Sinja
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Sinja |
| Alternative name(s): | Sinbad/Ja'far |
| Gender category: | M/M |
| Fandom: | Magi |
| Canonical?: | No |
| Prevalence: | Popular |
| Archives: | Works at AO3, Works at FF.net |
| Other: |  Sinbad holding Ja'far, made by furanobon. |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Sinja is a slash ship from Magi between characters Sinbad and Ja'far. It has been popular ever since the characters were introduced, and has the undisputed largest amount of fanwork among all the Magi ships.
Canon
Fandom
Sinja is the undisputed number one most popular Magi ship in the Japanese Magi fandom. Having been a big player since near the beginning of the story, it has amassed a massive amount of fanart, doujinshi and fanfiction: the Sinja tag on Pixiv is nearly four times the size of the second biggest Magi ship tag. It is the only Magi ship to have its own doujinshi events in Japan. In the English-speaking fandom, the situation is a bit different. Sinja is still one of the most popular ships but, for example, in fanfiction numbers on AO3, it lost the number one spot to Juhaku in late 2018.
The ship is usually called Sinja, or シンジャ (Shinja) in Japanese.
Tropes
Common tropes in Sinja work include things such as enemies to lovers and found family; this was inspired by the canon. As the characters were originally on opposing sides, people like depecting the change in their relationship. Found family trope is more widely connected to the "Sindrian family" or the friendship the to-be Sindrians formed with each other over the years.
Stories and art set during the happy days in Sindria include a lot of feel-good stuff with Sinbad being the king and Ja'far his assistant. Ja'far is hardworking and has to force Sinbad to stop lazing around, resulting in bickering. This also includes Ja'far's loyalty towards his king, and how Ja'far was willing to follow him. However, Ja'far was also invested in keeping Sinbad from slipping too far from the right path. Sinja angst includes unrequited love, although this has also been played for laughs in some works, such as the Magi Abridged.
Post-Canon works after the end of the manga are angsty, focusing on things such as Ja'far's sadness and longing, waiting for Sinbad to return some day. This setting could also include the concept of unrequited love, with Sinbad willing to go and leave Ja'far behind. From a modern perpective this could be also compared to a divorce.
In smut fic and doujinshi, top Ja'far is very rare.
Tag wise on AO3, Sinja tag has a pretty equal divide between Fluff and Angst. Modern AU is also common.
Events
Japanese fandom
In Japan, there is an ongoing Sinja doujinshi event called 王宮でナイト (Ōkyū de naito, "Night at the royal palace") which is held twice a year, typically in May and December. The 14th event in 2020 had to be postponed to July due to Covid-19. It has been organized since August 25, 2013.[1]
Some people have celebrated April 28th as the Sinja Day.
English-speaking fandom
Example Fanworks
| Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples. |
Zines
Fanvids
- The Sinbuds - Bromance Cover (Lyric Video) by ErehcVA (2017)
- Don't Worry Be Happy by spazzytoaster (2012)
Archives and Communities
- Jafar/Sinbad works on AO3.
- Sinja tag on Pixiv.