June 18th, 2014 
AstroNerdBoy ユーキューホルダー! Manga Review
UQ Holder Chapter 38
SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
Touta starts his attack on Fate by screaming about terrorists. Karin gets behind Fate, who’s just starting to petrify Touta’s friends (Nikumaru and Mihashi), slices Fate’s arms at the elbow, then avoids Fate’s counter attack before kicking the two boys out of the way. Kuroumaru grabs Kirie, but then notices Ikkuu being held hostage by a waitress with a sword, so Kuroumaru attacks her instead. Now free from the swordwoman, Ikkuu fires Al Iskandaria at Fate. At the same time, Karin and Touta attack Fate. All three attacks fail as Fate’s mandala barriers keep him safe.
Kuroumaru charges back in with Kirie, but two large opponents appear in their path. Since Kuroumaru can’t break through, Kuroumaru tosses Kirie at Fate. Meanwhile, Touta gets irritated by Fate’s smirk, so he turns up Gravity Blade to 500,000 power, making it the equivalent of 500 tons of weight. This causes Fate’s barrier to break, allowing Touta to slice Fate to no affect and Karin’s attack to hit as well.
Kirie comes flying in and slams into Fate. Karin touches Fate’s back and Touta touches Karin’s back. With Ikkuu and Kuroumaru not around, Kirie can’t wait for them and crunches a pill in her mouth to apparently kill herself.
Thoughts/Review:
Karin — awesomeness. I love watching her in action and the skill with which she avoided Fate’s attack and kicked Touta’s friends out of harm’s way. Why couldn’t she be the main character of this series?
Kuroumaru — another kind of awesomeness. Kuroumaru in action is fun to watch as well. A series where Kuroumaru is the lead wouldn’t be bad either.
Touta — not so much. But hey, he can hold 500 tons of weight as if it were 5 ounces and break Fate’s impenetrable barrier with the sheer weight of the sword. Therefore, you readers MUST acknowledge his awesomeness…losers!
It really is becoming more and more difficult to redeem Touta in my eyes. He’s being allowed to do anything to overcome any situation just because he’s the main character, and that’s what main characters should do. However, since he’s not earned a thing in this manga, everything he does comes off as cheap and fake.
But enough of my bitching about Touta (pardon the expression).
Kuroumaru shows new skills and weapons by bringing out six kunai blades, each with an ofuda attached for a lightning attack. Too bad I don’t think we’ll get any additional background on Kuroumaru for ages to come, if ever.
As to Kuroumaru’s opponent, I’m leaning heavily toward the notion that this is Tsukuyomi. First, she uses the “-han” honorific. Secondly, she’s got the skills of a Shinmeiryuu warrior. Thirdly, she’s got the right hairstyle. Fourthly, she looks inhuman, which would be the result if she still held Hina Blade.
Initially, I didn’t want this to be Tsukuyomi, but now I do want it to be her and I want her to have the Hina Blade. From Love Hina, we know that the Hina Blade was a cursed sword, possessed with a very powerful entity that can easily possess those who wield it. When Motoko sealed the blade up again, she became its master and could safely use it, but others still could not.
The sword returns in Negima, where Tsukuyomi somehow has possession of it. Rather than become fully possessed, Tsukuyomi seems to have absorbed the power from the sword and is in control, though the possession effects of the inhuman eyes remains, which are identical to the eyes of the swordwoman in this chapter.
As to why Tsukuyomi would be around, I figure that she’s become immortal thanks to Hina Blade, which is a centuries old sword with an immortal, evil spirit inside.
I may be way off on this, but the two beings that attacked Kuroumaru struck me as being a Zenki and Goki shikigami entity. I think back to Negima, where Setsuna explains how Onmyodo magic system works, where the Eastern mage summons a Zenki and Goki shikigami to protect them while they cast spells. However, Setsuna also speaks of how an Onmyouji would sometimes hire a Shinmeiryuu warrior for additional protection. I suspect that this is what happened here, which Fate acting as the Onmyouji, which he is skilled at.
Assuming Kirie kills herself and takes Fate, Karin, and Touta back with her to the UQ Holder HQ, does this mean that Karin goes into the dungeon with Fate? I sure hope not. Even if successful, Ikkuu and Kuroumaru do not retain their memories on the reset, so there’d be no confirmation on whether Tsukuyomi is the swordwoman or not.
As an aside, I did find the tossing of Kirie into Fate pretty funny. It is an old kind of gag, where a character is sent flying through the air and slams into something. I was actually reminded of a scene from Urusei Yatsura where Lum slams into a tree in a similar fashion, which was made funny because Lum almost never took damage in the series.
