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Apr. 27, 2004

Mahou Sensei Negima/Magister Negi Magi - Vol. 1 street date is today in the US. I managed to get a copy a few days early at a Borders bookstore. Thank you Del Rey manga for not editing it. They've done an excellent job with the translations, even going as far as to translate all of the sound effects, and it's done so it doesn't clutter the panel. Only problem I noticed was with the actual printing of the pages. For some reason, some panels and text bubbles seem to be cut off, like a possible printing misalignment. Also, there is one edit in the first chapter. The scene with Asuna finding out about Negi's magic. The consequences of if his secret is made public is changed to "he'll be turned into a frog". For those of you who have the original scanlation will know what the original version was. Anyways, if you haven't gone to your local book/manga retailer to get Vol. 1, definitely get it. The extra (omake) that was in the Japanese version is in the US version as well. Finally, a little extra treat courtesy of Del Rey is the first pages of Vol. 2 in the original Japanese text near the end of the book. I will be adding a pic of the back cover of the US release on next update.

Notice: I'm running low on disc space again. I have made the decision to remove the chapters of Vol. 2 within a few weeks. You have until my next update on May 6 to finish downloading Vol. 2. Vol. 2 will be released in the US in August. After removal of Vol. 2's chapters, I will be adding the next chapter in Vol. 5 to the site.

Apr. 18, 2004

Mahou Sensei Negima / Magister Negi Magi - Volume 1 will be released next week on Apr. 27. Since I'll be on vacation, next update will probably be in about 2 weeks, although I may be able to get updates done on my sister's computer. For now, I'll upload the next two chapters.

The school trip is almost over. Today, Negi and Asuna are paying a visit to the Kansai Association headquarters in order to deliver the letter. Arriving at the entrance, Negi and Asuna tread cautiously as they entire the long wooden gate arch pathway. Does it seem like the path keeps going on endlessly? Soon they realize that they've fallen into a trap. Luckily, Setsuna sent a little version of herself to accompany the two of them. How are they going to get out of here? Suddenly, they are attacked by a giant spider and the boy from the video arcade who is part of the assasin group as Nodoka enters the gates...

• Chapter 39 - Vol. 5 (39th hour) - Survival in the Dazzling Loop
• Chapter 40 - Vol. 5 (40th hour) - To Escape the Maze

This week's recommendation is a little magical girl series that originated as a manga by Ribbon.

New Anime Recommendation: Ultra Maniac

Story: Nina Sakura comes from the magic kingdom and quickly becomes friends with Ayu Tateishi, a popular girl who has a crush on Kachi of the baseball team. When she uses her magical powers through a computer and a magical box to help out with Ayu's life, her spells don't always work perfectly, especially with multiplication spells, and attempting to increase Ayu's physical abilities. Even with as trouble as Nina seems to cause, she always strives to do her very best, though both of them will have to deal with rival witches and the class president who's bent on exposing Nina's secret.

This is a fun little romance/comedy magical girl series that was released in Japan in 2003. Created by Wataru Yoshizumi, this series spans 26 episodes and was produced by Studio Shueisha (Hikaru No Go and Shaman King). This is currently available in fansubs by groups Anime-Keep and The Triad.

VAs to note:

Yui Horie - (Naru Narusegawa - Love Hina, Sakuya - Sister Princess, Ayu Tsukimiya - Kanon, Multi - To Heart, Sylvia Maruyama - Mao-chan, Hiromi Fujimori - Angelic Layer, Pretear - Mikage, Kotori - Da Capo, etc. She will be playing Makie Sasaki in the anime version of Negima)

Akemi Kanda - (Miharu Amakase - Da Capo, Mawata Awayuki - Pretear. She will be playing Asuna Kagurazaka in the anime version of Negima)

Apr. 11, 2004

Anime licensing news - the first major anime convention was in Boston this past weekend. Here's what was announced as being licensed:

• Princess Tutu (ADV Films)
• Di Gi Charat TV (Synch Point)
• Kodocha (Funimation)
• Onegai Twins (Bandai Ent)
• Di Gi Charat Nyo (Bandai Ent)
• Ghost in the Shell (Bandai Ent) (I'm not sure what exactly)
• Paranoia Agent (Geneon/Pioneer)
• Stellvia (Geneon/Pioneer)

According to posts from those attending, there was a lot of excitement over Princess Tutu, Kodocha, and Stellvia. There you have it. These titles will be coming to DVD in the US, some as soon as Sept.

Mahou Sensei Negima - chapter 38 now available. Today is a free day on the class trip. Since Nodoka has her own card, she has the ability to call upon her power, which presents a diary to her. Today is the perfect opportunity for Negi to meet with the Kansai Association to deliver the letter, though it looks like he won't be going alone, as Asuna's group decides to come along with him. At a local arcade, Haruna is at a video game version of the magic card game they were playing on the train. It seems that Negi's a natural at it. Suddenly, a mysterious boy challenges Negi to a match. Who is he? It seems that he was looking for Negi for some reason...

By the way, there's an inside joke/reference to a Love Hina character in this chapter. It has to do with a particular hobby.

• Chapter 38 - Vol. 5 (38th hour) - Nodoka and the Secret Picture Diary

When it comes to anime, it's not surprising to find series that have a movie or another season that's a retelling of the story such as Escaflowne. This week's recommendation is no exception.

