(L) Magi - Labyrinth of Magic [manga]

[Sixth]

So, is it a bad thing? Lost an identity but gained a better life.

[Kioras]

Originally Posted by noobita

So, is it a bad thing? Lost an identity but gained a better life.

Oh yeah, they are completely trying to eliminate the cultural identity of Balbad.

Instead of getting a Balbad with it's strengths and weaknesses, they are just getting an outpost of the Kou empire with a Balbad lower class and imported Kou people to run things.

It is something that will turn into a powder keg at some point in the future as more people start thinking what has been done to them and realizing they are now stuck as the lower class forever.

[hamazura]

i think its not a bad thing.
they should be grateful instead.

kassim next chapter, oh god i dont really like kassim-alibaba, hope to meet kou en ASAP

[Raviel]

I'm starting to think that for the entirety of this arc, we won't go a chapter without someone mentioning "Alibaba" and "lack of a girlfriend" in the same sentence

That said, Kou must have some really fast builders, I mean they've practically renovated the whole city in the span of a little over a year. Kou also has some pretty well established colonial policies by keeping those they conquer happy, they're less likely to rebel that way.

[hamazura]

Originally Posted by Raviel

I'm starting to think that for the entirety of this arc, we won't go a chapter without someone mentioning "Alibaba" and "lack of a girlfriend" in the same sentence

That said, Kou must have some really fast builders, I mean they've practically renovated the whole city in the span of a little over a year. Kou also has some pretty well established colonial policies by keeping those they conquer happy, they're less likely to rebel that way.

this is like what england did right? so much country they invade and no england-conquered country in this earth suffering, everything is fine and well developed

[Awrya]

Originally Posted by Raviel

I'm starting to think that for the entirety of this arc, we won't go a chapter without someone mentioning "Alibaba" and "lack of a girlfriend" in the same sentence

That said, Kou must have some really fast builders, I mean they've practically renovated the whole city in the span of a little over a year. Kou also has some pretty well established colonial policies by keeping those they conquer happy, they're less likely to rebel that way.

In before Kouen offers Alibaba a political marriage because of relationships and "lack of a girlfriend".

I believe it's closer to 2 years after Balbadd Arc, but it's somewhat hard to keep track of time in magi. Does anyone have a complete timeline since the beginning?

[CBredbeard]

Originally Posted by Awrya

In before Kouen offers Alibaba a political marriage because of relationships and "lack of a girlfriend".

I believe it's closer to 2 years after Balbadd Arc, but it's somewhat hard to keep track of time in magi. Does anyone have a complete timeline since the beginning?

There was a six month gap between Alibaba and Aladdin meeting and the Balbaad arc. Six months after that was the Sindria arc. Clearing the Zagaan dungeon took about a month.

Then the group took about a month before parting ways. The Magnostadt arc took over a year, probably close to 13 months. Then a month passed to set up the summit. A couple weeks to prepare the journey. Yeah, basically it's been 3 years since Alibaba met Aladdin.

Just goes to show you that no matter how good people have it, they'll still find reasons to be unhappy. Although Hassan is probably suffering from culture shock. They all are/ Their lives have taken a very dramatic turn and they aren't quite sure what the future holds for them anymore.

Zay seems to believe that she can dream and make something of herself. Hassan thinks he's stuck being a porter forever, that everyone in Balbaad is basically a servant to the Kou nobility, but what Zay said doesn't seem to support this. People that used to live in the slums made their way into a high position in no time flat.

I don't know about you guys, but if Zay can start a business for herself in a city recently conquered by Kou and if a trio of reformed bandits can hit it big by opening a casino in Reim, the world just doesn't seem like that bad a place. Most of the planet is quickly becoming civilized and orderly and as long as magic isn't involved, things seem like they're turning out just fine for alot of people.

P.S. I'm sure the question of Kougyokou's marriage to Alibaba will be settled sooner than later and once and for all. They will remain friends. Kougyokou herself will probably be married off to Mu. That's what my gut is telling me.

[Raviel]

^I think both Hassan and Zaynab are right in this case, yes they can aim for an even better life than they have now but I'm pretty sure that no matter how much they improve their lot in life they will always be considered second class citizens to the Kou immigrants in Balbadd.

Furthermore, regardless of what happens, whatever culture that Balbadd had before could very well be forgotten if the current trend in the city continues. It's not about complaining about your lot in life, what Hassan was most worried about was that the people of Balbadd would forget who they are.

On a side note I'm guessing that the social classes of the city are divided into the following:

1. Kou immigrants at the top
2. Citizens of Balbadd who've risen to some importance are the middle-class
3. Commoners like Hassan and Zaynab at the bottom

Man, the way Kou handles it's colonies is way too similar to my country's history for me to feel comfortable lol (I'm from the Philippines), at this point the only real difference is the people aren't outright oppressed and the colonial government is incredibly competent (though that is what you would expect from Kouen).

P.S. Inb4thishappens

Kouen: A dethroned womanless prince walking on the soil of his former homeland, how shameful.

Alibaba: *man face*

[Sixth]

In before Kouen offers Alibaba a political marriage because of relationships and "lack of a girlfriend".

Alibaba: Kouen! I don't like the way you govern Balba-

Kouen: I agreed with your view. I think I overdid with Balbad. I felt shameful for destroying Balbad's culture...just like that..

