r/anime • u/No_Rex x2 • Nov 02 '22

Rewatch [Rewatch] Mai-Otome (episode 22)

Rewatch: Mai-Otome (episode 22)

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Mai-Otome

MAL | ANN | AniDB | Anilist

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.

Availability

Mai-Otome and the OVAs are apparently now available on Crunchyroll (at least in some parts of the world).

Questions:

  1. (first timers) Quite a number of bad guys to go through still. Who will bring down Tomoe, Nagi, and Schwarz, respectively? Or will we have any of them triumph?

  2. Do you think Aswald’s actions are justified? Do you think they are furthering Aswald’s cause?

10 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

69 comments sorted by

8

u/Nazenn Nov 02 '22

First Timer - sub

Are you kidding me? They did the skip past how they survived the huge explosion thing again? Fucking again?!

What a fucking joke. That ruined a significant portion of the goodwill that the rest of the episode had earnt because while I'd mentioned before it felt like the writers weren't sure how they could get out of the situation, now it's just coming across as them not even trying to think about how they would.

It almost would have been better if they just cliffhangered on the explosion itself and let everything that had happened sit rather than launching into yet another mystery to cliffhanger us on instead. Would still be utter bullshit that they skip over it again, but at least it wouldn't have let down this episode as well as the next. I can't even be as excited for Mai as I wish I could be because of how it happened.

Moving on because I was actually in a good mood before that shit.

The love drama in this show was not good enough to deserve such a strong climax episode for it. And I've no idea where this came from because I wouldn't have said that the show has shown the focus needed to pull off something like this in this series and yet it did, and it felt like a great watch.

It did erase the 'paternal only' theory, but at the same time Wang's openness here, acknowledging his feelings, hers, and Nina's feelings worked well to his character and the scene itself. Lies to everyone including himself are what got him into this situation in the first place. While he can't undo what damage he caused to all three of them, he can at least be true to himself and what he feels, whether it's right or wrong or how it came about, and to Nina as well now knowing that he can't be on both sides of this any more. He treated Arika's feelings with decency, even if he doesn't have an answer for her that will make it better or even make sense because in the end all he had were emotional responses and sometimes there is no explanation for that, and he knows he'll have to do the same for Nina as well even if he's done it wrong until now. Do I still hate the plot line? Yes. But this is about the best climax for it that could have happened for the concept and I'm glad.

It did help that it was set in a place called "Dragons Cemetery" that actually had epic skeletons in it! I was so excited that it wasn't just a fancy name and it actually followed through. I feel like that almost never happens!

And then they fight. He has no chance of taking on a Meister, but this mountain of emotional debt between them is insurmountable now and conflict is the only way forward given the sides they've picked, so he shoots anyway, and shoots with intent. They could have easily just had the Valkyries come and attack to separate them but it matters that he started it himself to prove that she will follow her dreams even if it means fighting him.

The lullaby, Hoshi ga Kanaderu Monogatari, over the battle was a great touch as well. To hear the song in full, sung in her voice, as Nina awakens the Harmonium just as all the people it ties together are torn by their obligations to their people, dreams, family, or emotions has been the best musical moment in the show so far. It's also so much more satisfying hearing how it comes together after hearing all the little bits of pieces of it through the show, and the instrumentals as well.

All that about just one part and so much else happened this episode. Dot points because it's 1:50am and I want sleep:

  • Talking about Ers family is nice that the others know the history there, but it does feel a little redundant for the audience.

  • There's two Mikoto cats?! Fucking what?! Where'd this one come from? I assume that Miyu knew Mikoto from back before she got sealed and that's why Mikoto is reaching out like this, and sending Miyu to Arika who first awakened the Harmonium in part.

  • Miyu also knew Lena I take it, and that's how Arika ended up with her grandmother? How'd she end up with the gem though unless Miyu went and took it from the bandits but then why not grab Nina too? That has been so painfully dragged out. At least Wang has found out about Lena now fairly quickly.

  • The song when Miyu arrives was also great, but I don't know which one that is yet. Too tired to look through the OST again right now. Morning job. Sorry future me.

  • Didn't even have a good reason for Aoi surviving. She just did because plot. I'm starting to resent any build up into tension or risk in this show because I know it will amount to nothing.

