February 6th, 2011 
AstroNerdBoy 魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 35 Chapter 316 (manga)
Mahou Sensei Negima! Manga Chapter 316
Negima! Manga Vol 35 Ch 316 Review
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
Quintum-Fate continues to battle Fate and is winning as a dizzy Natsumi and a just awakened but still groggy Nodoka observe. Fate recalls the words of Jack Rakan during their battle and though he does not understand the words, they give him just enough to be able to overcome Quintum-Fate and defeat him, destroying a piece of his body in the process.
With his victory complete, Fate turns his attention immediately to Nodoka and Natsumi. Too late, Nodoka makes a move for the Great Grand Master Key, but Fate simply summons it to himself. Fate demands that Nodoka turn over Asuna to him but Nodoka questions him on why he saved them. He denies having intended to save them but Nodoka points out the contradiction between his words and actions. Fate remarks that he should have turned Nodoka into stone but answers her just the same — he will accomplish the plan himself.
Back on Earth, Ayaka’s private plane “Negi Love” is returning to Japan when they notice the beam of light coming from the direction of Mahora.
On the ground at Mahora, the students are grabbing pictures and discussing the glowing World Tree, which is only supposed to glow every 22-years.
While Chachazero is jubilant at being able to move thanks to the magic flowing from the tree, Eva is worried since the World Tree discharging could destroy Mahora, she’ll be left to live in the ruins since the curse prevents her from leaving the campus grounds. Chachazero says there’s nothing they can do about it as Eva ponders what Negi is doing. Zazie arrives to tell Eva that Negi is doing well, having reached Nagi’s back in the past. Eva asks how Zazie knows what is going on in the Magic World, to which Zazie explains she can see via her older sister. Upon being briefed, Eva chuckles at how the journey for Negi has been worthwhile.
Thoughts/Review:
I still have to ask if this is the manga winding down over the course of this year. It would be sad if that were the case as I’d like to see Negi return to Japan, do some things, then head out on the last adventure for Nagi. However, I have never been able to shake the feeling that this won’t be happening and that the manga will end this year. Assuming Negi beats Fate and saves the Magic World, what else is left? I’d guess that Nagi will “magically” appear and there won’t be a trip to Turkey or anywhere else. We’ll see though.
Speaking of saving the Magic World, since the World Tree activated a year earlier than expected, could that be an indication that history changed somehow? Or was that just CE doing crap which spilled out into the World Tree?
Fate’s battle with Quintum didn’t do much for me. I don’t want Fate joining the good guys (and I don’t think he will) so having him win didn’t mean much. That said, I would have liked for Fate to have been injured a lot more but then now that he has the Great Grand Master Key, that wouldn’t have mattered, would it?
Nodoka gets brownie points for bravery. I can excuse her not immediately securing the Great Grand Master Key because she’d just woken up, Natsumi is a wreck, and Asuna is still out of it. However, she did realize what she needed to do, even if too late. She then demanded some answers from Fate which he gave her. I’d love it if Nodoka’s actions bought enough time for Asuna to awaken. Somehow, I tend to suspect that Fate will drag Asuna back to her cage, toss the key out there, and then Negi will have to beat his arse, re-secure the key, and get Asuna out of the trap she’ll be back in before Fate’s plan activates. I really hope that’s not how things go.
It was nice seeing the girls with Ayaka, even if only for a cameo. There’s no doubt in my mind that Akamatsu-sensei focused on the image of Negi on “Negi Love” in part to remind us of the still innocent kid who left Earth to travel to the Magic World. To me, Negi now looks older in his child form, which is how it should be.
I always like seeing Chachazero and her master, Eva. ^_^ Chachazero is such a scene stealer, though her jubilance over being able to move tamed some of her bloodthirsty nature. ^_~
Now Zazie is watching the show with Eva. I found it interesting that both girls are wearing very similar dresses, almost identical. Discounting the color differences, Zazie appears to be wearing a long-sleeved version of the dress Eva is wearing. It probably means nothing and Zazie may well have gotten it from Eva (I haven’t taken the time to see what Eva dressed Zazie in when Eva was bored).
You know, if Akamatsu-sensei ends things this year and then has Ala Alba return to Earth for the aftermath before ending the manga completely, I will be greatly disappointed on a number of fronts. One of them would be seeing the REAL Eva in battle against a superior foe. I’d just love to see Eva and Chachazero in a desperate fight like they haven’t been in since her early days and have to get her butt taken out of the fire but a now superior Negi in a fashion similar to Nagi saving her from falling from the cliff. ^_^ That would be a great way to explore her past further, something I really want to see even if it is a side-story.
