For instance, Magi doesn't merely present issues like slavery and caste systems and say evil bad; it intricately examines and dresses down why these systems persist. Beyond serving as efficient labor forces for driving industry, they act as societal deterrents against lower-class rebellions. The stratification of society, with an even lower class barely regarded as humans, fosters a sense of gratitude among those above, discouraging dissent.
The series also tackles the question of why wars occur. The concept of national boundaries and countries inherently implies division, leading to geopolitical tension and a tendency for preemptive actions by both sides. The rich tapestry of various cultures in the world of Magi naturally fosters conflicts of ideology, further fueling the fires of war and an instinct to protect what is perceived as alien.
However, before delving into these weighty topics, Magi establishes itself through a strategic and engaging initial introduction. This approach aligns with other successful manga like One Piece, where the narrative gradually layers and expands the world. The effectiveness of this format lies in its ability to captivate the audience's attention and steadily introduce them to the intricacies of the story.
Aladdin, as a character, makes sense as the focal character of the series who parallels the audience's introduction to the world and concepts since it's all new to him, allowing for less obtuse dialogue that comes off as immersion-breaking exposition. Aladdin naturally asks questions as his past indicates a claustrophobic and isolating early childhood and is endearing while also being somewhat perverse at times.
The complex ideas and themes of the story help to interlude with the "Coming of Age Adolescent" type of story in how Aladdin will swallow the ever morally dubious yet tragic elements at play in the world and attempt to grapple with them, which relates to his innate position as a Magi. In the story, Magi are magicians that play the role of a sort of Merlin figure, endowing certain people as King Vessels and summoning dungeons as tests of Kingship.
Magi plays extremely well with the idea of charismatic figures, often in a way that serves as a warning to the reader on how a sole figure, no matter how charming or skilled, should not be put in total control of the lives of others. Also, how these characters and their ability to charm is quite dangerous, as well as the danger inherent in being a leader of such effect, which can cause you to be charmed by yourself and believe in your own greatness.
This is something explored by Marcus Aurelius cited as his greatest fear of being "dyed purple." This notion stems from his beliefs on material objects and staying grounded; for example, the cloak of the Roman Emperor, to Aurelius, was not a symbol of his Emperorship; it was just sheep's wool dyed with the blood of shellfish. His fear lay in the ideas inherent in self-glorification or possible deification.
Overall the story does an effective job in the complex dialogue around
