February 7th, 2020 
AstroNerdBoy ユーキューホルダー! 魔法先生 ネギま！2 Manga Review
UQ Holder! Mahou Sensei Negima 2
UQ Holder!: Magister Negi Magi! 2 Chapter 169
UQ Holder Chapter 169
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
Eva concludes her date with Touta by assuring him that she’ll be OK. Touta lets Eva know that his 72 “brothers and sisters” are his problem and not Eva’s fault. Eva encourages Touta to look into getting closer with one of his many admirers.
The following day, Karin, Kuroumaru, and Kirie spot Touta and speculate about what transpired. When they approach him, he lets them know that he was turned down, but also kissed. And he mentions Eva’s advice on going after his admirers. For Karin, he gets her to agree to help him save the world. For Kirie, he vows to protect her until she says otherwise.
He then invites Kuroumaru on a date. Touta buys Kuroumaru a dress, and the two go out. Although she initially strongly rejects the idea of being treated like a girl, Kuroumaru isn’t so strong about the idea in the end.
Elsewhere, Kuroumaru’s clan get news of Kuroumaru’s return to Inverse Mars. Plans are initiated to bring Kuroumaru in. Kuroumaru’s brother Kiroumaru warns the others not to underestimate the Dark Evangel, nor UQ Holder. He dispatches Nagumo and Tsukuyomi to capture Kuroumaru.
Meanwhile, Kuroumaru begins to open up to Touta about the Shinmeiryuu. Honoka and Isana join them. These two help Kuroumaru explain things to Touta, including there are two Shinmeiryuu branches–Earth and Inverse Mars, the later being immortal hunters.
Before Kuroumaru can explain why she’s an immortal, her brother appears. Kiroumaru, Nagumo, and Tsukuyomi attack them, causing major injury.
Thoughts/Review:
I have to say, UQ Holder Chapter 169 was another really interesting chapter, thanks to Akamatsu-sensei granting my wish. I’m actually hyped about the series again.
Battle Harem
I think it is fair to say that the Eva x Touta ship has now been put to rest. That’s fine with me ’cause I want Eva to end up with a rescued Negi. After all, it would be fitting for them to be together again. And both of their experiences would make them very right for each other.
That aside, that leaves Touta and his battle harem. I noted that the adaptation used the term “admirers” when describing Touta’s team. Eva’s visual referenced Karin, Kuroumaru, Kirie, Santa, and Nikitis. So Nikitis and Santa can be his bros. But I do want Touta to have Karin, Kuroumaru, Kirie, Shinobu, and Mizore (and throw in Isana and Honoka for the fun of it) as his harem babes.
Kuroumaru
Long time readers of my blog know that I’ve REALLY been wanting a story about Kuroumaru. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if Akamatsu-sensei would give me my story or not. After all, Sensei is heading into the manga’s end-story. That said, UQ Holder Chapter 169 provided me that wish.
Since we’d already witnessed Kuroumaru dressed as a girl, I guess it was fine that we only got a brief look at her (yeah, I’m using “her” ’cause she’ll be a lovely girl). Kuroumaru quickly wore a dress, despite making some form of protest over being considered a girl. But then she ditched the dress as well for unknown reasons.
It seems that we’ll get more of Kuroumaru’s backstory as this current arc continues. I’m looking forward to that.
Fushi-Gari Clan
In addition to getting Kuroumaru front and center, we also get her clan in UQ Holder Chapter 169. We were introduced to Kuroumaru’s brother, Kiroumaru, the head of the TOKISAKA family. He wears the crow tengu mask. But we had two more family heads introduced. The first was HINOKIDA Zankurou, who wears a kitsune mask and seems to be female. The other is BURYOU Genshin, who wears an oni mask and made me think of EMIYA Archer for some reason. 😂
This clan seems to be pretty arrogant though. Kiroumaru was the only one who seemed to have his head on when it came to dealing with Eva. But he seemed off his rocker when considering Kuroumaru.
Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to to learning more about these immortal hunters.
