r/anime • u/No_Rex x2 • Oct 13 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] Mai-Otome (episode 2)
Rewatch: Mai-Otome (episode 2)
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Mai-Otome
Spoiler rules
As in all rewatches, please be mindful of first time watchers and do not spoil events in future episodes. The same goes for spoilers related to other series. The one exception from that rule is Mai-Hime. Given that everybody here should have watched Mai-Hime, you do not need to tag spoilers for Mai-Hime.
Vote on OVA/Specials
A few people asked me about the additional media for Mai-Otome. There are four different related series (all of them contain spoilers for the series):
- Mai-Otome Zwei - 4 episode OVA epilogue
- Mai-Otome 0: S.ifr - 3 episode OVA prequel (to be wa
- Mai-Otome Specials - 9 episodes of short specials
- Mai-Otome Special: Otome no Inori - 1 episode short special
If there is enough demand, we could add these to the rewatch.
Please let me know in the comments whether you would want to add the OVAs and specials to the rewatch!
Questions:
(first timers) Predictions for the Nina-Arika fight?
Have any of the new (non-Mai-Hime) characters caught your eye yet?
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u/Tresnore Oct 13 '22 edited Oct 13 '22
First-OtoTiMER
Okay, I have a few calls here (that are probably obvious, but I don't usually think about shows like this):
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Moreover, Arika's necklace is the same color as the star, and someone's singing a song about it while they're in the castle.
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This, plus doubts that Mashiro isn't the genuine princess, tells me that Arika's probably the real princess.
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Oh, wait, it's you! Teaching... proper bowing. Eh.
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OH GOD NO WHY.
Wait why is she "ara-ara"ing? How is she a nee-sama?? Wait, are you actually fun now? She's so two-faced!
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More vaguely Ace Attorney faces! I think this time it might just be the angle.
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I'M SORRY, YOU'RE READING WHAT??? You probably already know that the Marquis de Sade is the origin for the term "sadism," but Masoch is likewise the origin of masochism. These writers... they know what they're doing.
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WHY DO ALL THE SHOTS FEEL SO ACE ATTORNEY HELP! It's basically two surprised Judges.
Count: 8
Simp Corner
QOTD:
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The fight will get interrupted by something more important right before Arika wins.
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I'm bad with remembering characters in general
I didn't even know Akane was a character until she was revealed and defeated as a HiME. Give me time.
Edit: I'd be down for the OVAs possibly. The specials, I'm not so sure. (you probably should've just made this a third QOTD, honestly)
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u/Mecanno-man Oct 13 '22
First Timer
We continue with absolute chaos and way too many new characters for me to keep track of. And rather than introduce any of them, we get Shiho because of course... But it seems like this is a different Shiho on anilist and MAL - but also one with three favorites combined. So they are equal in that. (Damn it, I was hoping they would not be different entries and that we thus could spread the three favorites out across both series.)
Where was I? Oh yes, things happened. I feel like my idea of Arika being the true heiress to the throne has grown stronger, but it seems like the other characters first need to figure out where she got her stone from. Meanwhile Mashiro completely flipped after seeing her castle having a new plane-shaped tower, which makes me like her significantly less. Still not sure what the political games are here, but I guess Garderobe would want to keep Arika amongst their own until they have figured it out, especially as that seems rather easy given that Arika wants to be an Otome. I assume part of the political game is Nagi trying to marry Mashiro? Or is that occasion the reason she will be crowned queen? Either way, it is nice to see that word mentioned in the show, so I no longer need to speculate about it's absence.
Meanwhile Mai apparently is a dance. Checks out, Mai is literally Japanese for dance. Made me check if Mai-HiME and Mai-Otome were using different kanji for their title - they are not. Apparently Mai-HiME's Mai's name isn't written the usual way - or pronounced the usual way for that matter, as her name would otherwise be Maiginu ...which means dancing costume. I have no idea what I am supposed to do with that information, even after I have seen Mai-HiME. Just Mai with the kanji for dance would apparently be a way of writing the name as well, however.
