New Negima OAV Coming Soon

[TnAdct1]

Negima fans rejoice (or worry). A new OAV series is going to be released with the manga volumes. The full news can be found here. (http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-29/new-negima-ova-to-ship-with-manga-volumes-23-25)

Two questions that do come to mind:

1. Will the OAV's finally include Kotarou Inugami (a key character that has been shafted in both anime titles so far?

Volume 20 spoiler:
2. How will the OAV a very crucial moment from chapter 181 (which isn't part of the OAV series): the moment where Anya discovers from Nodoka and Yue the Pactios that Negi has made, with Negi having to tell Anya that he hasn't forgotten the promise to save their home village.

EDIT: As for skipping the Mahora Festival, given how long that arc is, it would be impossible to make an OAV series based on that arc (the Wilhelm arc on the other hand...).

[Shiroi Hane]

From what I understand, like Haru it will be based on the original manga, not either of the television series. If that character is in the chapters named in the article you link to, then I imagine he will be included (I've just checked, and those chapters are in vols 19 and 20 of the manga, which I have, so I'll check now)
[edit]
Don't see him in there.
Bearing in mind that I can't really read the text, they look to cover the following:
OVA 1: 176-177 - Formation of the Ala Alba
OVA 2: 178-180 - Arrival of Annya
OVA 3: 182-183 - Departing for Wales which seems like an odd choice for an OVA since not a lot seems to happen it does have chibi Mana and Kaede however.

[Buster Darkwings]

I can't wait for this. There's going to be all kinds of seiyuu events going on, as well. I just hope it pans out into another series, 3 OVAs can only cover a small fraction of the stories from the manga.

Akamatsu-sensei also said on his blog that he wants to include random stories from past chapters, such as the one where Hakase makes Chachamaru wear different outfits, Misora's confession box, the original Kiss Negi Game, and Yuuna's Fathercon chapter (these were just mentioned as examples, they won't necessarily be included).

[Fudce]

You should really mark your spoilers with a timeframe, TnAdct1.

I took a quick peek at them to see if they are spoilers to me (I'm up to date with the western release of the manga) and found that one is safe, one isn't, thankfully at the sight of one name that hadn't appeared proporly in the manga yet, I stopped reading.

As I say though, you should mark them with points like that.

[Sly05]

Hopefully they'll follow the manga and not get too carried away (ie Original pactio system and no frog & cat thing mascots). The fact that its shaft again has me a little worried though I do admit their previous spring and summer OVAs turned out okay.

[AstroNerdBoy]

They skip the entire school festival arc to jump into Ala Alba. Well, I'm not holding my breath for this but I'm sure I will take a peek.

[TnAdct1]

You should really mark your spoilers with a timeframe, TnAdct1.

I took a quick peek at them to see if they are spoilers to me (I'm up to date with the western release of the manga) and found that one is safe, one isn't, thankfully at the sight of one name that hadn't appeared proporly in the manga yet, I stopped reading.
I updated the post with the volume number that contains the spoiler that I think you're talking about, although I did mention the chapter number in the original post.

[Fudce]

You should really mark your spoilers with a timeframe, TnAdct1.

I took a quick peek at them to see if they are spoilers to me (I'm up to date with the western release of the manga) and found that one is safe, one isn't, thankfully at the sight of one name that hadn't appeared proporly in the manga yet, I stopped reading.
I updated the post with the volume number that contains the spoiler that I think you're talking about, although I did mention the chapter number in the original post.
Thanks - I don't always pay attention to chapter numbers when reading a manga, the volume number is the important thing since that is the way we get them.

[TnAdct1]

A few more notes concerning the upcoming OAVS (spoilers ahoy):

[hide]-The OAV's will stay true to the manga (with the character designs being similar to the ones in the manga).

-The OAV's will include Kotarou and Albireo (Kotarou fans rejoice).

-The first OAV will include a brief intro that summarizes the Mahora Festival arc (thus getting that out of the way).

-OAV 3, along with the adaptations of chapters 182 and 183, will also include an original story (which will most likely involve the other students that aren't in on Negi's secret).

[AstroNerdBoy]

Well, we'll see how this turns out but my motor still isn't purring over this.

[Draneor]

Well, the website (http://negima.kc.kodansha.co.jp/story_chara2.html) now has quite a bit more information about Ala Alba, including character designs and a plot summary. It appears the first OAD will cover the intense battle for the Ala Alba pins during the street festival before the trip to the magic world, and the second will be about the hot springs trip and Anna's appearance (note: the OAD's are current with the Japanese release--not the North American one). I'm really liking the new character designs myself (and it appears that Asuna once again has two different eye colors!). I think they're the best of the three we've seen so far.

