous, bittersweet, and heartbreaking Magnostadt Arc is. Now let’s see if my emotion will be able to hold itself back. |
Sinbad’s Agenda
There is something hidden beneath this warm smile (except Daisuke Ono)
Even after a break for a season, Sinbad’s personality is still manipulative as ever. He obviously wants Aladdin for his kingdom’s Magi. If he has a Magi, I’m sure that his country will improve in many factors, economically or not. Actually having a Magi would benefit him greatly at attacking the Kou Empire. I don’t mind if he wants to have a Magi, and I’m sure Aladdin won’t either. It’s just that his approach is not the best kind of method to “have” Aladdin since he wants to have Aladdin under the pretense of “friendship” and “guidance.” Now Aladdin knows what Sinbad wants, but does the Kou princess (I think her name is Ren?) knows? Sinbad is obviously trying to gain her favor and “taking her hostage” (in a way) by approaching her romantically. Though I can understand why Sinbad is doing this, I’m sure that this won’t slip easily. His hidden agenda will be revealed sooner or later, and when this happens, many people will be hurt emotionally and physically. Now let’s see whether Sinbad can bear that kind of burden when it happens.
Magnostadt Calling Aladdin
So if you couldn’t tell already from all of the emphasis put on it this episode, the country of Magnostadt has a huge mystery behind it. It screwed over Dunya, Yamraiha completely defected, Aladdin keeps finding a bunch of clues that the country isn’t as nice as it seems, and even Sinbad wants him to check things out. …And if you couldn’t tell from the fact that Aladdin looks like he’s dressed to go to Hogwarts in various scenes this first episode, he’s going there to study and see what exactly is going on (though not specifically for Sinbad). Plus it’s pretty important that he learns magic, since Judal beat him pretty soundly in the fight they had when Ugo was still around. Actually, that very first scene in this episode was kind of odd in the fact that it doesn’t happen until the end of the Magnostadt arc. It didn’t really spoil too much, but I guess they just wanted to show off Aladdin’s insane power levels. He has a lot of growth in the upcoming arc, so that will be fun to watch.
This joy won’t last forever
So as Aladdin stated at the end, he’s going on a journey. Alone. Which is almost completely new for this series, since he and Alibaba (and eventually, Mor) have pretty much done everything together up until this point. Or if Aladdin was on his own, he had every intent to find Alibaba again. But this is his decision on what the next best step to take is, and he has his mind made up. It’s interesting to note that Aladdin doesn’t have any intentions (yet, at least) on officially supporting Sinbad’s country as their Magi. Sinbad hasn’t done anything overly wrong or evil per se, and he’s helped the trio a lot over the course of the series, but Aladdin’s gratitude is different than his responsibilities as a Magi. The kid has a good head on his shoulders, his perverted tendencies aside.
How to Impress a Chick:
I didn’t realize how much I missed Magi until I saw this episode. I could have sworn that the story was further along than this when the anime ended off, but maybe that’s because the anime changed a whole bunch of plot things at the end and then straightened them out on the very last episode. Anyways, this first episode of season 2 was great. It reintroduced the plot a bit, and I guess with the beginning scene that they threw in there with no warning, this had some nice action as well. …Though with the introduction of the Magi combined with the OP, things were pretty spoiler-ish as to who the other Magi are and who they’ll be meeting this season. I guess having it not be a mystery doesn’t really change anything, but they definitely could have been more subtle about it. Though I still look forward to watching this season~
I don’t have much to say except that I am satisfied with the premiere. I was worried about it at first because of how the first season ended, but it seems that I was worried for nothing. The premiere started splendidly with one of the climaxes of Magnostadt Arc, making the curious audience even more curious. It’s definitely a good strategy to catch the audience’s interest. After the interesting prologue, the audience is bought to the world in Magi by presenting one of the most entertaining things in Magi (which is the Arab-ish world) while reintroducing the characters at the same time. Then BAM! The anime goes straight with the main plot and darker aspects in Magi. Though I already know how the story is going to be /prepare a stack of tissue/, but the premiere did a good job at bringing out the interesting points of Magi while refreshing the old fans’ memories. I keep forgetting how good this series is. At least, so far. Anyway, now that the basic has been laid out, let’s see how the three are going to continue their adventure~
Preview: Magi characters decided to cosplay once in a while
About Tag Team
We live, laugh, enjoy and strictly believe on "more the merrier". When together, we usually come up with very chatty, conversation-based episodics and interesting posts.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
So begins the second 2 cour trip of Magi. The first half of last season was dull but the was great and got me hyped to see this. It’s good to see Aladdin, Alibaba and Morgiana again and Aladdin still remains as the show’s closet pervert.