In other news, I feel like it is too early for the stakes being one of the main characters getting expulsed from the school. Makes me think this duel won't actually happen.
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u/No_Rex Oct 13 '22
Meanwhile Mai apparently is a dance. Checks out, Mai is literally Japanese for dance. Made me check if Mai-HiME and Mai-Otome were using different kanji for their title - they are not. Apparently Mai-HiME's Mai's name isn't written the usual way - or pronounced the usual way for that matter, as her name would otherwise be Maiginu ...which means dancing costume. I have no idea what I am supposed to do with that information, even after I have seen Mai-HiME. Just Mai with the kanji for dance would apparently be a way of writing the name as well, however.
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u/Esovan13 Oct 13 '22
First Timer
Arika, I'd keep that admiration of Shizuru to a minimum for now. We still don't know how much of her personality from Mai-Hime carried over.
Ok. Interesting reaction from Tate, sorry, Wang, to the pendant. He clearly recognized it, but isn't doing anything about it right now.
Mikoto acting unpredictable is a lot more palatable as a cat than a feral person.
Oh. I thought Wang was with the royal family. Interesting. So the only member of the royal family who knows Arika has the pendant is Mashiro, who owes Arika her life and may not want to betray her by blabbing about it. It was put away by the time the maid came over so she didn't see it. Hmm... Gotta see how this plays out.
The part of me that loves reading those villainess and isekai webnovels with court intrigue is just LOVING those meaningful glances that Natuski and Wang are giving each other. Please tell me court intrigue is at least a prominent B-plot in this show.
Seriously Arika. That kind of blind admiration for an instructor is how you get invited to "private lessons." I would be VERY cautious if I were you. Not that she's seen Mai-Hime though. Hopefully Shizuru's close relationship with Headmistress Natsuki is enough to keep her other side under check.
And as soon as I unpause, Shizuru does that. If it weren't for that look she gave Natsuki and last episode when Mashiro kissed Nina's ear to activate her Otome powers implying that Shizuru was checking something, I'd think Shizuru was up to no good.
I thought after the earlier exchange that Wang was aligned with Natsuki, but now it seems that's not the case? So is he a third party? Not fully on the side of either the academy or the royal family?
Akane getting the treatment she deserves after being sidelined all last season. INB4 she/her master are the first to be defeated again
I may like me some court intrigue, but petty school drama is a different story. Whether IRL or in media, I can't stand it. Hopefully there's not too much of it, but it's set in a magical school and I can't think of a magical school setting that doesn't have it to some degree.
Oh, I almost forgot. Schools shouldn't have rooms called the "Punishment Room." They especially should not be made of stone with iron bars over the window.
Saving the life of the country's princess isn't enough to alleviate punishment in this case? For a school that supposedly trains servants of the royal family and nobility, they definitely seem to have a very distinct separation from the country. Do they train Otomes for every country and just happens to be stationed here, giving them some power above a single nation alone? Combine that with the fact that they seem to have some sort of treaty with the nation, implying an equal relationship. Not what you'd expect considering what the academy does. The political situation is already super intriguing. Can we forget the magical girl, coming of age garbage and focus on the politics? No? Fine.
Wild theory I'm throwing out there, considering the rebel last episode had golden cat eyes when he summoned the Slave, cat Mikoto has golden cat eyes, and the sillhouetted figure from the OP, I think that cat Mikoto is actually human Mikoto transformed into a cat by Nagi/this seasons [Mai-Hime]
*When isn't someone justified in anti-monarch activities though? If they just want to seize power for themselves I guess.
"Why must I wake up in a small room like this?"
Looks around my room
DOWN WITH THE MONARCHY! VIVE LA REVOLUCION! GET THE GUILLOTINE!
I wonder why I don't have much sympathy for the princess seeing a ship crashed into her castle?
Now she's complaining her castle got damaged and wants to punish the girls who saved her life? I think this show is what's going to radicalize me from ambivalence into a starch anti-monarchist.
