魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 30 Chapter 273 (manga)
Mahou Sensei Negima! Manga Chapter 273
Negima! Manga Vol 30 Ch 273 Review

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

With the talks between Negi and Kurt over, Haruna announces it is time for them to leave and Setsuna directs Ku Fei and Kotaro to back up Negi. To Setsuna’s amazement, someone shows up and offers his assistance.

Meanwhile, Negi and Kurt battle and Negi knows that since his lightning form is essentially a “demon” form that Kurt’s sword techniques are designed to destroy, Negi uses a massive number of electrical decoys to keep Kurt off balance until he can close the distance and put Kurt down. However, his Magia Erebea acts up and begins to go out of control. Before Kurt can turn this to his advantage, Chisame shuts down the illusions thanks to her artifact and seven mice sprites. Kurt is stunned by this but still feels he has the advantage since Negi and company can’t escape. Asakura informs Kurt that Ala Alba has been informed of everything that has transpired here.

Ku Fei uses her artifact to punch a hole in the wall giving Negi and company their opening. Before Kurt can react, a Muonken blast hits him in the face, the trademark attack of Takamichi. Takahata-sensei steps in and greets Negi, telling him to go ahead and make his escape since he and Kurt are well acquainted. Before they leave, Nodoka uses her artifact and asks Kurt some questions about the real reason he doesn’t want to save the entire world. Upon getting the answers in her book, the group is ready to leave with Takamichi covering their escape.

Thoughts/Review:

Just what exactly is Yue focused on while watching the conversation between Kurt and Negi? Seems to me that Akamatsu-sensei wouldn’t make a point of this unless there was something there that maybe I should reread. ^_^;

What did Nodoka learn? Can’t wait to find out.

Takahata-sensei’s arrival has long been expected and now that he’s officially arrived, we have a means for Negi and company to escape. Everyone suspects that Mana is somewhere in a sniper’s position and I agree with that assessment. However, if they were somehow aware of Negi’s departure plans, then she may be set up some where to cover their retreat.

I love Ku Fei’s artifact, Ruyi Jingu Bang. It is not that I’m really versed in the legend of Son Goku ( the Japanese name for the Chinese character Sun Wukong and known in the west as the Monkey King) but I was introduced to the character and story via Love Hina. Ironically, I have just read the chapters in volume 5 of that manga wherein the cast of Love Hina put on the Japanese version of Journey to the West. Naru was initially playing Son Goku and then Keitaro assumed that role. While Son Goku’s staff was not named there (at least in the TokyoPop release), the staff’s ability to expand was shown when Naru was still playing Son Goku and used the staff to punish Keitaro.

So once again, Akamatsu-sensei brings back an idea from an old manga title (which in and of itself comes from a Chinese legend) and makes it new for Negima! Frankly, I find this interesting and considering Ku Fei is Chinese, it makes sense that she’d have a weapon of Chinese origin (even if only a replica).

Negi’s plan to get everyone out right down to the companions he brought with him to his meeting with Kurt is downright masterful. He’s showing adult-like abilities in his planning, don’t you think? ^_~ Now the question is, will they actually manage to escape seeing as how there’s the real Asuna to grab not to mention Anya.

Speaking of Kurt, his words regarding Nagi are most interesting. Kurt knows that Nagi must be alive based on his own intel (the video record of Nagi saving Negi six years earlier). His point about where Nagi is now is most certainly valid. There’s only one reason for Nagi to be in hiding and that’s to force others to make their move, assuming Nagi is not Negi. If Nagi is in fact Negi, then that explains where Nagi is. If not, then where is he and what has he been doing to (1) stay out of sight for 10-years and (2) keeping abreast of the current situation?

Chisame! You go girl! ^_^ Got to love her seven rats, eh? *lol* (OK, I know they are actually mice but I just enjoy referring to them as rats. ^_^) Her hacking into the Governor-General’s system pretty much tells me that she could hack her way into any system on the Magic World.

I probably could have written more, but I’m about to fall asleep. As such, I’ll close this by saying that this was an excellent chapter. Can’t wait to see what happens next.