044 – Welcome to the Head Temple!
The best chapter cover yet, sadly, this is the best thing about this chapter
Negi finally finished the task set to him in this chapter, and we learn a bit more about Konoka. I’m glad that this was finally resolved, and knowing Konoka possessed a magic power even more powerful than the Thousand Master is surprising. Otherwise… the chapter is fairly bland.
045 – Silence at the Head Temple?
"I summon... thee!"
A very interesting development, they seemed to have overestimated their own power so the headquarters are being infiltrated. Everyone except Negi, Setsuna, Konoka and Asuna are petrified, can't wait for the confrontation in the next chapter. This chapter ended too fast too, before I knew it, it was at the end, it was that good (as in, better than most of what we were given), and could the back up be Evangeline?? It ends with her, so it’s a possibility (but then, she can't leave the school grounds??).
046 – The Head Temple in Flames?!
Typical cool pose of a powerful character, for some reason, the name "Leon" pops into my mind
There’s a bit of a ecchi scene with Asuna in this chapter. I had a good laugh at some of the stuff here, I don’t know why I put so much hope in Negi when most of the time he just fails my expectations (so weak… only when things are really pressuring does he show he true power). It was funny when Kamo proposed that Setsuna makes a contract with Negi. Anyway, the new enemy is a powerful, way out of league amongst the others that Negi had fought so far.
047 – Take Konoka Back
Special slash attack!
Third time’s another charm, nice chapter with the way things are going. I guess it was to be expected that Setsuna would make a contract with Negi. The demon’s comment about the 21st Century was a good one. However, I kinda doubt that Negi would be able to retrieve Konoka when he’s one against like four, each one having more experience than him, but we’ll see…
048 – Time for Action
*grunt*
Another chapter that’s filled with fighting, but this time, Negi has reinforcements. How they came and caught up so fast I do not know, it seemed that Negi’s class is filled with people that’s not who they seem, with special powers here or whatnot. What’s awesome is that Evangeline is trying break out of her magic bounds so she can go and help Negi (it’ll be good if she succeeds). Anyway, this is getting better and better (much better than the related subplots of Volume 4 and 5).
049 – The Hidden Power, Unleashed
Spinning pinwheel attack!
This just gets better; I am finally impressed with Negi’s fighting technique. Usually he doesn't put up a good fight in the beginning of the fight but then gets better, however, this time, straight off the bat he’s executed an unexpected attack. The other parts of the chapter were okay, but not so much different than previous chapters, no more plot twist yet… To be honest though, although I say the last few chapters were good, that’s only relative to the chapter we have been getting, in other words, these recent ones are fairly average overall.
050 – For Konoka’s Sake
Yeah... like having angel wings is such a scary and freaky thing
Another turnout of events, although this chapter wasn't boring, after reading the ending, you realise that again, nothing much has changed. However, and a bit of spoiler from reading the title of the next chapter, it seems that Evangeline would come… awesome. Anyway, Setsuna is not human (go figure), but she has white angel wings, yeah… This chapter was well done, mind you, and Negi had put on a good fight.
051 – Return of Dark Evangeline
*ciao*
A bit below par from previous chapters, but still a great read. It was exciting though, Evangeline didn't appear until the last few pages, and I was surprised at how easy Setsuna managed to just retrieve Konoka, too easy to believe actually. Loved how Evangeline just shadow travelled there, and how powerful she is… she really went easy on Negi in Volume 3 (I just love it when past enemies become your ally).
052 – The Miracle Moment
Vampire special ability #124: able to look suitable evil
A wrapping up chapter, the first few pages finished off the fight (and Evangeline cannot even die or fatally wounded, wow… very powerful once outside the curse’s proximity). A lot of good humour in this chapter, a decent read, I laughed a lot throughout it. So Negi gets another partner too (damn, that was quick…), a contract with Konoka, and she finally knows what is happening around her, it would have sucked if she was still kept in the dark after this.
053 – Memories of Kyoto
That's it! We're done!
The final chapter in the Kyoto arc that spanned almost three volumes (around 28 chapters or so), and it’s nothing special. It finishes up on the loose end of Negi visiting his father’s house (totally forgot about that after all that’s happened…), but he doesn't find any clues there (expected). So the next chapter is back in the school of Mahora, but it was a great arc. Compared to the last few chapters, of course this one will feel a bit lacking and boring (not to mention a bit of a filler).
Overall
"It was an honour fighting with you... I have no regrets"... wait a sec...
Okay, this volume is officially the most exciting and best volume out of the six so far. It pushes the Kyoto story arc to it’s best moments, and also finishes it up with an epic bang. Eight chapters of awesome, and the others aren’t awful, and most of the characters that make an appearance are pretty cool.
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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", "Ala Atra Scans" and "Procaine"