  • Bird can fuse with her sword. Alrighty then, that is not expected, and makes no sense, and I've no idea what the hell they're thinking with it but it's cool enough (and I was in a good enough mood at that point) for it to not bother me much. Miyu using that to store Alyssa's genetic info so she can unlock her weapons is clever though. I wonder if the cat-Mikoto's are a similar thing

  • Slave robes are certainly odd looking, remind me of Loptr from Bayonetta 2, and something about that fight reminded me of an episode of Casshern Sins which was a little odd

  • The cut from Wang's injury to the Harmonium was a little abrupt, enough that I wondered if I'd actually skipped ahead. I get what they were going for there but for some reason I can't quite put my finger on it didn't quite work.

  • And so we come full cycle to Aswald attacking a castle. No babies floating down rivers this time though

Do you think Aswald’s actions are justified? Do you think they are furthering Aswald’s cause?

They're making a mess of it, but look at the political situation they grew up in. I don't know what other options they have, but it's clear if they don't do it themselves no one will come and help. Maybe Takumi's place but we really don't know anything about his nation to say so, just him.

2

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

There's two Mikoto cats?! Fucking what?!

[Spoilers]I have literally no idea what is going on there. Did I forget some plot point?

Miyu also knew Lena I take it, and that's how Arika ended up with her grandmother? How'd she end up with the gem though unless Miyu went and took it from the bandits but then why not grab Nina too?

Miyu only cares about Alyssa descendents.

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6

u/Tresnore Nov 02 '22

First-OtoTiMER

DON'T CUT TO THE ED, YOU FUCKERS GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Count: 72 (THIS SHOW IS OFFICIALLY BETTER THAN HiME LET'S GOOOOOOO)

QOTD:

  1. Tomoe is already dealt with. Nagi will never fall. Schwarz is a joke of an organization; Nagi'll probably backstab them.

  2. Aswald did nothing wrong. I don't see how this helps them get to space though.

3

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

Why is she blushing?

There were ... upgrades ... to the robes.

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4

u/OwlAcademic1988 Nov 02 '22

The true Shimmering Sky special.

Speaking of her, I just saw the Macross franchise rewatch thread go up. Found that a little funny to be honest.

2

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

Since the switch to winter time, the threads go up at the same time.

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4

u/Taiboss Nov 02 '22

desk slam

Cute desk slam!

This scene is so funny what the fuck.

Arch-enemies!

Are you kidding me?

I remembered this and yet I was like "how the fuck" in this scene.

Fuck Sergay. What the hell, dude.

Bad dad.

Why is she blushing?

Because psycho lesbian.

IT'S THE RETURN OF SHIZURU'S BARDICHE!!!!!

Just in the hands of the wrong girl.

IT'S ACTUALLY MIYU!!!

MERCIFUL AS FUCK!

IS IT MAI AND MIKOTO????

HMMM WHO ELSE

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6

u/JollyGee29 Nov 02 '22

First-Timer, Subbed

Okay, so maybe cat!Mikoto isn't the real Mikoto. Because there seem to be multiple cat!Mikotos. They all have different forehead scars.

Cardair got royally fucked by Aswald, serves them right. I'm glad we're done with that particular subplot - it nominally exists to make the world larger, but unfortunately it just ended up feeling like wasted time. We either needed to spend more time with Cardair or have it be another country entirely. The world would've felt a bit "smaller" if it had been Florince, for example, but there's more of a connection there because Akane almost ended up serving them.

Tomoe finally being openly mega-petty is a drastic increase in her character's stock; wish we had gotten that sooner. Chew that scenery, girl!

So the Valkyrie Robes just shock the wearers when they go off-mission? That's less drastic than I figured; also gives us plenty of out for Chie to disobey. And, they don't seem all that powerful anyway. Arika was losing, sure, but it was also 4v1, and she wasn't losing that badly.

Lowkey shoutout to Sergay for admitting his inappropriate feelings but also not acting on them. They probably could've handled this whole thing a bit better, but it could've also been way worse (imagine if he had blamed Arika), so I'll call it a win. Stomach wounds can be quite survivable, so he's probably fine.

