Anime & Manga 4: Brotherhood

[veekie]

Negima 354
7 year timeskip since the last chapter.

(click to show/hide)

Akamatsu delivers.

Did anyone else get reminded of the Dresden Files? Yue even has had a duster there.
Yue has learned well. She and Negi always did use the same principles in combat - analyze, research, hit the weak point. Makes sense she'd follow in his footsteps regarding delayed magic too.
Combining that with Asuna's comment and the narrative fact that Yue is getting the whole second-to-last chapter to herself... Yue wins, I guess. Though I wouldn't put it past Akamatsu to throw one last curveball in chapter 355.

Negima

(click to show/hide)

To me it doesn't really make sense for Yue to be the one. After all Yue really hasn't done anything special to deserve it (at least Nadoka made negi blush in the priest confession chapter).I fully expect a curveball.

(click to show/hide)

Yue had a whole mini-arc to herself back in the Magic World at Ariadne(heck, Chisame was the only one who got as much development as her, and that was as Negi's mother-figure of sorts), plus she was the one who cleared up Negi's final doubts back at the Mahora Festival. Add to that Asuna's remarks that Negi's choice is 'similar' to him, you can narrow the field down severely.
Yue is:
-Studious to the point of obsession
-Uses similar types of magic to him.
-About as chibi
-Tends to blame herself
-Personality wise very close to original-negi.

Nodoka had a loss of screen time, plus shes not exactly exclusive(when it comes to Yue). They can share, those two.
Asuna is his aunt, so forbidden.
Chisame is in the running, but closer to a sister really.
Ku Fei is a Bro.
Konoka/Setsuna are already OTP with each other.
Eva really wanted Nagi, Negi was sort of a Plan B.
The rest didn't have enough bonding with him.

[Agita]

Negima 354
7 year timeskip since the last chapter.

(click to show/hide)

Akamatsu delivers.

Did anyone else get reminded of the Dresden Files? Yue even has had a duster there.
Yue has learned well. She and Negi always did use the same principles in combat - analyze, research, hit the weak point. Makes sense she'd follow in his footsteps regarding delayed magic too.
Combining that with Asuna's comment and the narrative fact that Yue is getting the whole second-to-last chapter to herself... Yue wins, I guess. Though I wouldn't put it past Akamatsu to throw one last curveball in chapter 355.

Negima

(click to show/hide)

To me it doesn't really make sense for Yue to be the one. After all Yue really hasn't done anything special to deserve it (at least Nadoka made negi blush in the priest confession chapter).I fully expect a curveball.

(click to show/hide)

Yue had a whole mini-arc to herself back in the Magic World at Ariadne(heck, Chisame was the only one who got as much development as her, and that was as Negi's mother-figure of sorts), plus she was the one who cleared up Negi's final doubts back at the Mahora Festival. Add to that Asuna's remarks that Negi's choice is 'similar' to him, you can narrow the field down severely.
Yue is:
-Studious to the point of obsession
-Uses similar types of magic to him.
-About as chibi
-Tends to blame herself
-Personality wise very close to original-negi.

Nodoka had a loss of screen time, plus shes not exactly exclusive(when it comes to Yue). They can share, those two.
Asuna is his aunt, so forbidden.
Chisame is in the running, but closer to a sister really.
Ku Fei is a Bro.
Konoka/Setsuna are already OTP with each other.
Eva really wanted Nagi, Negi was sort of a Plan B.
The rest didn't have enough bonding with him.

(click to show/hide)

In addition, of the girls who are actually explicitly in love with him, the person, as opposed to a crush based on "little brother", "awesome fighter", "adorable", and so on, Yue is easily the one who's had the most detail and drama put into the depiction of her feelings, right from the festival arc.

