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「第二夜迷宮組曲」 (Dai ni-yo: Danjon Kumikyoku)
“Second Night: Dungeon Suite”
There’s definitely a lot more emotions being toyed around this episode with the introduction of our first real antagonist, the Sharif, Jamil. His power hungry intentions and sadistic attitude are good at tumbling both character emotions and our own (as well as generating shouting bouts at the screen). Though I wish that the Sharif wasn’t so black-and-white (which he might not end up being), his presence definitely spices up the plot. I cringed every time he stabbed Goltas or Ali Baba, kicked Morgiana, or had that false smile on his face. For now, he is a suitable initial antagonist, though I hope we’ll learn more about his background soon enough to add some white to his black cowardice. Here’s to hoping his tendencies for hurting people don’t leak into his personal life–god forbid how involved sharp objects are in that!
On the flipside, we also get to see more of Morgiana and a hint of her background. Though the details of how she became imprisoned are still up in the air, we do get details on the nature of her homeland–lush, pretty, open-aired, and full of wildlife. We can infer that she is not physically being imprisoned by Jamil considering her enormous strength, but rather that her enslavers have some leverage against her, such as her family or town being endangered should she rebel. It’s a sad sight to see her in her current state, but given the subdued reactions she had this episode, she’s shaping up to be an calmly interesting character. She’ll probably end up being the character that shows affection through her actions rather than her words or expressions, where a smile from her is a treasured rarity. Her dependability will probably be the anchoring force that keeps the group stable, given how Ali Baba still has to sneak around occasionally and Aladdin…well. Although we did get that fleeting smile during her flash of hope, it’ll be a treat to see a smile that’s not terribly cut off by her master. If she ends up socking Jamil in the face next episode…big smiles will be had, and bad “in your face” puns will be made.
Ali Baba also made some small hints at his backstory, heavily implying that his poor status has not always been the case. With the ability to read ancient texts, apt agility, and a mastery of knife combat, Ali Baba must have lived some well-to-do life previously to have acquired all these skills. Like Morgiana, most of that background is clouded in a lot of mystery, but it seems that Ali Baba has some redemption issues that he needs to go through to clear his conscience. Thankfully Aladdin is unlocking these hidden mysteries both in Morgiana and Ali Baba by being a paragon of honesty–he is one of the few lights in this dungeon, as a light that hasn’t flickered…yet.
In terms of aesthetics, the show did a better job showing its ability to animate action scenes, especially with scenes involving the Djinn. Every time he came out, the scenes became a battle of the giants, definitely adding to the epic feel of Magi. The framerate definitely increased to accent the action, whilst the well-drawn close-shots kept within quality to accent the dialogue-heavy scenes. One scene I’d like to point out specifically would have to be Morgiana’s description of her homeland and the great use of music during the dialogue. The piano piece was a good break from the Middle East themed pieces (which themselves are a good break of theme in anime). It definitely accented the tragedy of Morgiana’s situation with its melancholic tones, and it definitely had that Sagisu Shiro touch to it (specifically touches from his Kare Kano days). The music from the PV (it was played again in the last episode) was one of the reasons that Magi piqued my interest, so I hope to hear more inspired compositions in the future. The super-deformed antics of Aladdin also were a nice touch, adding to the youthful and innocence of his character, whilst also being so ridiculous, even Morigana can’t resist.
Episode two was a good setup episode, slowly ramping up the pace and action of the show and introducing the conflicts. Next episode will probably be abound with revelations and character development, but for now, hints and epic cliffhangers are good enough. Also, all the feels for Goltas…no one deserves to be stabbed that much!
ED1.5 Sequence
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ED: 「指望遠鏡」 (Yubi Bouenkyou) by 乃木坂４６ (Nogizaka46)
Preview
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Definitely one of the best this season , life is more colorful yet again .
PS: We need MOAR MORgiana!
It is one of the more enjoyable series this season…and alladin makes me laugh so hes too kind.
“Gilgamesh and his gender-confused yet badass Shota pal take on Dungeon Crawl: Stone Soup.” is summing this show up in a nutshell. Not that this is bad. In fact, that sentence is just awesome. 😀
Am I the only one who was scared of Morgiana’s thighs, though? I know shes a kickmaster, but boy they were massive in some shots.
I don’t think I would say its one of the best this season, but I’m enjoying the series so far. Its a good change of pace from the majority of the series.
Yeah, Morgiana seems like she’s going to be pretty freakin awesome.
Is it just me or Alibaba is getting more badass !
Alibaba badass? Dude, you haven’t seen anything yet.
Awesome. 🙂
Badass is an understatement…
But what if you’re a slave that got stabbed?
