Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 8 manga review

Manga
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 8 manga review
By Leroy Douresseaux
October 15, 2014 - 16:48

Writer(s): Shinobu Ohtaka, John Werry
Penciller(s): Shinobu Ohtaka
Letterer(s): Stephen Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5958-2
$9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK, 208pp, B&W, paperback
Rating: T (Teen)

Magi Volume 8 cover image

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Rated “T” for “Teen”

Aladdin lives in an alternate version and recreation of the ancient Old World (perhaps, ancient Persia). About 14 years before the 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 and more adventure.

As Magi, Vol. 8 (Chapters 69 to 78) begins, Alibaba must face his life-long best friend, Cassim, now seemingly transformed into a Dark Djinn. To make matters worse, the evil Judar joins Cassim, forcing Alibaba to use the Sword of Amon to battle both. Will Aladdin arrive in time to help Alibaba, if he arrives at all? Even with help, Alibaba and Cassim's struggle will be personal.

Later, Sinbad reveals to Aladdin and friends the conspiratorial organization, Al-Thamen. Also, Aladdin gets a teacher.

THE LOWDOWN: The Magi (subtitled The Labyrinth of Magic) manga reveals its battle manga side in its full glory. Energy explodes! Creatures battle, and the ending is bittersweet. Yes, this series gets better with each volume.

Magi Volume 8 sees the end of the Balbadd adventure. It ends in a surprising manner; sometimes the result isn't the best outcome for the characters, but it is the best that can be done. Creator Shinobu Ohtaka starts a new adventure with the last two chapters of Vol. 8. A little more than a year after I read Vol. 1, I am excited to keep following this series. I think Magi has a teenaged target audience, especially 'tweens and young teens, but the story is good enough to entertain the older sets.

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

Rating: A-/10