“The Kou Empire arc ends this week. There will be extra pages (note: normally, a Magi chapter is 18 pages in length). Thank you for accompanying me until the end.
I’ll take a break until the new arc starts. Please, accept my sincerest apologies. I’ll be back full of energy and enthusiasm, please, read it!”
“The image above is the concept art for Hakuryuu from the Kou Empire arc. I drew him with an atmosphere around him that contrasts with Alibaba’s. However, soon after they met in volume 26 they battled in their djinn equip, so the whole thing feels meaningless.
We entered a new arc last week. I enjoyed drawing Alibaba who had appeared in his human form after a long time, also Yunan, who I hadn’t got the chance to color since working on his pikkuri sticker.”
“I moved into a new office! I love moving out: it makes me feel all renewed and fresh! If it’s possible, I’d love to move into a new place after a year.
We’re continuing with the new arc this week. Some characters we haven’t seen in awhile are going to make an appearance, please, check it out! I hope you enjoy what happens in the Arabian fantasy(?)…the manga ‘Magi’ from now on.”
“In the picture is Alibaba (the haniwa version). I drew it to be made into a sticker, though he already turned back into a human in the current storyline. To me, the haniwa Alibaba gives me the impression it’s made of diatomite.
This week is centered around Alibaba and Sinbad. In this week as well an unexpected character is going to make an appearance.”
“The picture is of my office after moving (sorry for not coming up with something else)
Last time was centered around Alibaba and Sinbad. Things have been going smoothly, but watch out for odd times to come.
In this week’s Magi, a certain important character will make an appearance for the first time in years! Please read it and look forward to that katasukashi!”
“The image is a work in progress. It’s something for volume 28 that will be out next month. As for the cover and the omake, I’m in the middle of working on them. I’m still thinking about what’s the paper is going to be about. I’ve been struck by a lot of ideas while reading the announcements on the train and the billboards around the city.
Last week, an unexpected character appeared for the first time in ages and it was troublesome drawing him. Last time, his role was of a comedic nature, but after taking a good look at him, he looked like a small sumo wrestler that if such a person appeared before me for real I’d probably be frightened.
This issue they’ll go out drinking.”
“The image is the volume 28 cover that’s scheduled to be out next month. I especially did my best with the dragon scales. I think this is the first time Astaroth djinn equip is seen in color in the manga.
This week, Alibaba is going to make a visit and he’s forcing his way in. Some characters that we haven’t seen in a while are going to make an appearance as well. I’m going to take a break next week, let’s meet again on this backstage in the week after the next!”
“The picture is a portion of the volume 28 omake. It’s centered around Alibaba and Judar. It looked like this is the only opportunity I have to do such an omake. It will be two one-shots. I think the Alibaba and Judar duo and the relationship between them where no one is leading the other around is an unusual one.
I tried to imagine what it was like having a team of two positive characters and whether they’ll be alike, but in reality, when I drew them having a conversation in Night 265 they weren’t alike. They are characters who are supposed to be social and yet they can’t socialize with one another.
I hope you enjoy Magi this week. Please, follow to the end the first meeting between the characters after a long time. Last time, things turned disasterous when Alibaba and Hakuryuu met each other, but it won’t be like that, and it’s nice.”
“Happy New Year! I wonder how everyone spent the end of last year and the begining of the new year? As for me, like all the years before, I was taking it easy eating mochi while working on the chapter.
In the previous issue was the reunion between Alibaba and Kougyoku and in this week’s is the continuation. The final arc is still in its early stages and I’ll do my best working on it. This year as well, I’m in your care!”
“The image is a portion of the paper that came with volume 28 on the 18th. I apologize for posting about it this late. It’s centered around a badminton match between the magis and their kings. It’s difficult to notice, but Alibaba and Aladdin are wearing white while as Hakuryuu and Judar are wearing black. Every time I draw Alibaba wearing Japanese or Chinese clothes, they don’t look good on him at all. I wonder if they appear to me that way because he’s blond.
This week, watch out for the change in Kougyoku and her relationship with others!””
“The picture is a work-in-progress. It’s going to be the cover of an upcoming issue of Shounen Sunday. To me, Alibaba’s eye color is orange, but every time while playing around with different colors it ends up becoming a color that you can’t tell what it is.
Last week, a team was formed with Kougyoku as the head. There, I think Alibaba wouldn’t want to go out there (note: I’m not sure I’m wording this right, but I think she meant here that Alibaba didn’t want to appear in public and motivate the people and wanted Kougyoku to do it instead, maybe)”
“The image is a work in progress. After being extorted by Alibaba, the shellphone that Sinbad presented to him conscientiously is a green one.
I hope you enjoy reading Magi this week. Please, watch out for Alibaba and Sinbad. Also, characters that we haven’t seen in a while (?) are going to make an appearance.”
