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Arika Yumemiya has traveled far in search of her goal: the prestigious Gualderobe Academy. This is the school where young girls are trained to become Otomes, protectors of royal leaders throughout the lands. Here, Arika makes plenty of friends, but some enemies know something about her past that she does not. Nevertheless, her spirit and determination will keep pushing her forward. --- Adapted from it's predecessor, Mai-HiME, this series is not a direct sequel, but an alternate universe setting featuring some of the Mai-HiME cast (though with different personalities).

Eyecandy:





Currently subbed by:
LIME-Anime [DROPPED]
Otome & Doremi-Fansubs
Static-Subs

Characters:

It’s great to see the entire original Mai-Hime characters back again in cool outfits. As for the somewhat “new” characters introduced, the initial reaction would be sheer irritation. Nina Wang’s personality was like in-your-face arrogance while Yumemiya Arika is too much of an annoyance with her questions and persistence. As the series progresses, their personalities are gradually tapered down to much tolerable levels and complemented with increasing maturity.

The original characters are still as graceful as ever. Shizuru and Natsuki have really cool outfits with cool personalities to match (especially Shizuru’s). There are also others based on the opening video and I am looking forward to some cool fights from them with the exception of the original wheelchair-bound school director from Mai-Hime.



Story:
As a spin-off to the original, Mai-Otome does a really nice job in presenting the story from another angle. Instead of materializing weapons and calling forth Childs, the characters are able to materialize into battle suits. It’s sort of like watching Tenchi Muyo Pretty Sammy. There is no connection between the original Mai-Hime and Mai-Otome other than the characters.

Setting of the location feels very much like a mix of Outlaw Star and Trigun, having a very futuristic wild wild west feel to it. Visually, it feels so much different from the modern day Japan of Mai-Hime that we used to know.

The first half of Mai-Otome starts out focusing mostly on the lives of Arika, Nina Wang and Mashiro at Garderobe. Battles are far and few in between and concentrates more on the humor aspects among the three (especially between Mashiro and Arika) as well as the strengthening relationship between these three and the other students of Garderobe. There is also school rivalries and in some cases, rises to a more malicious level. The story flow takes a more serious and darker tone somewhere around episode 16 as events starts unfolding. Characters are forced to matured in view of the circumstance and this is a truly refreshing change of what we are used to see in the earlier episodes.

Animation:

I don’t really see much difference in animation style between Mai-Hime and Mai-Otome. So I guess there’s nothing much to comment in this department. Well…the transformation was kinda okay except for one particular ‘MATERIARISE’ scene.



Music:

There are two openings for Mai-Otome, one being “Dream Wing” (ep01 – ep15) and the second is “Crystal Energy” (ep16 – ep26) both sung by Minami Kuribayashi. Both tunes truly reflect well on the pace of the story. “Dream Wing” represents a lighter mood with a small tinge of enthusiastic exuberance. Together with the change of story pace, “Crystal Energy” brings on a darker ominous feel but
“Otome wa DO MY BEST deshou?” by Mika Kikuchi is the only ED song so far but can start off differently depending on the mood of the ending. In one version, the song begins on a lively mood while on the other, it starts off slightly melancholic before reverting to its original form.

Verdict:

Initially, Mai-Otome didn’t really leave a lasting impression on me. New characters were a far cry as compared to the casts of Mai-Hime and behaved pretty much like elementary school children. Despite all that, this spin-off ain't too bad. There's a decent amount of humor unlike My-HiME which gives this anime some degree of differentiation. Plus, there's Shizuru and several other Otome's to draw in the fanboys. XD

Moving into the second half of the series, conspiracies and tragedies start unfolding with the story pulling me deeper and deeper into the world of Mai-Otome. While the emotional ride experienced by the characters are not as tragic as compared to Mai-Hime, the pacing and progression of the story is sufficient to keep me wanting for the next episode.

Unfortunately the series somewhat stumbles at the end as recycled scenes of other Sunrise works are used and the lack of a climatic ending does somewhat dampens the overall feel of completing the series.

