Shinobu Ohtaka (大高 忍, born May 9, 1983 Tokyo, Japan) is a Japanese manga artist. She is best known for the creation of the manga series Sumomomo Momomo and more recently, Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic.
3.5 stars! the second volume was just as good as the first and that ending tore my heart to shreds. hopefully we get a reunion in the third volume. i’m also desperately in love with ali baba🥰.
Rating: 3.75 stars. Summary: Adventure integrated with background context for each of the main characters. Other Reviews: Jenny's review shares similar thoughts with mine. Check it out if you want something a little more condensed :) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3321523983
» Overall Thoughts « ◦ The dungeon adventure as Jenny said, was a little too fast. Although, I have a feeling that was intentional because they might venture into more. Perhaps that dungeons' only purpose in the story was to ◦ I also have not connected with the characters, but it's only the 2nd volume, I'll give it some time. ◦ Definitely my favourite part of the manga. ◦ Cliffhanger :((
» Illustrations & Characters « ◦ yEs to more goofy illustrations ( Aladdin imitating Jamil was a fav) ◦ Shinobu Ohtaka is so awesome. There's a couple of 2-page standalone scenes that were drawn beautifully and created a perfect balance between the style mainly used and the goofy illustrations. ◦ The art style shift in Night 14 really emphasised the words coming out of their mouths. Followed by a 2-page standalone.
◦ Learned more about MCs which helped the flow of the story (an event won't make as much sense without the reader knowing something so it tells us about it before the event happens) ◦ Alibaba finally sees Aladdin as a friend and not just a mere tool to help achieve his dream ◦
» Quotes « ◦ "But I guess you're saying that Lord Jamil...has invisible chains around you." - Aladdin, pg 51 ◦ "Lord Jamil, I think you've been...scared witless! But...why all the whining? This is a dungeon! Status...lineage...and honor...don't matter here. Here everyone's life is on the line!! You shoulda just stayed home...you spoiled brat! " - Alibaba, pg. 83-85
World: The art is solid, it’s very thin line work is not common in the genre and it is quite interesting to me. The world building is solid, we get a glimpse of the powers behind the world with the idea of Kings and Magi and vessels but not nearly enough to give any answer but just pose even more questions for this world. It’s an interesting hook and establishing the world with this intrigue is good. The character depth from the world building is also well done this time around causing readers to care more about the story because of the them.
Story: The story is solid, a lot of zany action and over the top antics is this Shonen’s style and we get that in spades here. The adventure is rather straight forward and the good and good and the bad are bad. The emotional core of the story of Alibaba is done well and with this one book pulls readers into this world and makes a rogue character that was kinda an ass into a great point of view and hook for the world. The world building pieces are still a bit of a mystery to me and it’ still rather unclear of what really happened inside the dungeon and what the symbols mean, what is a magi, what are the floaty people on their carpet, who was the teacher for Jamil and why the Djinn has his head stuck. None of that is answered but that’s fine, I think we’ll get some answers moving forward.
Characters: Aladdin is an interesting character, he’s not the main but really gives the book a weird fun and also heavy tone which I like, it’s a fine balancing act. Alibaba is the core of this story for this book which is great cause his journey this time really draws the readers into his journey and really sets off the book. Morigana is also well done and elusive at the moment making for more interesting drama. The mystery of the Djinn and the characters in the background are basic at the moment and I imagine we’ll get more development in this regard soon.
This was an improvement over the last volume, but I'm still not connecting with the characters. I also felt the dungeon was completed way too fast and there wasn't enough time to build up the ferocity of it. But I did enjoy seeing more of Morgiana and learning more about the world. Also, it was nice seeing Alibaba grow up a little more and finally seeing Aladdin as a friend. Overall, this was a good volume and a good second volume for the series.
El segundo tomo, como lo recordaba, no fue tan impresionante como el primero, en éste muestran la aventura en el calabozo, un poco de los Djinns de los calabozos y una pequeña introducción a los Magi (Apenas una pincelada, pero ya es algo del gran mundo de Magi), sin embargo, se me hizo más meh que el primero, la verdad es que Alibaba del comienzo de la serie no es un personaje que se me haga muy "Wow" y éste tomo muestra características clave del personaje pero lo hizo más aburrido (Para mí).
