Mahou Sensei Negima~, The Series that finishes by Vol.31 (?)

I decided to create this topic because I have realized Akamatsu is coming closer towards the 31st Manga Volume of the series Mahou Sensei Negima.

My question to all on the forums is:

How do you think Akamatsu has done so far (up to vol.22)? Do you feel he is progressing too quickly, losing his natural spark in humour/drawing skills, do you have a sense of where the plot is going by manga 31?

I actually thought it might end at vol. 38

Negistar has a good point. Each volume has had one of Negi`s 31 at the back and we will see a minimum of 31 covers.

30 since the Narutaki twins may appear in one cover and 1 for Negi himself.

Unless Akamatsu decides to put people like Ala rubra and others WHICH WOULD SEEM UNNATURAL.

We can expect the 30th and the 31st to be the end. And by that time I will have lost the will to live.


So far most of us have seen upto around the middle of volume 23.
We really cant say anything until around vol.25-27.

Mahora arc was 9 vols long which was insanely long. And the magical world ar has been going on for about 3-4 volumes now.

and if akamatsu have plains to end in chapter 512 something like inuyasha did ?( is just a idea dont get mad )

I was gonna say......

We might be -done- with the magic world arc by volume 31. Maybe... But there is no way the series will end there, unless a lot of the second half of the year is simply ignored.

I also don't think Negima will end by volume 31...

If Dale B's speculation is right about the magic world arc ending around 31, and then the manga ending there, that will leave Kasuga, Aisaka, and Rainyday profile pageless as well as Rainyday intro chapterless as well...

Personally, I think Kasuga and Aisaka will get some sort of profile page after the magic arc, but if it ends too soon, there won't be enough time for any sort of development on Rainyday...

Heh, though if Ken does pull that off, he'll have to deal with all the angry Rainyday fans...

31 won't be in time.

In the early days of this manga, the assumption that most people had was it would go 31 volumes (1 for each girl). I think that assumption was based on something Ken said a long time ago. However, as that was a couple of years ago and the plot has probably changed some from what he had invisioned, I don't know if that applies anymore. I think Ken will go past 31 volumes if the plot calls for it. I suspect he won't want to drag it out longer then necessary as he probably would like to do something different by the time he gets past 31 volumes. Unlike many starving artists, he isn't starving so doesn't need to continue to milk the cow after it's already dead.

Ummm, we still have the rest of the school year left. Akamatsu-Sensei said that he would have Negima end after the girls graduate.

And besides, we haven't had Christmas yet! Can you think of a series by Akamtasu without a Christmas story/chapter?

As meantion, their's no way this ends by volume 31. The current arc likely won't end for another 3/4 volume easy. I'm not sure it'll go much beyond volume 28.

As for what happens after the MW arc. Only way he ends it with 31 is if he seriously crams the rest of the story into 2/3 volumes. Which really wouldn't fit his style any more than extending it would.

Honestly I think it'll end around vol 40 or so. However we have to take into account other popular manga that where extended beyond the writer's wishes for the money it'll make the publisher. DBZ being the most prominient one that comes to mind.

There was a chapter cover with Asuna, Setsuna and Konoka in santa outfits.

I don't think this series is going to end after 31 volumes. There's just too much going on. For all we know, the arc the series is on now, might turn out a bit long, like the one dealing with the festival. Hopefully, not drawn-out.

I was under the impression that Akamatsu was going to do the entire school year. Unless he skips ahead after the arc the story is on now, I don't see how the entire story as a whole could be finished by Volume 31.

Their's a difference between a chapter cover and an actual christmas chapter.

A good example of what Twilit means is Love Hina. That had two or three christmas chapters over it's run. That's what we're looking for.

Um - you hoping this topic is gonna last for how long?
Even at 9 chapters per volume (it used to be 10) ... 31 is a LONG way away!
22 ended at 204. So 31 may end with 285.
Which equals 68 chapters to go ... yes again this is just an estimate based on it finishing at 31 - no actual agreement that it WILL be 31
I'll guess 11 weeks for every 9 chapters. Thats about 83 weeks to go.
July 2008 will start with 218. 285 will be (very approximately) the end of January 2010.
Doesn't seem that "close"

One Piece is another good example. Oda had planned for the series to be only five years. Recently its just went past chapter 500!

The fans are the real deciders when it comes to how long a series goes (barring external happenings such as disease, etc.)

Yeah. One Piece is definitely an example of an ongoing long and GOOD series.

