August 20th, 2014 
AstroNerdBoy ユーキューホルダー! Manga Review
UQ Holder Chapter 46
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
SASAKI Santa panics because of the arrival of Kuroumaru and Touta, but plays it safe by making proper introductions. Despite Santa’s weak protests about not being told about having roommates, Touta sends Kuroumaru out to get food and drinks for a party.
That evening, an irritated Santa runs through the air above rooftop level. Spying some punks using magic to abuse an older person with a few groceries from the slums, Santa decides to get involved in their “taking out the trash” fun by removing them as trash. None of the punk mages attacks reach Santa, and they are amazed to see Santa has a phasing ability. Santa has no problem dealing with the punks, who are further amazed at Santa’s flying magic.
Santa phases the final punk’s hand into the ground while informing him of the reason that magic and guns don’t work on Santa; Santa is an immortal psion. Santa is going to leave, then decides that maybe he should bury the trash by phasing the punk into the ground. Touta arrives and attacks, causing the punk to be freed from the ground. Santa flees, but Ikkuu has Santa tracked and tells Touta to give chase as best as he can as Kuroumaru is waiting for Santa. Kuroumaru tries to stop Santa, but Santa phases through Kuroumaru and proceeds on.
Thoughts/Review:
With the revelation that Santa has a phasing ability, I could not help but think of Kitty Pryde from the X-Men comic book series. Of course Kitty doesn’t have a wider range of psionic abilities that Santa has, and Kitty is obviously a girl while Santa is another androgynous character.
I am kind of weary of this trap stuff, whether this is a reverse trap (since so many suspect Santa is a guy), regular trap, or another genderless character like Kuroumaru. I guess trap-types are very popular in Japan, so since Akamatsu-sensei has to be careful about the loli fanservice, he may as well throw some trap stuff in, eh?
As to the story, Santa is clearly being set up as the murderer. The clues are so blatant, it feels like a red herring to me. However, Santa acting as a vigilante may be what makes the character the murderer they seek. I don’t think Santa murders for the fun of it, but Santa does enjoy abusing those who abuse others.
As to Santa’s name, Akamatsu-sensei gave Santa the family name Sasaki, using the same kanji characters of Makie. Santa is the name of the character form his early manga work, Itsudatte My Santa! (Always My Santa!). Why Akamtsu-sensei is using these name choices, who can say. It would be hilarious if Akamatsu-sensei somehow ties this new Santa in with his previous works (beyond just the name ties).
Beyond that, not a lot to say about the chapter. I’m guessing that Kuroumaru and Touta know their roommate is the one they are after, but considering Santa had the hoodie back up, it is possible they still don’t know. We’ll see what happens.
Posted in 
Tags: 
It seems that she/he finds hard to express yourself
I wonder as she/he can do all those things, What ability will he have?
then, she/he isn’t a bad guy, is she/he?
she/he only do things their own way
I don’t know as she/he can have all the hair in the hood XD
Let’s see if the next chapter, the hooded is a girl or a boy
I bet we don’t learn this so soon. Akamatsu-sensei seems to like the “is it a boy or a girl” jokes.
As I mentioned elsewhere, I think Kuroumaru may be able to hit Santa with the Zanmaken Ni no Tachi. It was a technique that was able to chose it’s targets and even hit non corporeal things. And Kuroumaru used it in chapter 4, so he at least knows it. But depending on what Santa may be, not even that may work.
I saw a theory that maybe the psion we see this chapter is not Santa as we never see the face. I could see Akamatsu doing that to mislead us but so far it really seems to be him. The same size, same shark teeth.
I think the thing about Santa’s sex not being certain so far isn’t much to play around with another possible trap like Kurou but just part of the mystery of the character. I do think Santa’s sex will be revealed soon and the characters will know about it (different from Kurou that Touta thinks is male while in truth he don’t have a sex and have the possibilities for both in the future). At least I don’t see the reason to do a similar situation when we already have Kurou.