Finally, where’s Anya? I’ve been more than a little suspicious of Negi’s childhood friend since seeing how the current arc has treated her, which is why I’ve occasionally asked the question. Let’s just say I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out that she were working for CE.
So, an OK chapter that only became truly interesting at the last. Looks like no chapter 317 spoilers this week (bummer) but maybe 318 will have us get luckier.
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INMHO Negima could go either, way. I have faith in Akamatsu’s writing ability. But I don’t think it will end this year. There is still a hefty amount of stuff to be explained and he would throw all of that away. Im expecting 50 or even more chapters.
Man its just as u say it (though i was wrong in my prediction of this chapter)
I really hope to see Evas Curse break i suspect Negi has worked something out, and if they do go to Istanbul Eva will join them as much as i dislike saying this i do have a feeling Eva will die before this manga comes to a complete end.
I too wish for a more in-depth past of Eva. Cant wait to see next chapter =S. Still theres no 1st or 2nd Fate yet (maybe since Nagi killed them according to Rakan they cant be brought back)
The Fate v Wind fight i thought lacked the show of power Tetrium had they should have show cased his variable skills with Stone magic more than him getting wacked on then finishing the fight in 2 punches or so (woulda looked cooler if he petrified him then shattered him into pieces) I somehow doubt we will see the end of Tetrium during this arc, Still where is the Mage of the Beginning?
zazie speaks…WOW!!!!
Yeah, I’ve been wondering where Anya has been, she WAS rescued… Right? Anywho, I can’t wait for the next chapter, also; though it seems like the series might be winding down, I certainly hope Ken doesn’t give us a half-assed ending, like the original anime. Or hope to god it isn’t rushed. Also, i felt this chapter wasn’t as “epic” as the one with Negi vs Quartum, Personally thought it could have used some more “Jack Rakan” style meaning behind it, Since it did have a big effect on Fate.
It’s interesting that Anya hasn’t been seen or mentioned at all since she was rescued. I doubt they would have neglected to mention anything if she had just up and vanished so my guess is that she was left behind where they found her or she’s now in Kaede’s cloak. It will be interesting to find out though.
Unless some minds have changed, I don’t think the series will finish this year. There are too many questions left to answer. Maybe we’ll at least see the end of the MM arc this year though.
I think the girls who were left behind are going to be shocked at how much Negi grew over the “summer.” Poor Ayaka…
I’m not sure if you guys wanted to hear this, but I recall Akamatsu saying that the last battle will happen the moment Zazie appears.
Guess Poyo-san was just red-herring for us at that time. He sure knows how to twist his fans.
Anyway, I think Ayaka’s got something big in store for her when she gets back to Mahora. As I recall, Negi said that “with Inchou’s help” he can save the Magical World.
I wonder how that happens.
You’re worrying too much, Astro. Akamatsu said three things which should clue you in on the fact there’s still more after Mundus Magicus. First, he said he plans to reach 400 chapters (and not even that he’ll end it there), one year left would mean it’d only reach 350. Second, as was already said, Zazie’s true form is going to be shown during the last arc, which is definitely not the case here. Last, but most important, Akamatsu said the series would end with class 3A’s graduation, which means March 2004. They’re still in September, 2003.
And yeah, that’s the same dress Eva gave her at the beginning of the summer. http://www.mangafox.com/manga/mahou_sensei_negima/v23/c210/3.html
One possibility is that since Anya was more or less paroled by Fate to work as a maid, the monsters in the castle won’t attack her. Meaning that once let out of the room, she can make her own way back to the room that Negi was in.
The manga seems slow at the moment yes. But the only reason behind this is that there had been a lot of battles lately. Battle scene takes a lot of drawing (and thus chapters) to relate a very short amount of time. The pace will be back to normal when all the bad guys butts are kicked (there is only Tertium left and the battle might not happen depending on how Akamatsu’s plans are). Well, there are also Zazie-pyon and Tsukuyomi but I have the feeling that their case will be addressed really quickly since they are not as evil as the Fates.
Concerning Anya, maybe she was back in Johnny-san’s ship before Quartum destroyed it ?!
I wouldn’t worry for the future of MSN for now, because there are a few things that are to happen before the manga stops :
– Negi meets again with Chao Lingshen.
