Sayakami

rewrite enthusiast ask / Ao3 / fandom blog

[sayakxmi]

[ Magi Reread/Rewatch Directory ]

I figured I might as well do this pinned post thing, but, honestly, there's little interesting stuff to know about me.

I'm Saya (she/her), adult. I mostly consider myself a (re)writer, but I'm trying to draw, too.

This blog is mostly about my stuff, though I'll still occasionally reblog something, (usually a text post, and most of the time one I'd comment on). Most generic reblogs go There.

Currently working on: SIYH (Inazuma Eleven GO: Chrono Stone AU with fix-it&rewrite elements).

On Hiatus: HOTLA (Magi AU, fix-it/rewrite of mostly the Final Arc), PFH (Homestuck AU, fix-it with rewrite elements) & a few Pokemon AUs, which also... have some fix-it and... rewrite elements... Mostly, not all of them!

I rewrite. It's what I do.

[bodhimcbodeface]

Do u ever read a friend’s fic and it’s like holy shit how do you consider me qualified to talk to you?

[wanderbythewayside]

No

Y’all need better self-esteem

[wanderbythewayside]

Alright I have been enabled so I’m gonna say somethings.

Fatalistic sarcasm is a thing, however, it usually hides deep feelings of insecurity, and whether you consciously recognize this or not, it validates them. Seriously, I used to constantly make jokes about how other people’s work was better than mine, and it did nothing for my self-esteem, it was a tool to deflect from my own feelings of inferiority and it actively worked against me thinking critically about my own and other people’s work. If it was a joke I could put myself down instead of analyzing why someone’s work was better and trying to incorporate that into my own

As someone who took creative writing courses I was constantly surrounded by other brilliant people, if I hung my head in shame every time I read something as good or better than mine I never would have lifted it. 

As someone who has watched a lot of writers with very good idea’s crash and burn I mean it when I say you either develop a healthy sense of respect for your own work or you stop writing. 

There’s three things I really wish more people consider

1. Do you think their work is better because it’s a different style, one that you like? There’s an element to ‘the grass is greener on the other side’, I have seen people work in some amazing styles that I wished to god I could replicate, some I managed, some I never did, but there’s nothing wrong with either. having a different style Is Not the same as having a bad style, each has their own strengths and you can admire one without putting yours down

2. Knowing someone who is a better writer is a blessing and if they knew you were using their work to bring yourself down they would not be happy, mooch off that friend, analyze their work, ask them to edit your shit, as long as you’re not annoying them be shameless about it. the best thing creative writing did for me was give me the confidence to ask people to critic my work and shamelessly better each other for that sharing 

3. People need to normalize being confident in their work, the quality of your work has literally nothing to do with your worth as a person, the quality of your work has nothing to do with your worth as a writer. You can write something really shitty and the only thing I’d say to you is that your trying and I respect you for that

[januariat]

this is true for art too btw

[finwe77]

I also don’t like comparing my work to others’ bc it starts to feel almost competitive in a way. It turns to asking “which of these is better?” instead of “what do I like about each of these?”

We’re not competing against each other to see who can bake the best cake, we’re all bringing dishes to a potluck. It’s the community and love for the craft that matter

[sayakxmi]

[Magi reread] Night 116: Turning Point

Kouha!

Koumei!

That's. Nice? Also lmao.

Lil Kouha!

I'm still kinda thinking abt the stuff I've said earlier, about Judar seeking his own, special King. He just goes left and right between the many options potentially aviable to him, not really settling on anybody. I think at this point of the story, Sinbad is still the closest to who he wants, which is why he wants him dead, because he can never be his, and Kougyoku was there, so he asked, but would have dropped her like trash for somebody he found more interesting, because he's that callous of a person. Hakuryuu has potential, but doesn't like him, and he's not there yet. Kouha and Koumei are kind of there, and that only leaves Kouen for him. I don't think he wants Kouen, he's just the only one good enough that he can have.

Aren't they these guys who literally exist for several pages, join Hakuryuu's Household (which is still ridiculous, given what Hakuryuu'd done to the people of Kou), Assimilate and just die offscreen?

My personal headcanon about it is that they die when they realize what Hakuryuu'd done to Kou and by denouncing him immediately. A regular Household could've survived, just lost the power, but an Assimilated one cannot, since they already fused with the HV's power.

KOUEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of my top 3 characters in Magi. Not one I cared much from the beginning, but I love what Ohtaka eventually did with him.

Yeah, valid freakout tbh.

Y'know, I was checking out TV Tropes at some point & they mentioned that Kouen's stance about war is somewhat inconsistent, and... yeah, a little bit. Feels like it, can't argue. Like, I can bullshit it and make it sooomewhat work, I believe, but I also think at this point of the story Ohtaka simply didn't have the entire thing planned regarding his character. Which is not completely uncommon for her.

Like, I can idk go with something like, he's still in a battle mode or trying to calm down the people here, his brothers mostly, and can't just tell Judar off, because he needs his power and can't afford an open beef with Al-Thamen right now. And everybody knows Judar, so Sinbad isn't going to take him seriously, anyway. Something like it. BS, like I've said, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I'm not hating on her or anything or that, more just simply pointing out.

Aura farming.

CURRENCY!

So, that's when we find out what happened to her. Took some time, but, to be fair, there was some very distracting drama.

It's pretty great, can't lie. Showing us Kou and Sindria both, preparing us for the inevitable conflict between them. And Sinbad's obsession with Destiny.

And of course

Lil bit of curse~

You know, as I've said, I don't think Ohtaka fully planned Kouen out at this point of the story - or if she did, she was kinda clumsy with the delivery - but this is quite interesting how by the end, roles will be switched. Kouen, who as far as we can tell right now is a warmonger, will show his motives to be far more, selfless, and Sinbad, who while Half-Fallen is still one of the good guys, will turn out to be far more selfish in his desires. At the end of the day, they both want the same thing - a world without war. But Kouen wants there to be no wars, while Sinbad wants to be the one to create the world without wars.