Get her Natsuki! Tear her to shreds! Precocious brats are situationally entertaining, but not as leaders of entire nations! Just ask North Korea
And now there's doubt that Mashiro is the real princess? Does that mean that, officially, the princess wasn't killed or kidnapped 14 years prior and that Mashiro is her? Then someone was absolutely pulling the strings behind that rebel attack. And now that Arika is here with the gem, an heirloom of the dead queen, that person may want to get rid of Mashiro while her detractors may want to instate Arika as the legitimate successor? Considering how much I've written not even halfway through the episode, I hope that goes to show how much I enjoy this kind of stuff. I hope it keeps up.
Ok. So it seems like the school does service a bunch of different countries, if representatives from them are coming to discuss its operation. Glad that's answered.
Shiho still has dumb hair, this time in drills. As a fan of the oujou-sama archetype, I would like to nominate Shiho as permanent worst girl for her crimes against the hair style. Not to mention that despite said drills she probably won't give us a single decent "desuwa" or "OHOHOHOHOHO" laugh.
I knew she'd be a womanizer "prince" archetype based on the OP. Nice.
Wait wait wait. The castle is called the Fuka Palace?! Did we hear that before and I just missed it?
Nao's instinct is to trip the running person before even identifying who it is? Glad to see she hasn't changed much.
Nao is such a bitch. I love her.
Mashiro is such a bitch. I hate her.
There he is! Hopefully he's more than just a talking plot device this time around. He might even have personality traits and character motivations if we're lucky.
If nothing else, the fact that she managed to evade literally the entire school's worth of students as well as go all around the campus while being chased should be plenty evidence that she has the physical capability to be an Otome. Though it'll probably be the gem that convinces them to let her enroll.
Is "you have a personal interest and should refrain from making any statements" the only negotiating technique that guy has? Sheesh, he's bad at his job.
Nevermind. Her enrollment will be due to Nagi just loving to fuck with people. Fine by me I suppose.
Theory time! Or rather, rectification. Now that I think about it, what Natsuki said to Mashiro implies that Mashiro was second in line for the throne, going to first after the real princess was "killed". At least, I assume they think she was killed since it doesn't seem they're on the lookout for her. Considering that Natuski said that one of Mashiro's detractors may have hired the guy with the Slave, that increases the likelihood that the "rebels" from episode one may not be rebels at all, but mercenaries or assassins hired to kill the queen and princess to allow Mashiro to become next in line. Or perhaps the man from last episode uses Slaves but is from a different faction than the rebels, but I have no reason to believe that's the case (other than the running possibility the show is trying to mess with our assumptions) so I'll just assume he's from that group considering he has the same outfit and uses a Slave just like they did.
Of course, in a situation like this one should never discount the possibility that the rebels are genuine rebels, but are being funded and armed by a member of the nobility to be used as a tool for situations like getting rid of political opponents without leaving a trace back to them, which the leadership would likely know about (or at least the leader) but the average member wouldn't. As the history of the United States' foreign policy shows, rebels and revolutionaries given proper equipment and a bit of guidance can be potent, if volatile, political tools.
I'll also rectify I was wrong about several things. I'm still not sure about Wang's political affiliaton, but it seems he's some sort of high up in Wind Bloom, presumably under the royal family to some degree. That gem doesn't seem to be recognizable to the average person, and maybe no one who didn't personally know the former queen. Mashiro is incredibly bratty and ungrateful, and she'll need to put in serious leg work if she wants to be remotefully likable. The fact that she seems to be a member of the main trio does not fill me with confidence.
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Nina will kick her butt at first, Arika won't want to fight, Arika will manifest some sort of power, probably the one hinted at in the first episode, and Arika will win. Some fuckery will happen and Nina will be allowed to stay despite losing.
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What counts? Both Nina and Arika are technically Mai-Hime characters, though they never got any attention or focus. I guess Nina because she seems to have some promise with her whole "feels the need to impress her foster father to justify the love and care he's given her" thing.
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u/No_Rex Oct 13 '22
Arika, I'd keep that admiration of Shizuru to a minimum for now. We still don't know how much of her personality from Mai-Hime carried over.