[SorO_Lost]

Naruto

(click to show/hide)

Madara: The power of Heart sucks, no body likes the dumb kid either.
Fire-Lady: Oh yeah? The ring of heart could have ordered every animal ever to kill you. Ever been to Australia bitch?
Madara: Still pretty gay.
Fire-Lady: Rule number four, I can break my rules! *charges* Super Kagebot assemble!
Marada: God, this the best you can do? You still suck and what kind of crap is a rule about breaking rules?
*Is smote*
Madara: Just kidding, I'm a dick remember? *kills the weaker than men PMS'ing Fire-Lady until next chapter or w/e as proof*
*cut to brothers*
Itachi: Leave me the hell alone, Summon Hichcock's birds & Super-Eye: Hulk Smash!
Helmet named guy who clearly looks more like a snake: Recall how I said this technique only downside is it's too fucking awesome?
Itachi: No.
Helmet-Snake: Kill me and you become immortal!
Itachi: So if I didn't burn the bird I could have reenslaved ever single immortal you created with the orders to protect global unity?
Condom: Yep.
Itachi: I hate you.
Sucks: I'm here for you brother!
Itachi: Hate you both.

Bleach

(click to show/hide)

Tite: Are you ready for this?
Fans: Yeah!
Tite: Are you sure?
Fans: Yeah!
Tite: Ok, presenting...
Tite: Captain Commander...
Tite: Shigekuni Yamamato's...
Tite: Bankai!
Fans: *pee their pants*
Captain PwnzU: *fails horrible, IE never used Bankai and if he did it would have been removed*
Fans: Why the fuck to we even pirate this shit?
*cut to blondy*
Anncarr: Why didn't it work?
Ichigo: Hello? Awesome. Yep, that's me. Too cool to lose.
*cut to anncarr talking to BBEG about his failure*
Anncarr: Ahh my arm! Crap, now some black guy is going to burn it or something.
Random Mook: What is with slicing people's arms off anyway?

[123456789blaaa]

Negima 354
7 year timeskip since the last chapter.

(click to show/hide)

Akamatsu delivers.

Did anyone else get reminded of the Dresden Files? Yue even has had a duster there.
Yue has learned well. She and Negi always did use the same principles in combat - analyze, research, hit the weak point. Makes sense she'd follow in his footsteps regarding delayed magic too.
Combining that with Asuna's comment and the narrative fact that Yue is getting the whole second-to-last chapter to herself... Yue wins, I guess. Though I wouldn't put it past Akamatsu to throw one last curveball in chapter 355.

Negima

(click to show/hide)

To me it doesn't really make sense for Yue to be the one. After all Yue really hasn't done anything special to deserve it (at least Nadoka made negi blush in the priest confession chapter).I fully expect a curveball.

(click to show/hide)

Yue had a whole mini-arc to herself back in the Magic World at Ariadne(heck, Chisame was the only one who got as much development as her, and that was as Negi's mother-figure of sorts), plus she was the one who cleared up Negi's final doubts back at the Mahora Festival. Add to that Asuna's remarks that Negi's choice is 'similar' to him, you can narrow the field down severely.
Yue is:
-Studious to the point of obsession
-Uses similar types of magic to him.
-About as chibi
-Tends to blame herself
-Personality wise very close to original-negi.

Nodoka had a loss of screen time, plus shes not exactly exclusive(when it comes to Yue). They can share, those two.
Asuna is his aunt, so forbidden.
Chisame is in the running, but closer to a sister really.
Ku Fei is a Bro.
Konoka/Setsuna are already OTP with each other.
Eva really wanted Nagi, Negi was sort of a Plan B.
The rest didn't have enough bonding with him.

(click to show/hide)

In addition, of the girls who are actually explicitly in love with him, the person, as opposed to a crush based on "little brother", "awesome fighter", "adorable", and so on, Yue is easily the one who's had the most detail and drama put into the depiction of her feelings, right from the festival arc.

Negima

(click to show/hide)

Makes sense. I suppose it just doesn't feel right to me for Akamatsu to just say "Yue was the one, end of story"

[veekie]

Negima 354
7 year timeskip since the last chapter.

(click to show/hide)

Akamatsu delivers.