While averagely decent as a standalone due to lack of groundbreaking plots and concepts, it is recomended to view the original Mai-HiME series first as the difference between the characters in Mai-HiME and Mai-Otome is what contributes mostly to the fun factor.

Rating: 7.5 / 10.0

Heh, I was about to start a thread about it... but you anticipated me and you also did a nice job with the review :p

Anyway, after watching this first episode I'm really excited about this serie. I quite disagree with your opinion on the new characters, I liked both Arika and Nina (they are kids afterall) and overall I've found this episode way more entertaining than Mai-Hime's first ep that actually didn't grab my attention that much.

As for the old characters, I cannot pronounce myself... I mean, I am a Shizuru Fanboy since Mai-Hime and as if it wasn't enough Sunrise decided to make her even more "cool-looking", I can't be impartial about her XD. Same thing for Natsuki.

One note about the music: I can't understand why people (generally speaking) are always rating Yuki Kajiura so high. Almost all of her songs sound the same! Just pick Madlax, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle and this serie, the songs are almost identical. Yes they sound good nonetheless but I am beginning to be annoyed by the repetitive style... it's almost as if Kajiura wouldn't be able to try different styles when composing new soundtracks. Quite disappointing.

One more thing (WARNING FOR SPOILERS):
If you watch the opening you'll notice a "familiar shape" surrounded by flames... if you still didn't realize that could most likely be Mai (which according to rumors wasn't supposed to appear in this serie). I am really wondering what role is she going to have in this spin-off sequel. :)

What I don't like about this anime is how they change the personality of the characters. I really like Motoko in Mai-Hime. She is so cute. But when I watched Mai-Otome. She is kinda suck up. She is not cute anymore. Also in Mai hime I like Mai because of her personality. She is a strong girl. BUt how come, she looks weak and not confidence in this series.

I liked the first episode... a sort of a new twist to the original theme but I thought it was interesting. The only problem is this: where's Mai? Ahh sure, she's supposed to make an appearance but that's just a rumor as of now, no? But without her in it, it sort of feel empty... Arika is just a Mai-substitute in every way but the body... but she's cute at least. I hope it gets good soon. I have high hopes for Mai-Otome to keep me occupied and satisfied this winter.

What I don't like about this anime is how they change the personality of the characters. I really like Motoko in Mai-Hime. She is so cute. But when I watched Mai-Otome. She is kinda suck up. She is not cute anymore. Also in Mai hime I like Mai because of her personality. She is a strong girl. BUt how come, she looks weak and not confidence in this series.

What the heck are you saying... are you on pot?! Mai DOES NOT EVEN APPEAR in the first episode, and Mikoto is a CAT, LOL.

God you gotta love people commenting something that they have not even seen lol.

It's official. Static-Subs will be fansubbing Mai-Otome. Here's a quote from a Static-Subs staff.

Yes, we're doing this series, and the process is already underway. We're all looking forward to it, and after looking at it I think it'll be a pleasant surprise.

As for the "Mai" appearance in the OP video, it's hard to say if it's her to be exact since all the new battlesuits have similiar designs around their wrists. The only clue would be that shining spot near her left eye (something which Mai doesn't have).



And I see that someone has decided to use Mai's transformation scene here again. But hell...why must it be used for Nina's transformation!!?? She doesn't deserve that honour.



I'm sure people have noticed it, but there's a cat named....



...MIKOTO!! Haha! Maybe we'll have the cat turn into a human Mikoto sometime into the heat of the story just like a certain popular anime that I know of. *wink* *wink*

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT THAT ANIME IS (SPOILERS AHEAD)

As for the "Mai" appearance in the OP video, it's hard to say if it's her to be exact since all the new battlesuits have similiar designs around their wrists. The only clue would be that shining spot near her left eye (something which Mai doesn't have).

