Negima season 2

[martod]

Since the other Negima threads I found are mostly about the OVAs, I decided to start a new thread on the upcoming second season of the Negima anime. My apologies if this is redundant.

From ANN (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com) :
[ QUOTE ]
Negima series 2 begins Ocober 4 in Japan. The series will reportedly have a new story, rather than an further adaptation of Ken Akamatsu's manga.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this is a great idea. This way there won't be as many comparisons to the manga and complaints about what they took out and/or changed. I like the artstyle too.

[Fencedude]

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marko said:


I think this is a great idea. This way there won't be as many comparisons to the manga and complaints about what they took out and/or changed. I like the artstyle too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wanna bet?

Watch, people will whine anyway.

[masterpez]

I'm actually really looking forward to this. I think the new character designs are great (hair colors entact and all) and the animation should be a lot better than the first series. I'm only slightly dissappointed that it won't follow the manga, mainly because I wanted to see a certain fight from the Mahora Festival Tournament arc <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Eva vs. Setsuna</span>. I think that scene would've rocked given the new visual style of the series. If they're going with something original, hopefully there'll be something as equally awesome in it. Can't wait.

Also, does anyone know when the OVA is coming out?? I checked cdjapan and it doesn't appear to be listed. It's definitely something I want to own.

[Buster Darkwings]

[ QUOTE ]
pez said:I think the new character designs are great (hair colors entact and all)

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, Sakurako and one or two others aren't quite the same as established in color pics from the manga continuity, but for the most part they're pretty good.

[ QUOTE ]
Also, does anyone know when the OVA is coming out?? I checked cdjapan and it doesn't appear to be listed. It's definitely something I want to own.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oct 25 for the Spring Special, no word on the summer one, which will be shown at an event next month.

[martod]

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Fencedude said:
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marko said:


I think this is a great idea. This way there won't be as many comparisons to the manga and complaints about what they took out and/or changed. I like the artstyle too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wanna bet?

Watch, people will whine anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course they will. There'll just be less of it.

[masterpez]

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Buster Darkwings said:
Oct 25 for the Spring Special, no word on the summer one, which will be shown at an event next month.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nice, I won't forget that date since it's right on my birthday. Now to wait for a listing to appear somewhere. Also, as far as colors go, going by the preview of the OVA, it didn't look like Asuna's eyes were different colors.

[edit] Found a listing at Amazon Japan (http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B000GQMOP2/sr=1-4/qid=1155606515/ref=sr_1_4/250-4403534-1772233?ie=UTF8&amp;s=dvd)

[TnAdct1]

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Fencedude said:
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marko said:


I think this is a great idea. This way there won't be as many comparisons to the manga and complaints about what they took out and/or changed. I like the artstyle too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wanna bet?

Watch, people will whine anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, to me, whether or not I will complain about the new series depends on the closeness between it and the original manga (i.e. while I don't mind the Pactio Cards being different compared to the manga and the lack of fanservice (which never interested me anyways), I do mind if the new series follows in the same footsteps of the original series and ignores <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>the Pactios that Negi has made with Nodoka, Setsuna, and Konoka,</span> as that was the thing that caused me to stop watching the original Negima anime after episode 19.

[Suwako Moriya]

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marko said:
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Fencedude said:
Watch, people will whine anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]
Of course they will. There'll just be less of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe there will be less, maybe there will be a lot more. It really depends on where you're reading posts or whatever and how the series progress. All one can do is hope for the best. That if there are any complaints, they are reasonable.

[perigee]

Five'll get you ten they complain about the new episodes being "filler" material. /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[Tomcat]

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perigee said:
Five'll get you ten they complain about the new episodes being "filler" material. /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
I haven't even seen the "original" anime series, but I'm going to complain that this smells like the crap that Love Hina anime went through. It they deviate too much from the manga, it's really just pointless.

If they don't want to follow the manga, why not just have a completely original series with original characters? Or is it possible that the anime talent in Japan are running out of original ideas, and just want to recycle others? Hell, even Akamatsu recycles a few before in his first manga.

-TC

[Gatts]

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Tomcat said:
If they don't want to follow the manga, why not just have a completely original series with original characters?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because then they would need to make new character designs, new character names, and new character personalities. It's easier to take established characters and put them in new situations than it is to make a completely new character from scratch.

Also if you make a show too similar to your other idea people claim that you are being lazy and just rehashing your old material in a different package. In this way you don't have to worry about people complaining that you are reusing your old ideas when you are saying yourself "hey, these are my old characters, but I thought it would be interesting if I did 'this' with them instead of 'that'."

[bobma]

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Tomcat said:
If they don't want to follow the manga, why not just have a completely original series with original characters?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been wondering about this in another thread myself. My personal guess is, that some bright marketing person saw an opportunity to turn Negima into a card battle based series (Think Ne-Gi-Oh) with tied in collection card game, considering that it's aimed at very young boys and the girls' card powers will have heavier emphasis (it seems the girls can have multiple cards this time).

With Negi you have an ideal identification figure for the target audience ($), character designs and premise are already there so you save initial investment costs ($$). Then you already have pre-existing interest from the original manga's established fanbase, which assures additional income ($$$). That's at least what I could come up with, with a business-like mindset.

Mind you, it still might turn out quite enjoyable. I'd also have liked to see a Hanaukyo Maid or Kanon style remake of the original manga story, since there are several scenes from the later story that I would have liked to see in animated glory or some earlier scenes done properly, but I guess the OVA is all I'll get for now and if they're inventinve enough, I might enjoy it like I did My-Otome after My-HiME. To say it with the words of the Count of Monte Cristo, all we can do is "wait and hope".

[ucdawg12]

Well, I hope this is a good series but I am disappointed that its not going to follow the original manga. I like the director so maybe it will be good, but I don't like this news. If it has a lot of thought put into it, it can be really good because it has a nice broad premise to work with, but if it is just an effort to cash in on an established property then I will be extremely disappointed.

[golthin]

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Tomcat said:
Or is it possible that the anime talent in Japan are running out of original ideas, and just want to recycle others? Hell, even Akamatsu recycles a few before in his first manga.

-TC

[/ QUOTE ]
There are very few things that can be original anymore, Recycle Recycle. I think the most original shows this season are Zegapain if you overlook the mechs /images/graemlins/happy.gif(they kind of borrowed the general concept from the Matrix); and
Welcome to NHK, but it is based on a manga too. Lets face it, Nagima is big, they are cartering to the people that didn't liked the original.

[Jumbo]

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golthin said:
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Tomcat said:
Or is it possible that the anime talent in Japan are running out of original ideas, and just want to recycle others? Hell, even Akamatsu recycles a few before in his first manga.

-TC

[/ QUOTE ]
There are very few things that can be original anymore, Recycle Recycle . I think the most original shows this season are Zegapain if you overlook the mechs /images/graemlins/happy.gif(they kind of borrowed the general concept from the Matrix); and
Welcome to NHK, but it is based on a manga too. Lets face it, Nagima is big, they are cartering to the people that didn't liked the original.