Did anyone else get reminded of the Dresden Files? Yue even has had a duster there.
Yue has learned well. She and Negi always did use the same principles in combat - analyze, research, hit the weak point. Makes sense she'd follow in his footsteps regarding delayed magic too.
Combining that with Asuna's comment and the narrative fact that Yue is getting the whole second-to-last chapter to herself... Yue wins, I guess. Though I wouldn't put it past Akamatsu to throw one last curveball in chapter 355.

Negima

(click to show/hide)

To me it doesn't really make sense for Yue to be the one. After all Yue really hasn't done anything special to deserve it (at least Nadoka made negi blush in the priest confession chapter).I fully expect a curveball.

(click to show/hide)

Yue had a whole mini-arc to herself back in the Magic World at Ariadne(heck, Chisame was the only one who got as much development as her, and that was as Negi's mother-figure of sorts), plus she was the one who cleared up Negi's final doubts back at the Mahora Festival. Add to that Asuna's remarks that Negi's choice is 'similar' to him, you can narrow the field down severely.
Yue is:
-Studious to the point of obsession
-Uses similar types of magic to him.
-About as chibi
-Tends to blame herself
-Personality wise very close to original-negi.

Nodoka had a loss of screen time, plus shes not exactly exclusive(when it comes to Yue). They can share, those two.
Asuna is his aunt, so forbidden.
Chisame is in the running, but closer to a sister really.
Ku Fei is a Bro.
Konoka/Setsuna are already OTP with each other.
Eva really wanted Nagi, Negi was sort of a Plan B.
The rest didn't have enough bonding with him.

(click to show/hide)

In addition, of the girls who are actually explicitly in love with him, the person, as opposed to a crush based on "little brother", "awesome fighter", "adorable", and so on, Yue is easily the one who's had the most detail and drama put into the depiction of her feelings, right from the festival arc.

Negima

(click to show/hide)

Makes sense. I suppose it just doesn't feel right to me for Akamatsu to just say "Yue was the one, end of story"

(click to show/hide)

Even if she was the one, it wouldn't be that clear cut as a resolution either.

We already know for one, most of the girls wind up in perfectly good futures, a teenage crush on their badass adorable underage teacher wouldn't change that(though Konoka and Setsuna having kids in the flashforward probably involved Science somewhere).

Personally I'm more concerned with how the Mage of the Beginning and missing Nagi plot was more or less left open. Seems to me theres material in that for at least one more major arc.

[Prime32]

Naruto

(click to show/hide)

Madara: The power of Heart sucks, no body likes the dumb kid either.
Fire-Lady: Oh yeah? The ring of heart could have ordered every animal ever to kill you. Ever been to Australia bitch?
Madara: Still pretty gay.
Fire-Lady: Rule number four, I can break my rules! *charges* Super Kagebot assemble!
Marada: God, this the best you can do? You still suck and what kind of crap is a rule about breaking rules?
*Is smote*
Madara: Just kidding, I'm a dick remember? *kills the weaker than men PMS'ing Fire-Lady until next chapter or w/e as proof*
*cut to brothers*
Itachi: Leave me the hell alone, Summon Hichcock's birds & Super-Eye: Hulk Smash!
Helmet named guy who clearly looks more like a snake: Recall how I said this technique only downside is it's too fucking awesome?
Itachi: No.
Helmet-Snake: Kill me and you become immortal!
Itachi: So if I didn't burn the bird I could have reenslaved ever single immortal you created with the orders to protect global unity?
Condom: Yep.
Itachi: I hate you.
Sucks: I'm here for you brother!
Itachi: Hate you both.

(click to show/hide)

So... why can't Itachi just use Tsukuyomi to torture Kabuto until he ends the technique?

Also, IIRC the bird has a recharge period measured in years.

[veekie]

Heard something interesting Akamatsu ends his exclusive contract with his publisher

Seems like a plausible reason for the really quite abrupt ending.

