Magi - 17
Spoiler
Aladdin tells Alibaba that he will help him reach out to Kassim, who is in the thrall of darkness. After Aladdin invokes heat magic to restore Amon’s sword, Alibaba strikes the black djinn, but he is then engulfed and absorbed into the dark entity. However, the battle between Aladdin and Judal continues outside and Aladdin surprises Judal via projections of images into his mind that for some reason have an affect on Judal.
Inside the black djinn, Alibaba meets Kassim, who tells him of a strong dislike/hate that he’s had for the fortunate Alibaba, since childhood. Kassim feels that the divide between the two of them was a result of having being born into their fate - their upbringing influencing the status of their lives. This leads to a clash of ideals between Kassim (who has lived a harsh life) and Alibaba (who has led a somewhat privileged life), despite both of them having lived in the slums. Kassim notes the difference between the two of them, but he is surprised to learn that Alibaba also had thoughts about their differences. Alibaba also has a glimpse into Kassim’s past and sees some events that changed his outlook on life (Mariam’s passing, the slums being burned down, the Arms Dealer influencing the actions of the displaced slum people), causing Kassim to fight against his fate. Both realize their faults and come to understand the each other a bit more, leading to a reconciliation as friends, once more. Kassim’s existence has come to an end, but he leaves with a smile on his face before parting from Alibaba.
The black djinn is destroyed, with light rukh blasting away the dark rukh in the sky above the palace, and the Arms Dealer flees with Judal, who is severely affected by the visions that Aladdin has shown him,. Elsewhere, the Arms Dealer remarks on Aladdin as a Magi with his King Candidate, but he is then cut off. First, he is attacked by Masrur, then by Jafar, both possessing metal vessels. The Arms Dealer then notices that Sinbad is armed with a metal vessel as well before the Sindrian King blasts the Arms Dealer into nothingness. Despite Sinbad’s efforts, something within escapes from the fallen Arms Dealer in the water below. Somewhere else, a council of robed men and women, make a remark about Solomon’s actions and detail their purpose as a group to bring darkness into the world.
Alibaba reappears, holding Judal’s lifeless body in his arms and crying for the loss of his friend. Aladdin reassures his friend that Kassim is not lost, but has become part of the flow (rukh) and the Magi summons the former king and Alibaba’s mother before him. Other people who have passed are summoned (lost family members and soldiers) and visit with their loved ones/friends. Mariam appears and speaks something into Alibaba’s ear and Kassim appears at her side as well. The moment, though heartwarming, is short-lived as the summoned return to the flow from whence they came. A weakened Sinbad, supported by Masrur and Jafar, makes the comment that Magi are amazing, and Morgiana reunites herself with her friends.
The Balbadd Arc has concluded.
Onward to Sindria and beyond.
Minami-ke Tadaima - 05
Spoiler
[LIST]
[]Haruka hands some of her clothes down to Kana and Chiaki. Kana gets a dress and talks up Chiaki by getting her exited for a swimsuit that may help her out with swimming. The swimsuit, however, doesn’t fit Chiaki, at all.
[]Kana and Keiko think about enjoying some chilled noodles some time after school and invite Akira, but he is turned down when Kana deems him to not be in the right seasonal mood of summer. Fujioka overhears the convo and with Akira’s advice tries to get himself invited by trying to be in the right seasonal mood. However, only Riko and Keiko notice Fujioka’s efforts, unlike Kana who is oblivious and thinks Fujioka is acting like a delinquent, especially when she sees him interacting with Akira.
[]Haruka seems to favor a modest one-piece swimsuit, unlike the more daring Maki and Atsuko who seem to favor two-piece swimsuits.
[]Apparently, Chiaki was in the process of creating special meals for herself, but Kana ends up eating them before she is able to. Kana makes the discovery that she has gained some weight from eating the special meals, to which Chiaki says that they were supposed to help her to become more buoyant in water. However, Kana makes the comment that Chiaki forgot to consider the act of treading water, which involves muscle. This prompts the two younger Minami girls to workout to get in shape, but Chiaki has a hard time trying to do exercise stuff.
[]While Kana, Keiko, and Riko try to figure out stuff to do for summer vacation, Fujioka thinks about how he would want to have an opportunity to spend time with Kana. Akira proposes a scenario involving a family restaurant that could lead to making plans to do other social activities. Fujioka gets the opportunity to choose via Kana’s activity chart and actually chooses/selects the family restaurant. However, despite his excitement, Fujioka realizes that all the other things/activities that he wanted to do were also options on the chart.
[]While the group is gathered together and shooting off fireworks, they soon find themselves without a lighter as Haruka rushes home to check if she left the stove on. Kana seems to have various implements to create fire, but the effort required to make fire are somewhat beyond the other girls there. Fujioka goes off to buy a firestarter and on the way back he wonders if he can create a moment for himself and Kana (he wants to hold her hand). After returning with the firestarter, Fujioka is a savior of sorts and Kana offers to pay for the item despite Fujioka’s protests. Kana ends up touching Fujioka’s hand, via money exchange/payment, which surprises him. Later, Fujioka is happy that he accomplished his goal, yet he forgot to make plans to do something later, much to Akira’s disappointment.
[/LIST]
Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman - 05
Spoiler
Upon returning from an outing, Roman and Koharu notice that all of their furniture is missing from their home. When Roman finds a letter of challenge, a man named Seibei appears who tells them that he is the one who has taken their furniture and that he wants to challenge Roman for the Nezumi Kozo title. The challenge is accepted by Roman and the competitor’s duke it out in the a best of 3 contest. Despite Roman’s ability, he loses two challenges in a row (lock picking and a rooftop race) to the portly Seibei, who says that Roman is no longer fit for the title and that he should quit.
Roman says that he can’t quit and tells the man the reason why he’s gone on as a helper/get-backer - to see the smiles on the faces of the people that he helps. After sharing a particular tale involving a young girl named Otsu, years ago (whom Roman was unable to help in the end), Roman proposes a final challenge to Seibei, the terms being reclaiming the title or Roman forfeiting his life, to which Seibei accepts. The challenge is for Roman to save two things (the dog Sakura and the inventor’s prized treasure) before they fall into the water. Roman manages to save both items, which surprises Seibei. Afterwards, Seibei acknowledges Roman’s desire to help those in need and says that he was a friend of his father before departing.
As the furniture is brought back into the home/shop of Roman and Koharu, Kanade is apparently searching for something and she comes across a set of decorative chopsticks that have a family crest on them. It turns out that this item is sought after by Magoichi’s group, which apparently might lead them to the ‘spring cherry blossom’ treasure.