I think you are right.
Interesting theory. I agree with you though — the hooded figure seems to be Santa.
Trolling fans? ^_~
1- Hahaha, nice! Santa’s powers are really cool! That’s right, abuse those who abuse others! Did you see the pathetic face of the last punk? As a person who was bullied at school, let me say: SO GREAT! One of my greatest regrets in live was not pushing some ppl down the school stairs, hitting them non-stop with a chair in front of class, etc… way to go, Santa! XD
1.1. But then again…how does all this relate to internet?
1.2. In last chapter, he ejected from UQH computers for some reason.
2- Hmmm…does Negima really qualify as “loli fanservice”? I mean, besides Eva-chan, of course.
3- I believe Ikku will come up with a scientific way to hold Santa down. His abilities make him a walking command center, really useful.
P.S. “Kick ’em!” That’s right, Touta. Best thing you ever said.
If loli means underage (which the law was about, I believe) then almost everyone on the class are underage or have underage like bodies. If you mean loli as younger (about 12 or below?) than that, you had Eva (which had plenty of fanservice) and a few other girls. Like the Narutaki, or Yue which has a quite petite body too. Paio Two had a lot of fanservice in the few times she appeared and she also have a very young looking body. And a rare fanservice with the girls on the loli bodies disguises during the magic world arc.
I have long felt part of the reason Akamatsu-sensei shut down Negima was because of the law, and he couldn’t do the normal fanservice without running afoul of the law. While there’s been fanservice in UQ Holder, the loli fanservice isn’t there.
Again, in the sense of underage looking, you had plenty of Karein fanservice. But in the sense of very young fanservice, you had it with Eva on chapters 27-30. Loli Eva walking (and flying) around while only wearing an oversized shirt.
I don’t think he is particularly running away from loli fanservice. The reason
Eva stays on adult form most of the time for now is imo to help the image established for her as a veteran, an old character who others look up to, a character from the old vanguard (as in coming back from Negima).
The manga just has less fanservice overall as it’s a battle shounen and not really harem/romcom as others Akamatsu works.
Karin, despite her schoolgirl attire, can get away with seeming to look older (discounting her true age as an immortal). There were some girls in Negima who were like that.
For me, Eva as Yukihime does two things. First, it does put a separation marker between UQ Holder and Negima. Otherwise, it has never made sense to me that everyone in UQH knows she’s Eva, but they call her Yukihime, and she stays as Yukihime. I realize she went around some as an adult before, but the implication is that for hundreds of years, Eva stayed in her child form.
Second, Yukihime gets some mild fanservice from that tight fitting blouse and tight, short skirt. Anything else (such as their stop at the inn with an onsen) is icing on the cake. Otherwise, it would be loli fanservice, and well, can’t have that.
Still, I get your point on this being a battle manga, and one where Akamatsu-sensei is pushing the limits on violence rather than sexual fanservice.
Getting information.
Santa extracted UQH information from their computer system.
There was a fair amount of loli fanservice beyond the middle school girls being naked.
Astro : Hmm I do not think it is either because of the new Japanese law that Akamatsu-Sensei calmed down on the fanservice lolis (which does not displease me lol). Indeed the gift law you speak has undergone an amendment and ultimately will affect only the real content (what I think we all strongly approve from the depths of our souls!) But will not apply to fictional productions, such as manga, anime ect .
This was certainly the most wise and fair decision to be taken. Just to be clear, I would ABSOLUTELY NOT upset by the disappearance of hentai lolicon rather even. But this law in its original form was so vague that not only does she not made the distinction between the real and the fictional, but it did not do either between hentai and ecchi! Yet the ecchi, in fact, has nothing to do with hentai! With or without lolis and shota in it!