[skydragonknight]

Bleach

(click to show/hide)

Tite: Are you ready for this?
Fans: Yeah!
Tite: Are you sure?
Fans: Yeah!
Tite: Ok, presenting...
Tite: Captain Commander...
Tite: Shigekuni Yamamato's...
Tite: Bankai!
Fans: *pee their pants*
Captain PwnzU: *fails horrible, IE never used Bankai and if he did it would have been removed*
Fans: Why the fuck to we even pirate this shit?
*cut to blondy*
Anncarr: Why didn't it work?
Ichigo: Hello? Awesome. Yep, that's me. Too cool to lose.
*cut to anncarr talking to BBEG about his failure*
Anncarr: Ahh my arm! Crap, now some black guy is going to burn it or something.
Random Mook: What is with slicing people's arms off anyway?

(click to show/hide)

Actually hoping that guy in charge isn't just another random. There are so many loose plot elements that I would like it if it turned out to be the Soul King and those guys were the royal guards (they can use Bankai) and that at some point in the past Yamamoto actually sealed them away in secret rebellion.

Or maybe streamline things by saying that the guy was Aizan's teacher...maybe even his father? But no...probably just some random new Neo-Quincy faction to add even more unresolved loose ends to the plot.

[oslecamo]

Naruto

(click to show/hide)

Madara: The power of Heart sucks, no body likes the dumb kid either.
Fire-Lady: Oh yeah? The ring of heart could have ordered every animal ever to kill you. Ever been to Australia bitch?
Madara: Still pretty gay.
Fire-Lady: Rule number four, I can break my rules! *charges* Super Kagebot assemble!
Marada: God, this the best you can do? You still suck and what kind of crap is a rule about breaking rules?
*Is smote*
Madara: Just kidding, I'm a dick remember? *kills the weaker than men PMS'ing Fire-Lady until next chapter or w/e as proof*
*cut to brothers*
Itachi: Leave me the hell alone, Summon Hichcock's birds & Super-Eye: Hulk Smash!
Helmet named guy who clearly looks more like a snake: Recall how I said this technique only downside is it's too fucking awesome?
Itachi: No.
Helmet-Snake: Kill me and you become immortal!
Itachi: So if I didn't burn the bird I could have reenslaved ever single immortal you created with the orders to protect global unity?
Condom: Yep.
Itachi: I hate you.
Sucks: I'm here for you brother!
Itachi: Hate you both.

(click to show/hide)

So... why can't Itachi just use Tsukuyomi to torture Kabuto until he ends the technique?

Also, IIRC the bird has a recharge period measured in years.

(click to show/hide)

Who cares about long recharge? Supreme immortality! Think on the long term!

[Sinfire Titan]

Heard something interesting Akamatsu ends his exclusive contract with his publisher

Seems like a plausible reason for the really quite abrupt ending.

Keeping the quality up for an extended series is very difficult (Bleach, for example, could have ended much sooner). I'd rather see the series end that allows the author to start up a new work with fresh ideas than to drag it out and risk the quality decrease the longer it lasts.

[veekie]

Seems to me that he left plenty of hooks open to plug in a second story to, if hes inclined. Only now he can afford to self publish.

[SorO_Lost]

Heard something interesting Akamatsu ends his exclusive contract with his publisher

Seems like a plausible reason for the really quite abrupt ending.

Keeping the quality up for an extended series is very difficult (Bleach, for example, could have ended much sooner). I'd rather see the series end that allows the author to start up a new work with fresh ideas than to drag it out and risk the quality decrease the longer it lasts.

Like DBZ post Frezia, Death Note season 2, everything past the invasion arc in Bleach, etc.

There *are* a few exceptions. Time Skip and are planned as such.

Time Skip is the excuse to kill the old themes and plots and bring in a new set. Like Naruto and now Negima, the old theme is gone while nearly the same characters remain. Expected plot arcs are traded in for a fresh view on the world which prevents things from becoming stagnate. Ultimately, if you were a fan of the preskip you just watched your series die. The good news is the is always a chance the newer version will be more successful if the author reflected on input received from the last series and you do have the same character(s) in some mannerism.

