February 24th, 2015 
AstroNerdBoy ユーキューホルダー! Manga Review
UQ Holder Chapter 70
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
Gravity Blade, aka Kurobo, is about to reveal its speculation on Touta’s identity when the short person who appeared to attack him before appears, calling Touta a badly done, low quality copy. After telling Touta that he shouldn’t have left the island, the assailant attacks, sending Touta flying back. Touta tries to counter, but a spell from the assailant stops that, though Touta gets away. The killer is irritated by Touta’s battle instincts, insisting they don’t belong to Touta.
Although Touta is barely holding his own against a foe who ranks up with Eva, Fate, and Mana, he finds this fight awesome. Touta’s attitude irritates the hooded attacker, who opens up a massive delayed spell ( activating it). The assailant attacks with his huge sword, slicing into Touta.
The assailant is not impressed with Touta and is going to clean up, when Touta’s Magia Erebea activates, leading the hooded foe to let Touta know he will exterminate Touta.
Thoughts/Review:
So, Kurobo has some speculation, says nothing, and the hoodie boy calls Touta a bad copy. Somehow, I doubt we learn more than that about Touta for a while.
Hoodie’s sword strongly resembles Asuna’s summoned blade, but it has a trigger, suggesting it can be adjusted in a similar fashion to Kurobo. It seems that he has stored spells in the sword. Using the spell release term Emittam while appearing to press a trigger, followed by a massive spell activating strongly suggests the spell was stored in the sword.
It is clear that Hoodie knows the truth of Touta. I couldn’t help but think of how many of us Negima fans have seen Touta as a poor copy of Negi from a writing perspective. So there’s a part of me that thinks, “I wonder if this is Akamatsu-sensei laughing at us in his own special way?”
Whether is is or not remains to be seen.
Touta’s attitude about fighting is very similar to Kotaro’s in that he gets enjoyment from fighting. I figure this attitude is what will allow Touta to use ME without much problem.
Will we get a deus ex machina moment coming, whereby Touta is beaten, even with ME active, and needs to be saved? There’s Afro (Laszlo) and Ray, but they are pretty weak and wouldn’t be any help. Kuroumaru and company could show up, having decided to go find Touta. Eva and Fate might show up, having known Touta would go out on his own, thus making him bait for this assailant that they wanted to nab.
Of interest to me is that the assailant refers to Touta as “Niisan.” So does this mean that the assailant is also a creation like Touta but was created after Touta? Or is it just a sarcastic method of addressing Touta since Touta seems to consider his attack to be a boy?
We’ll see what Akamatsu-sensei has in store for us next week. What were your thoughts about this chapter?
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i dont know if it is just me but i think that photo above shows like a normal kid negi but is more evil maybe taken over or consumed.it wouldn’t seem like a mini fate because i dont think a Mini fate would have this type of feeling towars Touta. I also find your bait theory interesting though as finding this foe could help lead clues to finding the real negi.
Yeah, it will be interesting learning whom this foe is.
The guy(?) appears to be have prior knowledge of Touta’s ME at the end so if he has some countermeasure for his ME I wouldn’t consider that a deus ex machina.
I’d like Kuroumaru, Karin, Santa, Ikkuu and Kirie to show up but that’s probably wishful thinking. I think Kirie will probably pay their entry fee and we’ll see them at the main tournament.
Come to think of it mystery-guy may have ME.
Also you mentioning Asuna’s sword reminds me, where the hell are pactios?
They are such a big part of this universe, it feels weird that Akamatsu hasn’t even acknowledged their existence.
If none show up at the tournament then something must have happened to the pactio system in the 80 years since Negima.
Well, pactio was important in Negima mainly because: 1) fanservice, and 2) the MC was an initially-weak mage.
As long as no proper mage (plus his/her partner) introduced in UQH!, I doubt we will see pactio.
Kotaro could make a pactio with Natsumi, so you don’t need to be a mage, you can be a ki-user too.
I would assume pactios would be very useful for people taking part in tournaments.
That’s my thinking as well. If the pactio system is still in place, the tournament is the place to reveal it. That is, assuming we even get there.
The problem isn’t can or cannot, but will or will not. Kotaro has one because Natsumi really needed one. It is a useful power-up, not just for tournament. But even in Negima, only those related to Negi, Nagi, or Fate were shown to have one. I don’t remember seeing pactio other than Negi’s or Rakan’s being used in the tournament in MM.
Other than Eva, right? 😉
And also Fate. If Eva really has one, I wonder what kind of partner it is. Don’t tell me it’s Negi. lol.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the members of new Ala Alba has pactio. Except Tsukuyomi, maybe. She didn’t have one in Negima and is hinted to be a cyborg now.