So there are a lot of interesting elements here, and we’ll see how things will turn out next week.
Posted in 
Tags: 
That’s how Kuroumaru and Ikku stayed behind… Well, Let´s see what happens now!
Yeah, Karin appeared! It surprised me when Touta broke the barrier of Fate, well… it is the sword of Albireo… I didn’t even know that Albireo had a sword!, I never saw Albireo uses it.
The hug of Kirie… Somehow, I remembered Chao of Dragon ball with Nappa lol
Then, Will they go to hideout UQ holder now? It mean that will be Fate vs Evangeline? or Will Fate say Evangeline that she tells the truth to Touta?
Touta dislikes Fate, he don’t like his attitude, the methods, even the face… lol
Negi also get annoyed with the expression that Fate did in the karaoke XD
Kirie asked the reason of Touta about fight with Fate and Kuroumaru answered it is because Fate insulted Yukihime…
//Fate: You don’t belong with Yukihime, your talent would only go to waste, that wretched woman will never accomplish anything
Touta; Is that so…
*mode mothercon activated*
Touta: Nobody insults my adoptive mother!//
also, now that I think of it, I wonder if the clan of Kuroumaru will appear again someday
Well technically, they aren’t left behind. They just won’t remember the reset, if I understand correctly.
I hope that happens, but we’ll see.
Somehow, I imagine a bunch of characters from the Akamatsuverse sitting around discussing their abiities. Keitaro tells Asuna, “Mostly I have nearly infinite HP, but I also have breast magnets surgically implanted in my hands. How about you?” Asuna shrugs and says “I cancel all magic, and my clothes fall off at the drop of a hat.” Asuna looks over at Kirie curiously. “So, what’s your super power?”
“I kill myself.”
Your comment has all my likes (if there were any on this site).
^_^
LOL thats too funny
*lol*
I just want to point out that, given how Karin’s hammer is seemingly rocket-propelled, it really reminds me of Graf Eisen, from Nanoha’s Vita: http://nanoha.wikia.com/wiki/Graf_Eisen
And, Karin’s hammer could be a parody of it. ^_^
While it may be Tsukuyomi, and I agree that if she became immortal something related with the Hina blade is a possibility, the inhuman eyes is something that many Shinmeiryuu users displayed during the course of Negima (at least Eishun, Tsukuyomi and one of the Mahora teachers) even when not related with the Hina blade at all.
And I believe I already said this in the spoilers post. With the sword already in a downward swing position but being held by Fate’s barrier, Touta just need to increase the weight to as much as he wants and let the gravity itself make the slash. He doesn’t have the strength to swing or lift that sword, but in that situation it wasn’t needed.
Personally, I don’t see the sword swinging down in that direction if Touta just let all the gravity do the work, unless the weight was focused near the tip of the sword. He could crank the gravity up all he wants, but that wouldn’t have any affect on the barrier unless he was in mid-movement or chucking the thing at him.
I’m still not thrilled with this method for overcoming Fate’s barrier, but that’s just me.
Y’know, I’m starting to think you don’t really much care for Touta. :p Welcome to traditional shounen manga & anime, Astro. Touta is just following the “idiot hero” archetype of the shounen protagonist, as seen in Dragonball, One Piece, Naruto, and, well, pretty much every popular shounen manga ever. It’s probably easier to make a list of shounen protags that aren’t idiots. Hell, even the brilliant Negi Springfield was encouraged to be “more idiotic,” just like his old man. I think you just need to get used to Touta being like he is. Akamatsu is making the traditional shounen manga he always wanted to and it’s apparent that the idiot hero is popular amongst both authors and readers of shounen manga.
Anywho, this was an enjoyable chapter. Seeing the crew work together in a well-choreographed fight was a treat. And seeing Kuro engage in dwarf… err, loli tossing was hilarious. I too was thinking that the mysterious swordswoman was Tsukuyomi, or at least on of her descendants. We’ve had other blonde female sword users before, but the “-han” honorific and the black eyes kind of solidified that opinion.
Bingo Shadow ! you’re right !^^
“it’s apparent that the idiot hero is popular amongst both authors and readers of shounen manga.”
Hence why this genre is in a creative (even if, sadly, not financial) crisis. In any story with a semblance of logical realism, having an idiot in a team, much less in a role of any importance, would be a hindrance. Idiots can’t follow orders and plans well, they tend to rub more sensible people the wrong way, they generally screw things up. But in manga, they get away with it just because they have the best plot coupons.