[/ QUOTE ]

To expand on that a little bit, (Though I'm sure it has been said a million times already...) Any kind of anime is going to be a big financial deal and with a lot of the big wigs in the offices holding all the fat stacks of cash money (and not wanting to let go of it,) it ends up funnling down into the industry's line-up of shows.

This whole negima thing is a good example. Why risk doing something new if you can throw a big name around to back the investment up. Whatever gets the shareholders to fork over the money...

As much as I love original works, the money has to come from somewhere. Hopefully all these studios and directors are earning respect and building their resumes so when the time comes the funding is there for original works.

Until then, recycle away, I'm always willing to at least give it a chance.

[golthin]

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Buster Darkwings said:
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pez said:I think the new character designs are great (hair colors entact and all)

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, Sakurako and one or two others aren't quite the same as established in color pics from the manga continuity, but for the most part they're pretty good.

[ QUOTE ]
Also, does anyone know when the OVA is coming out?? I checked cdjapan and it doesn't appear to be listed. It's definitely something I want to own.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oct 25 for the Spring Special, no word on the summer one, which will be shown at an event next month.

[/ QUOTE ]
At least in the OVA Asuna doesn't have two eye colors.
It remains to be seen if they keep hers eyes the same color in the new TV series.

[golthin]

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ucdawg12 said:
Well, I hope this is a good series but I am disappointed that its not going to follow the original manga. I like the director so maybe it will be good, but I don't like this news. If it has a lot of thought put into it, it can be really good because it has a nice broad premise to work with, but if it is just an effort to cash in on an established property then I will be extremely disappointed.

[/ QUOTE ]Be ready for disappointment in that respect. That doesn't mean the show won't be good. I guess they figuered out that a third version of the same story would not appeal to people as much as a new story. The previous version followed the manga pretty closely till they caught up with the manga and they did an original end. The only three big changes not including the end were <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>that Azuna never confessed to Takahata, Takahata was dating the school nurse, and Azuna's mysterious disease/curse. </span>

[TnAdct1]

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golthin said:Be ready for disappointment in that respect. That doesn't mean the show won't be good. I guess they figuered out that a third version of the same story would not appeal to people as much as a new story. The previous version followed the manga pretty closely till they caught up with the manga and they did an original end.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, the previous version followed the manga pretty closely until <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>the Kissing Contest, in which they took a storyline that is actually important to the plot in the manga and turned it into another "harem-filler" episode by taking out all the important details (i.e. holding off Nodoka's love confession until the next episode, ignoring the fact that Asakura knows about Negi's secret) and changing the ending (anime - no one wins the contest; manga - Nodoka becomes Negi's second Ministra Magi).</span> While Xebec did make up for that with the next three episodes, it's when they completely butchered the <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Kyoto Arc, which should have made up the final episodes of the Xebec series,</span> that things went downhill.

[pianocello]

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TnAdct1 said:
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golthin said:Be ready for disappointment in that respect. That doesn't mean the show won't be good. I guess they figuered out that a third version of the same story would not appeal to people as much as a new story. The previous version followed the manga pretty closely till they caught up with the manga and they did an original end.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, the previous version followed the manga pretty closely until <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>the Kissing Contest, in which they took a storyline that is actually important to the plot in the manga and turned it into another "harem-filler" episode by taking out all the important details (i.e. holding off Nodoka's love confession until the next episode, ignoring the fact that Asakura knows about Negi's secret) and changing the ending (anime - no one wins the contest; manga - Nodoka becomes Negi's second Ministra Magi).</span> While Xebec did make up for that with the next three episodes, it's when they completely butchered the <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Kyoto Arc, which should have made up the final episodes of the Xebec series,</span> that things went downhill.

[/ QUOTE ]

They did not butcher the Kyoto arc - most of it was still present in the story. What they had to leave out was the introduction of a new character - which makes sense as it would be too late at that point to introduce a new character.
And no, it did not go downhill - I must respectfully say that it's only your personal opinion that not necessarily everyone shares.

[Fencedude]

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piano_cello_conducting said:
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TnAdct1 said:
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golthin said:Be ready for disappointment in that respect. That doesn't mean the show won't be good. I guess they figuered out that a third version of the same story would not appeal to people as much as a new story. The previous version followed the manga pretty closely till they caught up with the manga and they did an original end.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually, the previous version followed the manga pretty closely until <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>the Kissing Contest, in which they took a storyline that is actually important to the plot in the manga and turned it into another "harem-filler" episode by taking out all the important details (i.e. holding off Nodoka's love confession until the next episode, ignoring the fact that Asakura knows about Negi's secret) and changing the ending (anime - no one wins the contest; manga - Nodoka becomes Negi's second Ministra Magi).</span> While Xebec did make up for that with the next three episodes, it's when they completely butchered the <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Kyoto Arc, which should have made up the final episodes of the Xebec series,</span> that things went downhill.

[/ QUOTE ]

They did not butcher the Kyoto arc - most of it was still present in the story. What they had to leave out was the introduction of a new character - which makes sense as it would be too late at that point to introduce a new character.
And no, it did not go downhill - I must respectfully say that it's only your personal opinion that not necessarily everyone shares.

[/ QUOTE ]

They definitely butchered the Kyoto arc.

As for the final arc...it was good compared to the rest of the show, but not really appropriate for Negima as a whole.

[Buster Darkwings]

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Fencedude said:
As for the final arc...it was good compared to the rest of the show, but not really appropriate for Negima as a whole.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. Especially given the recent situation in the manga, which was looking rather bleak for a while. Perhaps it wasn't quite as extreme, but it (recent manga spoiler: <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Negi possibly being forever separated from his students</span>) was getting there.

[Fencedude]

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Buster Darkwings said:
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Fencedude said:
As for the final arc...it was good compared to the rest of the show, but not really appropriate for Negima as a whole.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. Especially given the recent situation in the manga, which was looking rather bleak for a while. Perhaps it wasn't quite as extreme, but it (recent manga spoiler: <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Negi possibly being forever separated from his students</span>) was getting there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ehh...I wouldn't put that anywhere near the level of *Major fricking Nejima anime spoiler* <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>HOLY SHIT ASUNA JUST DIED!?</span>

There was really never any possibility that the manga situation wouldn't be resolved fairly quickly, though it was a fun little side arc that served as "training" of sorts for some of the newer fighters.

(the manga really, REALLY needs Magical Girl Chiu-chan though...)

[Buster Darkwings]

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Fencedude said:
There was really never any possibility that the manga situation wouldn't be resolved fairly quickly,

[/ QUOTE ]

And given that the anime only had 2 episodes left, there was no way that its respective situation wouldn't have been resolved quickly. I was shocked about the same for both situations, but I never expected either of them to last for long.

[TnAdct1]

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Fencedude said:
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Buster Darkwings said:
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Fencedude said:
As for the final arc...it was good compared to the rest of the show, but not really appropriate for Negima as a whole.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. Especially given the recent situation in the manga, which was looking rather bleak for a while. Perhaps it wasn't quite as extreme, but it (recent manga spoiler: <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Negi possibly being forever separated from his students</span>) was getting there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ehh...I wouldn't put that anywhere near the level of *Major fricking Nejima anime spoiler* <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>HOLY SHIT ASUNA JUST DIED!?</span>

There was really never any possibility that the manga situation wouldn't be resolved fairly quickly, though it was a fun little side arc that served as "training" of sorts for some of the newer fighters.