BEAUTIFUL SEA DAUGHTER!!!!!!

She's definitely not joking : (

SERIOUSLY, HOW DID YOU NOT NOTICE?! YOU'RE RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER?!

ALSO IT'S TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!!! One of the best duo's of Magi! And my absolute favorite one!! I love them so much!

So polite! So cute! And I love her thinking if she were unlucky. Girl you have no idea how lucky you would've been.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

The sparkles! Kougyoku's expression! The cute lil Kougyoku at the bottom left panel!!!!

I'm sorry except I'm not, I love them. I will gush about them. Deal with it.

Also, damn, Alibaba really made it fast.

Unexpected competition.

I do wonder if Morgiana felt a little jealous. She's not very good with precise stuff, so making flowercrowns for her would've been really difficult.

There's a lot of things you should do, but becming stronger doesn't exactly cover it. Girl, you were so failed by Ohtaka, I just can't. So many cool things could've been done with you.

You know, I was leaving this for later, around the time I'd be just summing up my thoughts on the chapter, but it's as good moment as any, so. I do mean it, Ohtaka really failed Morgiana here. The end of the previous arc, you've read my thoughts, it could have been handled better for her, I won't repeat that here. But in this... I do get that Morgiana kind of had no role here, as in, during the whole curse fiasco, I do get it, but I also think it's just fucking lazy. Sure, Morgiana wouldn't have been able to help, but she could have, dunno, realize her strength is not enough. Yeah, there are things she won't be able to do, she can't use magic or SW, and her strength is a great asset, undeniably, but it's not all there is, y'know. The enemies won't always be kickable, y'know? Just, have Morgiana think about becoming a more well-rounded person, not just the team muscle.

!!

I love them, too. Morgiana's right to worry, Hakuryuu is being Hakuryuu. Also makes me kinda wonder how many times Morgiana gets to hear it, if ever. You're hurt, don't overdo yourself. She could really use it.

Oh, wow, a character with a disability after all! Can't wait to see him learn to live with it!

Well, I suppose having a perfect prosthetic (which, as far as I've read, is not a thing irl and, frankly, it's easier to just not use it at all) is sooort of still him being disabled, so there's that, but later it'll be reversed by Kouen giving him his limbs, so three more to Hakuryuu not getting to experience to consequences of his actions! Ugh. Oh well, I'll rant about it when we get there.

We could have had it all.

Also, the fire!

I love him watching alikou like ....................

Saw somebody comment it with something "Alibaba-kun, no, Alibaba-kun, come on, she killed Ugo-kun" pfff.

By the way, obligatory, recall that stupid extra about Aladdin and Kougyoku supposedly becoming friends in Sindria? Yeah, they clearly fucking aren't. You know, it being a retcon is one thing, already annoying, but it's trying to replace one of Ohtaka's best written relationships - I don't mean it in a romantic sense - with this nothingburger. UGH. Like I don't even care about it as shipping or whatever, it's just so fucking weird in every way, because Ohtaka drops an extra which is a retcon, half a chapter which has Kougyoku behave unlike herself, and then she just. Idk, calls it a day, back to Alibaba and Kougyoku's relationship being important. Just????

Lovely.

You know, I've seen some old post about AliKou & HakuMor being decoy relationships, the way they both represent lives for Alibaba and Morgiana that could have been, but wouldn't have been good for them, with Alibaba - royalty, and Morgiana - a guy who kind of sucks as a person like Jamil. No offense- Actually, full offense, Hakuryuu. Especially given the whole brainwashing thing. Anyway, I can genuinely see this. It could have been exactly this. It genuinely had the potential to be exactly this.

Except Ohtaka fucks it up.

When you have story involving romance with decoy pairings, the true one is supposed to offer the main characters what they couldn't get from the decoys. That's not what happens here. Hakuryuu, even though objectively a much worse person than Alibaba, actually shows Morgiana far more consideration, listens to her, let's her be vulnerable, and responds accordingly. Alibaba instead passes out or gets too into his head to listen to what Morgiana is actually saying. Kougyoku meanwhile is just as capable of being cute and strong, while also being openly affectionate, which is seemingly something Alibaba wants from a partner, as well as understanding Alibaba and his circumstances much better which could lead to her being able to support him in all the ways Morgiana can't. They're also just have a very mutual friendship, where both sides give and take from it, instead of it looking like one side cares more than the other.

Like, Alibaba is mostly fine in both cases, but Morgiana especially deserves so much more. It took me some time to get around her character, but even while I was still convinced I disliked her (I didn't), I just thought "girl you deserve better".

Also, don't come at me with hurr durr it's just shipping why do you care. Romantic relationships are still relationships and deserve to be treated as such - and especially outside of shipping, just analysing them like literally any other aspect of writing. If you don't care about romance, ok, not everything is for everyone, but I pay a lot of attention to the relationships between characters regardless of the type of a relationship. And that! Invovles! Romance! Like, don't get me wrong, I don't subscribe to obsessing over ships to the point of harrassing people, what the hell is wrong with you, in this vein I'm very much Calm the fuck down, it's just shipping, but I genuinely dislike the opposite side of this spectrum, too, in which an entire type of a relationship is discarded, because it's "just romance". The writer literally took their time to put it in there! It's part of the story!

Ok, rant over.

Ominous

Hype.

And also hinting at Scheherazade's upcomin relevance.

[sayakxmi]

[Magi reread] Night 115: Inside Alibaba

I have the sense of humor of a 15yo.