Just saying ‘oh, but that’s the way things always have been’ doesn’t justify it.
I agree, but sadly, sticking to the safe zones is what most folks prefer.
*lol*
Yeah, I don’t read a lot of different manga, but the closest would probably be Fairy Tail. Natsu’s stupidity is about the limit of my tolerance. ^_^;
And I’m fairly certain that Akamatsu-sensei did it for laughs.
Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking. ^_^
Astro : About Tota.. “It really is Becoming more and more difficulty to redeem Touta in my eyes He’s Being allowed to do anything to Overcome Any location Just Because he’s the main character, and that’s what hand characters shoulds do HOWEVER, since he’s not earned a thing in this manga, everything Does he comes off as cheap and fake. ”
At the same time I want to say that Akamatsu has never indicated the level of resistance of the barrier Fate. What should I tell myself, when I see Nagi, a human who sprayed the barrier of life-maker with a spear of lightning in Negima? I have already said, but for me, Tota is not so “overpowered” and I think most critics (but not on its evolution unjustified. Already for me, he won only one fight, one against tachibana . kaito The cutter has served to demonstrate that it had the magia-Erbea by héréditée (Chao Linchen also had reread his fight against Negi) but for me, it did not beat kaito, just as it did mastered the magia-erebea at this time. To fight against Fate, okay he broke the barrier but Fate apprnds us that is more because of the gravity blade than anything much. Anyone who had the sword could do the same. Maybe Albireo has added an anti barrier spell in the sword who knows?
Karin in heroin. I do not think it would have been a good idea. For once, it really is overpowered by cons: waterproof injuries, sacred powers equal magiaèerebea surely the protection of God, and probably other powers!
By against the Capacities of Tota are uncertain if Negi is already dead, then is proof that the magia-erebea is not invincible, so Tota can die. Karin she can not. ^ ^
In terms of Tsukuyomi I am PERFECTLY AGREEMENTS. Besides, I hope to learn that we cause the blade is if Hina is the source of his immortality. I suspect it has to do with the magia-erebea. And so had the mage of the begining who had forged during a travel in Japan?
For two monks: Ah property thought, I had not considered whether the shiki I thought was really monks … or even brothers kuromaru ^ ^.
In fact I think what bothered me in this chapter is not that Tota has broken the barrier of Fate but they have their successful plans. Although I liked the fact that Akamatsu uses the idea that a good strategy can outperform overkill. It reminded me of Hunter X hunter, or a smaller group often defeat a monster overkiller. ^ ^
I take this opportunity to pass this link on amazon USA apparamant shows that, once again, UQ-Holder will not sell so bad. ^ ^
http://www.amazon.fr/UQ-Holder-1-Ken-Akamatsu/dp/1612629334
Read the comments too ^ ^.
Finally a little off-topic for you trensmettre little news that you are perhaps already aware of the clamps: a sequel to Tsubasa chronicle begins in August! And if you bedspreads scas Holic-Rei you should know that history is complex and go back to fundamentals. For example, Yuko in Chapter 34 delivered for the first time since the end of her fameu Holic “there are no coincidences in this world … There is only … Hitsuzen.” Truthful.
In any case is also a good time to introduce a sequel to Tsubasa Chronicle ^ ^
“Read the comments too ^”
Oh, wow, six people in a review page are raving it taking it at face value. This surely is an uncontestable testimony of overwhelming quality.
I want to say the reverse is also true: “Oh Wow 20 comments on one or two forums say they are dissatisfied with UQ-Holder This is proof that manga is bad.”
Of course, there you are agreements but when is the inverse dense, there by cons you said that is not objective and that it is nothing. Uh … You do not feel dishonest here? I love the way the goods “in a story with a minimum of realism idiot is a disabling character.” Lol whoever wrote from there a few days when I tried to defend Tota face “bashers”: “there is a saying that goes.” The réalitée is a very bad element for fiction “I find it not at all credible, or even almost hypocritical. ^ ^
And why else “unfortunately shonen is not in financial crisis?” You want the bankruptcy or disappearance of all kind Nekketsu? Nice for those who like that kind What do you care that Nekketsu have many succsès or not? Property must satisfy everyone, it? People like me and others who love the classic shonens you want us to be private? But I or others you are not allowed to read the seinen of shojo, the joseil, ecchi or whatever I among the genres of manga you love. Or even read novels, comics or even movies? No? So do not go out phrases like that. When I think you called me a dictator there some time lol.