[/ QUOTE ]
Also, whereas it seemed that the anime went into "serious mode" in the last few episodes (save for possibly the final fight), the recent arc, despite the possibly bleak situation, still retained the manga's lighthearted spirit (i.e. <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Haruna faking out the readers with the "bad ending" panel, a mage who trapped Negi's students in an illusion spell turns out to be a kawaii young girl who doesn't want her dad to be turned into an ermine.</span>

As for the <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>"eight days later" arc</span> not lasting that long, since I felt that the arc was Ken's way to have Negi <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> do somthing before the final battle with Chao that doesn't involve him attending a festival appointment that isn't really important to the Chao arc,</span> I knew that the arc wasn't going to be a very long one (although I do wish that it was shorter by a few chapters).

[Charred Knight]

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piano_cello_conducting said:

They did not butcher the Kyoto arc - most of it was still present in the story. What they had to leave out was the introduction of a new character - which makes sense as it would be too late at that point to introduce a new character.
And no, it did not go downhill - I must respectfully say that it's only your personal opinion that not necessarily everyone shares.

[/ QUOTE ]

Considering all the bitching that I have heard and have said, I would say its not just his opinion.

[pianocello]

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Fencedude said:
They definitely butchered the Kyoto arc.


[/ QUOTE ]
Not true. They kept most of vol 4-6 in the anime. Except that much of it didn't necessarily take place in Kyoto. E.g. the kissing game and the fights which some were used in the last episode.

[jlazar]

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piano_cello_conducting said:
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Fencedude said:
They definitely butchered the Kyoto arc.


[/ QUOTE ]
Not true. They kept most of vol 4-6 in the anime. Except that much of it didn't necessarily take place in Kyoto. E.g. the kissing game and the fights which some were used in the last episode.

[/ QUOTE ]

Um, what show were you watching? Ep 26 of Negima was <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> the big battle back in time to save Asuna. That fight didn't look anything like the Kyoto fights. THe only similar thing was they were battling demons. </span>
I just scanned through it and didn't see the Negi kissing game in it. <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> They do all kiss Negi, but only to activate their patico powers. </span>

[pianocello]

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Jim Lazar said:
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piano_cello_conducting said:
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Fencedude said:
They definitely butchered the Kyoto arc.


[/ QUOTE ]
Not true. They kept most of vol 4-6 in the anime. Except that much of it didn't necessarily take place in Kyoto. E.g. the kissing game and the fights which some were used in the last episode.

[/ QUOTE ]

Um, what show were you watching? Ep 26 of Negima was <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> the big battle back in time to save Asuna. That fight didn't look anything like the Kyoto fights. THe only similar thing was they were battling demons. </span>
I just scanned through it and didn't see the Negi kissing game in it. <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> They do all kiss Negi, but only to activate their patico powers. </span>

[/ QUOTE ]

In the anime, the kissing game was set in a haunted house, not Kyoto. Some of the battle scenes in ep 26 were taken from vol 6 of the manga even though the setting was different.

[jlazar]

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piano_cello_conducting said:
In the anime, the kissing game was set in a haunted house, not Kyoto. Some of the battle scenes in ep 26 were taken from vol 6 of the manga even though the setting was different.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, you made it seem like the kissing game was in ep 26.

As for the some of the battles in 26 being from the Kyoto story, I don't see it. Outside of 'demons' being used for the bad guys, I don't really see too much in common.

But all that does add up to 'butchered' /images/graemlins/happy.gif anyway, since they did 'hack up' the Kyoto story and use some of it elsewhere. And left a good chunk out altogether.

[Fencedude]

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piano_cello_conducting said:

Some of the battle scenes in ep 26 were taken from vol 6 of the manga even though the setting was different.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, whoo hoo.

They still butchered the Kyoto Arc, the only part they got RIGHT (mostly) was Evangeline being fucking awesome, but they still cut out the best part at the end when she totally pwns the white haired dude after he <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>impales</span> her.

On another note, I know exactly two people who like the Negima anime more than the manga.

One is you, the other is someone I hate.

[masterpez]

Just caught the first episode of this. It starts with a battle between Evangeline and the Thousand Master, and I think the action scenes should be pretty good based on the few minutes we get to see there. As far as the story goes, it starts from the very beginning, with Negi just graduating from his school and finding out that he's to become a teacher at girl's school in Japan.

The first meeting between Asuna and Negi is different. Also, Konoka and Setsuna seem to be close already. Ep 1's main focus; however, was on introducing every single girl. They all had a speaking line and their names appeared on screen. The subplot of the ep was that a vampire is rumored to be attacking people around campus. Makie shows everyone her bite marks. Of course it's Evangeline, whom has a confrontation with Negi at the end of the ep.

I enjoyed it overall. I love the new character designs. Some of the hair colors are still off, but that doesn't bother me anymore because of the last series. The bestt part of the episode had to be the introduction of the Baka Rangers after the credits roll. That was a nice touch. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[Mitsuki]

That's interesting. Was it announced before that this was a remake and not a sequel or have I been asleep for the past 6 months?

[Gatts]

[ QUOTE ]
Mitsuki said:
That's interesting. Was it announced before that this was a remake and not a sequel or have I been asleep for the past 6 months?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd say you've been asleep since the first post in this thread states:

[ QUOTE ]
Negima series 2 begins Ocober 4 in Japan. The series will reportedly have a new story, rather than an further adaptation of Ken Akamatsu's manga.

[/ QUOTE ]

[XenoSaber]

So there pulling a "Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni" on us???? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[masterpez]

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Mitsuki said:
That's interesting. Was it announced before that this was a remake and not a sequel or have I been asleep for the past 6 months?

[/ QUOTE ]

The way I see it is that it probably will be an original story overall, but they'll use at least some of the material from the manga.

[ QUOTE ]
XenoSaber said:
So there pulling a "Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni" on us???? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

If so, I think Nodoka is likely the killer this time. It's always the shy ones.

[TnAdct1]

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pez said:
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XenoSaber said:
So there pulling a "Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni" on us???? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

If so, I think Nodoka is likely the killer this time. It's always the shy ones.

[/ QUOTE ]
I doubt it since, according to the episode titles that have already been posted, it looks like <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Nodoka will be making her Pactio early on (possibly around episode 4),</span> and when that happens, I am so going to watch that episode.

[Ty]

Thinking of it as Negima version 1.5 might be a good way to approach it.

[jlazar]

I've seen scans of what I believe is the first chapter '0' of this new Negima manga based on this new anime. It seems to be called Negima Neo.

It starts back in England with Negi's gradiuation and the battle in the village.

Fanservice-wise, Negima does sneeze off his childhood friend's (Anu?) clothes for a panty shot.

[Shiroi Hane]

Anya.

[TnAdct1]

When it comes to the chapter "0" of the Neo Negima manga, it could also possibly work as a prologue chapter for the actual Negima manga itself, since it does focus on Negi's days in wizard school (which hasn't really been covered in the manga).

