026 – Proof of a Contract!?
Not matter how cliche this is, it's still hilarious
This chapter is setting up for the next story arc, supposedly this whole volume (and the next one) is going to be about a school trip. Talking to Evangeline, Negi can find clues about his father at Kyoto and coincidentally that’s where the school trip is going to be. The title refers to a card made in the last chapter when Asuna and Negi made the contract, and it seems that Negi may form a contract with Konoka too (he’ll probably make a few with the rest of the class members…), it was an okay read, but it was informative.
027 – A Secret Date?! Cheerleaders Attack!
It's a sad day indeed when you are competing for a 10 year old boy
This chapter’s story is a bit over the top. You get the typical over exaggerated misunderstandings happening, which kinda ruined the chapter for me. I felt this chapter dragged on for a bit longer than necessary, however, the ending was okay, and it’s hinted that Konoka does have magical abilities.
028 – Ribbit Ribbit – Panic on the Bullet Train!?
*slash*
The school trip finally starts here, and there are two pages dedicated to naming the class members again, which are appreciated since apart from the few that are featured in the previous volumes, I forgot pretty much who was who. The Kansai mages have started their ‘attacks’, using a shikigami to steal Negi’s letter, but Setsuna saves the day and gets it back… she’s good with her blade, it seems that Setsuna’s the character that will be expanded on later…
029 – The Spy and the Thorough Thumping!?
*slash* (#2)
The beginning was a bit slow but once it got to the part where Negi and Setsuna clash that was quite interesting. That ermine is one of those typical characters where he pretends to knows everything but doesn't… Anyway Setsuna is somehow related to Konoka (her guardian perhaps?), but the chapter ends before anything is revealed.
030 – Konoka and Setsuna’s Secret
*slash* (#3) - a trend here?
Despite what the title suggests, the chapter doesn't explain much behind Setsuna’s motives on protecting Konoka. It’s getting interesting though and there’s a typical ecchi moment (actually, the more ecchi in the series so far, reminds me a lot of To Love-Ru). It wasn't awesome, but it wasn't terrible either, I think above average would be the term I would describe this chapter, more action and story revelation would be nice.
031 – Weird! Kyoto and the Cardmaster!!
This is one of the weirdest and most disturbing frames ever
The person behind all the weird things has finally appeared, and the chase begins, it was a good chapter following the chase and seeing how the Kansai charm users stage their attacks. The monkey suit in the toilet was freaky and totally unexpected, throughout the whole chapter I was waiting for Negi to show his true powers and thwart the attacks, but it was only until the end where he finally appears to be able to do something (the wait was frustrating).
032 – Weird! Kyoto and the Cardmaster!!
*slas--* whatever, you get it now
Although there was a fight (and it wasn't bad mind you), how it was resolved a bit disappointing. I mean, the attacks by Negi’s team weren’t that impressive; it was a bit underwhelming when the tension had grown throughout the two chapters. It is nice to see some adversaries that are not part of Negi’s class though, however, this is still a decent chapter to read.
"poof"... *enemy shatters and falls to pieces*
033 – A Favor of the Large Buddha!? (In Nara)
Confession... FAILED
Although this doesn't further the plot of the current story arc, I found this chapter hilarious. It focuses on Nodoka (or Honya) trying to confess to Negi (and you’ll be glad to know that she actually managed to succeed), ignoring the weirdness of this (confessing to a ten year old teacher?!?! What?!?!), it was really nice to watch how things went. For some reason, love Nodoka’s hairstyle where she would usually hide behind her curtain of hair and then once in a while, one of her eyes would peek through. I loved the ending too, when Negi faints from being overwhelmed by all that has happened, hilarious.
034 – Shocking Kyoto Video Proves Existence of a Wizard!?
Don't like her? Sorry, she's here to stay
Not a great chapter, its one of those that introduces and focuses on a class member, in this case, it’s Asakura. It wasn't such a great debut chapter, but she did find out that Negi is a mage (how careless of him). Overall, I think it’s a mediocre chapter (not interesting enough to keep me focused).
Overall
ooooooh, angry...
A good volume, about on part with Volume 3 actually, whereas Volume 3 picked up near the end, Volume 4 was pretty good at the start. Again, a few chapters that are not needed and ruined it, can't wait for the next chapter where this ‘school trip’ continues. I mean, eight chapters and we still haven’t gotten one tiny bit of information that sparked this whole trip anyway back in Chapter 26.
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Credits: due to it being faster and more efficient I just took these pictures from scans online instead of scanning the tankobons themselves. These were scanned by the group "Meow"