“The image is a work in progress. It’s to commemorate the 300th chapter. It won’t be included in the volume release, so please, check out Kougyoku’s cake in the magazine!
Magi is on the cover this week and I hope you enjoy reading it. I enjoyed drawing Hakuei (Gyokuen).”
“The illustration is a work in progress. I’m aiming for a Alibaba who would dazzle.
This week, Alibaba will be back to the starting point. We’ll be leaving the Kou Empire and seeing various countries through Alibaba’s eyes.”
“The picture represents the approximate ratio of what the characters received in this year’s Valentine’s Day. I thank everyone who sent letters and gifts addressed to the characters. I really wanted to reply to all of them, but we received a lot this year, and so I’m not able to do so. I’m really sorry. I’m going to read each one attentively. I appreciate your words of encouragement to them.
This week’s Magi covers the second part of Alibaba’s visit to his homeland. Characters we haven’t seen in a while are going to make an appearance.’
“The image is the cover of volume 29 that will be out next month. This marks Sinbad’s third time to be on the cover and he’s the character to receive this many after the main characters (note: I suppose she’s talking about the main three?). The background was supposed to be Parthevia at night. The bubble-like effects turned out so intense and I had to tone them down.
This week covers the third tale of the Alibaba’s journey mini arc. I drew a lot of characters who we haven’t seen in a while: some who have changed quite a bit and some who haven’t changed at all. Look forward to comparing them.”
“The image is a portion of the volume 29 omake that will be out next month. It’s centered around Yunan, Judar and Alibaba. It became an omake that takes a look at the relationship between Judar and Alibaba. Look forward to it!
I hope you enjoy reading Magi this week, and it takes place in the Reim Empire. Reim is more or less different from the other countries in the Seven Seas Alliance, I think it’s a quality about them worth paying attention to.”
“In this issue is the one-shot to commemorate the 300th chapter of Magi. It’s a special with Kougyoku from Backstage 294. I did my best coloring the cake. I used a colorful American cake as a reference. I hope to eat it one day.”
“The image is a work-in-progress. It’s the first time I’m drawing Serendine’s outfit and it’s difficult.
This week’s chapter is going to be centered around Sinbad and Alibaba. Wach out for these two in this final arc!”
“Hakuei is a military commander, and so her entire body is covered in scars (or was).
This week, the Kou Company mini arc is reaching its climax, don’t miss it!
Moreover, the new Magi volume will be out a little early than usual and it’s going to be on the 12th (Tuesday). The Serendine artwork from last week’s backstage is going to be the special paper. There’s also a limited edition that comes with three badges.”
“The new Magi volume is out! The anime broadcast will also begin soon, everyone, please check it out!
In this week’s Magi the Alibaba and Sinbad’s business-related issues will be brought to a pause. Lately, when I write about the eight generals I feel like they have been relegated to middle management. It saddens me when comparing their current state to that of volume 9.”
“The picture is a storyboard of the previous chapter. It may appear like a simple drawing, but at that time I was still planning that part and deciding on the speed line and how to add the light and shadow effects. I was lost on how to portray Sinbad’s pose in the lower-right corner and was examining the possibilities (you can see the three arms in there)
There will be a new development in Magi this week. Characters we haven’t seen in a long while are going to make an appearance, please, read it!”
“The picture is this week’s Shounen Sunday cover. On the right is the sketch, and on the left is the completed version. I drew his feet a bit too big.
In this week’s Magi, we continue the talk between Aladdin and Sinbad. It’s been a long time since I was so fired up drawing Sinbad’s expressions and I enjoyed working on it.”
“This week, we’re continuing the event from two years ago.
Magi is a manga where the characters grow older, and so, I worry about the changes in their outward appearance as I draw them. Alibaba was ‘dead’ for a while and didn’t change one bit. As for Aladdin and Hakuryuu, I was thinking whether they’ll grow to resemble their relatives, and when I drew them for real they turned out different than I expected. They resemble them, but their personalities are different, and so their facial expressions.
The Sinbad anime is still airing, and I hope you’re enjoying it.”
“Lately, it looks like I’m finally becoming nearsighted and it’s been frustrating. It’s my first time buying glasses.
In this week’s Magi, the flashback is over and we are returning to the present to Aladdin and co’s side. I’m also getting used to drawing Aladdin who has grown up. Please, look forward to what they’ll do from now on. The characters are scatterred in various places, but they are begining to come together. Look forward to the upcoming developments!”
“In the picture is a note that I wrote to my assisstants. I thought leaving only words would be a bit cold, and so, to lighten things up, I added a blobby creature on the lower left corner. This is the best ‘cute mascot’ that I can come up with.
Last week, we got a glimpse on Aladdin and co’s state. Regarding Kina’s King Takeruhiko and his subordinates, at first, I was intending to introduce them a bit earlier and have them make a comedic etrance. However, more than I expected, the Kou Empire didn’t create a suitable opportunity for comedy (mostly thanks to Hakuryuu and Alibaba). I’ll try to make up for it now.