An Eva pactio card was made. I think Akamatsu-sensei really wanted her to make a pactio with Negi, but the story wasn’t crafted to were he could do that.
However, as a powerful adult, a pactio with Eva would make sense, not to juice her up, but as leader of Ala Alba, it allows him to easily communicate with his team and summon them when needed.
Wait, are you talking about Eva or Fate?
Actually, Negi making a pactio with Eva. Gah. My brain thinks one thing and my fingers don’t always type out the relevant information. I’m sorry about that. Negi, as leader of Ala Alba, could use the pactio system to easily communicate with his team and summon them to him when needed.
If he ends up being a 2nd attempt clone/copy/whatever after Touta, then you may well be right.
I agree. Pactiones were a major part of Negima, and the foundation of the Magic World was based on the pactio system. Granted, in real world terms, the pactio cards were extra merchandise to be sold and within the confines of the story, the pactio system allowed Negi to have a battle harem.
Frankly, I would like to see the pactio system at least addressed, whether it is still in place or not.
Mystery-guys sword may be a pactio, but probably not.
I was hoping we’d see pactios at Mahora(I can’t remember Mahora’s new name) especially when we saw those girls with the ala alba arm-bands(I thought they’d be a lot more important).
Maybe the magic apps are replacing pactios since you don’t need to kiss a person. Although I think adults might only be able to make permanent pactios which I believe you needed to do more than kiss to make.
In terms of the story, the magic apps have replaced pactiones. However, I’d still like some acknowledgement of the pactio system.
Neither would I. I was actually thinking of Touta getting his bacon bailed out of the fire being the deus ex machina moment. I apologize for not being clear on that. ^_^;;;;;;
Maybe, but I could see it happening.
I’m sure I’m wrong, but I can’t help but think the tournament thing will end up being mostly a troll thing. Depending on how Touta survives his encounter with Hoodie, does he still want to be in the tournament?
Seeing his reaction in this chapter, I think he will want to. If he’s totally defeated in this fight, maybe he will just decide to train harder.
But he may become concerned over being targeted and bringing harm to others.
It’s Touta’s dream to climb the tower and since he’s already in the preliminaries for a tournament that takes place at the top of the tower, I think it has to happen. But the main tournament isn’t for a year so I think we’ll have a few arcs before then.
I’m thinking the S-class fighter in the tournament is going to be the next immortal who’ll join UQ Holder.
Also, I’m hoping the tournament happens because I really enjoyed Negima’s Mahora tournament.
You’re probably right in that there will be a tournament, but I just can’t shake the feeling of being trolled.
While its true that the situation seems like Touta is going to lose and would be rescued. But i doubt that it would be a member (or already known member) of UQ.
Rather i feel that at this point it would be someone new who would help Touto out.
On a side note, we still haven’t seen 3 characters from that 1st chapters 2-page colored spread yet right (the Vampire kid, that black man with the sword and that hooded boy).
We also haven’t seen the swordswoman. But I think the hooded boy is Santa considering he was introduced wearing pretty much the same hoodie.
Also, I think the vampire kid might be Vasago but he uses age-deceiving pills like Evangeline.
If you are talking about the promo art, then yeah, Santa is that hooded character. I tend to suspect that Vasago is nothing more than an administrator for UQ Holder. Had he had more power, I think he would have shown up to bail out Touta when Eva came with Jinbee, Ikkuu, and Gengorou. She seems to have brought out her biggest hitters for that event.
She didn’t bring Juzo and according to Eva he’s the strongest person in UQ Holder after herself
True, but he might not even be in Japan.
That’s certainly a good possibility.
It was about what i thought would happen. convenient interuption. i must say tho that i enjoyed seeing those fire spells used in combat. especially the delayed one i always liked that concept in negima
Excatly. The interruption was expected, but the fight is very nice. That hooded boy is almost like an expert all-around fighter. Fast, uses spell (even a delayed one), and good at sword fight. Oh, he’s also apparently strong enough to throw a 500-fold Kurobo.
I also saw the hooded as an overall fighter. I will bring all the same precision. Most spells he uses are apparently spells “stored” in the sword. I find it interesting concept.
I would add that I think the sword of the cowled is another creation of Albireo. ^^
In any case it seems that Tota finally meets another serious difficulty apart Fate and, in addition, are seriously struggling with the intent to kill (Fate him was not serious).
I can not wait to see how the hooded will fend against M-E, I think, from what we saw, he should counter it with no problem. ^^
Well, these kinds of fire elemental spells were uncommon in Negima for sure since he was an air magic user and Eva was ice magic.