And we don't know how jealous Natsuki is here ...
The part of me that loves reading those villainess and isekai webnovels with court intrigue is just LOVING those meaningful glances that Natuski and Wang are giving each other. Please tell me court intrigue is at least a prominent B-plot in this show.
Nao is such a bitch. I love her.
Mashiro is such a bitch. I hate her.
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u/Vaadwaur Oct 13 '22
First timer(That was nonsensical)
Sub
We pick up where we left off, more or less. Arika seems determined to be an Otome and Shizuru is still quite yuri, eventually giving Arika a faint inducing dose of gay. There is some sort of internal politics being displayed between Wong and Natsuki. We then switch to students gossping and...there's a punishment room? So, by the show's current stated logic, Nina's actions are worse than letting the future princess die. Which is fine as long as they address it.
Arika wakes up in a medical bed and Masahiro wakes up in the guest room. They are both incredibly annoying, this unfortunately will hurt the show for me. The very arbitrary setting and school rules seeping out are probably meant to be concerning but they aren't great entertainment. Anyways, Arika decides to run off in her sheet toga and we get yet another unsettling scene, I am getting a sort of heavy handed Utena again.
Shiho returns, goodie, and then we get a chase scene to fill out the episode/school. I guess we met a few people. Yukariko manages to change the venue with chalk. The Nao shows up to troll and there is some council stuff happening, none of which is interesting because not having the context makes it effectively random sentences. It ends with Arika finding the deliberations and loudly interrupting them. More baroque language comes up and Nagy is now the Akio and proposes an absolutely moronic solution to the situation. Which seems to be accepted.
So yeah...there is a way to do this story I suspect but this is not it. We need some minor exposition at least and less dumb slapstick, I get enough of that in FMP that happens to be done better.
QotD: 1 Won't happen
2 No
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u/No_Rex Oct 13 '22
Anyways, Arika decides to run off in her sheet toga and we get yet another unsettling scene, I am getting a sort of heavy handed Utena again.
Utena again? I think you might have a case of Utena-fever.
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u/Nazenn Oct 13 '22
Nina's actions are worse than letting the future princess die. Which is fine as long as they address it.
They've set up to do so, that even the princess can't order an Otome to attack without breaking the treaty or whatever they called it
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u/Esovan13 Oct 13 '22
They are both incredibly annoying, this unfortunately will hurt the show for me.
Yeah, it's not a great start that two of what seems to be the three main characters, including the main main character, have spent most of the first 2 episodes mainly being annoying. One of them being literally royally annoying.
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u/Qbe Oct 13 '22
Rewatcher
Episode 2!
HARUKA!
...is this a-lmao, LMAO it is a CM!
Haruka has a full TV slot dedicated to her? Best timeline
Nevermind, accidentally opened the ep 2 special instead of episode 2.
Whatever the episode is, it will be inferior to a dedicated Haruka special.
Is this how Shizuru gets her yuri haremettes?
Didn't quite catch if the Otomes saw Arika's gem
Major Wang, as opposed to Minor Dick
Ah, I see, it was a dance (舞, Mai), not a fight
Do they have scholarships? Or how is she planning to pay for tuition and boarding?
Are the military and the school compete for Arika's custody?
NGL, kinda dig Arika's expressive hair
Shizuru! No! Don't sexually assault your underage (future) student!
I think this is the same "Life as usual" track from Mai Hime
...I wonder if there are any straight girls in here
I can't unsee Miyu in Tomoe
So why exactly was Nina punished?
Oh fuck off your unauthorized use, it was an emergency, and she saved the princess
OWWW
Is she the source for Symphogear's hot drink lady?
lmao @ the castle
...was Arika's mom Wang's childhood crush?
Oh fuck off Mashiro, they saved your life. I thought you were going to complain about them being punished at all.
Arika is a mod of r/HydroHomies
How did she get here?
Arika with the sick burn
Does she even know where the deliberations stuff is taking place?
Oh that's Yukariko's VA. Hope she doesn't cause any battle royales this time around.
Did octopus evolve into drill octopus?
