Negima! Magister Negi Magi

Negima! Magister Negi Magi
Company type	Manga series
Industry	Manga, Anime
Founded	February 2003; 23 years ago
Founder	Ken Akamatsu
Defunct	March 2012
Headquarters	Tokyo, Japan
Products	Manga, anime television series, OVAs, live-action series, spin-offs
Parent	Kodansha

Negima! Magister Negi Magi, originally titled in Japan, is a Japanese manga series created by Ken Akamatsu. It was published in Kodansha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Magazine from February 2003 until March 2012, compiled into a total of 38 volumes.

The franchise expanded to include a 26-episode anime adaptation produced by Xebec, which aired on TV Tokyo from January to June 2005, followed by a second 26-episode alternate retelling titled Negima!? by Shaft, broadcast between October 2006 and March 2007. Additional media consist of four original video animations (OVAs), an animated feature film, and a live-action television series.

In the North American market, the manga was initially licensed by Del Rey Manga and subsequently by Kodansha USA. The first sixteen volumes were distributed in the United Kingdom through Tanoshimi. The anime series and the second set of OVAs were licensed by Funimation, with rights later acquired by Sentai Filmworks in 2018; however, these rights were lost in 2023, resulting in their removal from the streaming platform Hidive.

Akamatsu collaborated with artist Yui to produce the 2010 spin-off Negiho. In 2013, he introduced the sequel and spin-off series UQ Holder!, which follows Negi’s grandson, Tōta Konoe. Due to its multiple anime adaptations featuring differing storylines and numerous spin-offs, Negima serves as a prime example of Transmedia storytelling.

Plot

While on a quest to locate his missing father Nagi, Negi Springfield assumes the role of English and homeroom teacher for Mahora Academy’s Class 2A (later 3A). He quickly forms close relationships with students such as roommates Asuna Kagurazaka and Konoka Konoe. His initial significant obstacle is confronting his student Evangeline A.K. McDowell, an immortal vampiress who stands as an adversary to his father. To face Eva, Asuna becomes his partner through a "Pactio", a magical contract established with a kiss.

Following his victory over Evangeline, Negi leads the class on a journey to Kyoto in search of information about his father but encounters Eastern mages targeting Konoka. With assistance from students who become his partners—Nodoka Miyazaki, Konoka’s childhood friend Setsuna Sakurazaki, and Konoka herself—he successfully defends her. This storyline introduces Fate Averruncus, a formidable mage who appears to be Negi’s peer. Aware of his own limitations, Negi trains alongside his students while former enemies like Kotaro Inugami join forces with him against Wilheim, an ancient malevolence connected to Fate and representing a greater threat.

During Mahora’s cultural festival, Negi utilizes student Chao Lingshen’s time machine Casseopeia to participate simultaneously in multiple events. In the "Mahora Martial Arts Tournament," he faces progressively tougher opponents, including a former member of "Ala Rubra" (Crimson Wing), his father’s renowned brigade. Subsequently, Chao reveals her identity as a time traveler intent on preventing an impending disaster. Despite her cautionary message, Negi and his allies foil her plans before she returns to her own time.

After the festival, Negi journeys to Mundus Magicus (Magic World) to continue searching for his father and establishes the Ala Alba (White Wing) brigade with partners including childhood friend Anya and several unaware students. Upon arrival, Fate Averruncus ambushes them, scattering the group. After meeting Jack Rakan from Ala Rubra, Negi begins training in Dark Magic akin to Evangeline’s abilities. His dispersed companions adapt to their new environment and eventually reunite with him.

In another confrontation with Fate’s faction, Asuna and Anya are captured; meanwhile, a body double impersonates Asuna. Negi encounters Kurt Gödel, an Ala Rubra veteran who shares insights into his parents’ past—his mother narrowly escaped execution thanks to Nagi—and reveals that Magic World is a magically constructed version of Mars, inhabited primarily by magically created beings. Fate’s organization "Cosmo Entelecheia" intends to exploit Asuna’s hidden powers to annihilate these inhabitants and relocate survivors to Earth before Magic World collapses.

