I think Shinobu rushed the ending. Whether it was pressure from her editor or health complications, that last arc just was not her best work. Even the art began to slip at that point. Still amazing, but nothing compared to the art of the previous arcs. I also hate how abruptly the world just advances into this pseudo futuristic world built by Sinbad. I loved the complexity and lore surrounding the world we once knew, but in just the few years Alibaba is gone, they've suddenly got cellphones, sky scrapers and blimps? I just didn't find the world engaging at that point and it seemed as though all the world building Shinobu had done thus far was just thrown out of the drain for this year 3000 looking world. I also fail to understand why Sinbad had to be a staple in Magi when he was a staple in his *own* series-- Legend of Sinbad, or why he had to be the "final boss." His reasons for stirring up conflict didn't do it for me. His dialogue seemed lackluster and uninteresting and I had a hard time staying entertained. Really sucks when a manga is consistently good for the first three quarters then goes to shit in the end.
I think Shinobu rushed the ending. Whether it was pressure from her editor or health complications, that last arc just was not her best work. Even the art began to slip at that point. Still amazing, but nothing compared to the art of the previous arcs. I also hate how abruptly the world just advances into this pseudo futuristic world built by Sinbad. I loved the complexity and lore surrounding the world we once knew, but in just the few years Alibaba is gone, they've suddenly got cellphones, sky scrapers and blimps? I just didn't find the world engaging at that point and it seemed as though all the world building Shinobu had done thus far was just thrown out of the drain for this year 3000 looking world. I also fail to understand why Sinbad had to be a staple in Magi when he was a staple in his *own* series-- Legend of Sinbad, or why he had to be the "final boss." His reasons for stirring up conflict didn't do it for me. His dialogue seemed lackluster and uninteresting and I had a hard time staying entertained. Really sucks when a manga is consistently good for the first three quarters then goes to shit in the end.