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Negima Magic 401: Magical Enhancements Vol. 4 episodes 15-18
02/02/2008 . Source: Phil Jones 
region2 DVD: pub: Revelation Films. FUN72313. 1 DVD 120 minutes 4 episodes plus extras. Price: £15.99 (UK)) Buy Negima Magic 401 in the USA - or Buy Negima Magic 401 in the UK  check out website: www.revfilms.com and www.nigima.tv
The very young teacher and would be wizard Negi Springfield is, like the rest of his class, on Summer break. This does not mean though he has escaped their clutches. For starters, Ayaka on returning to her home, which to say the least is on the larger side of roomy, is plagued with thoughts of Negi. This is only heighten when said Negi arrives on the doorstep with the rest of the class in tow. Plenty of chaos ensues as Ayaka tries to contain and control the class in her house but fails to maintain image or order in equal amounts. We get a few revealing facts about Ayaka on the way, too.
There follows a test of courage in an old elementary school which is, to be fair, basically a chance for the girls to win a kiss with Negi their favourite teacher. With some of the girls being slightly more determined than others in leads to some interesting and amusing results.
A trip to the amusement park for Nodoka and Negi helps Nodoka to find courage with her feelings toward Negi. Asuna struggles with her lack of ability to do something for her favourite teacher Mr. Takahata, much in a way like Nodoka is struggling with her feelings toward Negi.
As before, we get some insight into this sometimes rowdy and giddy bunch of girls. With sometimes some surprising revelations. The characters are allowed to 'change', giving us a different viewpoint from before. As in the case of both Asuna and Ayaka, the episodes sometimes surprise you. Yes, there is still plenty of humour and chaos and plenty of awkward set-ups but on occasion there is surprising depth. Nodoka's almost painful attempts to reveal her love for Negi. The past and present relationship of Asuna and Ayaka adds new light and dimension.
There are some truly funny bits in these episodes, especially Asuna trying to bake a cake and the class-wrecking Ayaka house amongst others which leads her to the slight side of crazy. The 'kissing' competition doesn't always come off and its times like these that the series verges on being a bit too lightweight. There is still plenty of fun service but nearly all of it is on the tame side so don't get to concerned. The music is functional if sometimes a bit lacking. The English dubbing is again bubbly, full of energy and entertaining. The animation is fun and bright fitting nicely with the overall feel. There is though very little in the way of magic. Once, if my memory serves in all the episodes on this disc, but you can't have everything. In reality, magic is the least of the focus of this series.
The extras on the disc are pretty much the same as previous discs. Usual text-less songs, a commentary similar to that on 201, a culture lesson with 'Japanese Values' which explores in text the cultural identity of the Japanese.
All in all, not bad but may still not convince fans of the manga but plenty of light-hearted fun to be had.
Phil Jones
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