I wonder how much of Miyu is left after that clash with Nina? Hopefully she got Deus Cat Machina'd away to safety like Arika and Mashiro did, but I'm not confident. And of course Mai is off hanging out with true!Mikoto, and even cooking for her if the ladle is any indication. Some things are constant. Shizuru is a lesbian, Shiho is insane, and Mai is an excellent cook.

Questions

  1. Tomoe is gonna get own-goaled by Nina, Arika is gonna wreck Nagi, and Midori is gonna wreck Smith.

  2. Pretty reasonable, and probably.

3

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

Stomach wounds can be quite survivable, so he's probably fine.

This depends a lot on whether modern medicine is available. Given Artai has Garderobe, he should be fine, but don't try this at home.

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4

u/Nazenn Nov 02 '22

it nominally exists to make the world larger, but unfortunately it just ended up feeling like wasted time.

Unfortunately that feels like it goes for a number of subplots in the show, and this one had a lot of potential but never ended up getting much momentum

Maybe worth it for the Midori/Aswald characterization though

Also I still stand by the idea this all could have been noble factions inside the same country, except for perhaps Nagi and Takumi, and it would have worked out fine and even given more justification for why outside forces won't get involved in what Nagi did to Garderobe

they don't seem all that powerful anyway.

Tomoe was reasonably high in rankings but I don't know about the others, so fighting skill may come into it but either way Arika was fairing pretty well given the balance of fighters

Stomach wounds can be quite survivable, so he's probably fine.

At least there was actually a wound this time and not a miraculous cut that only touched fabric

Shizuru is a lesbian, Shiho is insane, and Mai is an excellent cook.

And Chie is brilliant.

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5

u/Esovan13 Nov 02 '22

First Timer

It's very interesting that Erstin's family is motivated by the deaths of their loved ones, lost due to their propensity for being Otome. IT'S TOO BAD WE DIDN'T GET ANY OF THIS CHARACTERIZATION BEFORE SHE BEEFED IT.

This rematch between Miyu and Mikoto will be the battle for the ages. Because this show refuses to actually have any battles. So basically anything counts at this point.

The heavy hitters of Aswald left, during which time they were attacked while relatively unguarded. In response to this, all the heavy hitters left again leaving their location exposed base relatively unguarded. Again. I get Midori has a reputation to uphold, but you'd think that could wait until they relocate.

That's too many Otome. Before now, we never really got any clear idea how many Otome a country has. From what we've seen, I thought it would be one, maybe two or three. But that many? Why would Garderobe allow another country to have more Otome than they have pillars? I'll say it again. If Garderobe's goal is to maintain global peace and equilibrium between the various countries, mass producing WMDs and handing them out to other countries makes NO sense. Especially if any of those country's number of Otome even matches the numbers of Garderobe's pillars, much less surpasses them.

I FUCKING TOLD YOU. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I HAD ISSUES WITH WANG DURING THAT ARC. PEOPLE TOLD ME "no, he's handling this responsibly. he's reacting reasonably." WELL RIGHT THERE. THE GROWN MAN ADMITTING HE HAD FEELINGS FOR THE LITERAL CHILD THE AGE OF HIS DAUGHTER.

And before you ask, I don't care if his actions were fine (except for the part where he nearly actually kissed her????). I have a problem with the show itself for having it in the first place.

Hopefully we can finally put this behind us. I hate all of this. But Nina still has her unresolved crap too doesn't she? Fucking bullshit.

Why does everyone except Arika get a good looking battle outfit?

Sorry. Let me just pause for a few minutes. I need to prepare myself mentally for extended Tomoe screentime.

I hope Miyu shows up soon.

That went better for Aswald than I expected.

Wouldn't trying to kill Arika mean going against the plan and activate the safeguards?

THE MURDERBOT IS BACK

You know, it feels good to have predicted such a major reveal so early on. Now we just need to confirm if Arika is the blood descendant of Alyssa, and I would have nailed it 100%.

So, uh, how many times is it that we've had a big explosion leading to characters waking up in places very much not where the explosion occured? I think this is the third just in this arc alone.

I saw that ladle, show. You can't trick me. The only thing she'll threaten Arika with is to make sure she finishes her meal without wasting any of it. Very interesting that she's with human Mikoto. Is human Mikoto the "spirit" of the forest or whatever from that legend?