Honoka and Isana
It was surprising to see Honoka and Isana show up in UQ Holder Chapter 169. I have a fondness for them since they are apparently clones of Konoka and Setsuna respectively. I got a kick out of their reaction to Touta noticing how much the pair look like their grandmas.
Still, I am happy to see this pair of lolis. As such, I look forward to seeing them in the current arc.
Nagumo and Tsukuyomi
I was also surprised to see Nagumo and Tsukuyomi appear in UQ Holder Chapter 169. That said, I’m glad they showed up. It allows our UQ Holder folks to have to deal with powerful, interesting foes again.
Tsukuyomi seems younger though than she did when we first encountered her in UQ Holder. Since she originates from Negima!, I really hope we learn more about her.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Let me get this review wrapped up so I can get to bed. 😅
- We got a nod to Cutless and the other clone-siblings of Touta. I’m hoping we learn more about that before the series end.
- I wonder why Kuroumaru’s clan all wear youkai masks.
- It was really nice to see the AOYAMA sisters Motoko and Tsuruko from Love Hina! 😍
In the end, UQ Holder Chapter 169 was a rather enjoyable chapter. I’m actually rather hyped for the next chapter.
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I’m pretty sure that the Eva and Touta ship HASN’T been put to rest as of yet, in all honesty. Tota himself said that he didn’t know if he has been turned down, and he said after “She then kissed me”. It’s not a rejection, if it was, she would’ve been clear about it and said it straight. But again the situation doesn’t change, we just know that she really loves him in a romantic way, afterwards it’s just like like before. As much as you want that ship to be over and done with, which I get, I assume It won’t be resolved until later on near UQ’s end, since while they did say what was on their minds, The matter of her moving on with Touta won’t be resolved until they’ve dealt with Negi Ialda and she starts to sort out her “complicated” feelings for him.
As it seems that Akamatsu is indeed delaying the inevitable, in a good way, since we indeed will probably get to who ends up with Touta near the end of the manga (which is still a ways away) since he did indeed have Touta block out Eva’s dialogue, and we now get more events regarding Kuromaru, which I’ve been waiting to see.
Yeah, you are no doubt right.
Yeah, I agree. It would be easy to skip the Kuroumaru stuff to speed to an ending. So I’m glad time is being made to make Kuroumaru the focus.
Kuromaru’s character and background exploration has been long overdue. It’s a shame it had to happen this late in the game.
Motoko and her sister’s apprearance as a nice surprise, a nice treat for longtime fans. Considering UQ might be Akamatsu’s last foray into his verse. Now’s as good as time as any to lay info on the Shinmei Style.
On a different note, have you heard of HERO’S? It’s a crossover manga by Hiro Mashima, which brought together his top 3 shonen series (Rave Master, Fairy Tail, and the currently running Edens Zero). It was made to celebrate the anniversary of Weekly Shonen Magazine.
In one scene, a character name drops famous authors who’ve published works in that magazine. I find it hilarious that Akamatsu doesn’t get name dropped or even a just small nod.
“In one scene, a character name drops famous authors who’ve published works in that magazine. I find it hilarious that Akamatsu doesn’t get name dropped or even a just small nod.”
Mashima did make an illustration depicting Touta and Yukihime for the UQ Holder anime, so he and Akamatsu must, at the very least, know each other, but they probably aren’t close. Considering Fairy Tail has made crossovers with Parasyte and The Seven Deadly Sins, it’s a pity it never got one with Negima. But of all authors, only Kumeta cares enough about Akamatsu to mention him frequently, and even then it’s to mock him.
I think Akamatsu-sensei has been enlisted to do tribute pages for other mangaka, whenever one has a milestone or something. It may not be often, but I’m pretty sure it has happened a time or two. And I know that Hata-sensei and Akamatsu-sensei did crossover stuff for Negima!/Hayate the Combat Butler as part of movies being made for the two series.
Hahaha! I haven’t seen what Kumeta-sensei has done of late.
I agree. But better late than never, eh?
Yeppers.
I heard something about it, but I didn’t follow up on it. I will now. Thanks for the tip!
