I first started watching Magi out of mere boredom. I didn't expect much from the show (and honestly, I still don't), but I started reading the manga out of curiosity anyway, because I was getting a little impatient with the anime. Boy, was I blown away.

Story – 9

The bulk of Magi's story follows the story of Aladdin, a boy who travels the world to find out who he really is and what he's supposed to do. In his adventure, Aladdin's main companions are Alibaba, a young man with a strong sense of determination, and Morgiana, an ex-slave that Aladdin and Alibaba saves from captivity. Of course, they encounter bumps in the road and make wrong turns, but in the end, fate paves their destiny. The story, while occasionally light and amusing, has serious and cruel tones and themes throughout.

Art – 9

The art in Magi is fantastic. It goes from being humorous to serious while keeping a consistent style. The designs of the characters are easily differentiated from one another, the fighting scenes are amazing and full of detail, and the art always fits the mood of the scene.

Character – 10

Now this is where this manga shines. All the main characters have amazing character development and they mature on throughout the story. Aladdin does have some typical mainstream characteristics, but the back story behind him, his bond and interactions with other characters, are deep, fleshed out, and entertaining. Alibaba isn't perfect and sometimes he makes the wrong decisions, but in the end that's what makes him a character that isn't flat and boring. Morgiana, despite her superhuman strength, is determined to become as strong as Aladdin and Alibaba and help people so that they didn't live a hellish life like hers. Of course, those are just the main characters. Most of the recurring characters and even some of the minor characters have interesting back stories and actions. The manga doesn't only focus on the main three, but everyone.

Overall - 9

I rather enjoy this manga, and I'm definitely looking forward to what will happen next. However it does occasionally have its flaws and in my opinion it's pace is a bit slow (but I'm rather impatient, so that's probably just me), so I can't give it a perfect 10. It's a shounen manga that has really made its mark and separates itself from others – in a good way. Overall, I'll absolutely recommend this manga to anyone who's deciding on whether or not to read it.


//I apologize if this review sounds amatuerish, because it's my first one. If you have any opinions, feel free to comment about it !!