More importantly, 82,581 people (http://zepy.momotato.com/2008/08/04/sha-la-la-ecstasy/) pre-ordered the 23rd LE manga volume/OAD so we may see even more Negima anime in the future. \0/ I may be a bit excited.

[AstroNerdBoy]

I'm bummed this isn't on Sasuga or CD Japan. I'm loathe to buy it from Amazon Japan due to the outrageous shipping prices.

[Draneor]

I'm bummed this isn't on Sasuga or CD Japan.

I don't think CD Japan stocks manga. However, I'm pretty sure Sasuga will order it for you, if you ask them to. Personally, I ordered mine from HMV.jp (http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/2726129).

[AstroNerdBoy]

What are their shipping rates?

[Shiroi Hane]

I've had mine pre-ordered from Yes Asia for nonths, with free shipping
http://anime.thenexxus.org/blog/archives/2008/05/negima-le-manga.html

[pianocello]

This better have yuri....

[Buster Darkwings]

This better have yuri....

Looks like it, but just a little bit ;)

Haven't had the chance to watch my copy yet since I'm still at work, but there's a pic (screenshot) or two in the booklet that's certainly yuri-ish.

Heh, I can't believe they went with CD-sized jewel cases for this. Is 90's-style R2 releases the new retro here in Japan or something?

Ah well, the slightly-more-ecchi LE manga cover (compared to the RE cover) makes up for it.

[Buster Darkwings]

Well, the new OVA (or OAD as they call them) was somewhat good, definitely better than either TV series, but the animation overall didn't quite seem as good as the Spring and Summer Specials. A lot was just static images of characters standing around talking. A lot of anime is like that, but at least they could have done some nicer backgrounds, a lot of the time they just used speed lines, etc. There were a couple nicely animated scenes though. And it's all smooth 30fps animation, which was a good choice, I thought. I forget if any other of the Shaft-animated stuff was 30fps, will have to pay closer attention next time I re-watch some of it.

Pretty much all of the scenes & dialogue were taken right from the manga, although there were a couple Shinbo-isms. Not nearly as bad as Negima!?, though. Being rather familiar with the manga, there wasn't really anything new for me in the way of content, but it was a nice trip finally seeing scenes from the manga animated with better animation.

The first 3 minutes or so was a quick recap of certain scenes that happened from Negi vs Chao until the formation of Ala Alba. The rest was mostly Ayaka and the others finding out about Ala Alba and then trying to take the members' badges.

Minor quibbles that immediately came to mind:

Little fanservice. There's one pretty good panty flash for Asuna, and that's about it. They totally could have done one for Ayaka/Iincho, but it seemed like they purposely avoided doing so. Hopefully the next episode won't disappoint, as it's supposedly going to have a bath scene.

No Zazie, Misora, Mana, Natsumi, Hakase or Chizuru whatsoever. I think all the other characters got minor speaking roles (except for Chamo who appeared briefly but didn't have any lines I think). But I guess there's only so much you can do in 28 minutes minus OP/ED. They seemed to fit all the characters in in the Specials, but those have their own problems I suppose.

The OP/ED weren't anything special. The OP was just the credits in English with some CG pool balls, and one static image of Asuna. The ED was just manga covers and the image for the OAD box. The themes were just remixes of Happy Material and Kagayaku Kime E.

Kurneru and Kotaro didn't have many lines. Since this was their first appearance, I would have liked for them to have more scenes, but I guess I wouldn't want too much time used on them instead of the girls.

Anyways, despite all the minor complaints, it's going to be a long 3 months' wait until the next episode...

[AstroNerdBoy]

I've had mine pre-ordered from Yes Asia for nonths, with free shipping
http://anime.thenexxus.org/blog/archives/2008/05/negima-le-manga.html

That is somewhat cheaper than some options I've seen (they are rolling the shipping price into the cost of the manga/DVD). I think it was $60-something at Amazon last I checked.

[Shiroi Hane]

Heh, I can't believe they went with CD-sized jewel cases for this. Is 90's-style R2 releases the new retro here in Japan or something?
Well, the preview version of the first OVA that came with one of the earlier manga was in a CD Jewel case. Maybe it is easier for them to package them together this way.

--afterthought--

as was the Kodomo no Jikan OVA (a CD-sized carboard digipak anyway), which was also bundled with the manga.

[Buster Darkwings]

Heh, I can't believe they went with CD-sized jewel cases for this. Is 90's-style R2 releases the new retro here in Japan or something?
Well, the preview version of the first OVA that came with one of the earlier manga was in a CD Jewel case. Maybe it is easier for them to package them together this way.

--afterthought--

as was the Kodomo no Jikan OVA (a CD-sized carboard digipak anyway), which was also bundled with the manga.