I'd normally think that 31 would be a cutoff point or something. However, seeing the way the series is progressing, we've still got a long way to go. I don't know where time will be once they return from the Magic World, but right now we're well into September and we've got until March of next year. I'd say we probably are only halfway through things.

Knowing any good author, we'll get some answers and we'll get some more questions in return. That's how stories stay alive for so long. Besides, Ken Akamatsu's been breaking the rules for his Negima Volume covers. I'm sure it'll pass 32. It might even go as far as the 40s. Though I don't see it reaching 500 chapters like One Piece or Inuyasha, I'm sure that it could very well hit the mid to late 400s.

When vol 18 was released, Akamatsu announced we had reached the half of the series...

So there'll probably be 36 volumes in total.

I also believe the twins will appear in the same cover but I believe some non-student characters will also get their chances of appearing on back covers and spines eventually (like Anya, Kotarou and possible Student No. 32)

^Will the Narutakis even have a back story of their own?

About half the class hasn't had one... (And the ones that have are the major characters...)

One minor cavet. He could well have meant story wise not volume wise.

Meaning while the story might've been half over with volume 18, it doesn't necassarily mean it's half over in terms of volumes.

As for Anya & Kotaru becomeing 3-A students. While possible in Anya's case, it's rather doubtful in Kotaru's. Aside from the rather minor fact Kotaru isn't by any stretch a girl which is a most considering Negi teaches at an all girls school. Kotaru doesn't strike me as the type to be smart enough to skip grades even in a elevator system such as Mahora. The same however can't be said for Anya.

Though ... a bunch of the girls from Yue's school could get trapped at Mahora when they get back coz something else happens to the gate ... automatically adding to the class count for a few months

I thought Inugami was already enrolled at Mahora...

I thought he was either in the Elementary school or first-year of Middle school... (The boys school, of course...)

As for Farandole, Sevensheep, and Monroe (Maybe even Von Katze and Du Chat...) getting enrolled at Mahora, sure the more the merrier...

Though I was hoping that there would be a redux of the mid-term arc where Konoe's grandad re-issues the former rumor where the lowest scoring class will be split up... (Except this time, he's serious...)

3-A gets off the hook and Springfield gets a few of the students from the lowest scoring class...

And of course, I also support Kokolova getting into the class as well...

But if all of this does occur, they'll probably have to redo the entire Shusseki Bangou no Uta song... (This time WITH Springfield, or Satou, Rina, in it...)

But yeah, the story may be half over, but that doesn't mean Ken won't stall or something... (Remember, he's also got fans...)

Let's just hope another "Re-write volume 6" incident doesn't occur... (Yes, I had to bring it up...)

XD I think you misinterpreted my post ^^'

I meant some other characters (besides the 3-A students) could appear at the spines and back covers... I think Kotarou and Anya for example deserve spots (maybe also Nagi, Fate, and the last boss, whoever it is), and I mentioned that maybe an eventual student no. 32 (if any) could also appear at spines and back covers...

I don't support Anya for seat 32, personally I'd prefer a brand-new character... (or maybe Colette?)

Inugami and/or Kokolova will probably have a back cover...

I'm surprised Inugami hasn't had one... (But he hasn't had a backstory, so I guess I shouldn't be that surprised...)

Kokolova's will come in due time... (Hopefully with a backstory of how her and Springfield met...)

Personally, I think a lot of the non-3-A characters will get a back cover apperance...

As for Kokolova being the number 32 seat, eh, I don't care if that's her number as long as she gets into the class...

My mistake than.

Honestly though, I'd find it slightly more interesting if Yue stayed in her magic academy class. Along with Anya as well. Just to get them more training in magical combat.

Kotaru already has a spine. Volume 8 in my Del Rey collection. He hasn't had a back cover to my knowledge. As for Anya's spin/back cover. I kinda thought she had a spine with 19 or 20. Or was that a back cover.

Yeah, I know, I'm on a posting spree... (Sorry mods and everyone else...)

But I do have to agree with Trowa on the Ayase matter...

I, too, also think it would be really interesting if Ayase stayed behind to train with magic at the academy...

Though this may mean the potential for Farandole, Sevensheep, Monroe, Von Katze, and Du Chat (And any other characters that might come from the magic world...) might go down the tubes until a later moment of the manga, I think it would be really interesting for Ayase to spend more time in the magic world...

