"The image is a work in progress. It’s something for volume 12 that I think will be out in April. Regarding the spots on Koumei Ren’s face, they are not freckles, just acne scars.
This week’s Magi covers the first act of the four’s sea adventure. Even though the arcs in this series are not that long, I’m planning for this story to be a serious one that concerns the main characters.”
"In the picture is the color chart that I referred to when I did character illustrations. They are probably hard to make out, but the chart also comes with color codes. When I did a color sorting of each character’s hair, eyes and such, it turned out ther were around 3-4 basic colors and I set them as the default ones. Though, I ended up changing them many times.
This week’s Magi comes with a colored page. Aladdin’s and co will be wrecking havoc this week. It’s been since Zagan arc when the characters had this much action, and I immensely enjoyed depicting it. Also, there was a misprint in the subtitle of this week’s chapter. It doesn’t match the contents of the chapter and I apologize for it. It wil be corrected for the volume release, so please, have mercy on me.”
"Winter has also arrived recently, and bone-chilling days are ahead of us. This week’s Magi is engulfed by a body-freezing coldness, more sinister than these winter days we’re living. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Morgiana, who acted splendidly last week, turned out to have an unexpected weakness. The other party members are doing their best for her.
Until now, the stage was centered around the southern countries (Sindria). One day, I would like to write about the snow countries.”
“The one in the picture is Hakuryuu’s mother that appeared last week.
For the upcoming weeks, the story will center around Hakuryuu. It will be a story with a lot of heart-breaking aspects to it. I really wanted to delve a bit into Morgiana’s, too, but unfortunately, there’s no space to allow it.
I’m working on the materials for volume 12 while working on the current arc, and I haven’t finished painting the cover yet. I’ll try my best to get volume 12 ready for April.”
“The ones in the picture are Hakuryuu’s elder siblings that didn’t get to have their own turn in the story. I apologize for the readability level of the writing that looks like only the one who wrote is able to decipher.
This week’s Magi will continue with the story being centerd around Hakuryuu. The story will maintain this depressing mood, and I hope you’ll accompany me for a little longer. Depicting the story with this different atmosphere makes me nostalgic when I read the recent issues of Sunday. When it comes to Magi, there’s about a 5-6 weeks between the start of the work on the storyboard and the publication of the chapter.
I finished working on volume 12. It looks like it will be released according to schedule. Please, look forward to it!”
“In this week as well, we’ll continue with the story being centered around Hakuryuu.
Incidentally, at first, Hakuryuu as a character was unlike his current self. Since he was written to be Hakuei’s elder brother back then, he was supposed to be a calmer youth and less likely to be perturbed. With him being transformed into the younger brother, his character has become what it is now.”
“The illustration is the cover of volume 12 that will be out on April the 18th. I wanted to draw a total eclipse of the moon and started working with that idea in mind, but it mostly ended up being hidden by Sinbad’s disheveled hair. When you happen to catch sight of this somewhat sinister cover in the bookstores, then, by all means.
I was given a break last week and Magi will resume in this week’s issue of Sunday. It will be the last spurt of that tofu mental character (note: tofu mental (豆腐メンタル) is a term for an abnormally weak mental state, she’s referring to Hakuryuu). It will make me happy if it managed to evoke a feeling of unease while reading it.”
"The image depicts Morgiana’s state of mind that’s going to persist for some weeks.
In this week’s issue, a new arc is finally starting (note: Magnostadt arc, according to the Japanese Magi wiki, there’s no World Exploration arc). Through Aladdin and co’s various journeys, I’ll be happy if you get to feel the vastness of the world of Magi and my views on it. I think this week’s chapter that marks the begining of their adventures evokes a feeling of freshness while reading it, I hope you enjoy it.”
"The image is the rough design of Kouha Ren who made his second appearance in the manga last week. Since it’s something from the time when I was indecisive what to go with for his character, his clothes and hair look a bit different compared to his current self.
This week, we enter the second chapter of the new arc and we’re continuing with Aladdin’s journey. Even though this new arc is going to depict the main characters’ various journeys and their growth, it will also contain a turning point that would greatly change the state of the entire world of Magi. If I’m going to make an estimation of how much of the entire story is covered at this point, it’s probably about one fourth. I don’t know when the story is going to end, though, I’ll give it my best. I’m in your care!”