It’s weird to see Tsukuyomi not having any actual specific reaction to finally seeing the twins in the flesh, while the Tsukuyomi from Negima would go ballistic and shout out an insane rant lasting several panels at least upon seeing a pair of Setsuna and Konoka loli clones. So I suppose this isn’t the same Tsukuyomi from Negima after all, but a successor or would be using her name.
Also, UQ Holder sure are boneheaded in going in public, without even disguise glasses or anything, right after they’ve made so many enemies and they should know they can be attacked at any time. Not only they split for no good reason while there’s still an ongoing conflict and war campaign going on, just so they can have their recycled romcom hijinks, but they’re basically endangering all defenseless civilians around them.
It’s also kind of hard to buy Nagumo, almost a starting enemy, as a real threat now after Touta has undergone so many gigantic powerups and gained so many monstrously overpowered allies, many of whom can be instantly summoned with a Pactio card. This feels like bringing Chigusa back and then pitting her against Mundus Magicus Negi.
That’s a good point.
I was thinking she may be possessed, or otherwise made a pact with something dark and nasty. That could make her immortal. But she too might be a clone.
I guess because they aren’t wanted by the law, they felt no need to be disguised.
I think the one reason he has some kind of credibility as a threat is how easily he handled Karin in that initial encounter. She was quite powerful, more so than Touta was during their first encounter. Yet Nagumo schooled her. So even though Touta has become way more powerful, he’s somewhat handicapped trying to protect Kuroumaru, Isana, and Honoka. And I’ve long thought Nagumo had more tricks up his sleeve. But we’ll see how things play out.
I’m so happy that we’re finally focusing on Kuroumaru’s story. I’ve always felt that Kurou’s brother sent him to defeat Eva as a guise to go under her protection. Although not confirmed, this chapter reinforced my belief.
I’m curious as to how Kuroumaru is a shintai. I look forward to that being expanded on. As well as what is going to happen now that a small army is after her.
I get the feeling that Kuroumaru may have been deemed to have a cursed body even before the immortality experiments. I’m happy that Touta finally asked the question that if her family hates immortals so much, why make her one?
Wish they had a longer date as I like those two 1on1. Jeez. Just realized that they’re last “date” ended in disaster and attempted kidnapping too. I’m still rooting for this ship though!
Interesting. I never had that feeling, but I like the idea.
Likewise.
Yeah, that’s certainly possible. It may have been what made Kuroumaru eligible for the experiment.
I’m guessing Akamatsu-sensei’s thought was, “I already had them on a date before. No need to do more than the bare basics on this date.”
OMG!!OMG!!! Finally more Kuromaru!!! I hope we get a good amount of chapter of his/her background and story!! Im really happy with this, Kuromaru is my fav character and of course I hope Touta chose her/him
I hope we get a good story and not a rushed one as well.
Sorry i’m late to the party. Kuromaru’s arc (unless they skip parts like they have been lately like entire UQ Holder conflict / fighting in Inverse Mars) should be entertaining. I wonder if Kuromaru will surcome to becoming woman again. Sad that she not good enough as woman as she as a man/non-gender form. Fight between Kuromaru’s clan seems rather pety of them, but i guess their still playing with the Samauri Clan sort of angle. We don’t watch tv, so this our hobby, beating up on people who we kick out.
I figure Kuroumaru will become a lovely woman before the series ends.
I’m guessing there’s some sort of story reason for the clans to do this. But yeah, it does seem petty.
Here is a simple spoiler rumor for UQ Holder Chapter 170 from Japanese unofficial spoiler blog, famous for the Attack on Titan spoilers.
http://ryokutya2089.com/archives/29218
「UQ」
終末感漂う激動回
たったヒトコマのせいで笑ったけど。
「UQ」
A turbulent turn with a sense of end.
But I laughed for just one frame.
Thanks for the tip!
UQ Holder Chapter 170 spoiler images from 5ch.
https://matsuri.5ch.net/test/read.cgi/anichara2/1582518906/
https://i.imgur.com/OyeNSbQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xOUAnDL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/b48u2XS.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Vf5MUCA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KPN8jOJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/iV0hCcf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vHXgL5p.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2ETq406.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/18mf4p8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DTxE0rZ.jpg