Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Volume 1) - Into the Dungeon

Magi The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 1 Cover

Alibaba has dreams of defeating one of the mysterious dungeons that appeared across the world fourteen years ago. When he meets Aladdin, a strange young adventurer with a magic flute, he has his chance to make it a reality!

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic (Volume 1) – Into the Dungeon

What happened?

Aladdin has been wandering the desert for almost as long as he can remember. Before that, he was in a room with Ugo, but somehow they escaped. Now, he’s searching for a suitable vessel for Ugo to reside in as the flute he currently uses has its limitations. However, that doesn’t stop Aladdin and Ugo from defeating bandits and saving travellers. Of course, he probably owed them after eating all their watermelons. Aladdin is always hungry.

While travelling, he meets Alibaba, a regular street kid who is desperate to make something of his life. To do that, he intends to defeat one of the mysterious dungeons that appeared in this world. Thousands have gone and very few have returned. That’s not going to stop him. An incident with a Desert Lily might though. Alibaba ends up using his client’s expensive wine to save a girl from its clutches but becomes entangled himself. Aladdin flies in on his magic turban load with more casks of wine and saves him.

Alibaba has now managed to acquire an enormous debt and defeating the dungeon may be his only chance to avoid becoming a slave. Aladdin is prepared to come with him, which is great because Alibaba needs Ugo’s strength. They were busy making preparations for their adventure when Aladdin freed a slave and got them into all sorts of trouble. Well, there’s no time like the present, so in they go. Will they find the riches they seek or will death find them?

Magi The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 1 Aladdin saves Alibaba from Desert Lily

What did you think?

I started watching the anime of Magi back in 2016 and stopped after ten episodes. Honestly, I don’t remember why but I may have to go back and start that one up again. I do remember it having some fun characters and lots of adventure. It also has a pretty particular sense of humour that is right up my street. Anyhow, back to the manga. Basically, everything I just said applies to the manga too. It’s funny and exciting and has a wonderful world for it all to live in.

I like when a story sets your expectations at the beginning, such as Sword Art Online when they had to clear one hundred floors. Well, in Magi, there are fourteen dungeons and we know that one has been cleared. I’m expecting them all to have been cleared by the end of the series and maybe, we’ll even find out about their origins. Either way, Aladdin is funny and uninhibited which leads to all sorts of misunderstandings. It’s a fun start and does enough to make me want more.