“Volume 12 was out last week. I wonder if you got your hands on it.
Last week, I went to the Middle East to gather materials. It was a worthwhile week, feeling the air of the Arabian Nights world on my skin. I’ll do my best to bring the world of Arabian Nights to life in Magi.
The photograph above is the one I took when I went to the Topkapi palace in Turkey. Incidentally, the Sindria royal palace was modeled after the Topkapi palace. It was a strange sensation, being in the place that I always thought about while drawing it.
This week, we’re continuing with Aladdin’s journey in Magnostadt. It’s been since volume 3 that Aladdin is on a journey on his own. While Aladdin is settling down, there are more developments that await him.”
“Last week, Aladdin’s Magnostadt arc has started. I’ve been thinking about writing Aladdin as the main character of this arc while showing other characters and their movements little by little. I’m in your care, everyone.”
“The image is the rough design of Pisti and Spartos. It’s something from the very early stages of the manga creation, so their nationalities and genders are different compared to their current selves. At the time when I create the characters, I draw a lot of rough sketches, and select the one that’s the closest to my mental image of them. After I decide on which one to go with, I’m left with a lot of drawings that I don’t know what to do with.
Spartos (right) at first was supposed to be female. They ended up becoming my contribustion to the Kikan S illustration magazine. There are other various unpublished designs that are scheduled to be published, I hope you like them.
Last week, even though Aladdin’s Magnostadt story came to a pause, I’m planning to continue it without rushing it. This week, that certain character is going to make an appearance, and the way he looks has totally changed. Please, look forward to it.”
“I’m in the middle of working on the materials for volume 13. Since the cover of volume 12 was sinister-looking, I want the one for volume 13 to leave a tender impression. I’ll do my best to get it ready for a July release.
This week covers the second chapter of Alibaba’s solitary journey in Reim. I have drawn Aladdin and Morgiana being on a journey on their own, but haven’t done something similar with Alibaba. It feels refreshing doing so.”
"The image is the design sketches for Alibaba’s clothes during his stay in Reim. The clothes that Alibaba had been wearing since volume 1 were stolen by highway robbers, and so, he’s retiring from that look. I’ve been drawing him with that outfit for a long time, and I’ll miss it a bit.
This week covers Alibaba’s debut battle in the colosseum. I hope you like it. Incidentally, in Magi’s world that contains things like magical tools, metal vessels, magicians, fanalis and a magoi-manipulating tribe, fighting matches of the same style as those that took place in Ancient Rome feel like something out of this world.”
"The image is a colored illustration that I’m currently working on beside the stuff for volume 13. I think I’ll be able to get volume 13 ready for July. All that’s left is the end-of-the-volume omake and the paper. Next, I’ll finish the storyboard in the family restaurant that I drop by.
Even though Alibaba just got new clothes, they immediately got messed up. I really wanted them to hold out this week.
By the way, it’s not only the way the characters dress that change, time also passes. The characters are now one year older than what they were told to be in the character piups from before. Alibaba is now two years older than the time he was first introduced. I’ll keep you informed of the characters’ ages as long as the manga is being published.”
“The image is the design sketches of the soldiers of each nation in the Magi world.
Alibaba’s Reim arc is ending this week. I really wanted to do an Alibaba-centered episode much earlier, but when it comes to him, Sinbad (and also the Kingdom of Sindria) unexpectedly turned out to be a big hindrance to him becoming self-reliant. This was the only time that seemed right to do such an episode. There are difficult times while working on the manga when the characters don’t act the way you expect them. There are fun times as well.
That certain character will get her turn right after Alibaba, please, look forward to it.”
Note: the characters that explain about the soldiers were near impossible to read, and so, I only translated the Katakana that I could make out. I’m not sure if I got it right what the soldiers from Parthevia were based on.
"The image is the cover of volume 13 that will be out on the 18th of July. Since the previous volume was bright red, I made it blue this time. It’s Kougyoku in her djinn equip. When she’s in her djinn equip mode, her hair color changes. It looks like an illustration of her underwater, isn’t it? The underwater theme is quite difficult.
