So, I just finished reading Negima and the ending was a trainwreck. Now I'm not really sure if I should read this sequel? to it.
I don't really want spoilers, but some general thoughts from people who already finished UQ Holder. In your opinion, is it worth reading? Does it somehow redeem Negima's ending? (assuming you were as unsatisfied as I am).
Big thanks in advance.
Well, nobody helped me, so I did read UQ Holder anyway.
I'll leave some thoughts to answer my own questions, so someone with the same doubts as me can make their own decision.
So does it redeem Negima's ending? In my opinion, yes. At some point, there will be an expanded re-telling of the Negima epilogue, which answers the majority of questions I did have about the Negima ending. And it's pretty decent (though it would be still too rushed if it was an actual end of Negima). Still much better than the original epilogue.
Is UQ Holder worth reading? Probably, not. There were highs and lows, some chapters and developments were amazing, but there was a lot of stuff I didn't enjoy reading. The final arс was a rushed trainwreck (Akamatsu's trademark).
Now a few impressions (spoilers alert), which I want to share before I move on from UQ Holder.
Things I did like: Eva*, Kirie*, and Karin's characters and their developments, Dana's training arc, Cutlass arc, expanded Negima epilogue and UQ timeline Negi flashbacks, Negi Ialda, Gengoro, and Jimbei storylines.
Things I didn't like: zombies arc, Baal, Juzo, the entirety of the Final arc, Kuromaru*, Isana/Honoka.
So let's talk about the only thing which barely saves the final arc from an absolute disaster - the convergence of Eva, Kuromaru, Karin, and Kirie's lines into harem development. Cool, yeah? Once in a lifetime all that harem teasing, like in Love Hina and Negima, actually become a real thing. It could actually work if it wasn't a part of a rushed spurt to end manga.
Karin - really could take some more intermediate development between her Pactio (best in series, by a margin) and zero-gravity scene.
Kuromaru - there was so much pushing back and forth in that direction and it still feels weird. I did grow on him/her over time so the pivotal hot springs scene was pretty sweet. Though personally, I see Kuromaru working only in a harem relationship, he/she was always overshadowed by Kirie and Eva.
Kirie - is arguable, the best character in the series and the most developed love interest. And chapter #184 is the perfect epitome for her - absolutely stupid plot development and absolutely charming interaction with Tota. That Highlander shit wasn't needed. We already had Mizore/Shinobu, which would fit perfectly in that storyline. But, of course, they were already non-existent because of the stupid final arc, so the author dropped the ball on Kirie. Fuck you, Ken.
Eva - really touching Kitty storyline, tons of teasing... and the only thing the author come up with was that ending.
As you can see, how the author handled Kirie and Eva basically nullified my enjoyment of that rare harem happening. Now, it's all personal, depending on viewpoint, someone could appreciate it much more than I.
But what if you don't care about Tota's romantic relationships and just wanted to read some good shounen? Then you probably don't find any single good thing about the final arc. It's just that bad.
Somehow, it became a rant midway, so let's finish with another round of random nagging.
Pactio stuff. It's baffling how little use of artifacts we saw.
Kuromaru becomes a living blade. Was that storyline really needed if it was basically never used again?
Baal was an absolute pushover with 2 Nobles supporting him.
Kirie showcases an upgrade to her abilities in like 2 pages in the first Baal's fight. Never mentioned again. I guess, no point to explore that if the author already decided to fuck her up.
WHAT DID HAPPEN TO ARIKA? You had 19 years, Ken and you still avoided that plothole till the very end.
Anyway, sorry if you read this whirlwind of thoughts to the end. UQ Holder was a ride and despite all the bad stuff, mentioned earlier, good parts were there, and will try to remember those.
I went into UQ holder hoping to find answers after that baffling ending in Negima but it left one question still unanswered. WHAT HAPPENED TO NEGI'S MOM!