Negima is based on a manga series by Ken Akamatsu. The anime series initially starts out by following the manga, but along the way, the anime creates its own reasons for some of the events that take place. Negima is produced by Xebec, and is directed by Nagisa Miyazaki. The twenty-six episodes of the anime series aired on TV Tokyo from January 6 through June 29, 2005. A three-episode prequel OVA series was released between August 25, 2004 and March 24, 2005, and it introduced the characters in the series. However, this OVA has not been released outside of Japan. Two other OVA series were released in October and November of 2006.

There is another anime series, called Negima?!, which is an alternate telling of the first Negima series. This anime was produced by Shaft, and directed by Akiyuki Shinbo. Negima?! aired on TV Tokyo between October 4, 2006 and March 28, 2007. Another three-episode OVA was released in Japan between August 17, 2008 and February 17, 2009. FUNimation Entertainment holds the North American distribution license for both series.

Negi Springfield is the main character in Negima. He is a ten-year-old wizard from Wales who dreams of becoming a “Master Mage.” A “Master Mage” is a special wizard who can use his powers to help normal people by using covers. Negi wants to become a “Master Mage” in order to find his father, a legendary mage named Nagi Springfield, who is believed to be dead. After graduating from the Merdiana Magic Academy in Wales, Negi is given a duty as a cover in the real world. He is to become an English teacher at the Mahora Academy in Japan, and his class consists of thirty-one middle school girls. However, most of the class sees him as a little brother instead of as a teacher. Over the course of the series, about half of the class finds out Negi can do magic, despite his efforts to keep this fact hidden. As time goes on, Negi also discovers he has antagonists that come from magic schools, or are demons.

The most notable student in Negi’s class is Asuna Kagurazaka. At the beginning of the series, she is a bullheaded and daffy girl. Her relationship with Negi starts out rather rocky, but as time goes on, they get to know each other and Asuna becomes willing to be friends. Asuna’s encounters with Negi also slowly start to awaken dormant abilities within her.

Other notable students are Ayaka Yukihiro, Konoka Konoe, and Nodoka Miyazaki. Ayaka is the rich, bossy, and controlling class president. She is overly fond of Negi, and Ayaka also has a love/hate relationship with Asuna. Konoka is a cheerful and caring girl, and is also roommates with Asuna. Konoka is the mediator of the group. She is also a fan of fortune-telling and has magic potential. Konoka’s grandfather is also the dean of Mahora Academy. Nodoka is a shy bookworm, who starts out not having feelings for members of the opposite sex. However, she develops feelings for Negi after he saves her from a fall down a flight of stairs.

Negima is a “harem” anime that includes elements of magic. The series also features “fan service.” While the concept of the series would appeal to younger teenagers, I would have to recommend Negima to anime viewers who are seventeen years of age or older due to some of the content included in the series.