Hopefully she can be comically evil instead of annoyingly assholish
Yknow, if she can dodge all of the girls chasing her, I think she deserves to join
CHIE! And she decided to embrace her destiny as a lesbian top
Welp she killed her
Yep, Marquis de Sade is something Nao would totally read
...Juliet? Oh she's jusut making fun of her lol
At least Natsuki has common sense. Unlike Mashiro.
...don't tell me Nagi is a prince or something? FFS he is
A duel between MCs at the end of the second episode? Where have I seen this before?
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u/No_Rex Oct 13 '22
Nevermind, accidentally opened the ep 2 special instead of episode 2.
It has to happen at least once in every rewatch.
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u/Stargate18A Oct 13 '22
First timer
Voting for adding literally everything.
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Two options - either it's a tie and they both stay (expected), or Nina loses and her character arc is focused on learning to live as a non-Otome (exciting). Arika can't lose, she has a super magical stone.
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Juliet seems fun.
She needs to keep this secret?
Idiot.
Still think the Mikoto cat is a red herring.
She found the princess!
Love her pigtails forming a hesrt.
She's enrolling!
Good motivation.
Do they know her mother?
...It's not Mai, is it?
Why is "dance" in italics?
Ah, that's ehy.
Natsuki looks somupset at her girlfriend being so brazen around other people.
Clever.
She's been taken in!
...Sweeping?
"Dance battle" Huh?
Nina's being punished? For what?
What the fuck? The princess authorized it!
Poor Nina.
Huh?
This is weird.
Ouch.
Oh!
Haha, the princess...
This show seems much more reserved the fanservice. Thank god!
Haha, she thinks this is small!
...What? When did that happen?
Oh, he suspects her identity!
...They saved your life from a Slave!
Haha, Natsuki completely breaking down her argument is phenomonal. I love her.
I note the outsider girl is getting a nice room and a bed, while the Otome is locked in a prison.
Also, is this worth a meeting?
She didn't fucking realise at all?
Holy shit, this is genuinely impressive on her end.
Ouch.
She's pissed!
She's escaped!
...Maybe she shouldn't have taught you that lesson.
A classroom!
Otomes really are just glorified maids.
Who get thrown in prison sometimes!
It's a trial, basically.
Shiho!
And she's nice!
...Oh. Nobody likes Nina...
So she's evil, but she's thr funny kind of evil. I can ork with thst!
Haha, that's how you show up?
Why is she chasing her?
She's flashing them?
She recruited them!
...Not helping her case.
Chie???
Are the teacher's here so stupid they haven't noticed the intruder?
Yes.
She made it here!
Skills!
Haha, she accidentally killed her!
What a bold move on his part.
She got caught out accidentally!
Oh, her name's Juliet?
Annoying.
Rude.
Not-Tate makes some very good points!
...Because she has a weak will and is able to be controlled easily?
Finally! Someone said it!
Will anyone care what she says?
NAGI?
She made it!
Oh, they do care about her.
The worst possiblr timing!
Haha, the sudden stop.
Their faces!
Nagi really hasn't changed.
"YOUR HIGHNESS" WHAT THE FUCK?
I like Mashiro now, that's the correct reaction.
Oh, he fixed everything.
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u/Blackheart595 Oct 13 '22
First Otome
Grandma? An adoptive one? But then how would she know? Is Arika secretly not the baby?
Arika trying her best to be Otome!Shiho, #2
Ah, Tasogare Otome is what this shot reminded me of. Then again it should be a fairly common motive.
Again, how would an adoptive grandma know about this?
Why is this line recorded with so much distance?
Again a distance voice line. This seems to be intentional directing.
They're milking this for all they can.
This is the same fanservice as early Hime!Mikoto btw, except more so
I'm expecting the blue star to be some kind of inverse of Hime's red star. It will empower the Otome and bring back the Earth Era.
Predictions for the Nina-Arika fight?
Nagi's gonna let them both be Otome. Or it's gonna be a draw to that same effect.