In last week’s issue, Scheherazade made her first appearance. I was planning for her to appear much later in the story. Though, due to the fast pacing of the story as of late, she, contrary to my expectations, had to appear. She won’t become relevant to the story until a bit later. She, along with Aladdin and Judar, is in your care.
Incidentally, I had trouble drawing Scheherazade’s attendant, Muu Alexius. For one reason or another, the ikemen reserve inside me has just been depleted. I can’t do it anymore. As for female characters, I think I can keep going with them. Now that I think about it, there isn’t a lot of female characters in Magi, isn’t it? If I got the chance, I’d love to draw more of them.”
"The picture is the end of volume omake and the message paper that will be out on the 18th of next month. Since the chapters that the volume covers are gloomy in nature, I wanted the omake to be lighthearted. After spending time thinking about it while nodding and groaning at the ideas that occurred to me, this is all I could come up with. I apologize for it.
I hope you enjoy reading Magi this week. Just like the the previous chapter indicated, the stage has immediately shifted to the Kou Empire. I especially enjoyed writing and drawing the Kou Empire part that starts from this week, and I’ll be glad if you enjoy reading it as well.
Lastly, just like it was announced in this week’s Sunday, Magi is going to be made into an anime. It’currently in production and will start airing from October. It will be great if it turned out to be something with which to return the kindness of everyone who supported me up until now. Please, look forward to it.”
“The one in the picture is Kouen Ren and his household members.
This week’s chapter of Magi is the second act of the gathering in the Kou Empire. The clothes of the Kou empire characters, the buildings and the architecture can be difficult to draw and take a lot of effort. The assistants and I are doing our best and we hope you’re satisfied with the end result. Incidentally, Hakuryuu that we haven’t seen in while is making an appearance and he’s grown a bit.
Also, the manga will be on a break next week. During the last month, I had health problems and it affected the serialization of Magi, and I apologize for it. To make up for it, I’ve drawn a six-page introduction manga of the anime adaption. If it’s alright with you, please check it out.”
“The stage is still centered on the Kou Empire. Of the recent developments, Hakuei, who we haven’t seen since volume 3, is making an appearance. Incidentally, even though there are times when the characters sustain injuries, those injuries disappear afterwards (and even if they remained, there isn’t any special meaning or purpose behind them). However, in Hakuei’s case, her injuries are meant to portray one of the aspects of her personality.”
“In this week’s issue of Magi is another act that takes place in the Kou Empire. I really like writing chapters like these with such a sordid atmosphere pervading them. If it weren’t for the editor who brings me to a stop, this is how my writing would turn out to be like every time. Though, this time around, he left me to write this Kou arc however I please.
These chapters illustrate the relationship between the Kou Empire characters and the state of the Kou Empire itself, and it will make me happy if you read them attentively.”
“The one in the picture is the Kou Empire’s old hag—-err, Gyokuen Ren. She may look unnaturally young, but she’s actually quite old.
This week’s chapter continues with the Kou empire’s family troubles. The Kou empire characters have so many ideologies. Though, when they become too assertive about them, they become suppressed by their family (note: their father, Gyokuen and probably their mothers and stepmothers), and so, they all live their lives while holding back on them, each on his or her own. From here onward, please observe the direction each of those ideals will lead them to.
Also, I forgot to mention this in last week’s blog entry, but volume 13 was on sale in the 18th of this month. I wonder if you already got your hands on it. I’ve already started working on the materials for volume 14, and I’ll do my best to post about them as soon as possible.”
The illustration is a work in progress.
From this week, the story will return to Aladdin who’s in Magnostadt. I plan for his stay to be a bit long. Incidentally, Aladdin also appeared toward the end of last week’s chapter. He and Hakuryuu more or less underwent physical growth during that half year. Though there are characters in the story whose outward appearance suggest they don’t grow old due to various reasons, Aladdin is growing up normally.
I’m still working on volume 14. I plan to get it ready for a September release. I’ll keep you informed on the cover, the paper and such as we’re nearing the release date.