Overall Impression: Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is a beautifully written, emotionally charged series filled with adventure, humor, and deep character growth. It balances lighthearted magic and heavy emotional themes perfectly. The story kept me engaged from start to finish, and the characters left a lasting impression. Plot: The plot flows naturally, balancing humor, adventure, and tragedy. It begins with Aladdin and Alibaba’s iconic and funny first meeting, which sets a memorable tone for the series. The emotional peaks—like Titus’s heartbreaking “death,” Sinbad’s ambition to unite the world through the Rukh, and Morgiana’s struggle to break free from her past—were especially powerful. That said, I would have loved to see more exploration of Judal’s childhood and his relationship with the Ren family. His emotional ties to Kougyoku and Kouha, who treated him with affection and familiarity, could have added even more emotional depth. Characters: The characters are exceptionally well-written. Aladdin’s wisdom at such a young age is inspiring, and Alibaba stands out as one of the most relatable characters I’ve ever encountered—especially when he struggles with self-doubt over small things. Morgiana is one of the best-written female characters in the series, and her growth from enslavement to strength and independence is both realistic and empowering. Judal is chaotic yet deeply human—his childishness, humor, and justified anger make him a complex favorite. Kougyoku Ren, the pink-haired princess of the Kou Empire, is another standout. Her emotional vulnerability, strength, and evolving relationships with Judal and Alibaba make her story arc particularly compelling. Titus and Yunan are comforting presences in the story, their bond both heartwarming and tragic. Sinbad’s ambition and internal struggles make him one of the most layered characters, while Ugo’s fatherly care for Aladdin adds tenderness to the story. The Ren family—Kouen, Koumei, Kouha, and Hakuryuu—each bring depth and intensity, especially during their climactic moments of sacrifice and loyalty. Worldbuilding / Setting: The world of Magi is vibrant and immersive. From desert kingdoms and bustling marketplaces to magical dungeons filled with wonder, every setting feels alive. The concept of Rukh and the intricate magic system are both creative and meaningful, symbolizing fate, emotion, and the interconnectedness of all life. The “show, don’t tell” approach lets you feel the magic rather than simply observe it. Writing Style: The storytelling balances humor, philosophy, and emotion beautifully. Scenes like Aladdin casually stealing a watermelon from Alibaba’s workplace add levity, while moments like Titus’s death or Sinbad’s downfall are emotionally striking. The dialogue feels genuine, and the emotional tone remains consistent throughout. Pacing & Structure: The pacing is steady and emotionally balanced. Each arc builds naturally toward its climax, and the transitions between character-driven and world-driven storylines are seamless. The series maintains momentum without losing depth, and every emotional beat feels earned. Questions for the Author: Could Judal’s childhood and his time with the Ren family—particularly with Kougyoku and Kouha—be explored further? What inspired Sinbad’s decision to rewrite Solomon’s Wisdom and unite people through the Rukh? Was there ever an alternate ending envisioned for Sinbad or Alibaba? Final Thoughts & Suggestions: What makes Magi unforgettable is its emotional and philosophical depth. The story celebrates freedom, friendship, and human connection while never shying away from pain, betrayal, and redemption. The ending—Alibaba and Morgiana’s marriage—was the perfect emotional resolution.
Suggestion: Expand on Judal’s early years and the Ren family dynamics, especially with Kougyoku and Kouha. Their relationships had rich emotional potential that could further humanize Judal and give more insight into his actions and pain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I think this is already so much better compared to the first volume. The artwork even seemed better, with more panels that looked absolutely beautiful. I really love Morgiana and it's so hard to see her be loyal to Jamil, the pathetic bastard, and feeling like she isn't able to leave or be free. I'm sad that Goltas couldn't leave the dungeon and be free as well, but I'm grateful that he pushed for Morgiana to return to her home country.
I really love Alibaba and Aladdin and their friendship with each other. I forgot completely that the djinn of the dungeon went into Alibaba's knife and that Alibaba was the king's son. I also forgot that all three of them get separated after they leave the dungeon. I'm excited to see Aladdin meet Baba (but I'm also already sad..)
I'm looking forward to continuing on and remembering more of the storylines that took place, maybe even getting past where the anime left off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ali Baba und Aladin haben den Dungeon Amon betreten, wo sie unzählige Gefahren erwarten. Doch nicht nur der Dungeon selbst trachtet nach ihrem Leben...
Im zweiten Teil der Magi Reihe festigt sich die Freundschaft zwischen Ali Baba und dem seltsamen kleinen Aladin und man erfährt einiges über Ali Babas Vergangenheit. Ein wenig ernster als Teil 1, kommt das Lachen auch in Teil 2 nicht zu kurz. Witzige Sprüche und Illustrationen sorgen für das ein oder andere Schmunzeln.
Überhaupt haben mich die Zeichnungen in diesem Teil an manchen Stellen innehalten lassen, weil sie so beeindruckend sind. Manchmal muss man einfach minutenlang auf eine Seite starren, um alles in sich einzusaugen - und es lohnt sich!