Congratulations to Shadow for reminding this simple rule, when you read / see / play a kind particulir lumber. This work like it or not contain codes corresponding genre. Some originalitée does not hurt much-on, Negima demonstrated compel originalitée but want to become the norm would like a snake biting its tail. The principle of originalitée is to be original … yeah!
Do not say that work is bad because it respects its codes, it does not make sense!
(That second paragraph if below is also for you Astr)
I agree with Shadow, Akamatsu leaves finally express their desires so fully accepted into UQ. I would go even further to say that the hero of Negima in his mind was more like that Negi Tota, I think Nagi (which is exactly the personality level as Tota) Represented the hero he wanted created. So from this point of view, Tota is not “poorly written” as suggested by Astro, on the contrary it Represented the hero he always imagined but never got exploited in Negima because of editorial constraints I am convinced. ^ ^
Well, that’s my opinion
I say Touta is poorly written because he hasn’t earned anything he’s done. ^_^
Like I’ve said, Touta hasn’t earned anything, unlike Negi. ^_^
But I like her. ^_~
I’m pretty darn sure it isn’t selling as well as Negima. From an anecdotal level, UQ Holder doesn’t have the draw to the blog that Negima had.
I was unaware of this. I did know about the sequel to xxxHOLiC (or whatever it is), but it hasn’t jazzed me. I know that CLAMP has brought out the Tsubasa characters for special oneoffs.
Yeah, but that’s probably just because you don’t open every blog post with a hymn of praise to Touta the Mighty. If you could only be more positive, I’m sure true fans would flock to your door. (^_~)
*LOL* If I had that kind of power, Hayate the Combat Butler would be doing massive sales. ^_~
On a side note, 500000 times was also the weight Jinbee used on his demonstration of the sword power on chapter 10. It may be the sword maximum output. And Jinbee is strong enough to hold, swing and throw it.
Jinbei actually used it at 50,000 times, not 500,000 times.
Of course, 500,000 times still wasn’t enough to damage Fate whatsoever.
Edit: Nevermind, perhaps. I’ve found two different translations, one that said 50,000, and one that said 500,000.
Checking an online raw and it says 500,000 times.
For the love of all that is holy, can we please, PLEASE let a decent Deuteragonist show up so the focus can shift somewhere else? I find UQ Holder as a group to be incredibly bland aside from Karin (charisma of a stump, I know, but she can fight) and robo-man, and I honestly can’t fathom this series sustaining itself for 200+ chapters at this rate.
This is the issue: we are used to NEGIMA quality, and the quality from that was damn high. However, negima quality didn’t spike until about… 45-50 chapters in. Give it the 50 chaos it needs to really get into “who” we need to see. Also, touta could turn into nagi 1.5 but we don’t know; right now he’s bland and hard to redeem, but when we get into the true meat of the story (which we seem to be approaching) we’ll know for sure. Akamatsu has always been good at character development
I’ve been giving (or tried to, we’re well past the half way point for the fifty chapter mark) UQ Holder the benifit of the doubt and waiting to see if anything improves by chapter fifty, so I sort of agree in that regard. I do maintain that Negima (YMMV on the fanservice) at least was still a good story by itself during its earlierst portions that didn’t make me want to wretch up my prune juice in disgust, and at least had a few entertaining characters that made the series worth following. We’re closing in of chapter fifty, and despite having less then half the cast Negima had, we barely know anything about these guys while they still have next to no development.
Call my cynical, but that’s not a good sign, especially given that Akamatsu used to be half way decent at this sort of thing.
I personally find this quite shaky logic.
For example, what if development begins AFTER the chapter 50? I understand that a manga that has difficulty to appreciate can not indefinitely be bearable to read. I experienced this with the animated version of Kateikyoshi Reborn. The first 15-20 episodes (which must match the first 3 or 4 volumes I think are terribly annoying and repetitive! It takes patience pfiouu. (You’ll notice I have not mentioned yet has Negima to me is also annoying at first, but as I am mit late I knew what came after, so we can not say whether it be speaking).
But reborn and negima are exceptions. In most Nekketsu from my experience, it begins with the action and then develops. The light comes back is what often. After that you need to know entands by development, if is to learn more about the characters, bah when you look Yuyu Hakusho (an example that speaks to astro ^ ^) The past of the characters is explored in the last arc … lol . Same for the clamps in their works tendency Nekketsu (even those rated as shojo eg RG Veda) or their shonen or seinen work (X, Tsubasa) developments are volontairements slow, necessarily filled with subtext, like for their evolution, it is never said in black and white. Should not always expect a HUGE revelation when the background characters are treated.