Joining forces with Magic World’s armies, Ala Alba launches an assault on Cosmo Entelecheia’s fortress to rescue Asuna and Anya. A magical portal opens above Mahora Academy, drawing in remaining students and faculty who join the fight. After liberating Asuna and convincing Fate to adopt a non-sacrificial strategy, Negi uncovers that Cosmo Entelecheia’s true leader is his father Nagi, who is possessed by the Mage of the Beginning. Nagi disappears after urging Negi to find and free him.

Honored as heroes for stopping Cosmo Entelecheia, Negi returns to Mahora but entrusts teaching responsibilities to Fate while initiating plans to terraform Mars for Magic World’s inhabitants. This plan involves sealing Asuna’s body for one hundred years; she graduates and bids farewell. Awakening three decades later, Asuna discovers that the plan succeeded—Negi and classmates lived full lives but have passed away except for immortal Evangeline and Chao, who now possesses reality-jumping technology. They bring Asuna back to the present time to reunite with Negi.

Seven years onward, Negi and his allies permanently defeat the Mage of the Beginning; Nagi is freed from possession. Ala Alba and Ala Rubra unite in celebration of their triumph.

Manga

Negima! Magister Negi Magi, authored by Ken Akamatsu, was serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine from February 26, 2003, until March 14, 2012. Kodansha collected the series' 355 chapters into thirty-eight volumes, which were published between July 16, 2003, and May 17, 2012.

English edition

In North America, Del Rey Manga acquired the licensing rights. Although initially announced with censorship, the release was ultimately uncensored and carried a "Contains Explicit Content, Ages 16+" warning. Starting with volume 13, the manga was distributed without shrink-wrap. Del Rey published volumes one through twenty-eight from April 27, 2004, to October 26, 2010. Following this, in October 2010, Kodansha USA assumed control of Del Rey’s catalog and issued volumes twenty-nine to thirty-eight from May 17, 2011, through April 23, 2013. Additionally, Kodansha reissued the first twenty-seven volumes in nine omnibus editions released between June 14, 2011, and February 11, 2014.

In the United Kingdom market, Tanoshimi handled the publication of the initial sixteen volumes from August 3, 2006, to December 6, 2007.

Original video animations introduction

Prior to the main series launch, three original video animations (OVAs) were created to introduce key characters. The first two OVAs were distributed on DVD bundled with drama CDs; the third was made available separately.

The debut OVA dramatizes chapter one where Negi discovers his role as a teacher and encounters the students of Mahora Academy’s class 2-A. It concludes by profiling the Baka Rangers (Asuna, Makie, Yue, Ku Fei, Kaede) along with Ayaka.

The second OVA adapts the "love potion" episode from chapter two and ends with character profiles of Nodoka, Konoka, the cheerleading squad (Misa, Madoka, Sakurako), and Kazumi.

The third OVA brings chapter thirteen to life: Negi’s tour of Mahora Academy alongside the Narutaki twins. It introduces various students including Yuna, Akira, Chao, Satsuki, Satomi, Chizuru, Natsumi, and Zazie as well as others not seen during the tour. The final scene features Setsuna and Mana following Haruna’s reprimand of Negi for skipping her class.

Television series

The anime adaptation aired in Japan from January 6 through June 29, 2005. While it partially follows the manga's storyline, it diverges considerably toward its conclusion by including original material designed to provide closure since the manga was still ongoing during production. Numerous plot points from the manga are omitted in this adaptation. The series was once part of Funimation’s CoLours TV block but was later removed when programming was scaled back.

On May 9, 2006, a second series was announced by Shaft with direction by Akiyuki Shinbo. This series premiered on October 4, 2006. Titled Negima!?, it offers an alternate narrative path featuring redesigned characters and emphasizes fourth-wall humor, action sequences, and comedy while reducing fanservice compared to its predecessor.

Spring and Summer OVAs

Two OVAs directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and produced by Shaft—known as the Spring and Summer OVAs—were released on DVD with English-language dubs on October 14, 2008.

The Spring OVA titled Negima!? Haru had a private debut in April 2006 before its public DVD release on October 25, 2006. It adapts the Southern Islands trip from volume seven and focuses on Negi reconciling with Asuna.