Astro : Well … what I’m saying Astro-san? “Tota was NOT mastered magia-erebea against Kaito, he only pushed Kaito face but he did not check! And indeed Tota is back in fashion berserk! ^^ I was right!
As for the sword of the hooded clearly it is NOT the Asuna. Asuna was that of “steel gray”, this one is black. By cons, it was established clearly his model. Maybe another sword forged by Albireo? Or even Negi?
In any case the hooded refers to Tota as a “bad copy” in relation to itself I think. Does it would mean that despite the use of the term “nii-san,” the hooded was created before Tota? As you say Astro, “Nii-san” is sometimes used sarcastically goal even by older men to younger but younger who try to “play the proud.” Anyway it’s official, I LOVE the hooded!
For me it was a very good chapter! Quickly I want the next chapter!
Touta has mastered it in that he was able to say, “OK, I’m done using you” and it went away. ME is acting like an automatic defense mechanism in this instance, much like the previous instance. I expect Touta to be in full control of ME in the next chapter, but we’ll see if I’m right or not.
Assuming they are both copies from the same source, I would suspect that Touta was created first. It really is tough to say for sure though. I think of the Data/Lore androids in Star Trek: The Next Generation, were Lore lied about who was created first until Data figured it out. So Akamatsu-sensei could be following a similar path here.
Maybe is the boy in the hood toutas brother and he is very angry because touta diapeared
And touta was before the ancident stronger than now and now he is a bad copy of his former
Self
We’ll see.
The only way the gravity blade won’t resume telling Touta about his speculations after the fight is over is if it gets destroyed, the speaking function breaks and it takes a while to repair because of whatever reason. I suppose it might happen, but then Touta would need a replacement weapon/fighting style. We’ll see.
Kurobo could resume telling Touta his speculations 32 chapters from now. Akamatsu-sensei could easily structure the story so that Kurobo doesn’t have an opportunity, forgot to mention it, etc. What I was trying to say is that I don’t think we’ll be discovering Kurobo’s thoughts on this any time in the near future. ^_^;;;;
“Touta’s attitude about fighting is very similar to Kotaro’s in that he gets enjoyment from fighting.” That scene actually reminds me of Negi on his first battle against Kagerou. He was in the middle of a battle against a strong foe and that could cost his life (although Kagerou would probably avoid doing a killing blow as he was likely already in cohorts with Rakan) but he was still smirking.
That’s an excellent point. I’d forgotten about Negi’s moment when facing Kagetarou.
I’m getting the sense of a initial magic erebea negi from the looks of hoodies eyes.
He or she seems to possess asuna sword but black as well as a magic storing great sword.
I wonder if alberio imma created a series of swords…
I’m starting to wonder if touta really is a copy of negi
“I wonder if alberio imma created a series of swords…”
Yeah, I think too.^^
And created one of those swords drawing of the sword Asuna. Is clear that this is a sword made by Albireo to me
I find it amusing that we get one sword with a gravity base at Al’s old place, and suddenly he’s a master swordsmith. *lol*
You are not alone there.
Well, it is similar, but not identical.
Or a modified copy.
It had been too much to ask that the sword explains the truth to Touta.
Who will the hooded guy be? Is Touta really a copy?
I did remember me the anime “Tales of the Abyss” or “fate/ kaleid liner prsima illya 2” Could Touta have the same case?
I would like that Fate and Evangeline would appear in the next chapter, but, I think that Koroumaru and company appears for save him.
Or the afro appears and he shows his “afro power” lol XD
maybe a new member of UQ Holder appears.
I lost count about the times that he was stabbed with a sword
PS: If you don’t mind Astro, could you tell me the page where you see the manga? the pages where I see it. The manga doesn’t show so quickly. Thanks
Crunchyroll is where I’m getting it.
http://www.crunchyroll.com/comics/manga/uq-holder/volumes
Thanks!
PS: About Vasago, if he really is the vampire guy,
Didn’t the sun injure the aristocratic vampires? I’m confused.
Akamatsu-sensei has played fast and loose with the rules concerning vampires, so who can say for sure whether the sun can injure aristocratic vampires or not.
Nice!
1- Indeed, Hoodie (loved the nickname :3) seems to fire/emittan spells from his sword. Quite an interesting weapon!