Makes me laugh for some reason

Took me a sec to realize that all these lines are Aladdin's soul/Rukh/whatever.

Yep, Yamraiha couldn't have thought of it, because she didn't know about it!

Really white in here.

You totally can think of it as it being special, but truth be told, Alibaba's probably the only non-Fallen person whose Rukh within them we see. Maybe that's how it looks for everybody who isn't Fallen. Or maybe it is more an Alibaba thing.

This is. So. CUTE.

My heart!

Awwwwwww

Also, it's kinda funny that Kougyoku's here, but Hakuryuu isn't. Like, at this point of the story, they don't know each other beyond the Balabdd thing, lmao. Maybe Ohtaka's hinting that she and Alibaba will get close soon.

Hi Ithnan. Love the empty space & just these two.

Feels quite depressing, even though as far as we're aware at this point he's just an evil dude.

Man

I do wonder what the Rukh told him. And whose it was.

Solomon, maybe?

Also, Aladdin looks super cool here.

Yaaay!

Love that he specifies that he wants the answers. It's in line with his character, as somebody who doesn't completely get certain things, as well as one struggling with his sense of identity and belonging.

Adding the entire thing bc no point in dividing, we get some why they're doing it, and also sick as fuck visuals. Genuinely just zoom in to some of that stuff, MAN

Once again what destiny is, and also namedropping Alma Torran!

ALADDIN

That's a dick move. Like, I get it, but also, rude af.

Also, don't you, like, have the entire backstory unlocked thanks to Solomon's Wisdom? I suppose might be different with people from AT?

AT! Also really sad when you remember he's kinda not exactly there at this point. Poor Solomon.

I suppose it's not for me to judge, but these guys always looked so human-like, I do wonder what exactly made them a different race.

Yeah, I'm a firm believer Ohtaka hadn't decided between Arba and Sheba at this point.

Yea, I cannot make sense of, like, most things on the first panel. But it's still really cool. There's just so much going on, which I think fits. Also, Paimon as a Djinn & Zagan becoming one, Ithnan and some Al-Thamen members, the Descent and finally Solomon. Just. ;;;;

Can't you do this to Hakuryuu, Aladdin.

Jokes aside, it is quite interesting. Being Fallen is draining, it's an endless despair and rage, it truly is sad. It's easier to stay there than try again, but once you let go of it all - albeit forcefully here, which... alright, Aladdin, a bit rude but I suppose it helped - it brings you peace.

And Ohtaka will tell me several arcs later that Falling is cool actually. Falling is wallowing in your misery and spreading it around the world. Are you fucking kidding me.

KASSIM! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!

I am still so sad he's dead. Kassim Lives AU where. I'll never be over this bastard.

[sayakxmi]

[Magi reread] Night 114: High King

Looks pretty cool ngl

Well, releasing that magic would've made things a bit easier, and whatever his feelings regarding Alibaba might be, he's Rashid's son and also potential pawn who lets him access Aladdin and also Morgiana, an extra Fanalis won't hurt, so he'd rather the kid didn't die. Ithnan was dead the second he gave Sinbad an access to him, tho.

Also, I was wrong, it's the other arm with the MV.

SICK and COLD

Valid, tbh

The visuals are awesome can't lie

Sure, that's definitely all that protected the godsent child of destiny.

(It's an actuall title of a chapter in SnB, and imo pretty metal).

Honestly, really good stuff. Smart. Also, look how happy she is about it!

Cool as hell

Man, Sinbad is aura farming here like crazy

Ooooh, right....

the cuuuurseeeee....?

I fucking WISH I could find out about it for the first time again. Genuinely, I think I first watched Magi & was somewhere around 12? I remember jack how I felt, and whether I even appreciated this the way it deserved.

It's just fucking SICK. Man, I'm overusing this word lately, but also it IS sick, so. Anyway, just, all these small hints of something being off about Sinbad, subtle hints which were easy to overlook until very recently, the way Sinbad treats Kougyoku, the way he talks about Aladdin&Co, Ja'far's confirmation, and finally THIS. The reveal that this entire time Sinbad has already been Half-Fallen. The perfect king, the hero from the legends. This entire time he has long since half-cursed himself and Fate.

You know, this single chapter is one of the main reasons why I think people who read Sinbad no Bouken first instead of Magi are missing out. SnB is best as the slow motion trainwreck, as the well-needed context for Sinbad's character. It's really great, but this is what it was always meant to be - a supplement.

If you start with SnB and move to Magi, this chapter is pretty cool but, like, you knew about it. If you start with Magi, though? This is the payoff you get for all these little hints. This reveal, that the entire time the High King of the Seven Seas we've been admiring alongside our main characters has been somebody we truly knew nothing about. That if you ever thought for a moment that he's just a little too good, you were right to have doubts. That he is Half-Fallen, and that he might one day become the enemy. The greatest hero who became the villain.

It's just. Like, I feel kind of bad if somebody started with SnB because I think this reveal really is one of the coolest, hypest moments of Magi. It's a huge shame if they didn't get to experience it this way.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, fun that he's going "I didn't want to use power of this side" and several arcs later he's working with Arba. Oh, truly, how the mighty have fallen! <3

Lmao

Cold as fuck

And of course Sinbad and his obsession with the grand future (and the resulting disregard of the present)

Cool ass transition

I will refrain from some jokes that came to my mind.

Also, the curse kinda makes it look like he's crying because of these white streaks!

!!!!!

KASSIM ;______;

You know, I really like how Aladdin didn't think of it. I think in any other situation he would have, but right now he's just freaking out too much to think rationally. It's not just a random person in danger that he feels bad for, it's his very best friend who might die, and Aladdin is somewhere around 11. So, Sinbad comes in, a capable king and, more importantly, an adult. And, sure, Yamraiha's here, too, but she's trying to find a way to help, too, and slow down the curse as much as she can, that's got to take some of her focus. Assuming she knows about Solomon's Wisdom, and even if she does, she has no idea how it works and if it could help.