Which would of course have put Sensei in a delicate situation which was already very annoying for us lol. But there are even worse! If this law had been taken literally it could even reach more conventional shonen like Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, ect …
Fortunately, apparently the question does not arise at the moment and Sensei can breathe! ^^
for more information on the amendment: http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/06/world/asia/japan-child-pornography/
I also note that the law would surely was retroactive. So NO Astro-san, Sensei Negima was probably not stopped Negima because of the original form of this law. It would have been in vain. In fact the reason most often cited is that someone (his publisher?) Tried to steal his writer’s rights on Negima.
In short I think most (and some speakers here have visibly struggling to get into their brain, honestly I do not want to hurt anyone but stop thinking that Sensei is a programmed machine to make harem or fanservices lolis lol) that Akamatsu had just MORE THAN ENOUGH harems and lolis and editorial conflict gave him the PERFECT excuse to stop Negima and continue his epic story by finally write the manga 100% Nekketsu he always dream.
It was just my opinion on the reason of the lack of lolis now turn to chapter in itself lol.
I will surprise you Astro but I do not think Santa is a girl or another androgynous. I think he is a boy, but I could be wrong. Also Santa is not a female name I think, lol I do not even know this japanese name existed!
For his psychic power so it looks like Shadowcat in X-Men but its power is too versatile. It looks more like a power cheated the “Accelerator-style.” I almost attand that its power of Esper is the manipulation of atoms or molecules lol!
Sensei has been battling the law for a LONG time.
I know, I think he was even going to complain to the Japanese parliament! ^^
Because yes is an EXCELLENT idea of fighting child pornography, we are all agree on this principle.
But as we all know this law did not distinguish between the real and the fictional, or even (though it would have been a minimum of honesty and pragmatism that should have been expected from the Japanese government) the distinction between hentai and ecchi. Because as I said before, as the disappearance of hentai lolicons and shôtacons ABSOLUTELY NOT bother me, so I think it was an exaggeration to risk putting the ecchi (or even mainstream manga!) In the same bag !
In the end it seems that the law does not apply to fictionelles works so as I already said the issue does not arise and it seems that Sensei can breathe, luckily for him.
But I maintain that with or without fear (justified or not) that the law has caused before receiving his amendment that protects fictional works, it is very likely that Akamatsu sensei would somehow calm the loli fanservice and fanservice ecchi in general (if I compare with Negima, UQ-Holder certainly has actually had scenes fanservices (Eva adult mode in the hot springs, or the attempt to Chao Xinquai to play a “tentacles-monster game” with karin) it is necessary found that the number of these passages are well below those of Negima ^^.
I think Sensei really wanted to move on.
I also want to point out that contrary to what my fierce hatred of Echhi Negima might suggest: I viewed ecchi!
I do not like ecchi and harem of Negima for reasons I have already explained:
1 I found her much too stifling history. Highschool dxd never took Serious about apart from a few well-specific and rare momants. Negima the contrary, as the scenario progressed, became increasingly serious. And without wanting to give the impression of being macho to see the team of Negi composed of 90% schoolgirl has often annoyed me most from the mundus-magicus arc, I dare say.
By cons, UQ-Holder seems to have a lot more good proportion with the number approximately equal to girls and boy casting.
2 I thought the concept of a teacher 10 years pursued by a swarm of schoolgirls kid was anyway a bit unhealthy even for a simple innocent ecchi.
It not stop me from loving highschool dxd, highschool of the dead or freezing ^^.
apart from that what do you think of my theory on the powers of Santa (the manipulation of atoms or molecules)
Considering psionic powers are purely fictional, how someone using such abilities would be able to phase, fly, or use telekinesis isn’t established. Thus, being able to manipulate things at a molecular level is not an unreasonable theory on how psionics could be achieved.