Wie auch Teil 1 endet dieser Teil in einem Cliffhanger, der es quasi unmöglich macht, die Reihe nicht weiterzulesen! <3
Character 3| Setting 4| Plot 3| Art 3| Enjoyability 4
Overall rating: 3.4
In this volume, Aladdin and Alibaba got to conquer a dungeon!!
This manga is light-hearted, but it shows some darker parts of their society.
There was just a rando info dump on Alibaba which I don't remember the first time I read I was like I wish that just in the Balbaad Arc, Which is the next arc, but I think it was too soon. I love foreshadowing which the fight with Jamil was for. Maybe the anime did that part a little better.
I do love when Aladdin gets out of his 'im a funky kid who loves boobs' he's a cute kid and when he gets into seriousness I love it.
Las aventuras de Aladdin y Alibaba en el calabozo son alucinantes, enfrentándose a criaturas nunca antes vistas y que dan miedo, sacando su lado más valiente y temeroso. Por un momento, Alibaba se queda solo y lo único que lo ayuda a subsistir es su ingenio. No solo se enfrentó a las extrañas criaturas, también ahora tiene que hacerle frente a un despiadado hombre que lleva consigo a dos esclavos, especialmente Morgiana, una chica de temer por su extraordinaria fuerza. Este volumen me resultó muy emocionante y reveló quién es Alibaba y Aladdin. Al final del volumen me dejó un nudo en el estómago, pero sé que es para el crecimiento de nuestros protagonistas.
En realidad me gustó. En este tomo conocemos un poco mas de nuestros protagonistas y es su historia, la duda de lo que les depara el futuro lo que hace que quiera leer el proximo tomo. Por fin sabemos quienes son Alibaba y Aladdin y lo poco que te cuenta sobre ellos es muy interesante, al menos a mi me ha dejado con ganas de saber mas sobre esos dos. Seguiré con este manga ya que a como va avanzando la historia, promete mucho.
Bueno, ya se va conociendo un poco mejor a Alibabá e igual no es tan simple como nos lo plantearon en el primer tomo. Y ahora ya sé lo que es un Magi, que me tenía todo el rato pensando en el porqué del nombre de la serie xD A ver que me depara esta serie pero tiene pinta de ser de esas que la trama mejora conforme avanza, aunque tampoco me tiene muy enganchada la trama y no empatizo demasiado con los personajes.
I've watched the Anime and I've decided to read the Manga so see what details I've missed and plus I'm just waiting for another season of Magi. It's my first Manga and I'm glad it's Magi it's a great read with a great story and if you haven't checked out the series on Netflix you should.
Aladdin has befriended the mischievous Ali Baba, a treasure seeker than takes them down into one of the perilous Dungeons to seek out fortunes - and risk their lives! Ohtaka will have fans laughing and gasping with this witty and creative entry. What sort of precious gems and secrets lay in the halls of this deep Dungeon?
UAU! Muito mas muito melhor que o primeiro! Adoro a amizade que se formou entre o Alibaba e o Aladdin! Tantas questões que tenho! Estou bastante interessado na Morgiana, prevejo que ela vai ser uma personagem muito importante nesta série e já a adoro! O que ela sofreu deixa-me sem palavras! Mal posso esperar por ver mais dela, she's a total baddass!!! 4.2/5 estrelas
i actually really enjoyed this one compared to volume 1, character development and exposition dropping left and right and the world is starting to pull you in. the fanservice and outdated manga tropes are still a bit much for my tastes (i’m getting too old for that bs) but the dungeon arc was a fun read.
Morgiana è il mio personaggio preferito quindi questo volume l'ho amato. Il suo personaggio è proprio bello, ben costruito e con un grande potenziale di crescita. Il reveal su Alibaba è un po' frettoloso ma interessante e il finale del volume un po' dolceamaro. Non vedo l'ora di proseguire con la storia!
In the volume we are looking into the adventure of Aladdin and Ali-Baba in the dungeon...the development of the characters was good , Action and the plot of the story was so amazing...can’t wait to read volume 3.
Tenemos por fin el primer dungeon completado, y una separación repentina de los protas. Me gusta cómo el Ohtaka utiliza momentos críticos para fortalecer los lazos entre los personajes y, a la vez, los quite de inmediato de la zona de confort. Y, como siempre, con momento de enorme hilaridad xD.
A solid volume, one thing is that the art is really nice especially when there is a big moment or full pages. The development of alibaba In the space of two volumes is great and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it (knowing how the anime goes)
Loved this one! The characters, story, world, art, everything is really well done. I bought a bunch of the next volumes at BookOff so I’m looking forward to reading them!