Negima!

Magister Negi Magi

(Volume 3)

by
Ken Akamatsu

Del Rey, October 2004, 218 pp.
ISBN: 0-345-47120-2

Genre: Comics
Subgenre: Manga
Reviewed: 11/4/2006

Reviewed by: Conan Tigard

Book Cover

Manga Page

Synopsis

Negi Springfield is an English teacher at the all girls Mahora School District Middle School in Japan even though he is only 10 years old. The third semester is about to start when Negi notices that a girl in the back of his class is giving him the evil eye. She is student 26, Evangeline A.K. McDowell. What Negi doesn't realize is that she is a witch and has a partner names Chachamaru Karakuri, who is student 10.

Chachamaru is a robot and does what Evangeline say to do when she is around, but when she is on her own, she is a very nice robot girl. Evangeline is out to kill Negi and he does not understand why. Since Evangeline has a partner, and that makes her stronger, Negi must also find a partner that will enable his to fight off Evangeline. He tests some of the girls in his class, and unfortunately for him, he has to kiss his partner to seal the contract, but none of them are up to it.

Finally, he realizes that the only true partner he could ever have is Asuna, but she doesn't want to be his partner. As Negi's time is running out, he realizes that he is toast without a partner. But when Evangeline and Chachamaru trap him, Negi realizes that he will soon be dead. If only he knew the reason for her hatred of him. And why won't Asuna become his partner? Is this the end?

Negima!: Magister Negi Magi - Volume 3 is a manga book written and drawn by Ken Akamatsu. This collection of ten periods (chapters 16 - 25) was translated by Douglas Varenas and adapted by Peter David (one of my favorite comic book writers) and Kathleen O'Shea David. This book contains the following periods:

16th Period: The Wizard of Cherry Blossom Street

17th Period: Her Name is Evangeline

18th Period: A Visit from a Small Helper, Perhaps!?

19th Period: A Man's Pledge (Maybe)

20th Period: What!? A Contract with Asuna!?

21st Period: An Apprenticeship

22nd Period: Negi in Ecstacy!!!

23rd-25th Period: The Big Game Plan for the Huge Blackout of Academy City

There is also some special extras in the following sections: A Word from the Author, About the Creator, Lexicon Negimarium de Cantu, Character Sketches, Translation Notes, Honorifics, and a Preview of Volume 4, although the preview is in Japanese. The book reads from right to left and back to front, just like a book from Japan. This manga book is intended for readers ages 16 and up.

Review

Negima!: Magister Negi Magi just gets better and better. I loved how Negi finally had to start using his magic both to defend himself and for attack. I also liked that he had to pick a partner that will help keep him safe while he is using his magic.

Once again, the artwork is top-notch, the storyline is quick and fun, and the adaptation by Peter David is the best of all the manga series that I have read.

As a surprise, Negi also has a new friend. I am not going to give it away here, you will have to read the book to find out who this is. Needless to say, you will love this new character. Look closely as the book cover and you may see him.

I liked how this entire book was basically one long story, instead of a lot of different short ones. It made the story flow together well.

Overall, Negima!: Magister Negi Magi - Volume 3 is another excellent book in this manga series and I cannot wait to read about more adventures in Negima!: Magister Negi Magi - Volume 4.

I rated this book a 9 out of 10.