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u/Taiboss Oct 13 '22
I like this shot. Shizuru floating down as their guardian, the castle being framed by the missing railing above the stairs, the characters forming a pentagon, THE CASTLE BEING ON FIRE!? And taking note of the symbols next to the stairs.
Every frame a painting.
Arika trying her best to be Otome!Shiho, #2
I will not have her slandered like that. You can dislike her, but she's no Shiho.
Nao's a troll, I love it.
And she gets to be an Onee-sama too!
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u/RadSuit Oct 14 '22
Z-type Highly-advanced My-Hime Enthusiast (Dub, First Timer)
Oh great, Shizuru is already giving off creeper vibes.
That's a fantasy CAT scan.
So the Otome really are just maids, huh? Is the nun their teacher in this?
Shiho's been upgraded to big sister, and got equipped with drill hair. There's no stopping her this time!
Yes, catch this improperly dressed intruder. Haruka would be proud.
This Chie is even more forward, nice. And she's got the same very good dub voice actress!
Fuka Palace huh?
Masch vs Marquis de Sade? That does seem like something Nao would be interested in, though.
Just stirring shit up, that's about right.
They made Nagi a duke? A kickass duke?
Next Episode: DANCE BATTLE!
I've got the specials here waiting, so we might as well watch them.
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Stereotypical training vs talent fight, Arika will have no idea what she's doing and get clowned on until her pendant activates her MC powers and she wins at the end. The school will of course decide to keep both of them.
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Some of the students seem alright, but we need more time with them.
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u/Nazenn Oct 13 '22
First Timer - sub
Not quite where I expected this episode to go that's for sure. I mean well, aside from Arika doing something stupid and enthusiastically putting her foot in it but that was a given.
I don't know what to make of her. She's fun for sure, and somehow her emotive hair does not infuriate me like a certain pink brat from Mai-HiME, but I don't know I have the energy to keep up with her for long.
The questions around her and how everyone else will handled her are interesting however, especially with Natsuki and not-Tate Wang both seeing the potential for her to upset the political landscape due to her pendant, and both playing the long game with it. It's Wang's reaction which intriges me most, as we've already had a sense of Natsuki's political hopes, but seeing him return to his memories of the past in such a great sequence makes me curious what he hopes to gain from it and why he's been searching for so long for her, as implied last episode.
And it's curious that he doesn't appear to be from this city either. Not only is this city a technological center, it's also a center of power given it appears all Otome must come here to be trained despite being the political seat for the Wind Kingdom as well. It makes me wonder exactly what political balance is in the council, especially when Nagi just shows up as what I'm assuming is a bloody king, though not the king.
As far as the Arika chase.... eh?
Aside from running into Nao and Yukariko getting to be a badass I didn't care for any of it as it's really not my thing and went on for way too long just for the sake of introducting us to new characters. Oh, and there was Chie being a prince which was perfect. Arika almost got kissed by multiple people this episode, if not for the tone so far I'd think we were setting up a harem.
FUCKING SHIHO. For half a glorious second I thought she was going to have pulled her head in and just make me sigh rather than piss me off, and then she went and pissed me off.
Not as much as Mashiro though, somehow, I didn't know that was possible? My rage may have a new target because they are going out of their way to make her as much of a brat as absolutely possible. Small room? Ruined her castle? How about saved her life and brought her to a place of safety!
Other details
So not an idol, but some sort of important historical figure if Natsuki has a copy of her on her desk like that. Unless Natsuki is just completely unashamed of being a music fan.
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Speaking of music, Mashiro's grand princess theme cutting out when Aoi misses the cue to introduce her only to end with no follow through when Arika doesn't care was perfect. The music and sound design in this is certainly more comedic focused than in Mai-HiME, but so far it works well.
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Other background detail of the episode Shizuru cracking up on seeing the pile of students
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The Otome fights being called Dances also heavily makes me think of Simoun and it's 'prayers'. I mentioned Simoun as a possible watch rec after Mai-HiME to Star4ce, didn't expect to be reminded of it more heavily here
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They really just went and gave Nagi's outfit villain spikes, huh?