Then I’d open up a can of whoop-ass on the stabee…
(typing too fast – stabber is what I meant (I think) – need coffee)
When you stab a slave, since slave is a type of property, then you have to pay the owner.
Got to love historic Mississippi. Slaves, plantations, injuns, milk-sick and Good Old Abe Lincoln.
arabs, so cool
Every time there’s a clear shot of Ali Baba’s face, I can’t help but say GIRUGAMESH in my head.
I really hope this series last as long as the current long running one such as onepiece and naruto…….. scratch that I hope it runs as long as it can without being detrimental to the overall image of it such as bleach (which failed me though it was good till about the second arc)
Caught me off guard – When she began to run, I though Morgiana was running to join them,
not to try to catch them – I was surprised when Alibaba told Aladdin higher, faster to get away
from Morgiana. She’s also very capable too, even chained, when told to be (if you’re into that
sorta thing 🙂 ).
So, I can see the other characters (other than Aladdin) possess strength beyond a normal human
(running up a wall, etc.) so it took a little away from them for me. In other words, she’s
really not as helpless as we’re led to believe. So, it almost come to a choice to be a slave,
it seems to be on her part. But I have to stop myself from reading too much into this (mostly)
light-hearted fantasy/adventure series.
I thought, though, that they’d be in the caverns much longer – I didn’t expect them to get to the “door”
so quickly. So, I wonder if all of the towers have to be cleared – and that is what the series is about.
Lovin’ it so far!
maybe Morgiana’s master has superpower like geass, etc.
his geass is probably forcing people to get stabbed by him.
I may be wrong but I’m thinking the Sharif hold on Morgiana is completely mental, something similar to circus animals like tigers & bears. They have the physical ability to overtake there master but (usually) won’t due to training. If she was sold into slavery young there’s be plenty time to brainwash her into thinking she has no worth or prospects outside her current situation thus stifling any motivation to escape now even tho she has the ability too.
Mental play has definitely got to be the reason the big bodyguard lets the Sharif stab him hims every so often & not bashing his head in…
Reading the manga, but I won’t spoil anything, promise.
All I can say is the author is a goddamn genius to use 1001 Nights’ characters in an anime.
Yh I also started reading the manga after ep 2 Moondoggie (Does that name came from Eureka 7 as there was a character called Moondog) I’m on chapter 17 and have found it enjoyable to read. Sure something’s have changed but I guess it had to be. Do you think the people from chapter one would appear in the anime? I wonder if they would have their very one best friends doujinshi XD
Yeah it’s a reference from one of the characters of E7
Dunno about them appearing unless its that bit later. What I’m concerned is if they’ll cover the second major arc of the manga in the anime(awesome Alibaba is awesome).
@The Moondoggie: I assume that is the Balbaad arc? If so then yeah that arc was good. I liked it when it went into the politics side of it. From what I have read online forum it seem that the first few eps will be there to show most of the characters and then after that it will be the Balbaad arc. Some stuff will be cut out and events would be rearranged. But on a good note the mangaka will be helping them do this and has a say in what is going into the anime and what is not. Plus I also read that there would be some anime only characters appearing. Still the characters from chapter would should appear as they do have some plot to them in Mor’s arc. Also the finalist hair colour would then mean that the north and south have different colour hair? Sorry can the mod’s very kindly take down my other post as it was meant to be a reply to The Moondoggie reply and as there was no reply button I had thought that link would be the button. Thank you
Anyone here who knows how many eps Magi has?
and I’m glad that I started watching it^^
Hmm, seeing the episode titles… will there be one thousand and one nights? XD
Do not underestimate people from the Dark Land, or rather Africa. They have the best runners in the world!
One thousand and one awesomeness!
Its been long since I’ve felt compelled to follow a series on a weekly basis, I usually just let stuff build up a bit then watch in bulk when time permits/I feel like…I’m already looking forward to the next episode….
Dat anime backlog is so scary.I finally got around to watching this episode.I feel like it’s harder for me to watch anime adaptations when I’m already knee deep in the manga.
I still haven’t watched Code Breaker Ep 2 yet.
I assume that is the Balbaad arc? If so then yeah that arc was good. I liked it when it went into the politics side of it. From what I have read online forum it seem that the first few eps will be there to show most of the characters and then after that it will be the Balbaad arc. Some stuff will be cut out and events would be rearranged. But on a good note the mangaka will be helping them do this and has a say in what is going into the anime and what is not. Plus I also read that there would be some anime only characters appearing. Still the characters from chapter would should appear as they do have some plot to them in Mor’s arc. Also the finalist hair colour would then mean that the north and south have different colour hair?