That way whenever development on her occurs, we won't have to worry about the other magic world characters being left in the dust once the manga's storyline has pushed from that arc...

As for other characters being left behind in the magic world, sure why not?

Just as long as it doesn't cause the future arcs to lose their potential...

On a side note.

If Yue did stay in MW, she might be able to bring Collet-tachi back to Mahora as reinforcements for a precieved final battle their.

Imagine Yue leading a small army of Valkyrie to save Mahora.

^I was thinking the same thing...

It isn't like Ayase went to the future or something like Chao...

Even if she stays in the magic world, it doesn't mean she'll never be a part of 3-A ever again...

If they did make an anime on the magic world, I wonder who they'd cast for the role of Farandole, Sevensheep, Monroe, Von Katze, and Du Chat...

I was thinking Kobayashi, Yumiko for Sevensheep...

Volume 18 was called the end of the 1st half of the series because it was the end of the 1st Term. We know that the manga essentially ends at the end of the school year so there is still one more term to go. However, considering how Ken's arcs are getting longer and longer, we could end up with more then 20 volumes for the 2nd half. Also, he may do a LH thing and give us 1 more volume with a time skip to tiddy up any loose ends.

To be honest here, I don't even know why I read this manga anymore... it's like Akamatsu just lost his spark to me with all that off-screen developments and somewhat slow saga this Magic World thing is being...

I feel like reading Bleach again... Soul Society was... heavy...

And afterwards it never got to my highs again...



31 Volumes would be a rather... curious number to end the manga, wouldn't it? I don't want it to end at that number, though. But yeah, it's a longer time for we to get there than what you think

Yue leaving... Nice... Very interesting indeed (even though I'm a Yue fan). And like any other Akamatsu manga, in the final chapters of Negima all characters will probably reappear (including Chao), probably to fight against a common enemy.

By the last volumes, I expect most students to have had a little development and some chapters or mini-arcs for themselves. That includes the cheerleaders...

We also need to get a kotarou development mini-arc, Setsuna's backstory, Kotarou's backstory, MANA'S BACKSTORY and the twins training with Kaede.

I also want Yuuna and Akira to join Ala Alba (the sooner, the better =P)

Zazie's identity will have been revealed by then, and she'll probably be something very important to the story (probably connected to the last boss somehow)

We are on volume 23 and Negi has made 8 pactios so far. So by volume 32 or whatever I expect him to have about 14 of them. Since I really like original Pactio Cards made by Ken Akamatsu I'd really like if Negi got all 30 pactios at the final chapters (*grabs flame shield*, I know this is too much like the animes but if that didn't happen Negima would end and I wouldn't have seen all pactios...)

Negi will probably have a more mature face by the end of the manga, so he'll be able to start a relationship with whoever he chooses...

Where'd you get that number from? If it's taken him 23 volumes to get just 8, I don't see him suddenly breaking into a rash of male hormones and smooching everything in a skirt.

First off let me just say I do NOT like the idea of Anya suddenly dropping everything and becoming student #32. Hell I don't think she should join Kotaro's class either. I'd personally prefer she go back to London and continue her own story, but truth be told I got no idea what she'd do after the Magic World.

Well that being said I would still LOVE to see more of Anya in action. But I just don't know how it would work out.

As for the rest of the class...I got a feeling Emily or Collet might join the return trip. But Yue leaving...would be interesting.

Also I'm thinking that Ayaka will be the next person to discover Negi's magic...she looks like she's about to find out pretty soon.

I'm expecting Pactio cards of Ako, Evangeline, Satomi, Sakurako, Makie, Ayaka + Fuka+Fumika AT LEAST before this is all over. I'm also hoping for more along the way.

We should have them celebrate Halloween and Christmas. Interesting $#!+ could ensue from there. I can also picture Chao returning...but this time Negi his 3-A girls would have to go with Chao...BACK TO THE FUTURE...IN MARS!

This series is indeed far from over. Even with the large amount of chapters to the end, the simple fact of the matter is that Ken probably has a shitload of story to go through, and you can only fit so much in a chapter.

The number was kinda random but I (like all fans) want the pactio rate to get bigger =P

I can tell there's farther to go. But if I had one thing to complain about it's that Akamatsu doesn't know how to multitask. He overfocused on Negi, gave us a little focus on Yue and Asuna-tachi. Then blew off everyone else. Seriously what the hell! You better USE the rest of the crew now that they're all gathering together.

I'm not worried about a Sakurazaki backstory nor Inugami nor Tatsumiya...