Anyway I think his immortality comes from a source other than his psychic powers. I would know which curieu and especially what are the strengths and weakness of immortality in question. ^^
It will be interesting to learn what type of immortality Santa has.
so so far weve seen these abilitys
– electronic hacking
-flight
-phasing
-telekinesis
did i miss any?
its a very interesting and versatile array of abilitys i kinda wonder how these tie into immortality tho
With Phasing, Santa would be tough to kill as only very specialized techniques would connect. I would guess that whatever is allowing Santa to do all these things is allowing Santa to be an immortal.
I just checked on the Japanese raw. Ken just used the Japanese term to refer to Santa. Translating it as psion was CR’s choice (it does hold the same meaning although an unusual word).
I haven’t seen the raw. What was the term?
Copying what I posted elsewhere:
The term used in Japanese was 超能力者. That’s the term used for someone with supernatural powers / extrasensory perception, an esper, a psychic.
Psion seems to give a similar meaning:
psion (plural psions)
2. Someone psionic. i.e. Someone exhibiting conscious control of psychic, telepathic, or paranormal phenomena.
Thanks for the info. ^_^ What’s the phonetics of the kanji there?
Chounouryokusha
Thanks. ^_^
So we can say that Santa is an esper? An esper in Academy City filled with magician.. Sounds like a mirror image of a certain Academy City. lol.
Well, I did jokingly call that earlier with my Railgun reference. ^_^
Considering Akamatsu-sensei has touched on all kinds of other supernatural abilities, an esper would be a first for him, by my reckoning.
“Vigilantly”? I think you mean “vigilante.” :p
Anywho, yeah, I think Santa is obviously being set up. Sure this particular Santa may enjoy giving the gift of a butt-whooping to bullies (which is something that’s always satisfying to see), but he/she doesn’t come across as a holly-jolly murderer.
Speaking of UQ Holder’s second he/she dilemma, trap characters, whether they be characters that dress male but happen to look really pretty & girly (Hastur-kun, Saika Totsuka), or crossdressers (Bridget, Aoi Futaba), or characters of indeterminate or no gender (Kuromaru, several CLAMP characters) are indeed quite common in modern anime (see: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DudeLooksLikeALady, and http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WholesomeCrossdresser, and http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AmbiguousGender for a partial list of examples). I think it likely stems from the bishounen archetype, where there are clearly male and quite masculine characters that still have a lot of delicate, often feminine features. Of course, a lot of mangaka and anime artists only have a few facial designs they make, so when younger males often have the same face as most of the girls, all it takes it for them to have long hair and maybe a change in wardrobe, and *BAM!* instant trap. Hell, Negi looked like a younger Asuka when he dressed like a girl for Ayaka, and I bet if Asuna cut her hair shorter and wore more manly clothes, she would look a good bit like Negi.
Yep, that’s what I meant. ^_^;;; Thanks for the correction.
I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re probably right.
some small sides stuff :
it’s seem Santa has same body old as Touta (14 years old) so he turned into immortal at around 2015 (not same as Ikkuu who stayed lived with illness for 70 years)
and his last name same as Makie so he probably once a human and some events at 2015 made him immortal
That’s possible. We’ll find out eventually, I hope. ^_^
[…] Here are some SPOILER images and information for the upcoming UQ Holder chapter 46, courtesy of Manga Kansou. No summary or translation of what’s being said there, but likely there will be later on today. I’ll keep my eyes open for such. (My review of UQ Holder chapter 46 should come out Wednesday.) […]
Off topic, according to John Bryne he wanted Kitty Pryde powers to be a little different. Everytime kitty touched an object, the same object would phase, but not her, the idea was rejected by Chris Claremont, who wanted Kitty Powers to be the same as Panthom girl ( a character from Dc Comics)
I was not aware of that. Thanks for the info. ^_^
Manga kansou seems to be busier this week. They have yet to do spoilers posts for any series of this week Shonen Magazine.
Either that, or their source for Weekly Shounen Magazine has dried up.
i used to think that Kitsune Konno sold Akamatsu-sensei’s mangas spoilers for wine and sake lol
*lol*