[TempestGarden]

The character designs in this are at least 1000 times better than the original series.

[Mitsuki]

[ QUOTE ]
Gatts said:
[ QUOTE ]
Mitsuki said:
That's interesting. Was it announced before that this was a remake and not a sequel or have I been asleep for the past 6 months?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd say you've been asleep since the first post in this thread states:

[ QUOTE ]
Negima series 2 begins Ocober 4 in Japan. The series will reportedly have a new story, rather than an further adaptation of Ken Akamatsu's manga.

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh heh. I actually remember reading that now that you point it out... /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[Panon]

[ QUOTE ]
pez said:I enjoyed it overall. I love the new character designs. Some of the hair colors are still off, but that doesn't bother me anymore because of the last series. The bestt part of the episode had to be the introduction of the Baka Rangers after the credits roll. That was a nice touch. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was far from impressed.

The opening bit with Evangeline and Thousand Master was pretty awesome, but it was a big fall downhill after that.

It either needs to vastly improve or just spend 90% of it's time following Evangeline around, because that episode was worse than even the weaker original Negima anime episodes.

[TnAdct1]

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Panon said:
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pez said:I enjoyed it overall. I love the new character designs. Some of the hair colors are still off, but that doesn't bother me anymore because of the last series. The bestt part of the episode had to be the introduction of the Baka Rangers after the credits roll. That was a nice touch. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was far from impressed.

The opening bit with Evangeline and Thousand Master was pretty awesome, but it was a big fall downhill after that.

It either needs to vastly improve or just spend 90% of it's time following Evangeline around, because that episode was worse than even the weaker original Negima anime episodes.

[/ QUOTE ]
Of course the first episode is going to be weak to those already familiar with Negima. Since the new Negima series is starting at an earlier time slot and targetting younger viewers, the whole purpose of the first episode was to introduce Negi and his students to a new group of audience, with the real fun that makes Negima enjoyable not beginning until next week (or, when it comes to me, around episode 4).

[TalonG4]

Well, I just watched this and it was "interesting". The director, Akiyuki Shinbo has a unique style. Parts of the episode felt like Pani Poni Dash, including changing blackboard messages, and part of it felt like Soul Taker with some of the "camera" angles. I don't really know how those two style mesh together but, ehh, it's ambitious, which I do like.
I also like Setsuna being closer to Konoka early on, although I should probably just throw everything I know about Negima out the window and appreciate this for something original.

Yeah, the hair color on a few characters are bad. (Muramaki with green hair!!??)
Also, Asuna seems like a total moron in this version. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[jlazar]

Wow, that was bad.

I managed to trudge through the first Negima anime, but I don't know if I can stomach even another episode or two of this one to see if it's worth continuing.

-Pretty much no humor (and I can't tell if that was intentional or they just have bad writers).
-The new animation staff must really hate Asuna to make her so incredibly dim like that. <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> Maybe they plan to actually kill her off this time and don't want people to get too attached to her. </span>
-Mostly concentrating on the action/adventure parts.
-Character designs were nothing to look at, plus some uneven animation at times (done on the cheap, I imagine).

+At least they don't seem to only be trying to sell vocal music or kick start 31 voice actresses' singing careers.


I'm sure some marketing person in Japan loved this idea, but I doubt even the kiddies will watch.

[TnAdct1]

While I haven't seen the first episode yet (with me probably not watching this show until I know for sure that SHAFT can correct a huge mistake that Xebec did their version of the show), I can comment on some of the negatives

[ QUOTE ]
Jim Lazar said:
-Pretty much no humor (and I can't tell if that was intentional or they just have bad writers).

[/ QUOTE ]
I suggest watching Pani Poni Dash to get an a feel of this show's humor, given how this is from the same people behind that show.

[ QUOTE ]
-The new animation staff must really hate Asuna to make her so incredibly dim like that. <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> Maybe they plan to actually kill her off this time and don't want people to get too attached to her. </span>

[/ QUOTE ]
Of course, given how Asuna is the "dumbest" student in Negi's class, I can see why they have her as a dim character early on.

[ QUOTE ]
-Mostly concentrating on the action/adventure parts.

[/ QUOTE ]
That is expected, since this show is meant to follow the fantasy aspect of the show (whereas Xebec only focused on the harem aspect).

[Fencedude]

[ QUOTE ]
Jim Lazar said:

-Mostly concentrating on the action/adventure parts.


[/ QUOTE ]

Dude, the action/adventure is the best part of Negima.

Well, that and the naked girls.

But I'll accept less skin for well animated fight scenes.

[TalonG4]

[ QUOTE ]
Jim Lazar said:
-Character designs were nothing to look at, plus some uneven animation at times (done on the cheap, I imagine).


[/ QUOTE ]

This is something I noticed as well, especially in the classroom scenes. I started having Xebec flashbacks. Is it too much to ask that all animation is done as well as the new Kanon anime? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

I'll give this show a few more episodes.

[XenoSaber]

[ QUOTE ]
TalonG4 said:
Parts of the episode felt like Pani Poni Dash, including changing blackboard messages/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
You took the words right out of my mouth. I actually thought I might have selected the wrong file, I had to go back and check. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[kimmiepooh]

If Season 2 of Negima turns out to be worse than season 1, then because of it being aimed at a younger audience, I think I will just stick to watching the first season, since despite the lack of some important elements missing from the manga in the show, at least it will have followed the original storyline, which I like better than going with a whole new one. At least I will be able to enjoy Season 1, having read the manga. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[jlazar]

[ QUOTE ]
TnAdct1 said:
I suggest watching Pani Poni Dash to get an a feel of this show's humor, given how this is from the same people behind that show.


[/ QUOTE ]
I've seen PPD and foudn it funny. This new Negima doesn't even come close to PPD IMHO.

[ QUOTE ]
Of course, given how Asuna is the "dumbest" student in Negi's class, I can see why they have her as a dim character early on.

[/ QUOTE ]
Just being bad academically isn't the same as being a spacy dim bulb that she's shown here as. She's worse than Tomoko in GTO, and not in the cute way Tomoko was.

Imagine Paris Hilton, then go dummer. I can already see the 'It's hot' quotes added to the English dub.

[bobma]

Well, I've seen the first episode now and I'm somewhat ho-hum about it. It wasn't really bad, but certainly not what I'd call great either. Art and animation are ok, though some angles and proportions could use some touch up for the DVD release. The spells though look very nifty and I'm looking forward to see them in action.

As for the direction gimmicks, I think they went overboard a bit. While I recognice that the stylistic touches are highly innovative (and some of those are quite cool), it seemed a bit masturbatory on the directors part (e.g."Look, I have all that in my repertoire...and more!") and after some time those effects looked to be in there for their own sake rather than to enhance the flow of the story. Due to the highly artisitc approach, the whole episode gave the impression of a surreal stage play rather than a breathing "real" world, where the story takes place in. Less would have been more in this case.

Music was ok, though I dearly hope the easy listening piece used during class, where the singers went "Bappapayapayabappappa", wont make too many appearances, as it gave me bad Chobits flashbacks.

