Magi: Adventure of Sinbad

Set thirty years before the events of Magi, this series follows a young Sinbad as he leaves home to make his fortune on the high seas. He cuts a daring figure, winning allies, facing deadly dungeons and bargaining with powerful rulers as he climbs toward influence. Along the way he learns how choices, friendships and losses shape leadership, and the show focuses on the everyday politics and personal costs that push him from reckless adventurer toward the person history will remember. The plot keeps larger twists tied to the main Magi storyline out of view, concentrating instead on character moments and the steps that forge Sinbad's legend.

Released in 2016, Magi: Adventure of Sinbad was directed by Yoshikazu Miyao and adapts material by Shinobu Otaka, with Taku Kishimoto handling series composition. The TV adaptation translates the manga's backstory into animated form and features a cast led by Daisuke Ono as Sinbad.

As a prequel to a popular franchise, the show widened the Magi universe and raised Sinbad's profile among fans. It spurred fan discussion about his motivations and past, inspired cosplay and fan art, and offered a template for other anime to explore notable side characters in standalone stories.

Critical and audience reaction emphasized lively action, colorful worldbuilding and strong voice performances, reflected in a user rating of 8.042/10 from 165 votes. The series returns often to themes of leadership, ambition, loyalty and the price of power, balancing large set pieces with quieter scenes about trust and consequence.

The show didn't win major industry awards, but it gained steady appreciation within the anime community for its storytelling and character work. Reviewers frequently noted the strength of the cast and production values, and fans familiar with Magi tend to regard it as an essential companion piece for understanding Sinbad's rise.