May 31st, 2016 
AstroNerdBoy ユーキューホルダー! Manga Review
UQ Holder Chapter 125
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
With Cutlass approaching, Touta is worried and asks her why she’s coming after him now when she’d said to meet her at the tournament, which starts on the following day. Cutlass responds that the tournament is irrelevant as she just needs his body to be in this location a year after she laid out the challenge. She goes for the kill, so Touta activates Magia Erebia to block the attack.
Cutlass knocks Kirie away some distance, choosing not to kill her because of Kirie’s reset ability. As Kirie desperately flies back to try to land a kiss on Touta and restart time, Cutlass gets the best of Touta, cutting off his Magia Erebia arm. Cutlass is gloating before going for the kill, allowing the other two Touta’s to land blows on her and send her flying far away. The other Touta’s explain how they weren’t affected by time stop. Touta puts his arm back on, then Kirie kisses her Touta to restart time.
Karin and Kuroumaru immediately recognize something is wrong when time restarts as Custless resigns herself to the notion that the battle won’t be easy. She calls herself the opening act as Negi descends and lands behind her. Cutlass remains on bended knee, welcoming Negi-sama. Touta is shocked, but then Yukihime drops him, ordering the Touta’s to stay back as there’s nothing they can do against Negi.
Thoughts/Review:
So, we get a heavy dose of naked Kirie, but the plot pushes forward now.
One of the plot elements from when Cutlass was introduced was why she was trying to kill Touta then, but then decided to just back off. Akamatsu-sensei blows that off as not important and he blows off Negi being in the tournament. Now, we just have the, “I need you in this spot” excuse. I almost have the feeling that Akamatsu-sensei was going to go one way, then changed his mind.
However, this chapter strongly suggests what I’ve long suspected — there won’t be a tournament. It is clear that Cutlass isn’t interested in the tournament, and Negi is not going to be in the tournament as Cutlass is going to get what she needs from Touta here and now.
Cutlass has to know that Negi is controlled by the Mage of the Beginning, but her taking a knee when he lands and addressing him as Negi-sama took me a bit by surprise. I would have thought she would have said something about MotB, or even addressed Negi as “Master,” like MotB’s other servants have done.
Eva’s sudden arrival hopefully means that we’ll get to see some interesting stuff next week. Also, Honoka needs to reintegrate the three Touta’s if he’s to even have a chance of defending himself. And, with Eva having jumped into the fray as she did, Karin, Kuroumaru, Ikkuu, and Santa should likely join in the fun as well. So I’m actually looking forward to the next chapter to see where things go.
In the end, UQ Holder chapter 125 was an interesting chapter, but mainly serves as setting the table for the events in the next chapter.
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Honestly, if any complains about Negi one-shotting everyone, remember Eva is weaker than she has been before, and it wa already said that Negi is 100 times more powerful than Ishkur.
Negi also has a Mastered version of M.E, Eva sadly does not hahaha(funny eh?) and has a Complete Immortality.
I am guessing, there will still be a tourney, but thi is basically Negi coming to introduce himself.
By Bitch-slapping everyone.
I agreements with you ntt22, I think that there will be a tournament sorry for you Astro-san ^^.
This is not because Cutlass confessed to have no interest in the tournaments there will be none.
While the tournament was a pretext to attract Tota. But I think because of the presence of Eva, she will not succeed in achieving this goal.
For the “Negi-sama”, I think this is a proof that Lifemaker soul fuses with his host’s soul Instead of supplanting it. So actually, the lifemaker IS really Negi and Negi IS lifemaker.
As I see it, I think Negi and Eva will discuss in the next chapter. Negi/lifemaker will reveal his projects. He’ll ask Eva to deliver him Tota. She will obviously refuse. Then, not wanting to make waves at the risk of attracting reinforcements (even Negi could probably not neutralize all the numbers + Zazie, + Fate easily), he finally confirmed his participation in the tournament and make an appointment to see again Tota, Eva and UQ Holder there.
ps : In addition, the life-maker is the kind of person to love up of défits “for fun”. We all remember his dialogue with Prinum just before the final battle of the great war with Nagi, I would not be surprised, it really participate in tournaments.
Certainly one could say “but considering how it did not he succeeds with Nagi, one might think he remember the lesson, otherwise it would not make sense from an immortal with this level of experience.” Well… Yes and no.
in absolut, this criticism would be valid. But the context is different. until proven otherwise there is NO imminante threat to the solar system, unlike the wartime Reverses on Mars in 1980, with the potential destruction of the Mundus Magicus.