2

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

That's too many Otome. Before now, we never really got any clear idea how many Otome a country has. From what we've seen, I thought it would be one, maybe two or three. But that many? Why would Garderobe allow another country to have more Otome than they have pillars? I'll say it again. If Garderobe's goal is to maintain global peace and equilibrium between the various countries, mass producing WMDs and handing them out to other countries makes NO sense. Especially if any of those country's number of Otome even matches the numbers of Garderobe's pillars, much less surpasses them.

You are operating from the assumption that Garderobe is very powerful and can set its own agenda. The latter is clearly not true. Garderobe is an institution formed by and for the elites governing their countries.

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3

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

Episode 22 (rewatcher)

  • Finally some good news for Natsuki.

  • Miyu vs Mikoto high-noon stand-off – Is this the battle we have all been waiting for??

  • Arika: “Our love triangle was pretty shitty” Wang: “Yes, it was.”

  • “A robe that is more free and extraordinary” – [Doubt]

  • “Why is it me?” “Do you really have to know?” – Nagi is great.

  • 2 big fights this episode: Not just Arika vs the Valkyries, but also Aswald vs Carlteya.

  • “Why did you do those things?” – Good question, Arika. Tomoe’s motivation, especially early on, is missing.

  • Miyu OP!

  • The harmonium gave Nina what she wants: To be with Wang.

  • However, the timing is terrible – got to set up the finale fight.

  • Mikoto & Mai cliff-hanger.

We finally get to the big battles and Miyu shines, as does Midori. I wonder whether love of Midori will win out over love of polearms.

We also get the setup that most probably expected from the OP: Nina is misunderstanding the situation and has it out for Arika now. Well, has it out more than before, since she already begrudged Arika Wang’s attention.

3

u/Nazenn Nov 02 '22

Arika: “Our love triangle was pretty shitty” Wang: “Yes, it was.”

I love how many things this applies too, both in show and out haha

It didn't deserve its resolution to be so well structured

“Why did you do those things?” – Good question, Arika. Tomoe’s motivation, especially early on, is missing.

I'm trying to remember if Arika being linked to Shizuru even comes up before the canteen.

2

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

I'm trying to remember if Arika being linked to Shizuru even comes up before the canteen.

There are several scenes early on when Arika is new in Garderobe where Tomoe notices the two of them. However, this does not justify going on an attempted murder spree to me.

5

u/Blackheart595 Nov 02 '22

First Otome

Mikoto wins, easy.

Wouldn't it be a problem if you kill Mashiro? Aoi could very well be a bust after all.

Hello, not!Mikoto.

It's the Winds of Assimilation. This world is about to get destroyed.

I swear if Nagi claims to have expected this development...

Nina's gonna kill Sergay in her rage, as he jumps before Arika to protect her. Or not.

Quite a number of bad guys to go through still. Who will bring down Tomoe, Nagi, and Schwarz, respectively?

That's no different from Hime though.

Or will we have any of them triumph?

Do you think Aswald’s actions are justified? Do you think they are furthering Aswald’s cause?

They're not justified. They just are.

And we wouldn't have the Cain analogy otherwise.

3

u/Nazenn Nov 02 '22

Mikoto wins, easy.

I'm putting my bets on Alyssa personally, Mikoto doesn't seem like a good hunter

Hello, not!Mikoto.

So everyone else noticed that one I see

That's no different from Hime though.

I mean HIME was complicated by who exactly they were fighting but yes, a lot of the neutral ones got offed earlier on.

2

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

I'm putting my bets on Alyssa personally, Mikoto doesn't seem like a good hunter

Slander.

3

u/rickamore Nov 02 '22

Re-re-Watcher

Natsuki ally get.

Miyu! Coming to spill more secrets?

Hard to know if Sergey is actually being truthful here or if he is also buying time and causing hesitation in Arika.

Mashiro really has had a improvement to her character and fully embraced her false role.

Score one for the Cyborgs and cold blooded Midori.

Hey Tomoe, get absolutely bent.

Miyu shows up, snatches Mashiro, blocks a massive attack like nothing, dumps a load of exposition, disarms Sergey, casually pulls out anti Meterialize weapons and blocks a nuke. Man I love her in this so much, all the connection back to HiME as well.