2- At first he looked a little like Touta himself, but now I am not so sure. At least we can be certain now that Touta is a magic construct like Fate. This will surely cause a lot of pain for Touta, maybe even an identity crisis! Being made and used by Eva and co. like that…
I mean, I AM the type who just HATES being left in the dark… If my “allies” didn’t tell me about myself (like Eva did to Touta), and my enemy gave me the answers I was looking for, I would gladly change sides to defeat the bastards who betrayed me LOL
3- As for what will happen next… too soon to suppose! Most likely, Hoodie will retry by himself, after tasting a little of the Deus Ex Machina that is Touta Konoe LOL
Yeah, “Hoodie” seemed a good name.
Anyway, the fact that someone is using a weapon to store powerful spells is an interesting turn. It could suggest something about the state of magic in this age, or it might be a quirk of Hoodie.
*lol* I hear ya. I hate that method of keeping information from the audience to attempt to keep up suspense. “Oh, I know important stuff, but ‘reasons’ are keeping me from telling you and thus telling the audience.”
Hooded guy/gal’s sword looks like a evil version of Asuna’s, no doubt about that. Don’t know what to think about that though. I gotta say, this guys fighting style is cool. Half my problem (Well, beyond all the other problems Touta has) with Touta is that his fighting style is…boring. Sure, the Gravity Blade sounds cool in theory (And it is), but with how important visual representation in manga is…its a no show. There’s no sense of weight as it were when Touta swings the sword about, so its really just him hacking and slashing and not much else. Compare and contrast with the guy/gal with the humongous sword, making huge arcs that give off a sense of momentum, being backed up by various spells, and even implementing one from itself. That stuff is cool. Actually, the latter bit is interesting since that’s how I figured something like Asuna’s ME sword would work.
And on a different note, hey Astro, did you know what’s up with the AQS forums being down? I’ve lurked there since back in the day, and I’d be rather sad if it was down for good.
That’s very true. I don’t know how one overcomes that weakness when it comes to showing the blade in action.
No clue. I noticed it 404ing earlier when I went to see what Hata had to say about the current chapter. Well, maybe he’ll post here or at AnimeSuki.
Well, it depends. Let’s use Asuna and Setsuna as examples. With Asuna, you got a huge honking sword. Lotta series tend to use those because…well, they’re big. You get huge, sweeping arcs, the sense of a giant hunk of metal crashing down on the enemy, the feeling that if that thing hits you in any capacity, its gonna hurt. Meanwhile, you have Setsuna. Sure, her sword is long, but you get crisp, clean slashes are made, neatly cleaving the enemy apart. Quick, precise cuts hitting the enemy with purpose, something that takes quite a bit of skill to do. Its sorta Shinmeiryuu thing.
Meanwhile with the Gravity Blade…eh. Jinbei whats his face demonstrated it pretty well in its introduction, with a real sense of it being obsencely heavy and its weight tearing clean through Al’s old place. Touta…hasn’t really done anything with that, on either side of the coin. Maybe he will in the future, but beyond a few set piece moves, its hard to actually convey any of those things because his style doesn’t bend in any particular directions. Its just sorta there.
Actually, as I thought about it, when Touta increases the weight of Gravity Blade, his feet should make indentions in the ground.
I had the same thought about the sword as you Astro…. When we go the “Copy” line, then it might be a replica of Asunas “Ensis Exorcizans” and a black one to that aswell… maybe a shadow copy or something along the Chao Lingshen line of artifical created version of it simular like the Avernicus serie
On that thought, there might be a connection with Fate and his killing of Toutas parents…
Yeah, it is possible that it is a kind of replica sword. We’ll have to wait and see thought.
That’s certainly possible.
Think it could be another artificial being for the Lifemaker?
Maybe. At the moment, with so little information out there, anything is possible.
Touta is just “a bad copy” of the real touta konoe that died at age 10 from magia erebea encroachment, who was negi’s grandson and heir apparent. (assuming the monarchy can even claim the land as theirs on terraformed mars)
Heh! That might end up being true.
If Touta is a creation, how is he related to Negi?
DNA. 🙂
Yeah, I kinda have to agree with the Shadow Kid on the last page. Seeing Tota just lose control so quickly really kinda injured my opinion of him. I mean, whenever he gets even a little serious when fighting someone, he has to win or else he pretty much goes into a huge, supernatural pout.
Also, about Tota being the Lifemaker’s creation: I don’t think that’s the case. When the Lifemaster got that one glimpse of him toghether with Eva and Fate, he didn’t seem like he had any idea of who he was.
And more than anything, Touta and Shadow Kid remind me of Mega Man and Blues/Proto Man. But that would mean there’s a Doctor Light somewhere… maybe it might involve his parents and why Fate killed them?
Lately that’s been the case, but the pouting seems to be Akamatsu-sensei realizing that he’d made Touta overpowered, thus needed to knock him down some pegs.