The UQ Holder reviews continue, through a volume that… still isn’t particularly good. There’s plenty of spectacle here, but not much reason to care – the manga’s characters are still pretty one-note, and there are no tangible stakes in most of these fights. Writing a manga about immortal characters who already start the series with incredible powers is a pretty tall order, and it feels like Akamatsu still hasn’t quite figured out how to make that interesting. Fortunately, having read further ahead of this myself, I can say there is hope on the horizon! Three lousy volumes is a harsh way to start a series, but it turns out Akamatsu does have some good ideas hiding in here after all. Just gotta soldier through.
You can check out my full review over at ANN, or my frankly pretty limited chapter notes below.
Chapter 1
The first two chapters of this volume actually do have a bunch of compelling fights. A neat mix of immortals versus those trained to fight them, good visual spectacle, decent bits that actually go into the characters somewhat. Just stronger in general than the previous material
Revealing new details about their powers not through exposition, but through the give and take of the battle – and it’s not “I suddenly powered up,” it’s “oh, now we have context on why they act this particular way.” Solid work
Chapter 3
Some very dramatic single panels here. And the conflict makes sense
Crazy full-page spreads here. Tota gets a powerup
Chapter 4
Solid movement throughout this chapter. With stuff actually happening, the manga gets better. Still not great, and the character material is still mediocre, but it’s something
I like that they don’t drag out the werewolf identity reveal
Chapter 5
The drawings here are excellent, but the battle itself is not the most exciting. Tota remains too good – none of his wins feel earned, they’re just weightless excellence
Some very dramatic foreshortening across panels here. A good trick
The more Akamatsu gets creative in his visual storytelling, the better
Chapter 6
Great effects drawings for Magia Erebea
Tota’s already got Magia Erebea powers out of nothing. Man
Flashbacks to adult Negi Springfield. This stuff won’t mean anything to new readers
Chapter 7
Tota fights to hold back his own Erebea
More solid spreads
Tota commands the power of the earth to win an arm wrestling tournament. That pretty much sums up the issue with this manga
Chapter 8
A solid fight between Karin and the swordsman. His style is very unique
Chapter 9
Jeez, this volume is intense! Tota basically crucified here
Chapter 10
And the other Numbers show up and kick royal ass