Magi Episode 9
What They Say:
After his troublesome trip, Alibaba arrives at the Leam Empire to undergo training to become a gladiator. He is not accepted to Shambal Ramal’s Gladiator Training School, and now he has to prove himself. Will Alibaba be able to join the other gladiators?
The Review: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Aladdin’s training has ended thus far and we’re focusing back on Alibaba. The transition was done rather well. Aladdin was talking with his roommate, Sphintus, when Sphintus reminds Aladdin of Alibaba. It reminds us that Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana always have each other in mind even while they’re apart for these episodes.
Alibaba’s in a bit of a sorrier state than Aladdin. He was robbed while saving his ship from pirates but, as it turns out, the crew was in cahoots with the pirates. Alibaba finally reaches the Shambal, but is denied by the guard there, another busty woman named Toto. His letter of recommendation was stolen, along with all his other stuff, by the pirates. He gets kicked out of the training school before he can even enter, but meets up with a few folks from his past. I don’t quite remember who they are, but in the quick flashback, they were in tatters. Seems they made their millions gambling.
Alibaba’s finally got a full stomach thanks to the three brothers who call him Boss and he’s got a rematch against Toto now. The master, who literally lost everything gambling just prior, calls for the rematch. This time around, Alibaba’s got his moves and he’s fighting well. Toto’s been holding back. Not only does she have some magoi powers but she was underestimating Alibaba from the start. Of course, Alibaba still has Amon and the Djinn equip. But this is a test of skills and he wants to win with his and his alone.
When he finally gets into Shambal, he gets an acupuncture treatment. The master reveals that he’s got two types of magoi flowing inside his body. It’s equated to being quartered and, if he doesn’t master both, he’ll be torn apart as well. The other magoi he acquired, it seems, is Cassim’s. Now Alibaba’s on a clock to master these magoi before his body is ruined.
In Summary:
It took…what…seven episodes? But Magi has finally hit its groove and the last few episodes are moving along really nicely compared to the relative mess of the first five. It’s all training and I’m sure it’ll tire on me eventually. But for now, I’m enjoying what’s happening and the training sessions are executed well enough that they don’t drag.
Grade: B-
Streamed By: Crunchyroll
Equipment: Radeon 7850, 24 in. Vizio 1080p HDTV, Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II