Magi Graphic Novel Volume 31 cover image

Magi (subtitled The Labyrinth of Magic) is a manga set on a world that is an alternate version and recreation of the ancient Old World (similar to ancient Persia).  About 14 years before the story begins, several magic castles (of various architectural styles) begin to appear in this world.  These mysterious ruins, “Dungeons,” are full of treasures and traps.  Aladdin, who is a Magi (a sorcerer of creation), and his friend, King Alibaba Saluja, embark on dangerous and deadly adventures into those Dungeons to find fortune and glory and more adventure.

As Magi, Vol. 31 (Chapters 299 to 308) opens, Alibaba continues his bid to rebuild the Kou Empire.  Alibaba travels all over the world seeking to establish a “magical transport network” built around “mobile magic circles.”  His next stop is the Partebian Empire at the capital, Kushtefon, where he meets his old friend, Sinbad.

However, just when it seems that Alibaba has made the last agreement he needs to finish the network, he is thwarted by the last person he expects.  Alibaba is unaware of the true nature of his new rival, but his old friends:  Aladdin, Morgiana, and Hakuryu Ren do, and they are prepared to fight a force that wants to control the world.

[This volume includes bonus manga.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Magi manga continues its race towards the end of the narrative.  Readers have found so much adventure and so many subplots in the previous 30 graphic novels, and now, things seem to become full circle – from the beginning and even from the pre-history.

Magi Graphic Novel Volume 31 finds creator Shinobu Ohtaka revealing even more to the readers.  The dark past and the dark present are both coming together to create a future in which people are controlled forever.  Meanwhile, our heroes, especially Aladdin and Alibaba continue to smile their way through missions.  Readers will be happy about Aladdin's return to action, and I continue to marvel at how delightful a character Alibaba is.

As I have said in my reviews of recent entries in the Magi graphic novel series, the last arc is a pay off to readers who have stuck around since the beginning.  John Werry's translation and English script is evocative and rich in drama, and Stephen Dutro's lettering is the eye candy.  Onward to the next volume, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for adventure stories will want to read the “Shonen Sunday” title, Magi.

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8.5 out of 10