By that I mean, I'm not worried that they WON'T get a back story...

Sakurazaki's one of the most popular characters and Inugami and Tatsumiya are heading towards that same direction...

Ken would be committing blasphemy for not including those before the end of the manga... (Or at least some sort of story for each...)

It's the Narutakis' backstory and other stories, like them training with Nagase and such, that I'm worried about...

Considering both are either the least or near the least popular characters in Negima, I fear fans wouldn't want Ken to bother with them for the rest of the manga...

Plus, I've seen that the Narutakis have a pretty decently sized hate group... (I guess it's because of their nature and personalities...)

You and me both...

But Sasaki and Izumi can also join too... (I kinda expect them to since it would be weird for them not to be involved when the other sports quartet members are...)

Same thoughts here except she IS the final boss, IMO... (But of course, that's only because that's what I would like her to be...)

Eh, honestly, I think it could even work out if she doesn't come back with the group...

If Ayase stays in the magic world and can still get development potential, then why not Kokolova?

Also, I guess Kokolova staying in London would help Springfield's cousin also get some development potential whereas Kokolova's transfer to Mahora would nullify any logical chances of Springfield's cousin getting development... (As well as anyone else at Meldiana...)

Yukihiro is WAY overdue for finding out about magic...

I honestly thought she would have figured out before the magic arc during the chapter where McDowell issued that badge stealing test...

Personally, I thought she, and the others, would have successfully gotten the badges... (When Kagurazaka talked to her about the badges, I honestly thought she was going to give them the badges or she was going to allow them to tag along...)

But I was just looking at the Japanese version and assumed it by facial expression... (Though it didn't turn out that way...)

If you mean by the end of the manga, then yes, I also expect all of them to get pactios as well as everyone else in the class who doesn't have one, and then some more...

The fall/winter holidays are probably a given, but as for Chao, it would be interesting for the class to go to the future to Chao's time, but I don't really see her returning... (Maybe the class will get into some mess and Springfield will accidentally warp his class, and maybe others, to the future...)

Seconded...

Seconded...

I frankly see Chao only returning in cameo fashion, i.e. as a figure of Negi's imagination when he's near death or almost consumed by darkness who will snap him back on the right path.

That and/or she and all the other past villians are shown and battled in magical clone form.

But I wouldn't be adverse to her coming back.

As for Zazie, eh I can wait for her secrets to be completely spilled. I actually enjoy how she's becoming more and more noticable. The summer scenes with her were hilarious!

Regarding Yue, I'm split between her staying in the New World or going back to Mahora. On one hand, I can see the various gains that she + other characters + the story line could have if the first route was taken but on the other hand... Yuekichiiiiii!!!!!! Ikanai deeeeee~!!!!!!

You and me both...

But Sasaki and Izumi can also join too... (I kinda expect them to since it would be weird for them not to be involved when the other sports quartet members are...)

True.

I think their chances of joining Ala Alba right now are too high (since they were introduced pretty much early in the story and had more than one mini-arcs each).

Seriously, at the start of the story I thought Makie would be one of the first girls to pactio Negi (along with Nodoka). I got really surprised when she was left behind with all other sports girls (and cheerleaders) in the group of "unimportant characters who don't knwo about magic". I never really liked her so much but well, she's got a pactio design since the classmate series was released and has got enough affinity with the rest of the group, I can see her joining at anytime now (but she says she doesn't like magic things, so I can also see her getting back to her normal life after this arc, even if she pactios Negi... Plus, she doesn't fit in Ala Alba very Well IMO)

Ako is heading towards a pactio right now and she has had a lot of development. Plus, she's got a pactio design...

Akira has almost no development right now. Yuuna has given some hints that she might get a mini-arc in her future (we know that she has magic blood and she is connected somehow to McGuinness, who knows now that she's been completely exposed to magic that woman might talk a little more to her about her mom...)

I only mentioned Yuuna and Akira in my previous post because I'm 100% sure Makie and Ako will at some point make a pactio with Negi... Plus, both of them already have original pactio designs. But my favorite characters from the sports quartet are Yuuna and Akira, so I don't care much about the other two...

Makie's and Ako's pactio will come soon enough but I really hope Yuuna and Akira will get theirs as soon as possible ^^

Um, Ken did give Nodoka some development power-up wise when he overfocused on Negi (and there's a chance that more development will happen in the upcoming chapters, given the current situation).

just artifacts not power ups