Here, 100 years after, the only direct threat, until proven otherwise, is the life-maker himself, who wants to destroy the entire solar system only because he does not support an “imperfect world” where suffering exists (because of the raisonnance).
I mean, there he has all the time he wants, there is no emergency. If he can be a fun while trying to achieve his objective, why should he deprive? And if he fails now, he will return in a few decades or centuries in a new host, that’s how he thinks, and it is really in his personality, in my opinion…
There was speculation that Negi, Eva, Cutlass, Fate, and who knows who else would be in a tournament. That does not appear to be the case. And if there’s a battle now, then there’s not much point in doing a tournament.
I doubt anyone would question Negi’s being OP. 😉
The fact that Cutlass basically called the tournament irrelevant as well as Negi’s signing up for it being the same (on top of her just needing Touta at that location) means the tournament is irrelevant. What purpose would a possessed Negi have with a tournament?
1. If I were you, Astro-san, I would not take the statements of the Cutlass letter feet. It is likely that the lifemaker has really intend to participate in the tournament, but that Cutlass, pushed by impatient,Cutlass wants to finish immediately the buisness, because in fact, what counts is the ashes of Tota. I imagine her attands that Negi / MOTB, congratulates her initiative, but I would not be surprised if the latter, hereprimand her severely.
2. What would be the point of the tournament? Simple: Propaganda.
Let me explain: Negi, the savior of the solar system, the one that revealed the supernatural to the world, reappears after 20 years of absances. What would happen if he announced that after the tournament, he “definitely save the world” (aka : to create “Cosmo Entelekeia”).
On that basis, following the rules of the tournament, he could get the support of many fighters, and even the civilian population, making it very difficult for UQ Holder, become almost “public enemy number 1”.
3. I remind you that this tournament was clearly introduces us by Mana, there was even a diagram to explain the rules, and even there are still 10 chapters back, Mizore we talked like someting gigantic. I was the opposite, I do not see what tournaments to be canceled.
4. Other hand, trigger a major battle here in the middle of a public event would not be good strategically. All officials organizations and polices, punishig magical crimes, created after the lifting of the “cover-up of the supernatural,” and also the magical mercenary organizations (the other branches of UQ, or the immortal hunters for exemples) would engage a global hunt against Cutlass and MOTB after they were attacked a public event like this magical race.
While playing in the rules during the tournament, they ensure some security. Especially since, as I say, use face Negi, allow the MOTB to have the support of the masses.
5. If there are no tournaments, while become the “King” of arenas, that was spoken yet, there are just 5 or 6 chapters?
6. And finally, I repost what I said during my previous comment about the “adventurous personality” of lifemaker : “: In addition, the life-maker is the kind of person to love up of défits “for fun”. We all remember his dialogue with Prinum just before the final battle of the great war with Nagi, I would not be surprised, it really participate in tournaments.
Certainly one could say “but considering how it did not he succeeds with Nagi, one might think he remember the lesson, otherwise it would not make sense from an immortal with this level of experience.” Well… Yes and no.
in absolut, this criticism would be valid. But the context is different. until proven otherwise there is NO imminante threat to the solar system, unlike the wartime Reverses on Mars in 1980, with the potential destruction of the Mundus Magicus.
Here, 100 years after, the only direct threat, until proven otherwise, is the life-maker himself, who wants to destroy the entire solar system only because he does not support an “imperfect world” where suffering exists (because of the raisonnance).
I mean, there he has all the time he wants, there is no emergency. If he can be a fun while trying to achieve his objective, why should he deprive? And if he fails now, he will return in a few decades or centuries in a new host, that’s how he thinks, and it is really in his personality, in my opinion…”
But all this, it’s only speculations after all. we’ll see what Spoilers says for us, tomorrow and to which they give us treasons, between you and me.
Anyway, if the next arc is a tournament, with a fight againist MOTB in the final, or an epic exploration of the solar system, for to beat lifemaker, both possibilities are to me, even if I confess that I have a certain preference for the tournament .. ^^
What possible purpose would MotB have in participating in fighting tournament with rules and regulations. MotB has an agenda. Apparently, part of that agenda was to use bait to get Touta to be at that location. Now she has Touta there, not in the tournament, so her plans can continue. She doesn’t need the tournament because Touta is right there in front of us.
You stated that propaganda is the reason to use the tournament. That presupposes that MotB has changed tactics. When she wanted to wipe out Mars, she didn’t give them any warning or try to spread a message. It was simply, “Do it” and her people executed her orders. That appears to be the case here too. She doesn’t appear to be interested in what others think. Her only thought is whatever her ultimate goal is. I just don’t see a tournament doing this.