The other is of course planned as such. I don't mean opening a bazillion possible arcs and leaving plot holes everywhere so you can later fill. I mean a compacted story, the intermission was planned to happen or it never was. Like in Code Geass you would think the season cliffhanger was the inflated part or in Full Metal Alchemist they completed a smaller arc and were sent to the cold region you know at some point they were supposed to find out Sloth was digging tunnels, everything in some mannerism is progression of the original concept even if you get tangents on new character interactions. The author has a beginning, idea of the road, and the end. Everything may the inflation of the original idea, but it's still the original idea and that's why you over look some flaws and call it a good story.

Unless it sucks.
F*ck you Eragon, f*ck you.

[Sinfire Titan]

Seems to me that he left plenty of hooks open to plug in a second story to, if hes inclined. Only now he can afford to self publish.

We ought to do a Negima PBP for the hell of it.

[Kuroimaken]

Seems to me that he left plenty of hooks open to plug in a second story to, if hes inclined. Only now he can afford to self publish.

We ought to do a Negima PBP for the hell of it.

Freeform or otherwise, I am interested already.

[Agita]

Seems to me that he left plenty of hooks open to plug in a second story to, if hes inclined. Only now he can afford to self publish.

We ought to do a Negima PBP for the hell of it.

Freeform or otherwise, I am interested already.

Mutants & Masterminds is generally the easiest way, but that's almost too easy.

[Kuroimaken]

Seems to me that he left plenty of hooks open to plug in a second story to, if hes inclined. Only now he can afford to self publish.

We ought to do a Negima PBP for the hell of it.

Freeform or otherwise, I am interested already.

Mutants & Masterminds is generally the easiest way, but that's almost too easy.

Beats GURPS. 

[veekie]

Kazumi Magica 14

(click to show/hide)

So apparently Sayaka could have been 'saved'. The Witch transformation is not entirely irreversible.

[123456789blaaa]

Excuse me but could you guys tell me where you get your visual novels from? I can't seem to find a place which sells visual novels 

[Sinfire Titan]

Excuse me but could you guys tell me where you get your visual novels from? I can't seem to find a place which sells visual novels 

Haven't really bought any in a while, but Waldenbooks, Books a Million, and other retail book stores usually have a decent selection. However, more obscure series or out-of-print works would be most readily available on Amazon. Some areas of certain countries may not have a profitable market for manga sales, thus you may have to travel to find a decent selection.

There are also certain gaming stores that sell them, and there are also stores dedicated entirely to anime/manga merchandise (those tend to be rare outside of major cities though).

[Agita]

Excuse me but could you guys tell me where you get your visual novels from? I can't seem to find a place which sells visual novels 

Haven't really bought any in a while, but Waldenbooks, Books a Million, and other retail book stores usually have a decent selection. However, more obscure series or out-of-print works would be most readily available on Amazon. Some areas of certain countries may not have a profitable market for manga sales, thus you may have to travel to find a decent selection.

There are also certain gaming stores that sell them, and there are also stores dedicated entirely to anime/manga merchandise (those tend to be rare outside of major cities though).

That's for manga. Visual novels, as in, things that look like this

(click to show/hide)

are harder to get your hands on. There's a select few with official translations into English, such as Ever17, which this screenshot is from, but those can run the gamut in terms of translation quality and cost. (Ever17, for example, has a translation that's actually worse in places than what you'd get with Google, and goes for... holy shit. 500 bucks on Amazon.) Generally, your best bet is to find a fan translation patch (there's sites dedicated to this, such as TLWiki) and importing the Japanese version. Also check the vendors at any anime/manga conventions you go to, I've seen a bunch of VNs (almost exclusively smut, though) for sale before.

Seems to me that he left plenty of hooks open to plug in a second story to, if hes inclined. Only now he can afford to self publish.

We ought to do a Negima PBP for the hell of it.

Freeform or otherwise, I am interested already.

Mutants & Masterminds is generally the easiest way, but that's almost too easy.

Beats GURPS. 

I guess. I still have yet to look at it.
Thinking on it, though, Negima is one of few anime that could actually be pretty well modeled with D&D (barring the whole drawn-out Shounen battles thing, but can't have everything). Exalted with enlightened mortals could also work, but... Exalted.