My main gripe though would be the characterizations they're going for, so far. A lot of the initial setup seems to be rather streamlined for faster storytelling. Konoka and Setsuna for example are already on speaking terms and in the master-servant relationship, so the possibility of the uncovery of their relationship and reforging of their childhood friendship went right out of the window. Or Asuna, who early in the manga earned major brownie points with me, when she was shown to put real effort into her part time job, was simply snoozing off (though I liked the time counter with her hair). While 'Negmia!?' was advertised as an independent reinvention of the original premise, it somehow seems to rely on the audience knowing the preexisting manga beforehand, so that the characters seem more fleshed out.

Another example how characters were reduced to their basic premise was Mana sitting in the back polishing her guns openly while in class. Although a cute background comedy effect, it underlines how the characters seem to be parodies of their old manga selves, openly parading their "main specialty". This also contributes to the artificial stage play atmosphere. If they wanted to do another Pani Poni Dash, why didn't they make a proper second season instead, that comes right out and calls itself PPD2?

Also, the staff needs to get a new joke writer. While the otaku-friendly in-jokes like the chalk board were nice, what's with Asuna dressing up in a feudal japan outfit? Oh, how very, very funny. Or Konoka and Setsuna realizing that fact, after it gets pointed out to them? That makes them look really smart. Let's not go into Asuna's IQ. Ku-Fei with a fake beard, Chachamaru serving boiling tea and Eva not noticing it. Oh, how I have laughed.......Please. If that's the type of characterization they're going for, then the battles better be darned spectacular.

Hmm, now that I read over it, that sure sounds rather negative. I was prepared to accept that this wont be a remake of the actual orignal manga story, but I hoped for a bit more depth in the characters than what we got here. I can live without the fanservice, as it got more and more unimportant in the manga too, but I guess I'm disappointed at the rather "cardboardy" feel of the characters. I know, there's still a whole lot of episodes ahead, but we're commenting on initial impressions and from the way they're setting up the characters, it doesn't seem that there'll be much focus on their respective backgrounds (or in other words, what you see is what you get). For the record, I'm familiar with the directors style and have seen Moonphase (which I enjoyed greatly) in its entirety as well as some episodes of PPD. So far, there's entierly too much PPD and too little Moonphase as far as directional approach is concerned. If I didn't know Negima beforehand, I'd have thought this was "Pani Poni Dash The 2nd Season". Well, as so often, one episode isn't enough to judge the entire series, so I'll stick with it and see if the show will take a path that's more palatable to my tastes.

[hikaru004]

I liked the first ep. of this series better than the first series.

Maybe the way Asuna was dressed was a reference to something. I mean they did put alot of otaku references in PPD. Alas, sentient blackboards are fun only when you get the reference. I liked seeing Chiyo on the blackboard. The Baka Rangers were cool at the end. I was also laughing at Asuna's hair.

Those Soul Taker shots were nice as well as the opening animation of Negi's trip to Japan. In a way, this series feels more complex than the previous one. Certainly, his spells are animated more, so maybe the battles will have an upgrade too.

Nodoka having a crush right off the bat was fun to see too.

[Splitter]

So they Pani Ponied it... big time. The chalkboard gags, the conversation flow between all the girls, the very unique angles only Shinbo Akiyuki is capable of...


Well, at least it's better than the first season. I'll see where it goes for now.

[Ty]

Speaking as somebody who actually didn't see the the original series I can at least say this looks promising enough to continue to watch for now. I'm sure they're just following the manga, the original series, or both when they introduced all 31 girls that way but found it to be retarded. Fans will already know their names and everybody else would have to watch it 20 times to retain half of that barrage and I'm not nearly enough of a geek to do such a thing.

I fail to see what all these complaints about the animation are about though. I spot checked a single episode of Negima series 1 (to confirm I made the right choice by skipping it) and I think that show's animation is awful. Aside from clean line edges it has nothing going for it. Talk about being devoid of detail, it's no wonder they were dissatisfied enough with that production to take another shot at producing this show with someobody else at the helm.

Anyway, the show's vibe was interesting enough to keep me on for a while and maybe it'll turn out well. The episode was pleasant enough aside from Nodoka (whom I've been repeatedly told I'd like) looking like a sheep dog and the issue I ranted about above. I have a feeling by the time this show is over I still won't know all the characters' names though.

[Fencedude]

...its the first episode!

You are expecting deep character growth after 1 episode? Please. Be realistic.

And besides, all I'm really hoping for out of this is some nifty fighting and comedy.

If I want the real plot and fanservice, I'll read the manga.

[TnAdct1]

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:Anyway, the show's vibe was interesting enough to keep me on for a while and maybe it'll turn out well. The episode was pleasant enough aside from Nodoka (whom I've been repeatedly told I'd like) looking like a sheep dog and the issue I ranted about above. I have a feeling by the time this show is over I still won't know all the characters' names though.

[/ QUOTE ] First off, the "sheepdog" looks that Nodoka has is normal for her, as the bangs are part of what makes her so unique (although she's usually at her cutest when at least one eye is exposed). As for being told that you'd end up liking her, if SHAFT does things right, then you'll definitely understand why she's such a popular character.

Second, as for not knowing everyone's names by the time the show ends, that's no problem, as the only two names that I actually remembered after I first viewed the first episode of the Xebec version were Negi and Nodoka (more specifically, her surname, since she has the same one as a famous anime director).

[bobma]

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
...its the first episode!

You are expecting deep character growth after 1 episode? Please. Be realistic.


[/ QUOTE ]

What I criticised was how they cut themselves from some possibilities for future character growth and general reduction of characters to archtypes, indicating at least to me that there's not much interest to go beyond what we've seen in ep1. But who knows, maybe I'll be blown away by the depth of characterization to come. If I'm wrong with my initial assumption, then all the better, eh?

[ QUOTE ]

And besides, all I'm really hoping for out of this is some nifty fighting and comedy.

If I want the real plot and fanservice, I'll read the manga.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's nice, that's the expectations you went in with. I'm glad it worked out for you. I hoped for a little more and was venting my disappointment in my above post. Now I know that I'll probably have to readjust my expectations. BTW even if I went by your criteria, then only 50% were reached in ep 1. The little bit of fighting sure looked nice and I'm looking forward to more, but the comedy wasn't, as far as I'm concerned.

Besides, if only one episode is out, and that's the topic of this subthread, then yes, I'll comment whether it's a good first episode or not. Rest assured, if the series happens to turn into pure gold later on, I'll sing its praises along with everyone else, but I can't comment about what hasn't happened yet, apart from some extrapolation from the stuff shown so far.

[Fencedude]

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
I have a feeling by the time this show is over I still won't know all the characters' names though.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hell, I've read 15 volumes of the manga and I can't remember the names of ALL the girls.

[Suwako Moriya]

I saw the first episode and it seems to be a bit chaotic. Of course that's partially because they were introducing all the girls. I suspect things to settle down at least slightly in episode 2 and onward. Still the first episode was decent all thing considered. It will be interesting to see how well they focus on each girl. I don't expect the girls to get equal coverage, but I am hoping they'll remember it's 31 students and not just 03 students. I think that's the best way to put it.