New Anime Recommendation: Hanaukyo Maid Tai ~La Verite~

Story: Taro Hanaukyo's mother has just passed away and he is to go live with his grandfather. While saying goodbye at his mother's grave, a beautiful maid by the name of Mariel appears, saying that she has come to pick him up and bring him to the mansion. Arriving at the mansion, young Taro is overwhelmed by the numerous staff members of the mansion, all of them maids. According to Mariel, ownership of the estate has been handed to Taro by his grandfather.

One of the first titles that I recommended, this is a retelling of the Hanaukyo Maid Team story. The previous series was animated and produced by Pony Canyon/M.O.E, whereas this new updated version was produced by Pioneer/Geneon Entertainment and M.O.E. There are a few minor differences apparent in the first episode, with most of the characters being introduced right away, and one new character who is Konoe's assistant in security.Also, the episodes are full length 25 minute eps as opposed to the previous 15 minute length in the first series. Although it is a remake of the series, it's still enjoyable nonetheless, especially with the new music that accompanies the storytelling, and it still delivers with the fanservice and comedy.

VAs to note:

Rie Tanaka (Chii - Chobits, Yomi - Azumanga Daioh, Morganna - .hack\\Sign, Saki - Steel Angel Kurumi, Aki Kayama - Stellvia, Saki - Steel Angel Kurumi)

Mai Kadowaki - (Mea - Popotan. Kyouko Morioka - Eiken. She will be playing Satomi Hakase for Mahou Sensei Negima)

Apr. 8, 2004

Media Lists - next Negima soundtrack is due out on Apr. 21 in Japan, featuring the Mahora Cheerleading trio, Sakurako Shiina, Misa Kakizaki, and Madoka Kugimiya. The new card is for Sakurako, added to the Media Lists section. Will keep you updated with the upload of the OST.

Release dates - A.I. Love You Vol. 2 and the Love Hina Best Collection Soundtrack due out next week. Release date reminders:

• A.I. Love You Vol. 2 - Apr. 13
• A.I. Love You Vol. 3 - June 8
• Love Hina Best Collection Soundtrack (Pioneer/Geneon Ent.) - Apr. 13
• Mao-chan Vol. 4 DVD - Apr. 20
• Negima! Magister Negi Magi! Vol. 1 - Apr. 27
• Negima! Magister Negi Magi! Vol. 2 - Aug. 3

Note: First major anime convention is in Boston this weekend. Expect some series licensing announcements to come up. I will probably post them on both the Sister Princess and this site as well. In other words, if there's a series you haven't finished downloading off IRC and/or through BitTorrent, I would highly suggest doing it soon, as there have been rumors and lately some surprises with licensing.

Apr. 7, 2004

AquaStar- seeing as how so many people, especially anime fans have blogs, thanks to iBlog, I finally put one together for myself. A few entries to start at least.

AquaStar - sp831's blog page

Update to Media Lists and Archived News tomorrow.

Apr. 6, 2004

Newtype USA Apr. 2004 - just got this issue today and there is a short article on Del Rey's manga series that they'll be releasing this year. See page 99 for the article on the US release of Negima. Although I'm not too familiar with the writers of the comic world, apparently a writer for some Marvel and DC Comics series is doing the adaptation of Mahou Sensei Negima. There is also a picture of one of the pages from the first chapter, to give you a little idea of how the quality will look.

More updates tomorrow.

Apr. 4, 2004

VA Cast list update - thanks to Evolution 685 for the info. Filling in the VA that I was missing for the supposed cast of the anime version of Negima, Rina Satou will be the voice of Negi Springfield.

Archived News Section - hopefully this page loaded up faster now, since I did an overhaul to the Archived News Section where everything has been archived properly, making each news page load faster. Also, an excuse to add some Love Hina and Mahou Sensei Negima images to the site

Mahou Sensei Negima - chapter 37 now available. When we last left the girls of 3-A, each team was attempting to catch Negi for a little kiss. But why are there 5 Negis? Who's the real one? Although Yue Ayase wants to help Nodoka get a kiss from Negi-sensei, it seems that Negi has eyes for her. Is this for real? Who will win?

• Chapter 37 - Vol. 5 (37th hour) - Who Will Claim Negi's Lips?! (The Love Kiss Game Part III)

This week's anime recomendation is a recent series by AquaPlus, the same studio who created To Heart, that was just released this past week in the US.

New Anime Recommendation: Comic Party

Story: Welcome to the world of fan comics (doujinshi). Kazuki never expected to be drawn into the world of doujinshi until Taishi lures him and his girlfriend Mizuki into a comic convention. The insanity, the fandom, the appreciation of an art form. That's what it's all about. And once you begin, there's no turning back. Thus is the life of a fan comic writer.

This is Right Stuf International's latest release project after last year's Kare Kano. This series bears similarity to the classic anime Otaku No Video, as it takes a look into the world of doujinshi in this comedy series based on a hentai video game. One of the defining aspects of this show are the various anime references scattered throughout the entire series, as the premise of this show is not necessarily a parody, but a homage you might say to anime and manga. Look for references to AquaPlus's series To Heart and other series such as Mobile Suit Gundam, Ah! My Goddess, Steel Angel Kurumi, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and even various Japanese and Western culture spoofs and references. Japanese VA to note is Kikuchi Masami who is known for his role as Keiichi Morisato of Ah! My Goddess. The first series is 13 episodes long, with release by Right Stuf International. There is also a new OVA follow up called Comic Party Revolution currently available on fansubs by Miyuki-Fansubs.