That is the ear ring that every otome seems to be wearing. It's the "gem" that should give an Otome the ability to transform with that battle suit. I'd say there's a 90% of probability of that girl being Mai, not only then whole "fire theme" and symbol suggests it's her, but if you notice even the colour of the eyes is the same.

Well...I am not too sure about that since all the original Hime's powers came from the Hime star. So that means all the Himes should now have different powers now depending on the ability of their "gem." Even Shizuru's powers differs quite significantly from her original Hime powers (the only thing similiar would be her weapon which is still a long Naginata). Furthermore, Mai's floating fire-rings (which doubles as a method of transportation and weapon) came from the Hime star unless she has a gem capable of mimicking that ability.

But anyway, since Static-Subs going to pick up this title, I guess I'll follow it in addition to finding out if Mai will actually make a appearance here (which I am praying hard that it will be true despite current claims that she won't).

I personally think there isn't much relevance between Mai-HiME and Otome besides the characters. The setting seem really different (as in the world otome story takes place in) The first eps is great, especially in terms of how much effort they put in to make graphic above most tv series standard. I think the Mai-HiME was a shock to me as the story went on, otome, on the other hand seem like a more relaxing (only to a certain degree so far) anime. I am looking forward to enjoying a storyline that is totally different from the orignal series.

Hmm I don't want people going against me but I don't think that's Mai. You can see strands of long hair behind the head waving in the flames, which Arika has. Mai never had long hair (unless if you expect a total makeover for Mai... which I doubt). Plus her Hime mark thing... (sorry I forgot what it was called) was more towards the middle of her chest but that one is right on the girl's left breast. Arika is supposed to be like Mai in many ways, so that's why I assume that the OP screenshot there is Arika, not Mai.

Well...I am not too sure about that since all the original Hime's powers came from the Hime star. So that means all the Himes should now have different powers now depending on the ability of their "gem." Even Shizuru's powers differs quite significantly from her original Hime powers (the only thing similiar would be her weapon which is still a long Naginata). Furthermore, Mai's floating fire-rings (which doubles as a method of transportation and weapon) came from the Hime star unless she has a gem capable of mimicking that ability.

Keep in mind that this is a spin-off sequel though, therefore it's not necessary for the storywriters to have the Otome draw their powers from an other "Hime Star" (though a blue star appears in the opening). The whole gem thing also makes sense because:

- It's a sort of Academy, so that means technically any girl can become an Otome, if she's provided with something (most likely a gem).
- When Nina is facing the Slave, she refers to the power of the Coral (which is the "gem/ear ring" that she is wearing on her left ear) which is not good enough to face and defeat that monster.

[UPDATE]

The character designer of Mai-Otome, has confirmed in his blog that the mysterious girl surrounded by flames who appears in the opening sequence is Mai. It hasn't been revealed what role she's going to have in this serie though.

Wow this first episode was great and the humor was awsome. Im glad this story is separate because i have not seen the first. This first episode just makes you want to see more.

Wow this first episode was great and the humor was awsome. Im glad this story is separate because i have not seen the first. This first episode just makes you want to see more.

Ah, I wish just the opposit...
But I have yet to watch this and it seems like its good, and i'm hopeing that it is... I really enjoyed Mai-HiME.
Got a little ticked off when i heard that Mai wasn't in Mai-Otome -.- but +ShiNNs update saved me XD

To spice things up a little more, I am bringing one more "enigma" to think about:



As the description above says, who could this girl be? This screencap is taken from the Opening during the fast sequence of characters that are somehow supposed to be the "villains" (or at least the first villains) of this serie. An evil Otome? Who could that be? I am placing my bet and I am going to say that it's Akane, because both Akane and this character have her Otome costume glowing with a pink light. But also, I do not recall Akane having such a... huge sword lol. Maybe it's Mikoto? Place your bets guys! :)

Hahaha! Maybe it will be Miyu again but in an even more badass outfit.

Hmm...I wonder if the creators will rope in Alyssa Searrs just for the cuteness factor.