The School Rumble 3-gakki OAD (also from Kodansha) comes in a standard-sized keepcase with a chipboard outer box like the LEs for the 1st and 2nd series, though. But there's only one keepcase/box as it has hubs for both episodes #25 and #26, so they kinda cheap out on it as well.

[Shiroi Hane]

I'm concerned that mine has not only not arrived yet but hasn't even been shipped - my order is down as "searching from suppliers" on Yes Asia at the moment. Since I pre-ordered it pretty much as soon as it appeared on the site back in March, if they turn around and say "sorry, it's out of stock" I promise heads will roll this time...

[DiGiKerot]

I'm concerned that mine has not only not arrived yet but hasn't even been shipped - my order is down as "searching from suppliers" on Yes Asia at the moment. Since I pre-ordered it pretty much as soon as it appeared on the site back in March, if they turn around and say "sorry, it's out of stock" I promise heads will roll this time...

Mine was in the same state yesterday, but I got a shipping notice from them a few minutes ago.

[Shiroi Hane]

Checked my mail and it was shipped a few hours ago :sigh:

[AstroNerdBoy]

I finally got to watch the first episode.

http://astronerdboy.blogspot.com/2008/08/maho-sensei-negima-shiroki-tsubasa-ala.html

[Fencedude]

Finally got around to watching this, and..RARRRARARAKFHSDIOFHC

Character designs? Check!
Colors? Check!
Manga Faithfulness? Check!

SO WHY DIDN'T THEY ANIMATE A GOOD PART OF THE FUCKING MANGA!?

[AstroNerdBoy]

I can't remember where I read this (I keep saying that I'll note these things for future reference and never do it), but I gather that this 3-episode OVA is being done on the cheap with Akamatsu-sensei's staff providing work on the ED sequence to save costs (heck, both the OP and ED sequences screamed "cheap" though I actually liked the ED showing the various manga cover images, front and back). I seem to recall that there was no sponsorship of this OVA, which is why so many corners had to be cut.

Now, if that is all true (and for the sake of discussion, I'm assuming it is), then what would be the purpose of doing this OVA? Could Akamatsu-sensei be trying to make a point -- fans want an accurate anime adaptation of the manga vs. some made up crap? If that is the case, then one would need to provide a few episodes to prove that the sales of the first OVA weren't a fluke. However, one would need to pick up stories that aren't part of any major arc. So that rules out the Mahora Festival arc and you certainly can't get into the Magic World arc. What we are left with are the chapters which will be covered by these three OVA's (sans the actual trip to Wales).

My hope is that sales of the OVA will prove a point to sponsors and SHAFT -- make an accurate adaptation of the manga and fans will come. If that point comes out, then SHAFT can go back and carefully plot out a TV adaptation of the Mahora Festival arc (personally, I'd like for someone to just go back to the beginning and start over but I highly doubt that happens).

[Sly05]

I don't think the chapters that are being animated would be anyone's first choice, but considering this is likely to be the closest thing we get to a well done and accurate adaption of the manga, I'll take whatever chapters we can get.

[Ty]

I think the best thing that could come out of it is enough interest to back a 3rd tv series which picks up with material the first two never covered. If they tried to start from the beginning again that'd be nuts (though I'd still watch it).

[AstroNerdBoy]

I think the best thing that could come out of it is enough interest to back a 3rd tv series which picks up with material the first two never covered. If they tried to start from the beginning again that'd be nuts (though I'd still watch it).

Well, that's likely why they wouldn't reboot the series from scratch despite the fact that in reality, that's exactly what it needs, especially to get the Kyoto arc right and to remove that bogus Asuna story. Also, Kotaro wasn't in the original Kyoto 2-parter in the anime.

If SHAFT were to pick up the story again with the prelude to the Mahora Festival (where the Graf is introduced), they could start things with a "previously" segment and show highlights of the Kyoto arc to include Kotaro in it, just to bring viewers up to speed as it were.

[Shiroi Hane]

with Akamatsu-sensei's staff providing work on the ED sequence to save costs (heck, both the OP and ED sequences screamed "cheap" though I actually liked the ED showing the various manga cover images, front and back)
Didn't the other OVAs also use colour art from the manga for the ed sequences in a similar fashion?

[AstroNerdBoy]

with Akamatsu-sensei's staff providing work on the ED sequence to save costs (heck, both the OP and ED sequences screamed "cheap" though I actually liked the ED showing the various manga cover images, front and back)
Didn't the other OVAs also use colour art from the manga for the ed sequences in a similar fashion?

Yeah. I think that's what Akamatsu-sensei's staff worked on. I don't think it was as simple as just scanning covers in and showing them though I can't say for sure. I seem to remember that the staff worked on the ED though and that would explain the use of the cover art (which I actually liked).