Negima! ~ Review, Etc.

(Some of the cast of Negima!)

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As with anime anime or show, I go in to it with an open mind. I had heard of this series but had never seen it and for only 14 bux, it was a bargin! This version of the anime, is the TV series and lasted 26 episodes. The manga is still ongoing.


Negima! is about a 10 year old prodigy by the name of Negi Springfield who comes to Japan to teach english at Mahora acadamy. However, he also must maintain his own personal secret: that he is in fact, a wizard-in-training. Down below you will find a series overview, which I copied from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negima!_Magister_Negi_Magi so that it makes it much easier to explaine the series and give my first impression review.

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SERIES OVERVIEW
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Negi Springfield is a ten-year-old wizard from Wales, who dreams of becoming a Magister Magi (Approximate Latin translation: "Master of Magic" or "Master Mage"), a special wizard who uses his powers to help normal people, using covers such as working for NGOs.

Negi's reason for becoming a Magister Magi is to find his father, Nagi Springfield, the legendary mage also known as the "Thousand Master", who is believed to be dead.

After graduating from the Merdiana Magic Academy in Wales, Negi is given a duty as a cover in the real world, and training, before he actually becomes a Magister Magi. That duty is to become an English teacher at Mahora Academy in Japan. The task will not be easy, however, as Negi will become a teacher to a Middle School class of 31 older girls, each very special in her own way. The series details his time and adventures in Japan as he gains acceptance and respect from his students, helps them in their problems, and faces magical threats from inside and outside Mahora Academy. Although each of the girls has her own back story and personality, Negi's main relationship is with Asuna Kagurazaka, his student and roommate, who dislikes him initially but later accepts him as a friend and becomes his partner, helping find clues about his father and his life.

The series, while initially appearing to be another romantic comedy work featuring numerous bishōjo characters like Love Hina, has progressed into a mix of shōnen action, fantasy, horror, romance and comedy. Akamatsu stated that he specifically wanted to do something "different" than Love Hina. Negi himself is prepubescent, and many of his scenes with Asuna are specific subversions of the "awkward romantic scene" tendency of harem manga, quickly diffused and only played for laughs. In addition, many of the girls are able to fawn over him in a childish sense without any romantic expectations from the reader.

In keeping with this style, Negi himself is seen as a contrast to Love Hina's Keitaro and other typical male leads of manga. He is hardworking, capable, and treated kindly, but due to his appearance and age (well below most of his students), he feels completely non-threatening and finds it difficult to be taken seriously as a teacher; many of his students treat him as a cute little kid, if not a playmate (or plaything).

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MY IMPRESSIONS
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While filled with fanservice (something I am USUALLY not fond of), this series was actually pretty humours, especially the very first episode where the main female character, Asuna, is dressed in a fish costume hoping to have a specific faculty member as her homeroom teacher.

I also had to adjust to the type of voice that Greg Ayres used when voicing Negi Springfield. I wasn't quite used to it especially at how little his voice is (meaning Negi's lol). But as I watched the series it began growing on me and I found myself enjoying it more and more. It is also humorous, seeing Negi try and keep his abilities secret, considering that if his secret gets out, he can be turned in to an Ermine.

As I have progressed with the series, I have come to notice that the fanservice isn't as bad as I thought. The series is very humorous and entertaining. However, I wish there were more battles in it, considering that Negi is supposed to be a wizard in training.

However I still find the series to be highly entertaining and now a member of one of my fave animes. I must say though, that I do like the special features that are included. Character bios, cultural notes, textless songs and even over 5 minutes of Outtakes.

I guess one of things I wish they would do in some of the series, is explore more on the backgrounds of the characters. But, I guess that is where the manga comes in, because the author can go much more in depth than in the anime and that way they don't have to worry about if the show will get cancelled or if the series is limited to a certain amount of episodes.

anyway, I give the series a B+ The voice acting, animation and the character designs are pretty good in my opinion.