Though it’s not menioned in detail in the backstage or the news page, it looks like a lot of Magi goods are being produced. Since I’m being sent merchandise samples, I have a good grasp on what kind of things are being made, and every time, the odd choices make me laugh. The thing that got a good laugh out of me recently is a Hakuryuu confeito.
The illustration is a work in progress.
In this week’s issue of Magi, the opening page will be a colored one. Last week, Titus Alexius made his entrance. To just introduce a major new character like that and even show his face…I ended up feeling kind of satisfied with it (note: the author probably refers to how in the past, she showed major characters like Sinbad and Kouen as silhouetted figures before their first appearance in the story, but it wasn’t the case with Titus)
The Magnostadt arc is still at its early stages and I’ll be glad if you see it through to the end.
I finished working on volume 14. It must be boring, hearing about nothing but work-related things every week in here. It makes me feel utterly embarrassed sounding like I don’t have a hobby and as usual, ever day and every week, it’s working on the manuscript or the volume edition. Nothing but manga-related stuff.
Nonetheless, I’m looking for something fun and engrossing that at the same time won’t end up interfering with my work…if you have any suggestions, please, tell me.
“The image is a portion of a work in progress.
It’s been a long time since I used watercolor tools and did a watercolor painting. It was fun. I was able to make progress with it alongside the usual work on the manuscript and the volume-related stuff. I think I may be able to get it done in time. Please, look forward to it.
This week, we’re continuing with the confrontation between Aladdin and Titus. Titus has just made his appearance and I haven’t ye gotten a good grasp on his charcter. I’ll think about it as I portray him. I’m in your care.”
“The image is the cover illustration of volume 14 that will be out on the 18th of next month. Since the cover of volume 13 turned out to be execessively cheerful, I decided for the cover to have a sinister feel to it once again with Kouha Ren (note: she’s referring to volume 12 that she also described as sinister. She actually described volume 13 cover as ‘refreshing’)
In this week’s Magi, we’re pushing through the Magnostadt arc with Aladdin as the lead. The Magnostadt arc as a whole is still at its overture. Though, in this week, there will be a brief scene that touches upon a topic that’s at the core of the plot and the setting of Magi.”
“In the image are King Solomon’s household that appeared last week.
In this week’s issue, Magi is on the cover and the opening page is a colored one. Please, check out the interview with the anime staff. The one who did the illustrations that came with the interview article is Ms. Isshiki, who served as a regular assisstant until volume 10. Ms. Isshiki, thank you very much!
Ms. Isshiki is someone that one can totally count on. She’s an author whose individuality is the stuff of legends in the workplace, even now. She drew the background of the opening page of Night 51 in volume 6 and such. Beware of depiction of adultery on the upper right side.
In this week’s issue of Magi, we have Aladdin who has advanced to his second school year and finally started his investigation of Magnostadt.”
“The image is the message paper and the omake manga at the end of volume 14 that will be out next on the 18th of Septemper.”
The omake manga will be divided into two one-shots. Since volume 14 covers Aladdin’s journey before and after his arrival in Magnostadt, it will be a short story around that time. The paper will be part of a relaxation trip arc and as usual, it will be a manga that breaks away from the main storyline.
This week’s Magi, Aladdin, Titus and Sphintus begin their inspection of Magnostadt, starting from the urban areas. I think the story for a little while will advance with these three. With the team members changing, the characters’ roles and behavior change along with it. Lately. Aladdin constantly being the curious one feels so refreshing.“
“In the picture is Sheherazade, whose attention is drawn to the butterfly.
Regarding the recent development and Titus’ actions, I feel like I want to join him. Titus is a character who is similar to volume 1 Aladdin: he was the one who made things happen and took lead. Even though Sphintus of Heliohapt is someone who only got caught into this, I’m trying to portray him as the voice of reason of the group. I want him to hang in there at it from now on.
I feel bad for promoting things that have nothing to do with the serialized manga, but yesterday, the Magi anime started airing. I wonder if you get to see it. As for me, watching Aladdin’s sexual harassment in color and in motion grossed me out (and I mean it in a good way) There are more episodes in production, and I’ll be happy if you enjoy them.”