Like, this feels different to Aladdin's other usages of Solomon's Wisdom, I mean, look at it!

(Night 72: Wisdom of Solomon and Night 103 Turn of Fate)

Like, this is PERSONAL. It's not about fighting Al-Thamen or trying to console somebody, this is him trying to save his best friends life and hoping for the best.

And Sinbad's! Fucking! FACE!

You BET he wanted to see SW up close. I'd be willing to believe it was more of his motivation than belief that it could help Alibaba, even though I also believe he does want to help him. But, you know, opportunity's an opportunity.

[sayakxmi]

[Magi reread] Night 113: Curse

Honestly that's fair, and also I love Sinbad's immediate reaction. And also my boys heard!

Sup dude

Pretty fun trick! And, yeah, you're kinda hard to recognize, given you tend to cover yourself so much. Also, thank you for covering yourself here. We don't have spare fig leaves.

Ithnan, what a guy. Starts to dramatically invite them, but doesn't elaborate yet because he got distracted with how much this place sucks *blows it up*

WHAT!? is a good reaction.

Love the difference in the reactions: Alibaba is openly questioning becaues what the hell is happening, Sinbad&Co gives no damn, Aladdin sees more than the rest

And sees this

Yknow random but poetic, there's so many reasons behind Sinbad's descent into villainy, but it very much invovles his Household following him regardless of the path he chooses, even if they can tell it's not the right one, and they're here getting him covered in black rukh blood by accident. Meanwhile, Alibaba acts on his own and gets himself covered in it, too, and he's the character who on his own can't really do much and needs other people to help him out to succeed. Which I mean in a positive way.

Looks pretty cool. Also, funny how Sinbad gets his face and arm covered, while Alibaba only his arm. It might not be very deep, but I like to think that it does mean something that Sinbad has his eye covered in cursed blood (is. blinded.) and both have an arm, which can both mean taking action or being dragged into it.

I genuinely don't remember who said it, but I saw a post once of somebody pointing out that

BOTH ALIBABA AND SINBAD ACTUALLY DIE

And the fact that Il Illah's will is represnted by black rukh, and Alibaba is killed by a Fallen King Vessel while Sinbad kills himself during his storming ot the Sacred Palace. And then to fix his own mess.

Huh, maybe I'm onto something with what parts of their bodies got covered.

Idk, I still think it's quite insane, and somehow I never noticed until that person pointed it out.

Would be really funny if in the afterlife Alibaba randomly remembered the whole Ithnan's death curse thing, looked at Setta trying to figure out the Magic, and was like, heh, Ithnan's brother is helping reverse my death. How ironic.

Well, that was a nice arm

Man, like night and day.

I do quite like how they're both given that bit of special treatment from Al-Thamen here. Sinbad is the obvious threat, but Alibaba might not seem so, but he was chosen by Aladdin, so that's gotta mean something. It's just pretty cool, since they're the two main King Vessels of the story.

Bro's about to be reaaaally surprised.

FORESHAAAADOWING!!!!

I love how Aladdin looks, both determined and so concerned for them both. And Alibaba is so touched. And then there's Sinbad being pretty cool about it all, but what gets me is. The Generals' reaction. You have the newer ones, Spartos, Pisti & Sharrkan (who wasn't there for First Sindria's fall, missed it barely) who are confused, versus the original four (dead not included), Ja'far especially very pointedly looking away, because he knows. God, I love this so much.

"Overestimated", sure, Ithnan.

[sayakxmi]

[Magi reread] Night 112: Path

Aladdin is so smol;;;;

When tf did he meet Scheherazade. I genuinely don't remember.

YUNAN!!!!

I've said it before I think, but until I wrote something in his pov I was kinda whatever about Yunan, but now he's one of my favorite Magi. He's only competing with Titus.

I love, LOVE that this era is so strange.

And then we learn that Yunan is actually mostly making the Dunegon's disappear. And also that he's depressed af bc he's repeatedly forced to reincarnate with all his memories and watches everybody he loves die miserably. And dies miserably. Honestly, no wonder the poor guy gave up.

Ooooo, that explains it.

Ok, but you literally gave us the proof? I suspect it's Ohtaka trying to subtly set up the whole clone thing and all that, but, like, if it looks like a Magi, swims like a Magi, blah blah blah, it's probably a Magi. If anything, the only positive proof Sinbad is lacking is Scheherazade telling him herself that she's a Magi.

Come on. I'm the Most Special King Vessel, you're the Most Special Magi, together we can have everything.

I love it so much. For one, feels very like Sinbad, he's a greedy, greedy man, he sees somebody interesting and wants them - and who is more interesing than an unheard of Fourth Magi (besides Sinbad himself, of course). How could there be a better candidate for his Magi? And also, can we just talk about the choice of words? "The Magi of OUR Sindria Kingdom". It's already his and Aladdin's kingdom. Such bold choice of words. The implication.

That Aladdin catches onto. He doesn't decline, but he stands his ground here - he won't just let himself be swept by Sinbad's light the way so many do.

I like howfor a moment we can't see either of their eyes. It suggests some form of dishonesty from them both.

And Sinbad laughs, no big deal, while Aladdin's face looks somewhat blank.

It kind of made me think randomly about the Final Arc and how Sinbad attacked Aladdin. I wonder if there was some pettiness invovled there. Sinbad is a very petty person.

Also, is it Focalor's MV on his arm? I know it was an arm, just don't remember which one.

