AUGH! The cliffhanger... Always the ending that leaves you hungering for more, and then whimpering that you must wait until November to get it...
I feel a bit like Akamatsu gave us a double-whammy here, though, as both the ending of Vol. 11 AND the preview of Vol. 12 leave me going, "Uh, wha???"
Here's the deal: Vol. 11 brings us Day 1 all over again for the 4th time (after all, Negi still has to visit the remainder of his students during their different club's exhibits and events during the festival), and then follows up with the next round of fighting in the martial arts tournament.
The beginning of the story gives us Negi and Kotaro enjoying the festival simply as 10 year old kids; no patrolling, no magical battles. Just plain fun and standard hi-jinx (skirts flying up, students thrilled or embarassed by Negi's attentions, etc.).
After going through an exhausting 4th run of day 1, Negi begins to really dwell on his upcoming match with Takahata. How can a 10 year old possibly be expected to compete against a man, not just of Takahata's age, but also of his experience?
Negi begins his fight with Takahata at a very strong advantage, using a technique Kotaro teaches him with only hours to spare... But even this technique has its limits, and it is only the beginning of a very long, passionate battle with a few good surprises.
This covers the latter part of the story and is, as the previous reviewer said, the "meat" of it. Ku Fei and Asuna inspire Negi to give the fight his all, just as Negi inspired Ku Fei not to give up in her fight against Tatsumiya.
In addition, speculation continues with regard to Chao Lingshen. Who or what is she? What is she up to? Why did she purchase the tournament? And what is her purpose for controlling it and as many of the players as she possibly can?
And does she control anyone besides Tatsumiya, whom she - spoiler alert here - has paid off to take the fall in her fight with Ku Fei?
I was disappointed to see just how much of a merc (mercenary) Tatsumiya really is at the end of the story. When Takahata follows Setsuna's paper mini-me's trail to Chao's hideout, he is stopped by Chao and Tatsumiya. Tatsumiya says to Takahata, "I'm on the job."
Is this because Tatsumiya really is a merc at heart? Is the price simply right or is there a different reason for her to accept Chao's employment?
This is where the story ends - Takahata facing Tatsumiya on one side and Chao on the other, after Chao has told him that she needs him to stay put until the festival is over... What are her plans?
And can I handle waiting until November to find out???
Good story - a deeper look into Chisame Hagesawa's personality (the student with the website/blog and tons of fans), a little better understanding of Takahata's past and what influences him now (born into the world of magic, but unable to use incanted spells), and another appearance by Evangeline's adorable puppet, Chachazero (whose lines are just as cute as can be! I fell in love with the character the moment she said, "So many victims, so little time.").
Most enjoyable was Negi's determination and resolve to win his battle. The story just goes to show that passion can get you almost everything you strive to gain.
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