It keeps on getting better. The first half of season 2 was better than the first and the second part is better still.
Aladdin’s gone off to secretly explore the Kingdom of Magnostadt which is ruled by the wizards and seems to be a wonderful utopia compared to the poverty and brewing wars outside.
There’s a catch. Of course there’s a catch.
Meanwhile Alibaba and Morgiana are off on their own adventures. Fans of Ali and Morgiana, especially Morgiana, might have some gripe with the second part of season 2 as these two (previously) key characters barely feature.
What makes the second season of Magi: The Kingdom of Magic so unlike the first and significantly better than Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is because the complexities of the decisions the characters face are interesting. Giving a character a tricky moral choice and watching them think their way through the ratifications of a decision is a strong way to build that character. We get that in buckets here in Magnostadt.
The so-called King of Magnostadt, the chancellor of the academy, is a particularly interesting character. He means well. Is that enough? He has great power and will use it to achieve what he thinks is best for the world. Take a step back and look at Aladdin and you’ve an uncomfortable mirror. Aladdin also has great power and will use it, as he sees fit, in order to help people.
What about the Magi Scheherazade? What’s she up to? Is she an uncaring villain who’s sent a young man to his death or is she doing what she thinks is really best for the world?
What about the Kou Empire? They seem aggressive and expansionist but there’s somewhere between Magnostadt and Riem when it comes to using magic and building a military entirely without it. Perhaps this is a better balance?
The power of these factions also helps us understand just how daring Sinbad is by building an alliance of independent states.
If you’re a Magi fan then you’ll lap this season up. If you’re yet to start watching then give the show a fair crack of the whip from season 1, or even from Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic with the understanding it the drama ramps up dramatically.
My copy of Magi – The Kingdom Of Magic was provided for review.