[relentlessflame]

Second episode continued in exactly the same style as the first, with the addition of the super-trippy OP (that continues the whole sentai/old anime parody theme). Also features a hilarious (if slightly obvious) continuation to the "Baka Ranger" skit after the credits (looks like a recurring gag feature). All in all, I remain impressed; it's over-the-top and crazy, but it has a lot of style and character too, and the story is continuing to advance at a good (albeit fast) clip. I just find it fun to watch; looking forward to more!

[Fencedude]

I have one thing to say about the Opening

UNLIMITED DESK WORKS

[battle001]

so far i like it.
however i'm easy to please

[Ialdaboth]

Episode 2 confirmed the very good opinion I had on this new season : I love Negima!?. To the point I think it will be the only show I will follow this season, and to hell with the Death Note anime - I have already read the manga anyway.

[XenoCrisis0153]

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
marko said:
I think this is a great idea. This way there won't be as many comparisons to the manga and complaints about what they took out and/or changed. I like the artstyle too.

[/ QUOTE ]
Wanna bet?

Watch, people will whine anyway.

[/ QUOTE ]
haha, so true. well, I'm a little late to this conversation, but I did watch Episode 01 and it left a great impression on me. The art style is very similiar to Tsukuyomi Moon Phase, The SoulTaker, and Ganksetuou. The character design reminds me of that of Kagihime Monogatari: Eikyuu Alice Rondo.

I took screencaps of the 31 girls and Negi, so if anyone hasn't seen it the first episode, here's the run-down on the new look. I think Konoka looks much cuter in this version and Asuna seems to be less aggravating so far.

must go see episode 02 now!!

Here are those screencaps I promised. (http://www.anime-source.com/banzai/modules.php?name=Anime&amp;rop=display_studd_complete&amp; id=1757) sorry they're small, we're only set up to have 100x100 icons. Click the "+" next to their name to see the 100 size icon and read any info I entered about them.

[TalonG4]

Finally caught episode 2 (I have to wait till it's "ready"). I liked it a lot better then the 1st episode. The shock of the 1st ep. has worn off and maybe I'm just appreciating it for what it is and not what it isn't.

Asakura-san's check list! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Asuna-san is not nearly so stupid this time.
Some nice character moments between Chizu-ne and Natsumi (I really like those two for some reason) as well as Konoka and Setsuna.
Evangeline's story really has some tragedy to it, something the manga hasn't even touched on yet.(as far as I've read)
Hakase must be related to Miyako from Pani Poni Dash. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif
A brief glimpse of Hasagawa's homepage.
Good action... poor Chachamaru. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

Can't wait for more!

[TnAdct1]

[ QUOTE ]
TalonG4 said:

Asakura-san's check list! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Evangeline's story really has some tragedy to it, something the manga hasn't even touched on yet.(as far as I've read)

[/ QUOTE ]
If you're reading the Del Rey version of the Negima manga, let me be the one to tell you that <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>the next Del Rey volume (volume 12) will provide some more background on Evangeline's past.</span>

[kimmiepooh]

I guess with all the good comments I've heard about this show, I guess I could give this show a try, despite my earlier misgivings. Now here's a question that's been on my mind a long time: How do you guys manage to see this show when it's airing just started in Japan, and we're in the U.S.? Just wondering, because I'd like to see the show too, and yet I have no idea how you guys do it. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[jlazar]

[ QUOTE ]
kimmiepooh said:
I guess with all the good comments I've heard about this show, I guess I could give this show a try, despite my earlier misgivings. Now here's a question that's been on my mind a long time: How do you guys manage to see this show when it's airing just started in Japan, and we're in the U.S.? Just wondering, because I'd like to see the show too, and yet I have no idea how you guys do it. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately, the rules of the forum prevent us from replying in detail to that question. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[TalonG4]

[ QUOTE ]
Jim Lazar said:
[ QUOTE ]
kimmiepooh said:
I guess with all the good comments I've heard about this show, I guess I could give this show a try, despite my earlier misgivings. Now here's a question that's been on my mind a long time: How do you guys manage to see this show when it's airing just started in Japan, and we're in the U.S.? Just wondering, because I'd like to see the show too, and yet I have no idea how you guys do it. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Unfortunately, the rules of the forum prevent us from replying in detail to that question. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Doing a little research on Google should help you find whatever you need. Think of it as a challenge. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[masterpez]

This episode was awesome. It's the conclusion of the fight with Evangeline. We learn that this version of Asuna goes to Tsunade-sama's school of "Baka Chikara" (and this was before the contract), and finally see what the provisional contract is like in this adaptation.

When the contract was initiated Asuna transformed into her armor and had her harison sword. The card that was formed as a result was also significantly different. At the end of the episode, we get another edition of the Baka Rangers, which should be called "Makie tries to introduce herself again". The girl has no luck. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

Anyways, I'm loving this series. The action scenes are pretty awesome, and the comedy is coming around (I laughed out loud a few times this episode).

[Jadawin]

Wow, I am impressed. I enjoyed those first two episodes a lot, especially the 2nd one! I didnt expect to like the show, but I do. /images/graemlins/happy.gif
Nice charadesign and beautiful animations. What a difference to the crappy looking first series. Hopefully they'll be able to keep up that quality level. Looking forward to the OVA. /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif

[TnAdct1]

It's official: SHAFT really needs to produce a Baka Rangers spin-off show. Of course, the fun part is trying to cast the rest of the Negima characters in this show (personally, I'd see either Ayaka or Chao as the main villainess, while Negi and Nodoka could play the "Zordon and Alpha 5" characters).

[Ty]

[ QUOTE ]
TnAdct1 said:
It's official: SHAFT really needs to produce a Baka Rangers spin-off show. Of course, the fun part is trying to cast the rest of the Negima characters in this show (personally, I'd see either Ayaka or Chao as the main villainess, while Negi and Nodoka could play the "Zordon and Alpha 5" characters).

[/ QUOTE ]

I think they have their work cut out for them trying to make use of so many characters in the current show. I can understand that they can't drop any of the manga characters without being hung by the fans, but such a huge cast would require at least a 52 episode run to provide any real characterization for them.

As things stand I'm find with the focus on Asuna since she's not half the Naru clone I expected her to be. So long as they work Nodoka in as the next most important girl all is well.

[TnAdct1]

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
As things stand I'm find with the focus on Asuna since she's not half the Naru clone I expected her to be. So long as they work Nodoka in as the next most important girl all is well.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, next week's episode is going to be "Nodoka-focused".

[Ty]

[ QUOTE ]
TnAdct1 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
As things stand I'm find with the focus on Asuna since she's not half the Naru clone I expected her to be. So long as they work Nodoka in as the next most important girl all is well.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, next week's episode is going to be "Nodoka-focused".

[/ QUOTE ]

*rubs hands together* Excellent. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Spirit Of The Stage]

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
[ QUOTE ]
TnAdct1 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
As things stand I'm find with the focus on Asuna since she's not half the Naru clone I expected her to be. So long as they work Nodoka in as the next most important girl all is well.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, next week's episode is going to be "Nodoka-focused".

[/ QUOTE ]

*rubs hands together* Excellent. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

*Mr Burns style* EXCELLENT...