– The story continuing means that new pactios will be made. I have the feeling that Ayaka will do one very soon. It was hinted from her failed pactio card that her “tonus” is Gold which is a very rare color. She should get an interesting artifact thanks to her pure and innocent love for her Negi-sensei. You can worry for the future of MSN when most of the girls will have their pactio cards :p
– Negi being so godly powerful is a problem for the next battle scenarii (and can be one of the reason why you can think MSN will end soon). I don’t think Tertium is strong enough to be worth being the final boss of MSN. That’s why I think there will be some kind of plot twist involving that Eva or Nagi will become Negi’s last challenger.
My 2 cents.
It would be funny if Anya is being controlled by the Star Crystal again, but I don’t see it happening. Come to think of it, though, the whole Asuna-being-used-against-her-will shtick is slightly reminiscent of Negima!?
The raw for 317 is out on Mangahead. Looks awesome. And Akamatsu-sensei is taking a break next week, so 318 won’t be out until 2/23.
As for Negima ending soon, I doubt it’ll end with the current arc. There’s still too much story to cover (specific examples already given by others). Besides, Akamatsu-sensei did say that the manga was about half over at the start of the Magic World arc, which leaves us with around 50 chapters left, give or take, enough for at least one more short (think Kyoto Field Trip-sized) arc and some standalone chapters. I doubt it’ll end no earlier than around spring next year, given the usual 36 chapters per year.
Yeah, I’ve been wondering where Anya has been, she WAS rescued… Right?
Yeah, and then she immediately disappeared.
It’s interesting that Anya hasn’t been seen or mentioned at all since she was rescued. I doubt they would have neglected to mention anything if she had just up and vanished so my guess is that she was left behind where they found her or she’s now in Kaede’s cloak.
I don’t think she’s there at all. I think her actions from the time she took a solo plane flight from Great Britain to Japan until now have been carefully staged. Her being held captive with Asuna could have been staged for Asuna’s benefit. I mean, isn’t it interesting that of all of Ala Alba, only Anya was held by CE?
I’m not sure if you guys wanted to hear this, but I recall Akamatsu saying that the last battle will happen the moment Zazie appears.
And Zazie has appeared and mentions “final battle.” ^_~
Zazie’s true form is going to be shown during the last arc
IMO, that has been revealed through her (twin?) sister.
Concerning Anya, maybe she was back in Johnny-san’s ship before Quartum destroyed it ?!
I tend to doubt it. Nothing has been seen of her since Kotaro and company found her and she sent them off.
It would be funny if Anya is being controlled by the Star Crystal again, but I don’t see it happening. Come to think of it, though, the whole Asuna-being-used-against-her-will shtick is slightly reminiscent of Negima!?
Heh! Negima!? is what pushed me over the edge on the idea of Anya being manipulated. Now, there’s no Star Crystal in Negima! but consider the facts. Anya is in love with Negi even if she doesn’t admit it. She’s very jealous of other women, especially large-breasted women and Asuna is in that camp. Plus, there’s her mother to consider (restoration).
So, whether she arranged for something before Ala Alba went to the Magic World or after she was found by CE, I think Anya is helping CE. While I’ve joked that Anya might be the final boss, I don’t honestly think that at this point.
The raw for 317 is out…
Thanks!
*LOL* I just glanced at 317 and guess who shows up (and stops some girls)? ANYA!
Yeah… when Anya first appeared, that’s what I started wondering too. But:
SPOILERISH
I could easily be misreading it, but it appears that she stopped them to tell them that the plan was working up until the new Fates showed up and started pwning everyone.
Ako starts getting emoko over Makie and Yuuna, Ku Fei remains cool as ice and wants to keep going, while Konoka ditzily wonders if she’ll have enough healing for everyone.
It could still be that she’s an agent for CE trying to dissuade them, but prolly not. Amusing thought, though… (^_^)
Sorry for the double-post, but I just realized: WTH?
I know Fate has a fetish for dressing up (and hence undressing) Asuna, but in every previous case I can think of, it could have arguably been one of his female henchmen who did it.
And I guess I can understand him taking away Nodoka’s backpack and Natsumi’s cloak, in case they had magic items of some sort.
But compare p13 of the last chapter to p14 or p16 of the current chapter. Why the @#$% did he feel it necessary to remove Nodoka’s pants!?
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.
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Is Negi Springfield going to have to rip a @*#&$ in half?
317’s scanlation has been posted. It’s not so great on quality, but it’s fairly readable.