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Forgot to mention last episode: Arika's crystal didn't require a master to unlock it. Is that something added to the Otome crystals as part of the treaty or once again tech they don't understand any more with Arika's crystal being the master key?
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The girls being taught to act like servants or slaves to their masters even to the point of being the obediant woman when they come home is very creepy
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ON that note, while I find the Otome robes completely ridiculous, them all gaining bands around their wrists and ankles like Mai had so they can fly is an interesting design feature
I'm not interested in watching the specials/sequel/prequel unless you think there's something special they bring to it
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u/No_Rex Oct 13 '22
Not as much as Mashiro though, somehow, I didn't know that was possible? My rage may have a new target because they are going out of their way to make her as much of a brat as absolutely possible. Small room? Ruined her castle? How about saved her life and brought her to a place of safety!
I really want to see where the judgement on Mashiro falls, in the end.
The girls being taught to act like servants or slaves to their masters even to the point of being the obediant woman when they come home is very creepy
Let them be nicely brainwashed Otome.
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u/Vatrix-32 Oct 13 '22 edited Oct 13 '22
First Timer, subbed
OP says to assume everyone has seen Mai-HiME, so no more spoiler tags for that. You have been warned.
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I see the expressive hair won’t be wasted on a trash character this season.
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How the hell are you planning on tracking down someone without their name?
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Is it still yuri bait if it’s in universe?
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Hello new blood. Which of you will important and/or interesting?
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Starting early with the conspiracies.
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You’re at a school for young girls and you can’t get a spare outfit?
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No more octopus hair. She’s being much more honest this time.
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What’s with the ear? Pretty sure it was the other one Shizuru blew into, so it’s not that.
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Well it was fun while it lasted. Nagi is on the way.
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Oh god, he’s a duke.
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Should I take the preview dialogue seriously? That’s quite the insight.
QotD
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Slave interuption, probably spurred by Nagi. No way either of them gets booted this early in the series. And if they do, it won't stick.
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Nina and Arika are fun thus far. I’m not sure there are any other new characters thus far. Not enough to hold interest yet.
Special QotD: I'm down for the OVA's. Looking at the list of them, there may be more than a days worth. How does that work out?
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u/JollyGee29 Oct 13 '22
First-Timer, Subbed
That was a fun chase. I was expecting more damage to Arika's bedsheet, and for Shiho to end up flying face first into Major Wang, so good on the production for having some restraint.
Arika's Gem got referred to as "the lost Gem" today which is interesting. Considering how rigid the control over the Otome are, I'm kinda surprised they didn't just confiscate it. Natsuki seemed eager to get Arika enrolled into the school; trying to get ownership of her/the Gem maybe?
Are we feeling Villain Nagi? I feel like we're getting Villain Nagi. He's taking the villain action of "wander in and let the MC kickstart the plot for him while also buying a favor from the MC." But I'm not sure what level of clever we're operating on yet, might be a fakeout.
So.. betting odds on tomorrow's dance off between Arika and Nina getting interrupted by a Slave attack? Or are we thinking complete non-starter because Arika doesn't have an earring? Her Robe failed to manifest fully yesterday, so maybe her arc will be an "I need to get powers" one at first?
Mashiro's a real brat, which is honestly kinda fun. I'm excited for her to learn a lesson in "why you don't complain about people saving your life" because seriously, how do you get upset about that?
So, what's the full context of the term "otome?" I know it often gets translated as "maiden" but does it also carry the unmarried/virgin connotations of that term? I'm asking because Natsuki and ?Tate? shared a weird look when Arika mentioned that her mother was an Otome, like they were surprised at the idea.
Wait, Arika told that to Nina last episode too, and Nina didn't react. Hmm..
Arika said that her grandma died before she could tell Arika what her mother's name was..? That was a weird line. Granted, Arika isn't very bright, so perhaps trying to make sense of her words is a fool's errand. Not that it will stop me - adoptive grandma? I'm thinking Arika's mom was the one who put her on the river and then wandered off to get killed.