@Karakuri: If you’re still wondering where last season left off, it was when Sinbad and his generals stopped Al Tharmen’s attack on Sindria while at the same time Aladdin, Alibaba, Morgiana and Hakuryu cleared Zagan’s dungeon and rescued Dunya.
Sinbad has become as shady as any guy with a hidden agenda now. After finding out he’s half fallen from grace last season, you’ve got to consider that everything he says and suggests has an ulterior motive. I hope Kougyoku gets a hint of his true nature before she gets too involved from being blinded by love.
I understand in this arc, the three leads are going their seperate ways. So does mean each has their own individual goals they have to attend to then they meet up shortly after or will it take much longer than that?
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I was just confused as to if Hakuryuu had his little meltdown yet or not. I reread the manga riiight after I finished the anime, so it all blends into one for me.
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
Thanks for the reminder of what happened last season Blackbriar. I did not remember at all so I was really confused to where this was picking it up from. Lol
Ummm, I don’t want to spoil it too much but they’ll be back together again soon enough. 🙂 Sadly though it is going to be mostly about Aladdin and you don’t see much of Alibaba and Morgiana.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
The three of them will be separated for a long period of time. The one who will have the least screen time will be Morgiana since she’s so faaarrrr away, and the place where she’s going haven’t been covered in the manga
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
Just dropping by to say “Dem that redhead on the preview pic have a pretty nice sexbeard”.
*runs away and hides*
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
Kouen is a very sexy man.POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
Waiting on the even sexier Kouen x Sinbad yaoi doujin.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
That guy is so manly both in reputation and in physic, it makes you want to follow him forever *hint hint*
POWUH: Meta Resident and Werewolf Chaser with 1270 comments
……Are you trying to get me into yaoi?
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
You think? 😉
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
Just to point out, Ren is the family name for the Kou empire people. The girl that loves Sinbad is named Kougyoku. 🙂
And I’m really excited for this season because this is where tons of awesome stuff is going to happen that was briefly shown in the beginning of the episode. Hopefully they won’t cut out too much from the side arcs this time around…
I’m really crossing my fingers that a certain scene between Morgiana and Hakuryuu will be shown in the next episode. *crosses fingers and toes and prays*
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
Ahhh right, I keep forgetting her name. She was so insignificant, but I her character develops a lot later in this arc.
Are you talking about the scene where
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I don’t think it will be shown next week though.
And is it jut me or I’m the only one shipping Alibaba with Kougyoku? Though poor Morgiana seems to be jealous.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I ship them too~. Or I guess, I ship everyone with Alibaba depending on what the plot is throwing at me. xD
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
I just assumed since everyone seems to be going their separate ways based on the preview. It looks like the arc with those kids will be cut…
I ship AlibabaXKougyouku kinda? XD Since I ship Morgiana with both Alibaba and Hakuryuu, so if I am in a Haku/Mor mood then Alibaba can go with Kougyouku.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
The beginning part whoa kinda spoiler-ish? I am reading the manga and that point is HUGE later on, but it feels good to see my favorite trio once again! All I will say is I am so excited.
Also nice op/ed <3
POWUH: 500-599 with 519 comments
It is very spolier-ish but I guess if you don’t have any idea what’s going on it is more confusing than anything else.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
I actually like the first season OP/ED more. This opening feels so… Bland? And the songs are less exciting than the first season’s. But I guess they’re focusing on the darker aspect of Magi now.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
What they did at the start could serve as a tease for the viewers. In Psycho-Pass, they showed a scene of the Nona Tower as Kougami and Makishima were about to face off before going to the beginning of the story and we didn’t see the actual fight until episode 16.
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
FYI, the episode itself is a spoiler: what happens in the beginning of the episode is actually the end of the arc.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
No, it’s not the end of the arc. It was one of the climaxes, but more will happen after that scene
POWUH: Meta Team and Meta-Analyst with 3844 comments
It is still the beginning of the end of the arc where 13 bleep attempt to show their badassitude. Sorry, read everything, thus why I am not keen on watching this.
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 154 comments
lol I forgot how much I missed Aladin and his antics.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Chibi-chan is all about sucking on dat meat.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
For a first episode, not bad but damn that spoiler in the beginning. Also, what was up with the same looking characters like Morgiana and Aladdin?