After must also consider the speed of narration.
I read a bunch of manga since my first (yu-gi-oh and shaman-king for information ^ ^) and I noticed a constant … More action starts quickly, the manga will be short. I feel that everyone wants to imagine Sensei another manga extension cord. I do not. I’ve said but manga seems to be structured like the arc of world-Magic Negima. I think he should lasted between 12 and 18 volumes, 25 at most. So no, Akamatsu is not necessarily evidence of laziness, it just follows the plan he has planned, Shadow and I have already explained. Again I remind you that we do not even know all the members of UQ (missing Mazoku we saw two minutes, the vampire, the “twin Eva” and the hooded dwarf (that I’m pretty and Gravekeeper ^ ^)). We are in a typical Nekketsu narrative development really this restarts when all the characters I think will be presented, which for the moment is not the case. Negima was in contrast they have all shown us and developed gradually.
More than a defined number of chapters which is a totally artificial criterion, I board rather wait a bit after the complete presentation of UQ-Holder.
Anyway, as I like anyway UQ-Holder maybe you will not find my pertinant cnseil as coming from a “moron fanboy” (as some have called me here there is some time ^ ^ (and I do not talk about yourself ^ ^)) but I at least tried. ^ ^
Yeah, Sensei is going for high action over character development.
Yeah, that is hard to fathom.
Astro could it be that this was Fate’s plan all along, to get himself in the UQ Holder base, and do something really really badass thing like destroying the island or finding it’s location (if it’s unknown ofcourse, not sure).
Also is it only me or reading a manga about immortals get boring really fast, knowing that no one from the main cast could actualy die and they will just regenarate a limb or two.
They are immortal, but that doesn’t mean they can’t die. It is just very hard to kill them.
Mhm dropping Fate into the cave under the island I don’t think Karin will join him. Or rather I doubt that’s the intention of UQ Holder. The “Save Point” is on the surface which means that even if they Do get him there they will still need to stuff him through the entrance. That might be either Numbers’ or Evangeline’s job. She did stay on the Island after all.
For a small, dissenting point-of-view…
On the manga so far I agree with you, ANB, by and large. But I want to say that I have a slightly better opinion of Touta’s portrayal over the last 2 or 3 chapters. I f you just take this chapter in isolation Touta actually seems a little impressive to me (I was hesitant to use that adjective since I know what the reactions are likely going to be, but that is how I felt).
What I mean is, this isn’t a carefree happy idiot right now – look at his face for the last 2 chapters! This is a guy who understands clearly that he is in bear country and his asshole is clearly puckering, as it should. That shows a fairly mature level of awareness on his part. But he choses to go through with the plan anyway because he thinks its the best shot (though not necessarily a good one) and when he meets Fate and Fate acts like a great galomphing dick for no real reason Touta does what we all wish we had the stones to do when faced with bullies and stands up for his beliefs (no matter how small and naive they may be) – and despite the fact that he fully expects to be crushed like an ant.
And Akamatsu-sensei lets him do it with some (small) efficacy! I like, for example how Touta calling out Fate as a terrorist to the bystanders suprises Fate for a second (its not a big thing but it does show quick thinking and good use of your surroundings – if your in a desperate situation you need to get creative and try anything – maybe something will stick!) I view his other action in this situation in a similar light, and the 500.000 ton thing is (probably) supposed to work like somebody up above already suggested.
Now I know your going to argue that most of that is unearned and if you look at the content of the manga so far you’d be right! Akamatsu-sensei really did a pretty poor job of developing any of his characters. I do not in any way try to deny that.
My point here is merely a small one: it is the observation of how your perception of a serial narrative can be influenced through the mode of your reception. Like modern ark-based TV series we are getting what amounts to one big story in small discreet packages with some faitly long waiting periods in between (perhaps you’ve noticed how different it feels to watch a series being broadcast weekly on TV and binge watching it on DVD later).
Since UQ Holder is fairly badly paced and keeps jumping from one underdeveloped plot-point to the next it comes pretty easy to watch chapters in an isolated (from each other) manner. That kind of frees me up to look at Touta’s portrayal here and actually like him a little
and I decided to take that as a gift because I’d purely hate to be unable to derive any enjoyment from an Akamatsu series!
You are correct here and I did give a bit of credit to Touta earlier. I am probably allowing my hectic schedule and lack of sleep make me less tolerant, especially since he’s allowed to overcome Fate’s barrier immediately whereas in Negima, only Asuna’s magic cancel overcame it for a while.