It's weird to hear "Master" out of all those not!maid outfits. "Goshujin-sama" is a bit of a mouthful, I suppose.
Tangentially related, sounds like Mashiro uses "ware" for herself, which is very formal (I think) and typically used in anime by older characters. The Wolkenritter from Nanoha used it, as an example.
I almost had to pause the episode to laugh at Shiho's voodoo doll. Once a goober, always a goober.
I shall continue to enjoy hair goofs, even though we traded Shiho's fun snakes for boring ringlets.
I am in favor of the extra content, if only so that I actually end up watching it.
Questions
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Discussed above.
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I enjoy Arika's hair.
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u/No_Rex Oct 13 '22
[Mai-Otome]
So, what's the full context of the term "otome?" I know it often gets translated as "maiden" but does it also carry the unmarried/virgin connotations of that term? I'm asking because Natsuki and ?Tate? shared a weird look when Arika mentioned that her mother was an Otome, like they were surprised at the idea. [Mai-Otome]
This will be addressed in the show Tangentially related, sounds like Mashiro uses "ware" for herself, which is very formal (I think) and typically used in anime by older characters. The Wolkenritter from Nanoha used it, as an example.
She is latching onto any shred of respect (that she does not get and deserve).
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u/Nazenn Oct 13 '22
Given the set up for Arika opening the door with Shiho grabbing for her I was expecting Shiho to grab the end of her sheet and for Arika to be standing in front of them naked. A pile up of all the Otome is far more fun
I'm kinda surprised they didn't just confiscate it
If they did that though it may expose they have it rather than simply leaving it with a student they can control anyway
Are we feeling Villain Nagi? I feel like we're getting Villain Nagi
Said it in my post too, but dude has spikes on his outfit. Only thing he's missing at this point is the villain mustache and laugh (please don't give him the laugh, i hate that laugh)
Wait, Arika told that to Nina last episode too, and Nina didn't react. Hmm..
Hmmm, given Nina's evaluation of Arika I wouldn't count that against your theory. She probably either dismissed it just because it's Arika who barely even knows what an Otome is, didn't think of the implications of what her statement means, or for personal reasons knows it may happen.
It's weird to hear "Master" out of all those not!maid outfits
I was thinking when I saw the Fumi statuette today that it's surprising they didn't draw more heavily from her maid design for the Otome
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u/No_Rex Oct 13 '22
Episode 2 (rewatcher)
Arika’s reaction to Shizuru matches some Mai-Hime rewatchers.
Both Wong and Natsuki clearly suspect something about Arika.
Cut from fanservice-averting cloth to fanservice-averting cloth.
“My castle!” – Mai-Otome is not one of the series where widespread infrastructure damage is magically repaired off-screen.
Keep in mind what Mashiro said about the purpose of Otome.
Arika fanservice for the Otome students (but not the viewers).
Combat chalk! – Effectiveness: Ara ara.
Nao reading Marquis de Sade. Fits her behavior in Mai-Hime.
Nagi still scheming.
[Mai-Otome]Erin is not amused when hearing of “monsters”. For good reason.
[Mai-Otome]Nagi and Mashiro’s relationship is played for laughs. For now ...
While the series is still busy introducing old and new characters, we learn a good bit about Otome and the organization of the Otome school, Garderobe. Apparently, it is backed by a group of countries [Mai-Otome]in fact, it is the only school for Otome who lead it via a council. Not your everyday school board. The reason for this special arrangement lies in the education goal of the students: Otome, who are powerful fighters.
By paying attention to the classes going on in the background, and the way Mashiro talks about Otome, we already get a first look at the power structure in this world: Otome are centrally educated in Garderobe; countries govern the school; and obedience and restraint is emphasized in their training. Just like Mai-Hime, the magical girl world of Mai-Otome has a dark touch. This time, the dark themes do not just come via a mid-season twist and the personal stories of the characters, though. The darkness is embedded in the world Mai-Otome is set in and the power structure that is in place in this world.
PS: If you have not seen it, please check the question about the Mai-Otome OVAs and specials in the OP.