That being said, since this is a shounen manga, I’m sure Akamatsu-sensei can ram one up our keesters. I hope not because everything MotB wants to accomplish can be done now.
Finally plots! And just not plots of land! Negi’s appearance of course steals the show, but I’m curious where his entourage is. A Neo Ala Alba/Rubra/Blue? vs. UQ Holder battle would be too awesome for words. Akamatsu still has a few surprises up his sleeve so we’ll wait until next week to see if this is a showdown or a false start. It’s too early in the story for a dramatic battle, so it’ll probably be closer to when Fate showed up at the Gateport. Speaking of Mr. Negi’s Husband, I assume he’s not too far behind.
When it was revealed that Eva showed up, I immediately pictured her reaction to Negi’s entourage should it show up. Assuming she has no idea who’s with Negi, it would naturally come as a big shock to see two of her “friends” and two of her classmates along with him.
Eventually the two parties are going to clash, it’s only a matter of when. I hope at the very least they make an appearance and have an immediate impact on the story so more development can be set in place. There’s always the possibility of a melee a trois with Eva’s, Negi’s, and Fate’s parties all clashing.
It’s chapters like these where I’m reminded why I follow this story, though the next chapter is a very big one. Akamatsu can’t cheap his way out of this one with a snapback to harem antics or Negi disappearing just as suddenly as he appeared. There needs to be a nice dose of dialogue and action. And of course the appearance of Negi’s “new” comrades please!
I agree with you too. But be aware/buffer your anticipation that the expected action may happen in the next chapter, BUT also at times doesn’t happen immediately in the next chapter, and it could change scenes to something totally different, leaving us readers hanging in anticipation and asking ‘What?!’ and “Why?’. Akamatsu-sensei has done this before using this delay tactic to keep the current story line a bit longer. I don’t like it when he does this, but he does this and I’m getting used this happening.
Ken does like to draw things out. I wouldn’t be surprised if not much happens next chapter, or Eva orders an immediate retreat. At the very least Fate should show up very soon.
I think they are creations of Negi’s mind. However, it would be quite, quite interesting to see Yue and company, even as manifestations, complete with the powers they had in life.
As to Eva, should a battle erupt, I’d like to see her revert to her Eva form rather than stay as Yukihime. But that’s just me.
It’s possible they are illusions, but why have Rakan and Albiero there in silent roles? Plus it’s not the Lifemaker’s motif to work alone. It really looked like they were all marching in.
And they do all show up. I’m just curious why Yue and Nodoka stopped aging if they are real.
A curious interlude.
Meanwhile far more interesting news has broke.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-05-31/mr-osomatsu-is-1st-tv-anime-in-15-years-with-2-no.1-dvds-in-a-row/.102714
I’m only vaguely aware of this series.
@AstroNerdBoy That is not the interesting aspect, the fact that love hina held the record for 15 years is.
Cutlass won’t get what she want because Touta has become stronger than she is in the last year.
Yeah, but now he’s in three parts. So unless Honoka reintegrates them, he’s pretty weak.
Finally the story moves forward again!
I really feel for Kirie. She’s involved from the get-go when Cutlass begins her attack, and she has to battle totally naked when everyone else has clothes. It makes me wonder if she already had a time-reset or this is something new so she hasn’t experienced yet or the first round and no time-reset done. Her sitting on her broom naked is also a bit inappropriate more ecchi too. With her magic ability, I’m surprised she didn’t have time to use her magic to instantly get on some clothes before getting the flying broom. We have yet to see her ‘Wizard’ ability too.
Even though Tota is divided in power to 1/3, up to this point it is a advantage over Cutlass where she has to deal with three Tota’s buying time till everyone gets to the battle scene. Seems she’s only focused on a one-to-one battle.
As for Jack and other Negi’s associates that were with him on the space station/tower, its still unknown if they were illusions created by the MotB to control Negi, and further corrupt his mind, or where they are real. IF Negi is alone with Cutlass, it seems to side with them being illusions, IF they were illusions and the real ones appear and fight Negi, it would be interesting to see how Negi reacts.
Negi has to fight his closest friends from 3-A. It still blows my mind that this has to happen.
We may not see any more of the tournament for now, but we may see some appearances of the other groups that have gathered for the tournament also get involved with the fight, or others of the class 3-A that remained at Mahora as teachers or instructors.
I’m hoping to see Negi’s cousin Nekane Springfield too at some point to help in trying to stop Negi too.
What blows my mind is that a few years ago we watched Negi struggle from a PL of a mere 200 to pretty much God. A 10 year old Brat who somehow landed a teaching job in an All Girls middle school.