“I have a meeting today and will be out for a long time. Please continue up until the finishing touches. Thank you!”
“The illustration is the volume 30 cover that will be out next month. I wanted to depict it after Night 296. I’m also in the middle of working on the volume omake and such.
In this week’s Magi is the second half of the washed out showdown. Compared to all my manga drawing work recently, this is the one I spent the most time on. It was fun.”
“The image is the volume 30 omake that will be out next month. Both one-shots will be centered around the Sindria party. Regarding their chronological order, the second tale takes place before the first one. I apologize for this arrangement.
This week, we are continung with the battle against Arba. This Friday, the Sinbad Fanbook will be out. Please, check it out!”
“The image is a portion of the end card that’s going to appear in the Adventures of Sinbad. The final episode is nearing, please, watch it!
I hope you enjoy this week’s Magi. Arba and Aladdin are confronting each other and this is the first time they exchange words.”
“The image is the volume 30 omake paper. It’s an opinion exchange on each character’s djinn equip. You can guess who are talking from the initials.
We’re continuing with the Aladdin vs Arba this week. Please, observe the complex relationship between Aladdin and Hakuryuu.”
“The image is a work-in-progress.
In this week’s Magi we’re continuing the battle with Arba. Hakuryuu is a man who disasters always befall him; watch what’s his fate is going to be.
The Adventures of Sinbad anime also ended. I thank everyone who supported it, and I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters of Magi.”
“In the picture is a portion of a colored drawing for the Adventures of Sinbad Complete Boxset that will be out on 24/08
Last week, some characters gathered for the first time in a long while. Even though there were issues between Balbadd and the Kou Empire, Hakuryuu is someone that Alibaba can’t quarrel with. At worst, he was always putting him down, but things are different now.
Back in volume 26, Night 252, I think ‘You’ve gotten tall! You really are a cheeky guy’ and the likes is a nasty line that ruins the mood when said to someone around your age who is burning with rivalry toward you.”
“How was last week’s chapter that was popular among the male thirty something editors as being ‘stomachache-inducing’? The image is a portion of storyboard of the extendeed version. Alibaba was outdrunk.
In this week’s Magi, it would be more enjoyable if you read it while remembering the events from volume 9.”
“Soon, it will be O-Bon break and I thought I should start working on the material for volume 31. I always think about the omake paper while taking a stroll, but it’s been hot lately and I must think of another strategy.
Last week’s chapter was lighthearted and this week the scene will be shifting to Sinbad. The final arc has also reached its midpoint.”
“This is an Aladdin concept art for the final arc. Aladdin doesn’t strike me as one who likes to dress up much, so I kept it simple.
Last week covered the reunion between Aladdin and Sinbad. For most of the manga, Sinbad has been portrayed from the protagonists’ point of view, and I think last week was the first time that contained such a long monolgue by him. This week has more of that.”
“Sindria’s eight generals party can be divided into seniors and newcomers, though, due to the existense of Spartos’ elder brother, he’s in the uncertain middle.
I wonder how everyone spent their Obon break? This week’s Magi serves as junction in the final arc’s world, please, read it!”
“The image is part of Night 318 storyboard.
It looks like a ragtag group of three has been formed. This week’s Magi is a continuation of the Board of Directors meeting and it’s a chapter that will delve even more into Sinbad’s character.”
“The image is a portion of the story draft. When the manga was about to return, these are stuff that I gathered in order to organize my thoughts and didn’t get the chance to publish it before. The sentences written in light gray are info that has yet to be revealed in the story at that time.”
Regarding the chart, judging by the info in gray, it looks like it was done before the Alma Toran arc. Most of the info in black are things that we already know from the story and the guidebooks, and it seems the gray sentences are stuff that appeared in the story during and after the Alma Toran arc. Here’s a summary of the gray stuff that I managed to make out:
-A lot of info about the Alma Toran characters.
-What Judar was thinking during vol 8.
-What Hakuryuu was thinking during vol 15.
-Kouen being a subordinate of Hakutoku and stuff about the three kingdom wars and Balbadd.
-Muu’s journey to the dark continent, meeting Yunan and the episode of him swearing loyalty to Scheherazade.
-there’s info on Yunan, Arba, Gyokuen and Althamen magicians that was concealed for some reason.
“The picture is a portion of a table that lists how the characters are referring to themselves and others. It was used for the first season of the anime.
I hope you enjoy this week’s Magi. This time the art has gotten quite flashy.
I paid a homage to Ghost Sweeper Mikami volume 2 (bunko edition)! GS Mikami is a wonderful manga and I love it, please, check it out!”
Note: something that I couldn’t fit into the table is that Yamraiha and Sharrkan usually don’t refer to each other by their names. ‘onushi’ is a ‘you’ used when talking to equals or inferiors.