Had to add my two scents, simply because I'm loving the art form in this series, I've only seen ep2...but it seems so much more better already, and Nodoka's look in particular has been so much better...:)

I'm looking forward to this series a lot more than I thought I would at this rate...

[golthin]

[ QUOTE ]
Jadawin said:
Wow, I am impressed. I enjoyed those first two episodes a lot, especially the 2nd one! I didnt expect to like the show, but I do. /images/graemlins/happy.gif
Nice charadesign and beautiful animations. What a difference to the crappy looking first series. Hopefully they'll be able to keep up that quality level. Looking forward to the OVA. /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
I hope they can keep it up and that what happened to Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase doesn't happen here. The fanservice has been turned down and so far the only fanservice shown has been from Evangeline in her adult form. You can't deny that this is a Shaft anime as it reminds you of Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase. the pans falling on Negi and Asuna reminds me of Moon phase all over.

I might be alone , but I don't like this version, I know many people are critical of the Xebec version, but I enjoyed it more than this and I am even buying the R1 release. I probably won't buy Shaft's version when it is licensed, which has good chances of also being licensed by Funi. The many camara angles is annoying and I hope they don't continue with it. I have already seen Shaft being lazy with the animation on episode 3.

If anyone has noticed, this is the first SOLO project from Shaft since Moonphase. You can check their releases here
Shaft productions (http://anidb.info/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=producer&amp;prid=77)

I hope they can change my mind with the reminder 23 episodes.

[relentlessflame]

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
If anyone has noticed, this is the first SOLO project from Shaft since Moonphase.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, it's being produced in cooperation with GANSIS (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=1850), who were also partnered with them for Pani Poni Dash.

I have to admit that I love the style, art, direction, camera angles and everything, including in episode 3. But, as has been pointed out before, this does seem to be a "love it or hate it" sort of show.

[Ty]

[ QUOTE ]
relentlessflame said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
If anyone has noticed, this is the first SOLO project from Shaft since Moonphase.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, it's being produced in cooperation with GANSIS (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/company.php?id=1850), who were also partnered with them for Pani Poni Dash.

I have to admit that I love the style, art, direction, camera angles and everything, including in episode 3. But, as has been pointed out before, this does seem to be a "love it or hate it" sort of show.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's why I'm hoping they don't pull any more drastic cost cutting nonsense like the disastrous mid-season episodes of Tsukuyomi which were just laughably bad. There is already cost cutting going on but it's being disguised by directorial tricks. I guess the directing style is a matter of taste and I can see how it might be polarizing. I'm one of the fans of the camerawork seen so far.

[pianocello]

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I might be alone , but I don't like this version, I know many people are critical of the Xebec version, but I enjoyed it more than this and I am even buying the R1 release. I probably won't buy Shaft's version when it is licensed, which has good chances of also being licensed by Funi. The many camara angles is annoying and I hope they don't continue with it. I have already seen Shaft being lazy with the animation on episode 3.



[/ QUOTE ]

Can't comment on which version I like better at this point but I really LOVED the 1st version despite its flaws. I'll probably check this one out at some point.

[TnAdct1]

Since it's been a couple of weeks since people have been talking about this show, it's best to bring this thread back to life and discuss episodes 4 and 5.

Episode 4 started a story arc that's original to the series in which a mysterious being has stolen a Star Crystal and is using it to create dark seeds. This episodes introduces the following:

-two original characters that serve as mascot characters along side Chamo;
-the second type of Pactio card: the cosplay card (with Asuna's cosplay form being first summoned in this episode);
-the main idea of how the Pactio system works this time around (here, Negi pulls a Pactio card out of his Ministra Magi at random).

The real highlight in this episode, however, is something that I waited 1 1/2 years for: Nodoka finally makes a proper Pactio with Negi. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif However, before Negi can summon her abilites, a mysterious pixie has some tree branches attack Nodoka, with Evangeline and Chachamaru coming to her aide.

Episode 5 brings Konoka and Setsuna into the fray as the tree branches attack Konoka, with Setsuna coming to her aide. Also the episode introduces two more things Pactio-wise:

1. Nodoka's cosplay form, which like her regular Pactio in the manga, has her using a magical picture diary to read other people's minds, although this time around, she also gets a pair of glasses as well (and as seen in this picture, (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/TnAdct1/Megane-Nodoka.jpg) she looks very cute as a meganekko /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif );
2. the third type of Pactio card: the "suka" card, in which the Ministra Magi turns into a "mascot-type" creature (in the case of Asuna, she becomes a boar).

As the episode comes to an end, Konoka becomes Negi's third Ministra Magi. However, before we find out what her Pactio abilities are, Negi, his Ministra Magi, and Setsuna are teleported to an area where they are confronted by a dark seed-controlled Kaede, Yuuna, and Chisame (who, in a funny subplot in this episode, discovers that Nodoka is more popular on the internet than her /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif ).

[Ty]

Time to spread the wallpaper love outside of the Kanon thread. /images/graemlins/happy.gif Fresh from the Negima calendar is a lovely wallpaperized (http://spe.midco.net/tyrellgoetz/negima04.jpg) version of Nodoka looking cute as ever. I went the lazy route and cropped rather than attempt to expand the background, but it lets us see more of her face so the results are good anyway. Will be up for 72 hours and as usual file is huge so beware non highspeed users.

[TheGreenMan]

[ QUOTE ]
TnAdct1 said:


1. Nodoka's cosplay form, which like her regular Pactio in the manga, has her using a magical picture diary to read other people's minds, although this time around, she also gets a pair of glasses as well (and as seen in this picture, (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/TnAdct1/Megane-Nodoka.jpg) she looks very cute as a meganekko /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif );



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The glasses upped Nodoka's kawaiiness a thousand fold. I know what my next avatar will be!

[masterpez]

In this episode, Setsuna is forced into a situation where she has to make a contract with Negi inorder to save "Ojou-sama" (we're into a "provisional contract of the week" pattern here). To me, it appears as if she's the most powerful out of all the girls who've made contracts with him, as she proceeded to kick some serious ass afterwards. I liked her outfit since it's similar to the one she wore when (spoiler for later parts of the manga) <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>she fought Evangeline in the tournament</span>. And of course she had her wings.

Also, for a series that's supposed to be devoid of fanservice, I've been seeing quite a few bits...just not in the traditional sense. There was a scene in ep 5 which focused on Chizuru's boobs being pressed up against Natsumi's back, then in 6 Setsuna imagining herself kissing Konoka, and later Sayo doing the next ep preview in a school swimsuit (moe x 100). There's also dark shadows strategically placed here and there. In ep 6 there's a shot of Yue wearing a dress and bending over with a dark shadow obscuring your view. This is probably a sign that they'll add all that stuff into the DVD release. Of course I'm purchasing the r2s regardless, as this is definitely my favorite new series of this season.

[golthin]

I just have to say one thing. This people now how to save in animation. 70% of this show is stills scenes with very little animation.

[angelx03]

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golthin said:
I just have to say one thing. This people now how to save in animation. 70% of this show is stills scenes with very little animation.

