Negima! #2 - Knowledge Can Be Dangerous!

Publisher: Del Rey
Author: Ken Akamatsu
Rating: 16+
Genre: Comedy / Action / School Life
MSRP: $10.95 (USD)
Contents: 9 Chapters / 208pg. 

Plot Summary

The second volume in the Negima! series finally started off with a challenge for Negi Springfield to overcome that is a bit more plot based then in the previous volume. Negi receives a letter that holds a challenge for him to overcome as part of his Magister Magi training. Much to his surprise, the challenge is that his class can't come in last in the student score rankings for the finals that are approaching. Doesn't sound too hard. Except that five of the dimmest students are in his class and they have come in last every time.
 
Rather then using magic to cheat. Negi seals away his magic and he goes with those five girls and the Library Exploration Club climb into the depths of Library Island, an islands in a large lake that is dedicated as one humongous library. They go in search of a legendary book that apparently can help any student learn. Naturally, hilarity and much fan service is involved in this journey. This story lasts for about five of the nine chapters in this books.
 
Afterward things slow down dramatically and go back to the formula of the first volume. Several side stories are told and we get a better introduction of more of the girls in Negi's class. Not to say these are bad. They are very entertaining and really can pull on the heart strings. Especially, when we get a better insight into Ayaka's character. It also does leave us with some more plot information about Partners in the last chapter that will play a larger role in the next volume.

Volume Review

This volume does have some improvements over the previous Volume 1. That one pretty much set the stage for everything coming. We finally get a plot related challenge for Negi to over come. To keep himself from being tempted to use magic and cheat he purposely seals away his own magic. It's rather entertaining to see just how adorable he can be when he's as vulnerable as any ten year old boy. It's a nice change of pace to have a protagonist that isn't always trying to get a peak at girls.
 
Once this class study group story is over. We get some more 'getting to know you" stories. First is the story of Chisame Hasegawa. She seems to be the only person who seems to question the obscurity of having a child teacher, wild exchange students, and a robot student. She every much wants the "normal life". She has her own secret life as an internet idol.

Next is a tour of Mahora Academy from the Narutaki twins. They seemed determined to take him to see every location where girls are hardly dressed. Good news if you like cheerleaders.
 
The third story is another one chapter intro that really gives us a better insight to Ayaka and Asuna's relationship. We also better understand probably why she is just so into Negi. My heart really went out to her in this story.
 
In the final chapter we get some actual plot development and learn about the concept of magical Partners. A Mage will make a special partner that sort of works like a supporter. Often times they are couples and tend to marry. This gets over heard and spread around the school. They don't know it's about magic, but get the impression that Negi is some kind of prince looking for a lover to marry. Konoka really shines in this chapter. He's a joy to read about and watch.
 
The extra content in this volume is pretty nice as well. We still get some character design sketches. There is also a list of the spells that are spoken this chapter. It says the Latin names for the spells and explains in detail their use. This is a pretty nice feature added. There is a two page image of Negi's class roster. It also shows the updates that we see Nagi making in it this volume. The Translation Notes section this volume includes a lot more interesting information. I already wish I knew about Baseball janken when I was in school.
 
The last few pages of volume show the a preview of the next volumes events in Japanese. I love these, because I can practice the Japanese I'm learning. It also appears that the next volume will be much more interesting.

Score: 3.5/5

This was a pretty entertaining volume. It was pleasant having things feel less like a sitcom. Ken Akamatsu does a great job writing interesting characters with a lot of personality. I still only give this one a slightly higher ranking then the first. A 3.5 our of 5. Not a lot is happening just yet, but that does look to improve. It's a lot of fun to read, and really hard to find something that isn't entertaining in every chapter. Hope you enjoy the review and at least give the book a try sometime.
 
 

Favorite Moment

12th Period - Negi discovering Chiu's secret.

Least Favorite Moment

13th Period - Information on the World Tree

WTF Moment

9th Period - That was so rude to say to a bunch of girls showing the goods.

Favorite Character This Volume

Konoka Konoe