I am getting enjoyment from the series, even this chapter. I loved seeing Karin and Kuroumaru in action. I like seeing the Negima elements. It just isn’t as good as Negima.
You see Fate at his best in this chapter. I do agree about Touta… he is …. feels off. Ken realy wrecked the protagonist for his serie in that one imo. Thought rest is pretty nice, but the main character is just out of the line.
I actually just rereaded Negima! (again) and i noticed a simularity between the left huge guy with black hair, who interrupted Kuroumaru, and the 1 guy from CE first generation who also reappeared at Negis final fight and got frozen as 1 of the first persons. With the MotB gone and Fate ontop of the magic world + Eva free, nobody knows what happened with the rest of the old CE. Im pretty sure we will see some of those guys anytime soon in some way.
Seeing any time soon, is another point. I found it interesting the Zazzie and Mana where in the Immortal Hunters backflash, while neither Fate nor Eva seem to be with them right now.
Which brings me to my last part. At the promotion picture, the 2 smaller guys before Eva at the right side. The one who looks vampire like + Fate mixed can maybe another Averruncus? Or maybe even a reincanation of a previous one. To the guy to the left, he gives a strange wipe towards a connection of the gravekeeper / Zect. But maybe its just me
Good point. The CE folks could still well be around, assuming they can live on Earth.
As to Zazie and Mana, they may be dead, or they may be doing other things.
As to the promo image, I’ve thought that the Gravekeeper might be a member of UQH. As to the others, I haven’t thought too much about them, but I’m sure we’ll get one of them in the next story arc.
This chapter was pretty good, and since Fate is my favorite character, seeing him in action and kicking some ass is pretty neat! xD As for Touta breaking his barrier… Even though it was thanks to Albireo’s blade, come on! Negi had to go trough a lot of training and chapters to surpass that, and now Touta goes and passes trough it in a single chapter? -__-‘
Oh, well, so be it. I still like most of what I’m seeing(UQ Holder left behind most of the characters I didn’t like and is bringing back the ones I liked one by one. Evangeline, Fate, maybe Tsukuyomi… If Jack Rakan appears somehow, then it’s perfect. As for Negi, too bad he’s – supposedly – dead. But hey, the Thousand Master was said to be dead in the beginning of Negima, as well…) and I DOUBT things will go this smoothly for them. Fate probably has more aces up his sleeve.
Yeah, that’s been my problem with Touta all along. He hasn’t earned it while Negi struggled and worked his butt off to get to those next levels. Because he had vast, untapped magical reserves, Negi reaching deep simply meant he was able to use more of the magic available to him as he grew stronger and gained stamina.
There are a few things that I can say for certain:
One, most people hated Negima at the start. They refused to read it later, even after it grew to the awesomeness that it became. I see a similar track here. I am willing to give it time as it seems that Ken is still in exposition time. We are still learning about the world and the reminants of Negi’s friends. Fate represents an opposing viewpoint. I think we need to hear it before the main track of the story begins. Pieces are finally falling into place. Let’s see where this goes.
Two, Touta is a likable character to me. I think the trouble people are having with his personality are based on his current personage. I truly believe his idiocy is a result of his memory loss. This also explains his lack of growth. He was very probably trained from birth. We know this from Negi’s backstory. Touta more than likely went to magic school from about age three (again referencing Negi’s history). There he learned and trained his skills. Plus, it seems Eva was present to help his training early on. We also know that Negi trained and perfected magica erebia by the time he was 11 years old. Touta, probably more out of need than want, was also trained in the skill. With Setsuna around, he more than likely learned swordsmanship.
Now, as has been hinted at from the start, something horrific happened to force Eva, or some other entity, to cast a forgetfulness spell on Touta. Negi stated in Negima that spells that affect the mind cause problems: Asuna being case in point as she became a real ditz after her memories were taken away. So, I am willing to be patient and wait for Touta to regain his memory. When that happens, I have a feeling the happy-go-lucky Touta will be changed forever. Until then, he will still use skills he has no idea how he can do. I know that can be frustrating for some to wait through, but, using that perspective, I find it very enjoyable to watch what happens until then.
I never hated Negima from the start. I was just not that impressed through the first two volumes. Eva and volume 3 made it better. ^_~
That may be true. I just wish we had something to establish this, as happened with Asuna.
Regardless, I do enjoy UQ Holder for what it is. Karin is awesomeness for me. ^_^