Alibaba: Errrr.....well...

Kouen: I am reflecting my mistake now. However, to restore Balbad's culture is not easy especially when none of my officers know anything about Balbad culture...or interested to learn about it.

Alibaba: I kno-

Kouen: I think you would be the right man to restore the Balbad culture but you are not a king anymore...and I can't simply crowning an outsider to be king for Balbad...unless he is part of my family..

Alibaba: tl;dr?

Kouen: You loser of forever alone. I am pitying you. Even my step-mom, the witch of Al-Thamen shed her tear when she saw your situation, and even Judal was crying black rukh when he knew your story. Here is the gist. Sleep with my sister Kougyoku, and I will crown you as King of Balbad, and you will restore the Balbad's culture. Win-win situation. You got girl. My sister got her best friend at her side 24/7. Balbad's culture is restored. My step-mom and Judal stop crying and I got Aladdin. Deal?

Alibaba: Ban-Kai! Zanka No Tachi *doing man-face*

[Bakaizer]

Arab town to China town??
smells like war

and how long will the Alibaba and no girlfriend joke would last? ( and then a political marriage happens)

[Raviel]

^The joke will last until Alibaba gets a girlfriend for real.

It's been going on for at least a month now and it still doesn't get old.

[ChampDream]

Originally Posted by noobita

Alibaba: Kouen! I don't like the way you govern Balba-

Kouen: I agreed with your view. I think I overdid with Balbad. I felt shameful for destroying Balbad's culture...just like that..

Alibaba: Errrr.....well...

Kouen: I am reflecting my mistake now. However, to restore Balbad's culture is not easy especially when none of my officers know anything about Balbad culture...or interested to learn about it.

Alibaba: I kno-

Kouen: I think you would be the right man to restore the Balbad culture but you are not a king anymore...and I can't simply crowning an outsider to be king for Balbad...unless he is part of my family..

Alibaba: tl;dr?

Kouen: You loser of forever alone. I am pitying you. Even my step-mom, the witch of Al-Thamen shed her tear when she saw your situation, and even Judal was crying black rukh when he knew your story. Here is the gist. Sleep with my sister Kougyoku, and I will crown you as King of Balbad, and you will restore the Balbad's culture. Win-win situation. You got girl. My sister got her best friend at her side 24/7. Balbad's culture is restored. My step-mom and Judal stop crying and I got Aladdin. Deal?

Alibaba: Ban-Kai! Zanka No Tachi *doing man-face*

I could see this happening, except for the step-mom and Judal crying.

[Breimoon]

Originally Posted by ChampDream

I could see this happening, except for the step-mom and Judal crying.

maybe they were lolling too hard?

[Blaat]

I'm never going to get tired of Alibaba the butt monkey.

[ChampDream]

Originally Posted by Breimoon

maybe they were lolling too hard?

that could make sense, but if the step mom could do that to a complete stranger, wonder what could she do when her son tell her he confesed to a girl and got reject?

[CBredbeard]

I thought Morigana and Alibaba were a couple?

[Tempest35]

Some of us thought that Alibaba and Toto were gonna be an item too...and look how that turned out...

Still, we might get teased with AlixKyou in the future so *puts on shades* Be Prepared.

[CBredbeard]

No, I mean, what does it mean that he'll wait for her and teach her how to be a girlfriend? I'm still confused by what she doesn't understand about. Does she not want to be Alibaba's significant others? Does that idea not make her happy? How can something like that even be taught? To be with someone?

I don't understand where Morigana is coming from at all.

[Fwarlord]

Originally Posted by CBredbeard

No, I mean, what does it mean that he'll wait for her and teach her how to be a girlfriend? I'm still confused by what she doesn't understand about. Does she not want to be Alibaba's significant others? Does that idea not make her happy? How can something like that even be taught? To be with someone?

I don't understand where Morigana is coming from at all.

Of course something like that can't be taught. That's the reason Alibaba will end up with Kougyoku. She is her fiancee after all.

[hawkeyesvn]

Originally Posted by ellifeedn

The Kou Empire is Communistic?

IMO, they're the China Empire of this manga. The way Kou assimilated Balbadd is just like what China empire did to those countries it conquered in ancient time. Vietnam is one of the biggest example due to its 1000 years of being captured by China. In 1000 years of Chinese rule, they erase Vietnam's ancient culture, letter,....and migrate a lot of Chinese to Vietnam for erasing bloodlines. And the Chinese rulers are very oppressive, they treat normal people like slave and rich people have to pay heavy taxes. When Vietnam finally got their independence in 10th century, their cultural has become heavily influenced by China in many areas: of politics, government, architecture and Confucian social and moral ethics.

That's real life...But for Balbadd, I'm not really sure if this is better or worse for Balbadd. Unlike their real life counterpart, Kou did a pretty good job by giving people equality ( in both material and life style - unless you're Kou native ). Kou empire is like a mix of ancient China empire with a Communist state. Considering Balbadd's former status, this can be considered an improvement but destroying people' sense of individuality has always been proved to be big trouble in the long run by history.

We'll have to see what Kouen himself think about this in the upcoming chapters. Meanwhile, Alibaba can continue to be the forever alone loser -.- .