Snek

Ja'far is naturally beautiful, but also all of this is kind of sending me. Ja'far knows exactly what Sinbad intends to do, maybe not with Zepar yet, maybe he does, but regardless he ensures that Sinbad has the best possible opportunity to charm Kougyoku. He's so, so complicit. I genuinely keep forgetting. Of course he is. He might dislike certain methods, but he will not refuse.

No, don't fall for it!

Bro what do I even say, this fukcer. Man. This feels like I'm standing behind the glass and hitting it yelling DON'T TRUST HIM, DON'T DO IT!!! Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck

Kougyoku so cute

*throws up her hands in the air* NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

GOD DAMN IT SINBAD SINBAD WHEN I GET YOU

SINBAD YOU PIECE OF SHIT

There's just something about him saying it with this smile.

Ughh, the usage of the word "harvest". I love this arc, honestly. It's short, but gets shit done, and at long last we get to see this side of Sinbad, not simple hints. And there were hints, so many. And it'll culminate with the reval of him being Half-Fallen. It's so fucking good.

I was trying to pic what to post, but, honestly, I love this entire page. God. Sinbad acknowledging what he'd became, how in that middle right panel he looks - maybe not remorseful per se, but regretful. These were easier times. These darkened pages, how tired Sinbad looks in that last panel.

And then there's Ja'far. Oh, man, my boy Ja'far.

I love their relationship, it's truly fascinating. Ja'far is definitely Sinbad's most loyal subordinate - genuinely no competition - and most trusted and close one as well.

He's also Sinbad's greatest enabler.

The thing is, Ja'far will tell him the truth, but no matter what Sinbad chooses to do, he will follow him to the end. It doesn't matter if Ja'far is happy about it or agrees with his choices, he will go, anyway. And that makes him tragically complicit in Sinbad's fall from grace. His words by the end of the Slave Arc motivated SInbad, but they also gave him an excuse to eventually commit numerous atrocities in the name of his goals, an explosive combination given his rashness and arrogance. And it's not like Ja'far doesn't notice things about Sinbad, but he never pushes for answers, just accepts how things are. As amazing as accepting all of Sinbad, the good and the bad and the very, very ugly, sounds on paper, in reality it lets Sinbad succumb to his worst impulses. Ja'far will never, ever tell him to stop, and no, Ja'far will never, ever do good on that threat he'd made. He won't. He'll watch things fall apart, but he'll trust Sinbad and will continue to do his bidding. And he will regrert, and he'll feel awful for it, but he will not stop, either. Because his loyalty is truly his greatest flaw.

Love that Sinbad described him as another card, and proceeds to act all friendly. And on the flipside, I like how Hakuryuu acknowledges his immaturity. Too bad he'll end up falling back onto it.

I will give him that, he did grow. Rather than demanding things from Sinbad, he accepts his decision, actually changes his request into something reasonable - if there comes a day, please, help me - and show him the respect he's due as the, y'know, king and also potential benefactor. I mean, compare him to Night 86 and Night 87 - flinging accussations, calling him out, trying to rush into things, and generally acting like he has any standing there. GROWTH.

And it PAYS OFF. Sinbad accepts his proposal (and compliments him which sure is very genuine - and boy does Ja'far's expression say it all) and simply asks for the same, which all things considered sounds pretty fair.

He's very cute and happy for a guy who plans to murder his siblings.

And mother but we're not mourning Arba.

Tis but a

Scratch

Honestly, crazy thing to happen to a person.

[masky-arts]

Magi fanart in the year 2026... it's more likely than you might think

[scribeherself]

There is no drug on earth that can replicate the absolute euphoria of hitting a writing flow state at 2:00 AM. You aren’t even typing anymore. You are a vessel. You are a channel for the gods. The characters are speaking directly into your brain and you’re just the stenographer trying to keep up. You feel like you could fight a bear. You feel like you invented the alphabet

[redstonedust]

it bothers me when someone brings up misogyny in shounen anime and people shrug it off with "its designed for teenage boys, what can you expect." like well. idk i think its actually pretty important that shows for teenage boys are normal about women. i mean i think all media should be normal about women but teenagers are impressionable i think we could put a little bit of feminism in the teenage boy shows. it might do some good. you never know.

[artoatsblog]

[thunkonthehead]

Hello white tumblr user. In front of you is a post made by a Black person about their experiences with racism in a fandom you are a part of. Your challenge is to read the entire post without telling them they're making things up or making a big deal out of nothing. You also may not tell them they're wrong to tell people how to enjoy media or that they should focus on real world issues instead. If you fail this challenge the case of live hornets I have implanted in your sternum will unlock, allowing the hornets to sting your insides until you succumb to the venom. You have 60 seconds. Good luck.

[sizzlingsandwichperfection-blog]

have you guys been on the rest of the internet? because as bad as this, that shit is terrible.

tumblr is reduced harm internet.

[introvertathome]

We can't even call this a hellsite anymore because hell apparently migrated

Fucking pathetic. We used to be the feared side of the internet, now we're just here

[nyxsnotepad]

The phrase "hell apparently migrated" made me snort juice out my fucking nose oh my god thank you tumblr user introvertathome you just made my entire day I'm so serious

[sayakxmi]

[Magi reread] Night 111: Dungeon Conqueror's Banquet

Honestly, good for him, you could do better *proceeds to do worse*

Y'know I might be overthinking it, but I feel like he's kinda having some crisis of faith or something. Like, finding out about all that stuff becauce of Solomon's Wisdom gave him a genuine breakdown. It's hard to tell, because he's kinda insane on a regular basis, but I feel like he's lost it even further. Like, something about this expression, empty eyes and how demented this smile looks, even by Judar's standards. He thought about conquering the world and causing mayhem, but now he's moving much stronger towards destroying it. Hadn't it been for Al-Thamen's involvement in his life, perhaps he would've been a Magi of a beautiful, peaceful kingdom like Sindria, but he's not, so why should it exist if he was denied it? Hadn't it been for Al-Thamen's involvement in his life, perhaps he could have been Sinbad's Magi, but he can't, and so Sinbad just shouldn't exist, too. If he can't have it, he'll destroy it. That's just despair at this point.