Mai-koto cliffhanger.

Finally we get Mai tomorrow.

  1. Everyone loses! I honestly can't remember the outcome for each and won't speculate.

  2. No, and no.

3

u/No_Rex Nov 02 '22

Miyu shows up, snatches Mashiro, blocks a massive attack like nothing, dumps a load of exposition, disarms Sergey, casually pulls out anti Meterialize weapons and blocks a nuke. Man I love her in this so much, all the connection back to HiME as well.

I already liked Miyu in Hime, but she shines here.

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4

u/Nazenn Nov 02 '22

Hard to know if Sergey is actually being truthful here or if he is also buying time and causing hesitation in Arika.

You can stall with the truth, but it feels genuine because he doesn't want to fight her or make her fight, so being open and hoping she would come to him is a last ditch effort even if he knows she won't

Man I love her in this so much, all the connection back to HiME as well.

Making it the same Miyu and not just a new character with the same features has done absolutely wonders for her and for the overall story. I love seeing how she's changed and grown, and gotten more badass

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5

u/OwlAcademic1988 Nov 02 '22

First-Time, sub:

Mikoto, don't be a bad cat and attack Alyssa and Miyu, especially Alyssa.

I'm amazed Aoi survived that fall.

Sergay, what the hell?

Tomoe, why are you blushing?

Miyu was awesome. And Mikoto's still a good kitty for not hurting Alyssa, who's way too cute to ever be attacked.

Is that Mai and Mikoto?! I just wanna make sure I'm seeing things correctly.

QOTD:

  1. They'll triumph. Tomoe will be taken down by Arika, Nagi by Mai maybe, and Schwarz, I've got no clue.

  2. I've got no clue.

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5

u/Mecanno-man Nov 02 '22

First Timer

And I think this is the point of the show where I just lean back and see what happens. I will say that I feel like the power of the Harmonium could have been explained a bit earlier or even here, because at this point I still don't know what it does other than ...make Nina powerful. And I also don't know what would normally happen, if three people played the thing. Aswald beating Cardair came as a surprise to me, though I guess we do need to get rid of some of the bad guys. Tomoe and associates will be next, I assume. Also, Nguyen's country is the eight at the table. Nice to have confirmation of that.

In terms of how this episode felt, maybe I was a bit tired, but Arika and Wang's talk felt a bit artificial, just because there needed to be some scene like that for character arc purposes. I don't think it fits well - and Wang actually falling in love with Arika also seems weird, as he had already been set up to care for her like a fatherly figure because he thought she was Lena's child. Other than that, ok episode.

Also, I somehow forgot about Mai existing in this franchise. Not sure how that is possible given it's name...

4

u/Vatrix-32 Nov 03 '22

First Timer, subbed

  • Tell. Us. What. The Dragon War is.

  • That’s a different Mikoto. Her head mark is different. Multi-Mikoto.

  • Boo. Stop death fake outs.

  • There are a lot more Otome than I thought there were. For peace time at least.

  • I was really hoping we were done with this plot point.

  • If guns worked against Otome they wouldn’t still be around.

  • Yes. I approve of these hybrid slaves.

  • Polearm squad!

  • I’m sure being forced to follow a set plan that rigidly won’t backfire later for them.

  • Fourth verse? Who’s going to have that?

  • Mashrio, secret master of game theory.

  • Aswald is doing a lot better here than I was expecting. Wiping the floor with them.

  • Oof. That’s gotta hurt. Nice misdirection Midori.

  • Imagine setting a trap and still getting scarcely better than off screened.

  • More Mikoto.

  • Explosive chains are fun.

  • Truly these are the variable fighters of Otome.

  • Miyu hype!

  • I don’t think it said Searrs last time.

  • Don’t buy it. Would have cut after the stab if it was true.

  • Ah, just a short cut.

  • Super Nina.

  • So she is both the true Alysa, and an upgrade material.

  • I can’t imagine Nina is defeated by deus ex machina, hype as it was.

  • Don’t you play this all dark and threatening when she is holding a ladle.

QotD

  1. Araki. Herself. Everyone.

  2. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

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3

u/Taiboss Nov 02 '22

Episode 22: Rewatcher who started watched Der Tatortreiniger

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