“In the picture are the three who are in the middle of investigating Magnostadt.
In this week’s chapter, we’re continuing with Aladdin and co’s infiltration and investigation of Magnostadt. From this chapter onwards, a side to Magnostadt that has never been seen before will be unveiled little by little. It will be unveiled through their own eyes, and along with Aladdin, we’re going to watch all the developments that follow after. At the same time, I want to expand on Aladdin and his character in the Magnostadt arc.
Additionally, the Magi guidebook will be out this month (note: she’s referring to ‘Alf Laylah Wa Laylah’). I just managed to finish my work on it yesterday. I was really worried whether it can be released this month. It turns out it’s scheduled for the end of this month.
There will be new information in the guidebook that weren’t mentioned in the main storyline, like the height of the characters, their ages, where they come from and the names of some characters whose details are unknown. There will also be info that covers the recent chapters of the Magnostadt arc and also the Magi world map.”
“The image is the Kou Empire version of volume 14’s paper (The Relaxation Trip arc)
We’re continuing with Aladdin and the others’ infiltration and investigation of Magnostadt. In the Magnostadt arc, the feelings of all the characters are pretty complex. Even though it can be hard, I enjoy writing about them, and more than before, I’m careful with my portrayals.
Moreover, the Magi anime will start airing this Sunday. I watched the first episode in the Shibuya event yesterday. It turned into something that the staff poured all of their energy into, and I would love if a lot of people get to see it. I hope you enjoy it.
Also, it looks like there were misprints in the guidebook that was out yesterday. I have yet to receive my copy, so I can’t confirm. As soon as I do, I’m going to correct them in the Backstage. All the misprints will also be corrected if there was going to be a reprint of the guidebook. We’re very sorry for it.”
“The image is the cover of volume 15 that will be out next month. I was torn between Scheherazade and the Kou Empire’s witch. But since it will turn into three Kou Empire covers in a row in the case of the latter, I decided to go with Scheherazade. There was Muu in the distance at first, but everything behind Scheherazade turned phantom-like due to sunlight, and I ended up erasing him.
I also finished working on the other volume-related stuff yesterday. Regarding the paper, I’m trying something different. For the three last volumes, we’ve been getting a volume every two months. It’s begining to take a toll on me, and I wish if the pace would slow down a bit.
We’re continuing with the Magnostadt arc. Compared to the characters that appeared so far, the headmaster, Mogamett, is different. He’s refreshing and I enjoy writing about him. This chapter is a continuation of the talk that Aladdin and he had in the previous chapter. I’ll be happy if you read while paying attention to the headmaster character.“
“The image is an illustration for volume 15.
In this week’s Magi is the second half of the Magnostadt flashback. Regarding the headmaster, Mogamett, at first, I wasn’t planning to delve into the past to the extent of drawing it. I was in trouble when the need arose for a character design for a twenty-something Mogamett for last week’s issue. The ikemens-whose-faces-you-can-tell-apart reserve inside me has already been depleted. His face turned into something similar to what you’d get after slapping Alibaba and Sinbad’s together. Please, forgive me.”
“The image shows the process of using the pens while working on the manuscript. They can be divided into four steps.
I drew the cover of this week’s issue of Sunday. I’ve been thinking whether I should’ve gone with something more cheerful. Though, if you happen to spot this cover that looks as though black rukhs are fluttering around it, then, by all means.
As for the main storyline, the class is about to end. Around this time, volume 17 is being registered, and by the end of the year, there will be enough chapters to fit into volume 16 and 17. During the holiday, I'l continue working on the volume materials, and I’ll do my best to deliver them at the start of the new year!! This year as well, I’ll be going by myself on my customary trip to the hotsprings.”
"In the picture are the end-of-volume omake and the special paper. The concept of the paper is different from the usual stuff. It’s based on the sugoroku board game. As for me, while working on it, I thought Sinbad’s grid is the one I could do without the most.
Volume 15 covers a variety of locations. It starts from Reim, passes through the Dark Continent, the Kou Empire and then, we’re back to Magnostadt.
We’re continuing with the Magnostadt arc this week. We’re nearing a turning point that’s importat to this arc as a whole.“