I'm probably overthinking, but I really like to read it like that, so.

He's totally coping

Kou sibs!

And then we find out Kouen does not, in fact, like war. Personally I like to read him as he genuinely despises war, but a part of him just feels more comfortable at war. Cuz, y'know, he'd known it for most of his life, and during various campaigns he's away from Gyokuen, whom he fears as we find out later, and just doesn't have much of a time to worry about his siblings' safety or Al-Thamen or whatever. It allows him to just remain in the moment for a bit. He's fully aware just how fucked up it is.

Kougyoku so cute.... Beautiful sea daughter......

Judar and Kougyoku and whatever the fuck they have going on.

Like, I believe he cares about her, he's just extremely callous and egoistic.

There's a different reason she came here, actually, but, yeah.

The fuck you gonna do. She's already a Dungeon Conqueror. I guess if she got another Djinn she'd have more value, but, dude.

Also, stop whoring yourself, man. I know you're chasing something, but this way you won't get it.

There is. Literally. Not a single good option for her here. Like, personally more than anything, but politically, too. But, man. Kinda shows just how trapped Kougyoku truly is. Judar and his flimsy loyalty, Sinbad who doesn't care but will make use of a pawn if he gets his hands on one. Girl, you deserve so much better.

Politically kind of obviously she cannot agree with him, that could be used as an excuse to start a war, and to decline could also put her at odds with her family, potentially. Poor Kougyoku.

I still find it hilarious that at this point in the story, Hakuryuu can't stand his ass. Man. Have some self-respect, dude.

Y'know, maybe he offerred because he hoped she could be that special King Vessel to him. Bringing back her failure to motivate her. He did like one pink-haired warrior princess, so.

Damn, she needs a break :(

Deep in thoughts. Judar sure told him quite a bit.

Now? I'm having my scheming time...

God I love Kougyoku. She cares to do right by her country and people so much. Also, if you think about it, she's cleaning up Judar's mess. Will not be her only time.

She really looks scared, trembling with tears in her eyes. Man. Was she looking like that when she told the emperor about what happened in Balbadd?

I

ALMOST gave him the benefit of the doubt. You think it's around this time that he started thinking about using Zepar? Like, Judar sparking some memories.

My kids!

Wait, where Morgiana

Things Alibaba sure wished to hear from his dad, alas, Rashid kinda sucked. Genuinely no wonder he saw him as a father figure.

Also, man, Sinbad really hoped Alibaba'd get the Djinn.

"Well, he's definitely beaten, but also looks more chill, so maybe the Alibaba therapy worked & I'll get that pawn ally."

Your situationship crashed the party and made a mess of things.

: (

You can't stay here. You won't be a useful pawn if you do so.

Nothing, nothing.

Lmaoooo and awww

Cute!

: (

!!!!

[sayakxmi]

[Magi reread] Night 110: The Fourth Magi

Dunno if I've explained it, but in case somebody was wondering, the asterisks by the night number just mean that the anime juggled these chapters a bit. ANYWAY.

I haven't given the Zagan Arc a rating, so I'm gonna do this now. Out of curiosity, I checked how I rated it on my previous reread, and, funnily enough, it ended up pretty much the same, so: Zagan Arc gets 8.5/10. Just like then, I feel like this arc is somewhere between 8 and 9, even between 8.5 and 9, but I just can't bring myself to give it that full 9.

I'll get the negatives out of the way, there's a lot of just very unnecessary call the police moments because of fake Zagan, which serve no other purpose than to really shock&disgust the characters and the readers - we really did not need that. The whole body horror of turning humans into plants was horrifying enough, really. These moments with the little girl were simply distasteful. Besides that, I've complained in the previous post about the crooks at the end, so I won't repeat the entire thing, just sum up that they're mostly here to give the trio masters' cool moment, and also trivialize Falling and the whole Dark Metal Vessel thing. And Morgiana not watching Masrur's fight while Alibaba & Aladdin both watched (in Alibaba's case he even got himself slightly invovled in it) their masters' is another one to the Morgiana not getting the main character treatment jar.

Originally I also had Dunya not having the same sort of presence as Kassim did as a negative, but this time around I don't find it such a bad thing. It serves it's own purpose, with Alibaba realizing isn't simply causing people like Kassim harm, but is made of people like Kassim - this realization wouldn't have landed if there was no distance between Dunya and the Team Zagan. But anyway, we get to know more about Hakuryuu, which sets up his arc pretty well - his faults are there, his immaturity and blind pursuit of his goal, but we also see the possibility of him growing past it, which we know he won't, but the chance was there. It's pretty great, because it makes it clear that he did not have to Fall, that there were other paths for him, but he simply refused to take them. Morgiana also is pretty great in this arc, shouout to my very first Magi reread where this arc made me realize oh wait Morgiana used to be an actual character. The Final Arc really colors your perception, huh. We also saw Aladdin's growth as a magician... Yeah, Alibaba wasn't wrong, Morgiana and Aladdin really showed the results of their training, while he kinda half-assed it. Can't deny him the spirit, tho. And Dunya, like I said, showcased that lineage truly doesn't matter, anybody can fall. Also some a set up for the upcoming Magnostadt Arc.

Alright, alright, I'll shut up. Time to get to the Night 110!

This is so cute and (RIP Morgiana, tho). Aladdin worries about Yamraiha who just looks so happy he's fine. Sharrkan tries to half-scold Alibaba, and Masrur proceeds to call him out, Alibaba worrying about the wound... Aww.

