Opticks

Opticks, by Harapan Ong, is touted as being the long-awaited sequel to what is, in my opinion, one of the best books on card magic: Principia.

While in reality it's only been three years since Principia was released, I have been thoroughly excited for the release of Opticks -- Harapan Ong has yet to disappoint and this one's no exception.

Unlike the big orange book, Opticks is actually a video download! It contains 26 routines overall, and all card magic. Directly from Harapan Ong's IG Stories (@harapanong), roughly half of the tricks in this release are new and the others are updates and improvements on predecessors -- even some from Principia -- but some from even before then!

A Glimpse Inside

While the contents list (found below) highlights the titles of the chapters in this video, it doesn't really give you much insight into "what's there."

In Opticks, there's a little bit for every skill level and, while I dislike this phrase, but also every type of performer. There are complete magic routines, color changes, and even new sleights to learn. Just like with Principia, Opticks is full of practical material that you can build on or adapt into your existing sets.

Also, it's not one long video. Rather, every chapter is a separate video! For example:

This is pretty helpful so you don't need to know the exact runtime offsets of each, but it's quite different from a normal download / magic video. I don't have any complaints against it though -- maybe you have an opinion?

Oh wait I do have one! I would have really loved an introduction to the whole thing. You know, a "hi, I'm Harapan and this is Opticks." Maybe some background info? Or perhaps a little theory here and there. Each being separate like this feels more like a Patreon or YouTube channel. But hey, the quality is top-notch from what I've seen so I'll give him that!

UPDATE: It has an introduction!!! It's in the first video (duh =P), Kaleidoscope Production. It's quick, to the point, and checks off all of the boxes I was looking for. Good job Harapan. Good job =]

Box Set -- Physical Goods!

But wait, there's more! When Vanishing Inc. announced Opticks, they were hinting that it would sell out fast. How does a video sell out fast? Do they limit the number of people that are allowed to buy it? That doesn't make sense... and of course it didn't, because that wasn't the answer!

The official product of Opticks isn't just a video, it also comes with a box set of physical stuff too!

The box set comes with a decent number of goodies, including a full deck of cards -- Newton: or, a Deck of 52 Pasteboards for the Practice and Performance of Sleight of Hand. Also attribute to the Father of Classical Physics.. There's a packet of gaff cards (classic Harapan style), and of course stickers. Also some neat triangle container (that the deck of cards comes encased in) that may or may not be part of a routine!

At the time of this writing, I haven't received my box yet -- I'll update this with personal photos as soon as I have them. However, to help whet your appetite, here are some pics from @serenityx135 who has access to an advanced set:

Where to buy?

Last I checked, you should be able to pick up Opticks at Vanishing Inc. The last price tag I saw for this video was set at $24.97.

Buy at Vanishing Inc.