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But the stills are very, VERY pretty! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[TalonG4]

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angelx03 said:
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golthin said:
I just have to say one thing. This people now how to save in animation. 70% of this show is stills scenes with very little animation.

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But the stills are very, VERY pretty! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

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Exactly, and I'll take pretty still scenes over poorly animated ones any day.

On another note, I finally saw episode 4. While I thought ep 3 was kind of meh... ep 4 rocked. While I never really loved Nodoka, I never hated her either. She was just sort of... there. This episode made me a fan, <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>her kiss with Negi was pretty aggressive. </span>
Fear the quiet ones! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[golthin]

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angelx03 said:
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golthin said:
I just have to say one thing. This people now how to save in animation. 70% of this show is stills scenes with very little animation.

[/ QUOTE ]

But the stills are very, VERY pretty! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

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Of course! they only have to draw them once. You don't have to look at the credits to know who is making the show, it looks exactly as pono poni dash.

[TnAdct1]

Holy cow, <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Fuuka and Fumika have made the new series's first "non-manga canon" Pactio with Negi!!! I thought that thing would be done by either Ayaka, Makie, or Ku Fei.</span>

Also, judging by the eyecatches, meganekko Nodoka is definitely very popular. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[Ty]

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TnAdct1 said:
Holy cow, <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Fuuka and Fumika have made the new series's first "non-manga canon" Pactio with Negi!!! I thought that thing would be done by either Ayaka, Makie, or Ku Fei.</span>

Also, judging by the eyecatches, meganekko Nodoka is definitely very popular. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

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Neko = /images/graemlins/noseblee.gif Megane = /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[TnAdct1]

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Xcalibur said:
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TnAdct1 said:
Also, judging by the eyecatches, meganekko Nodoka is definitely very popular. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

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Neko = /images/graemlins/noseblee.gif Megane = /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

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Okay, so maybe you don't like meganekko Nodoka, but what about <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> meganekko versions of Negi's other Ministra Magi in this series, Makie, and Kaede?</span>

[Ty]

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TnAdct1 said:
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Xcalibur said:
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TnAdct1 said:
Also, judging by the eyecatches, meganekko Nodoka is definitely very popular. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Neko = /images/graemlins/noseblee.gif Megane = /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Okay, so maybe you don't like meganekko Nodoka, but what about <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> meganekko versions of Negi's other Ministra Magi in this series, Makie, and Kaede?</span>

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I love Nodoka however she's served. /images/graemlins/happy.gif As the post should have indicated I'm just not a megane fan...... on any character really. Very rarely, be it in anime or real life, do I think glasses makes a persons appearance better. I have to wear them and have always wished I didn't.

[golthin]

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Xcalibur said:
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TnAdct1 said:
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Xcalibur said:
[ QUOTE ]
TnAdct1 said:
Also, judging by the eyecatches, meganekko Nodoka is definitely very popular. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Neko = /images/graemlins/noseblee.gif Megane = /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Okay, so maybe you don't like meganekko Nodoka, but what about <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> meganekko versions of Negi's other Ministra Magi in this series, Makie, and Kaede?</span>

[/ QUOTE ]

I love Nodoka however she's served. /images/graemlins/happy.gif As the post should have indicated I'm just not a megane fan...... on any character really. Very rarely, be it in anime or real life, do I think glasses makes a persons appearance better. I have to wear them and have always wished I didn't.

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Maybe it is because Rerely in real life glasses make a person cutter. Now, in anime that is a different thing.

[Ty]

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golthin said:
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Xcalibur said:
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TnAdct1 said:
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Xcalibur said:
[ QUOTE ]
TnAdct1 said:
Also, judging by the eyecatches, meganekko Nodoka is definitely very popular. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Neko = /images/graemlins/noseblee.gif Megane = /images/graemlins/depresse.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Okay, so maybe you don't like meganekko Nodoka, but what about <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> meganekko versions of Negi's other Ministra Magi in this series, Makie, and Kaede?</span>

[/ QUOTE ]

I love Nodoka however she's served. /images/graemlins/happy.gif As the post should have indicated I'm just not a megane fan...... on any character really. Very rarely, be it in anime or real life, do I think glasses makes a persons appearance better. I have to wear them and have always wished I didn't.

[/ QUOTE ]
Maybe it is because Rerely in real life glasses make a person cutter. Now, in anime that is a different thing.

[/ QUOTE ]

I can't name a single anime girl offhand that I think looks cuter with glasses, but that's just me. I likes what I likes, and I likes the nekomimi. akakakakaka *popeye chuckle* /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[TnAdct1]

This week feels like a "calm before the storm" episode, with Negi and his Ministra Magi getting some experience when it comes to camping.

Despite it sounding like a filler episode, there are a few moments that provide some progress to the "Star Crystal" storyline, including Kaede becoming the seventh girl to make a Pactio with Negi.

EDIT: I figured out how to post spoilers on the new board.

[TalonG4]

This week feels like a "calm before the storm" episode, with Negi and his Ministra Magi getting some experience when it comes to camping.

Despite it sounding like a filler episode, there are a few moments that provide some progress to the "Star Crystal" storyline, including (spoiler ahead) Kaede becoming the seventh girl to make a Pactio with Negi.

EDIT: Does anyone know how to post spoilers on the new message board layout? For now (until I find out how to post spoilers on the new board), I put the "spoiler" text in white.

This is a perfect example as to why that's a bad way to mark a spoiler due to the fact that I'm using a different display setting. ("Oxygen" BTW) It's not a particulary bad spoiler since I kind of expected it though.

[TnAdct1]

Trust me, if I knew another way to post spoilers with converting them to rot13, I would have done it.

EDIT: Never mind. I just read Chris's post on how to post spoilers on the new board.

[TalonG4]

After watching episode 8 of this show, I am starting to believe this may well become the weirdest show I may ever watch.
I think that this alone may lose viewers but I'm actually enjoying it more that anything other show this season sans Kanon.

I also like the fact that they were able to integrate library island into this episode and Konoka dressed up as Indiana Jones is extremely cute. :neko:

[angelx03]

I also like the fact that they were able to integrate library island into this episode and Konoka dressed up as Indiana Jones is extremely cute. :neko:

There's a specific reason the producers made her wear that. ;)

[TalonG4]

I also like the fact that they were able to integrate library island into this episode and Konoka dressed up as Indiana Jones is extremely cute. :neko:

There's a specific reason the producers made her wear that. ;)


Yeah, I know. ;)

[masterpez]

[quote=TalonG4]

There's a specific reason the producers made her wear that. ;)


She also tends to make that trademark "Ichijo" face which I find extremely amusing.

[pianocello]

I'm a bit late to this having only watched up to ep 6. The original Negima anime was one of my all-time favorite anime and while this version may be different, I'm liking it just as much. The odd camera angles are weird though. Oh..I hope we get more of those Chizuru x Natsumi moments.... :bignosebleed:

[mk2000]

HAHA
If I hadn't read the credits, I could have sworn that Kunihiko Ikuhara was involved in the project.

The Transitions, The Tower Bells, The Immaculate Flowing Hair! :sd:

Asuna's so pretty too!

Even Takahata-sensei has gone white-Akio on us...he's totally pimped!