Rip Hakuryuu, he missed everything.

Well, that's not very reassuri-

Ah.

Aaaaah.

Welp, that's why the masters trio got there on time.

Also, naturally, Ja'far is looking beautiful.

Well. There goes their peace.

Say what you want, he sure made good entrance.

D:<

Everything about this page is great. Pisti looking serious, all the fucks Judar doesn't give, Ja'far immediately going into offense...

...and immediately getting wrecked.

It definitely shows just how powerful Magi are, from the destruction of the barrier to the complete disregard of the HV. And, Judar isn't even well trained yet! There was some additional stuff about him having to sneak around to train magic. The point is, this is simply the sheer power a Magi has an access to.

Also, I kind of realzied later Yunan will crash Sindria a little, too. Magi sure just like to do that to him, huh?

Man, when's the last time we saw him Like That. Did we see him like that in Magi itself? I'd have to scan through probably the Balbadd Arc, but I do think this might be the one time in Magi we see that bit of a feral assassin beneath all the fancy robes. Don't get me wrong, he totally calmed down over the years, but it's just not completely gone. Which is pretty cool.

Also, I am wondering when exactly Ohtaka decided Ja'far was semi-assimiliated. His pupils are slits, which might both be a hint or just an artistic choice. If it was just an artictis chocie at the time, it sure can be made into a hint, now.

*waves*

Y'know, I'm thinking about it now, I feel like one of the reasons why there's this beef between Judar and Ja'far specifically (like, excluding all that history, obviously) is that they are kind of... similar, y'know? Judar is quite a lot like how Ja'far used to be before he met Sinbad, maybe a little how a really, really small part of him misses to be - does what he wants, says what he wants, attacks whoever and whatever he wants, just doesn't care about anything or anyone except himself. Ja'far worked his ass off to become something else, somebody kinder and gentler, but we keep catching glimpses of that edge he never lost. Perhaps Judar is too much like a mirror at times, reflecting the sides of himself Ja'far tries to keep at bay.

Yea, I'd be kinda confused, too. This particular Magi is quite known for being violent, and here instead of getting mad or something, he's just like, yeah, whatever, knew this would happen. Poor soldiers, you really can't predict if he blows up or not.

I *love* that this is brought up here. This might've been teased slightly before, but I don't think it was really stated so openly until now. And it's clear from Sinbad's expression he knows what Judar is talking about.

Also, naturally, the lovely black sun motif <3

I genuinely love how clearly different this era is. From the number of Dungeon Conqueror through the number of Metal Vessels one might hold, to the existenec of the SSA and now the number of Magi. There's just something fascinating about living in this time of a rapidly changing world. Not irl, that's, uh, less fun irl, but that doesn't mean it's not fun here. You just know stuff is happening, y'know? And can't help but question where will it lead.

Also Yunan and Scheherazade mention!

Well, he is indeed a very special case.

It's kind of easy to forget that Judar isn't stupid. He's extremely chaotic and a spoiled bastard with little experience of normal life, but, yeah, stupid he is not. He's right to find it weird and question.

Judar's logic is questionable at best assuming there is any, so he comes of as extreemely unreliable whenever he speaks, which he totally is, but that makes these moments when he's totally right all the better. Like, yeah, you could assume he's just riling Sinbad up or something, or that Sinbad is just This Fucking Done with him... except Judar is right. Sinbad is acting innocent, even though he absolutely wants to use Aladdin.

Sure, he says it's not Judar's business somewhat admitting to it, but nobody will take Judar's words at face value, they'll assume Sinbad only shut him down, because this Magi is just impossible to reason with. Not being entirely wrong at that.

The Parthevia thing is very true, but a very convinent topic change to stay away from wondering whether or not Sinbad is as calculated as Judar claims.

Side-note, I strongly headcanon that Judar genuinely does not remember the entire Parthevia war thing, as a mix of Al-Thamen messing with his memory and just blocking it himself because of how upsetting it was.

Honestly, all of this is wild. Sinbad actually feeling bad for Judar... He really ends up going off the rails so hard that it's almost strange to see him feel something for somebody else - it's tragic, honestly. Also the fact that that Judar mocks him for it, man. Like, he might be the most conniving man in the world, but he's not the villain just yet.

And of course Judar's backstory and attitude. It's really depressing, and he's obviously lying here right now, because we know he does care. A lot. His life was never his own and hadn't Aladdin used Solomon's Wisdom on him, he would have had no idea, probably wouldn't have even thought to question it. It's no fucking wonder he's mad. There was so much of his life stolen from him.

I do think Judar genuinely wanted his own King. Not several, just one special person, only for himself: who'd care for him and he'd care for them in return. For a while Serendine was that, and Sinbad was special enough on his own that he felt like he could do great, but both bridges were burned alongside the first Sindria, and the Kou Siblings never really compared. They couldn't have, really, because they never really stood eye to eye. To KouBros he was a member of Al-Thamen, so an untrustworthy tool like the rest of the organization, Hakuei I can't tell because I don't believe they interacted once, and Kougyoku had the opportunity to be that, but, in contrast, it was Judar who never truly respected her as a King, which made it impossible. There is a reason why he seems so much happier when he and Hakuryuu join forces, why he passes Sinbad without a care. He finally has what he wants. In general, Judar and Hakuryuu were to each other what they both truly wanted (which is also why Judar's loss brings him around a bit), but also an extreme case of what they both really, really did NOT need at the time. But, likely not the first of my rambles about it, and certainly not the last.

The guy who totally doesn't care that it could have been him here, but isn't because of that organization. Honestly, he might just be in denial.

