Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 7 manga review

Manga
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 7 manga review
By Leroy Douresseaux
August 16, 2014 - 11:26

Viz Media
Writer(s): Shinobu Ohtaka, John Werry
Penciller(s): Shinobu Ohtaka
Letterer(s): Stephen Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5957-5
$9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK, 192pp, B&W, paperback
Rating: T (Teen)

Magi Volume 7 cover image is courtesy of barnesandnoble.com.

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Rated “T” for “Teen”

Set in an alternate version and recreation of the ancient Old World (perhaps, ancient Persia), Magi (subtitled The Labyrinth of Magic) is a shonen manga. About 14 years before Magi’s story begins, several magic castles (of various architectural styles) begin to appear. Full of treasures and traps, these mysterious ruins are known as “Dungeons.” Aladdin and his friend, Alibaba Saluja, embark on a dangerous and deadly adventure into a Dungeon to find fortune and glory.

As Magi, Vol. 7 (Chapters 59 to 68) begins, Alibaba decides that it is time to confront the forces arrayed against Balbadd, where he is the third prince in line for the throne. First, he uses the sword called Amon to fight monstrous creatures that originated in Dungeons. It's Morgiana, the 14-year-old warrior, who decides that she will take on Alibaba's fight while he takes on his biggest battle – his brother, the corrupt King Ahbmad.

His confrontation with Ahbmad and his second brother, Sahbmad, will lead to a shocking turn and series of events. Meanwhile, Aladdin is in a coma, destined for the “Sacred Place.”

THE LOWDOWN: It is not a lie, and I say it often. The Magi manga gets better with each volume. Honestly, after reading the first volume, I did not think that this series would be so expansive in terms of narrative scope. Yet with each volume, the world of Magi expands.

With Magi Volume 7, creator Shinobu Ohtaka offers violent confrontations and political upheaval, leading to new places and ideas. That only makes me more interested in the world of Magi, and I imagine that many regular readers of this series will find themselves more drawn to Magi. This is a hugely enjoyable old-fashioned Persian adventure.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE: Readers, especially young manga readers, looking for treasure-hunting adventure will want to try Magi.

Rating: A-/10