I've made an account just to comment on the ending. I would've been happy (well sad like watching Clannad AS sad) if it ended with Asuna waking 135 years in the future finding out everyone but Eva is dead. Sure it would've sucked from Asuna's standpoint but it would've been a memorable ending for the series. Wrap it up with Eva and Asuna discussing classmate's future after she went to sleep. The whole going back in time thing spoiled the storyline and any substance of the sacrafice Asuna made. In fact, I would recognise that as the true ending. Pretty much stop when time capsule was opened up then abit of closure Eva, Asuna and possibly Negi talk about past and future. /end epic story. Cowboy Bebop kinda way.
If author wanted to, keep Negi alive if he felt that bad for Asuna.
Edited by togenshi, 19 March 2012 - 11:16 AM.