[wren-kitchens]

why is fandom less fun when black ppl or aro ppl or trans ppl tell you to check your biases. if its 'just a headcanon' why is it such a big deal that ppl ask you to think about why you made it

why do you never engage with black characters, why do you always think the same type of character is transmasc/fem, why do you only find romance interesting to the point of ignoring plotlines so you can create ships

are we actually just being the fun police or are you just being a bigot. why is pretending we dont exist necessary for your enjoyment

[sayakxmi]

[Magi reread] Night 109: Genius

LAST CHAPTER OF THE ARC LETZ GOOOOO

I actually checked out of curiosity. I started Zagan Arc in February 2025... This took me over a year...... Kinda lmao.

True but also how would you even do that, these two are literally flying.

I can't say I particularly love SharrYam - I'm fine with it, though admittedly more because I like Sharrkan & he likes Yamraiha so I wish him well. Still, I do get why people enjoy it, they have this goofy rivals-to-lovers-esque thing going on, where they fight like dumbasses, but also get each other well enough and when not in front of each other, they have respect for each other. I think there's a lot of fun stuff to do with them. We know thanks to SnB that Sharrkan's got social anxiety & copied Sinbad both to impress Yamraiha & to deal with it, so I do wonder how Yamraiha would react upon getting to know the Sharrkan underneath the mask. Still, it's undeniable that he has feelings for her, frankly, had them for an impressive amount of time. But per Ohtaka classic, it's depicted largely one-sided. It's not impossible to interpret Yamraiha's portrayal as her having romantic feelings (although she's totally oblivious to that), but it's, frankly, equally plausible for her not to have any. She does say something about seeing Sharrkan as a little brother, to which he immediately says no (might've been in an extra). Poor guy, but he's not doing himself any favors by not being genuine with her - or clear, since implications that have nothing to do with magic fly over her head. Obviously, anxiety's not helping him, but, man, I feel for the other Generals, forced to watch these two for years. No wonder Masrur just pushes them onto each other at some point. I'd be done, too.

She looks really cool!

Also, I want to put as little of that other guy here as possible, so. Have more pretty Yamraiha, I guess.

I mean, for now it's mostly just an action scene.

Pretty cool shot. For a bunch of reasons, tbh. Magicians are the "passive" ones, y'know? The supporters. Sun meanwhile is often associated with leadership and taking action. Am I reading too much into this? Most likely. But it made me think abt it. Besides that, it's pretty cool in hindsight, because Yamraiha will use light to trick the guy, that mirage spell.

...bug

Please just die

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FOOL

Ok this is a fucking sick page, and also she looks genuinely gorgeous here.

Overall, I do love the usage of the terrain whenever it happens. Yamraiha's proud, but she isn't stupid - magicians tend to be physically weaker, and her main defense, Borg, couldn't really handle these attacks, so fighting head-on (which isn't in magicians/her style to begin with) is out of question. So she aims to give herself some kind of advantage - by changing the surroundings.

I really like this. Earlier she gave Aladdin that lecture about magicians being meant to be supports to others, and here she shows that she's still a perfectly capable battler. She can't really depend on brute strength like Masrur, or skill like Sharrkan - her endurance is much lower, but she's got more versatility, which allows her to outsmart her opponent.

Huh, the titles of these three chapters are so fitting, really. Fury - natural, brute strength, Swordsmen - specialized skill/technique and Genius - smarts and creativity. Really cool.

Pf

God these guys are so fucking weird... Thanks fuck Dunya didn't get this kind of treatment. I mean, she was also kinda weird but more in a trauma way rather than fucking creeps way. Rly, tho, why did Ohtaka give them Dark Metal Vessels? It just trivializes them as a result. Dark MVs are supposed to be a big deal, but these three for some reason have it, they get killed, and then it's just. Never brough up again.

Like, I could come up with some backstories for them, but they're just too unpleasant to care. No redeeming qualities. Just three crooks to have Masrur, Sharrkan & Yamraiha wreck them. Which, y'know, is quite satisfying, I won't deny, but Ohtaka could've tried not to make them just this disgusting. What happened to the Fall being a tragedy? They don't look like tragedies, they look like seriously messed up and entitled people. I guess you could read it as some Fallen people being just simply irredeemable, not everything has to be Kassim-, Dunya- most of AT!Al-Thamen-, Hakuryuu-deep, but it just. Trivializes the entire thing.

:siigh:

I have much worse to say about this sick fuck, but I will reign it in. I wish to go through these chapters and forget these characters existed again.

Oh, hey, Aladdin woke up! They all look so worried :<

Fanservice. So much fanservice. (I didn't put all the panels.)

Ohtaka really did not need to focus so much on her shell bra breaking...

!

Yeah, uh, this is part of the reason why breakable shells as your bra and nothing else might not be such a great battle attire choice.

Unless she's trying to distract him, I guess. Seems kinda weird she'd just let herself be hit like that.

Huh, I never noticed that. For one, Alibaba's still barely keeping himself half-sitting. Sharrkan is standing there with a raised sword in case he needs to intervene - but he doesn't. And Yamraiha's behind them. Neat.

Lol

Alibaba why are you getting a close-up, it's not your chapter. Also, man, Sharrkan looks pretty scared.

Omggg.... He's covering his head, and Sharrkan tries to shield him....

This is the sweetest thing ever. The previous chapter it was Alibaba trying to shield Sharrkan, and now he shields him ;__; best master. I've genuinely never noticed that...

EAT!!! SHIT!!!

HA!

I genuinely did NOT remember that's what happened, tho I'll give myself like 0.3 of a point for noticing that Ohtaka sure focused a lot on that destroyed bra. I'm sorry, Ohtaka, my bad faith in you (and animanga) was totally earned, but you made it serve some purpose.

Still. Seriously? Her bra? Really?