The Summer OVA premiered privately in September 2006 with its DVD released November 22 that year. It opens with Nodoka and Yue practicing a spell that magically binds their hands together via an illusion of a "red string of fate." The remainder humorously portrays their attempts to bathe while physically tethered.

White Wing OADs

Shortly after the conclusion of the live-action adaptation, Ken Akamatsu revealed a third batch of OVAs, officially termed "OAD" (Original Animation Disc), which were special limited editions bundled with designated manga volumes under the title . Produced jointly by Shaft and Studio Pastoral, the entire cast from Negima!? reprised their roles. These OVAs adapt chapters 176 through 183, divided into three installments:

The initial OAD (covering chapters 176–177) was released on August 12, 2008, alongside Volume 23 of the manga.
The second installment (chapters 178–180) came out on November 17, 2008, paired with Volume 24.
1. A limited edition audio drama CD adapting chapter 181 was issued on December 19, 2008.
The final OAD (chapters 181–183) was distributed on February 17, 2009, with Volume 25.

Directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and utilizing the same creative team responsible for earlier Shaft adaptations, these OADs preserved the high production standards characteristic of the franchise.

During the May 2008 Negi no Ochakai event, Akamatsu mentioned that if pre-orders for the first OAD surpassed 50,000 units, it might trigger a film adaptation; furthermore, exceeding 100,000 views could result in a third animated series. Prior to release, the official website’s counter had already reached 82,581. Collectively, sales for these three volumes approached approximately 245,000 copies.

Another World OADs

At the Mahō Sensei Negima: Ala Alba event held on February 11, 2009, a fourth series of OADs was announced under the title , adapting the Journey to Magic World storyline. These episodes were bundled exclusively with manga volumes starting from volume 27.

The release timeline was as follows:

Episode one (chapters 184–188) released September 17, 2009
Episode two (chapters 189–192) released December 17, 2009
Episode three (chapters 193–204) released May 17, 2010
Fourth episode released August 17, 2010
Fifth episode released November 17, 2010

This installment continued to be produced by Shaft in collaboration with Studio Pastoral, maintaining the franchise’s consistent partnership and quality benchmarks.

Film

Akamatsu revealed that strong pre-order numbers for the OAD Mahou Sensei Negima! Mō Hitotsu no Sekai enabled "the project" to proceed; he hinted this would materialize as a movie if sales targets were met. Subsequently, Weekly Shōnen Magazine confirmed a "full-length" anime feature titled Negima Saga Final, scheduled for release in 2011.

On May 17, 2011, an official website debuted for Mahō Sensei Negima: Anime Final, which premiered in Japanese cinemas on August 27, 2011. It was shown as a double feature alongside Hayate the Combat Butler! Heaven Is a Place on Earth. The film presented an alternative conclusion to the Journey to Magic World arc. Additionally, a CD containing the movie’s theme songs and instrumental versions was released on August 24, 2011.

Live-action series

The live-action adaptation of Mahō Sensei Negima!, distinct from both the manga and previous anime versions (Negima!, Negima!?), was titled Negima!! featuring two exclamation marks. The complete cast of thirty-one girls was unveiled in July 2007, with Yukina Kashiwa cast in the role of Negi. Hiroshi took on Takamichi T. Takahata’s role; former adult video actress Nao Oikawa portrayed Shizuna Minamoto; and Gajirō Satō appeared as the school dean.

Broadcast on TV Tokyo’s late-night slot beginning October 3, 2007, the series comprised twenty-five episodes plus a twenty-sixth episode released exclusively on DVD. Similar to Negima!?,'’ this live-action version followed an entirely different storyline compared to both the original manga and first anime adaptation.

Music

A wide array of music releases connected to Negima! encompasses opening and closing theme songs from its two anime series, four distinct OVA collections, and the feature film, in addition to multiple character song albums.

Video games

Negi Springfield appears as a playable fighter in the 2009 PlayStation Portable fighting game titled Sunday vs Magazine: Shūketsu! Chōjō Daikessen.

External links