Who adverted a disaster from some ‘puny’ god in kyoto, meeting his rival Fate for the first time.
Struggles in the Magic world with his class mates, saving the world again.
And now here we are, the only person to gain the Title of Magister Magi in the truest sense of the words,
And now, we are looking at him, but not as the Hero, but a Villain.
I think had Negima continued, that would have been Nagi’s role.
Yes it is at a time, a very interesting, ironic, and tragic destiny^^.
The others arriving might buy time for Honoka to reintegrate the Touta’s.
She’d be very elderly, assuming she’s still alive.
Another option. This initial conflict begins with a short dialogue, Yukihime fails to stop Cutlass and Negi, and everyone gets blasted and loses to Negi and Cutlass but Kirie is able to do a time reset, or simply that Kirie manages a time reset on her own seeing that they are losing to Negi and Cutlass.
She now tells the others of what will happened with the arrival of Cutlass and Negi at the end of the race, and now the water race strategy changes, and the four groups work together as a team instead of against each other, knowing and preparing what will happen during and at the end ot the race. The others also change positions near the goal line to be prepared and ready for Cutlass and Negi instead of just being watching spectators. Maybe enough time to notify Fate and his group too. This has been used before….
Then Star Wars hits me…
Cutlass again cuts off the M.E. arm of Tota, as Tota falls on the platform.
Negi: Tota… Tota… I am your grandfather
Tota: Noooooooo
Negi: Come with me to the MotB side of the force…
— Negi is wearing that space suit – but just joking –
Har! 😀
The MotB has to consider Tota as a major threat to take such extreme actions, or its the start of the MotB’s plan to destroy Earth, beginning with taking out any potential threats.
But it seems to be quite one sided too, considering what Negi brings as abilities. Why not destroy earth from space if that is the reason. Is there something else not yet said? Maybe Negi still has a small amt of control. Negi definitely looks like he’s drugged.
I then keep thinking and its making sense of what Dana said about Tota, that he needs to be very strong to be able to protect Eva. This chapter, Eva almost stands alone against Negi and Cutlass, and only Tota and Kirie are there to initially face him. How can Tota help and protect Eva? Poor Kirie is still naked too.
I agree with others, Negi has to explain why he’s there.
We’ll see if MotB or Negi gets to speak, assuming they speak at all. We could just go to battle.
the begining of everything
an unbelievable amoung of miasma which was summoned by Negi, in an instand Kiriwe is frightened by it
its scale, even Santa sees it and compares it to 10000 times that of Sayako
even Karin, who wants to help Yukihime and was on her way, stopped moving and is trembling
Mizore and Shinobu reach a state of ‘incontinence’ and ‘ stupefaction’
Negi’s first attack… a stripping sneeze which affects the entire venue/place
Not being affected by it are only Touta and Santa (Curtlass, who was stripped first, takes out some spare clothes)
the atmoshpere, which turned flat, becomes chilling for a second time due the entry of even more followers/servants
a lineup of Nodoka, Yue, Al and Rakan
Negi “It’s been a while, Master. I’m the mage of the beginning”
■ What came out ouf man’s mouth who once saved the world, the name of the last boss who’s possessing him—
Finally, the true enemy Touta* has to fight!! Next issue an even graver situation!! Continuing in issue 29!!
// * who starts moving
—
pics are out on the board astro
@DerGilga
I will admit to be excited and maybe entertained by the notion the next chapter would propose.
Especially if it leads into Konoka entering the fray, to ward off the lifemaker!
Also this moment will be crazy hype in the anime.
Nice
Thanks. And wow! I didn’t expect images quite that fast.
Well, now that we’re getting back to the serious action and away from the comedy action and harem hijinks, I just wanted to summarize my thoughts on the podrace mini-arc that just ended. While it could have been just pure fanservice forward to back, the interaction between Touta and the loli trio did result in some character- and relationship-building. In particular, Mizore’s stock just shot up in my book. She’s mostly been portrayed as a hyper, clingy ojou type, but here she’s shown to have a hidden mature side and actual genuine feelings for Touta, plus her being a Yukihiro automatically makes her an invaluable addition to the harem. Shinobu has some sweet moments, too, and she’s coming across as the Nodoka of this series… or even just a straight copy of LH’s Shinobu. She might not ever have anything close the alpha female status that Kirie current occupies, but she has her own skill set to bring to the table, namely machines.
I agree. The arc did work on building up the three loli girls and make arguments for why they’d be good for Touta. That’s why I think that in the end, it has to be a harem ending so that Touta has access to all of those positive traits. Then we just secure Karin and Kuroumaru, possibly adding Isana and Honoka into the mix as well.