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ローゼンメイデン 
December 22, 2005 | 
54 Comments
Minimum coverage this time, since I need to get some anime done before christmas. What we have here was a very nice character development episode for Nina - making me very happy, because she's one of the most intriguing characters in Mai Otome. Her father complex is a very limiting factor, so I'm happy to see her personality extended some more. Nevertheless, it's almost painful to see how she is set up for the mother of all heartbreaks.
The second one gaining alot is Arika, whose fateful relationship with Nina is put on a new basis. Even though the "dokidoki" late in the episode really REALLY freaks me out. They wouldn't, would they? Please no!
What remains is a very very solid and balanced episode, better than +, but not quite a full ++ yet. So (++) it is.
Episode Rating: (++)
Nina is still grappling with the shock from last episode when she heard Arika address her father with the very familiar "Sergey", especially in conjunction with the strangely awkward way they suddenly seem to act towards each other lately. The way she is hesitantly rolling a "Sergey" over her lips is intriguing. It's almost as if - caused by Arika - she is trying for herself how it would feel to see otousama not as her father, but as "Sergey" instead. We'll eventually learn more about that.
So Arika gained alot of ranks after acing the survival hike solo with the new record time - her energy pays off (I was surprised to see that she seemed not too apt in the wilderness on the first bout with Erstin). The latter is depressed about losing ranks, which should be noted: Even though she doesn't have an inner drive to become an Otome, she still feels bad for underperforming. I feel REALLY bad for this girl. It seems that she's pictured as sweet and likable, but not truly relevant, for one reason: She's not gonna reach episode 26.
Natsuki is getting broody-moody over the fighting words Midori slammed her with. Shizuru watches her friend with slight concern and gently reminds her of her unwavering support. But the real message I take from here is that Natsuki indirectly concedes that there's some truth to the Aswald's spiteful tirade. Otherwise she wouldn't mull over it like this.
Seeing Arika handling Nina cracks me up again and again. Her total lack of respect, reverence or fear (which the other Otomes clearly hold towards Nina) makes her antics very enjoyable. I wonder why I could always squeal with delight just to see Arika tickle Nina. Partially it's because of the hilarious SD, combined with Arika's extra-expressive pigtails and Nina's anger tantrume, but I guess it's the Natsuki effect: It's the gruffy stoic ones whose self-composure you want to see rattled.
Poor Nina. All of a sudden her precious birthday becomes tainted with the dark suspicion that the date was chosen by Sergey simply because it's the birthday of the daughter of her father's dream woman, which reduces her to a mere stand-in reminder for the person he REALLY desires. In the battle for his affections, Rena remains the constant mortal threat to Nina, and Arika as her next-generation Avatar has shaken Nina's confidence to the core.
The thing is that Nina _defines_ herself with the wish to be the perfect girl for otousama. Therefore, becoming and remaining the center of his interest if her key goal. Now that Arika is encroaching, Nina becomes increasingly brittle and vulnerable.
Mashiro remains the SD queen, her facial expressions are too funny time and time again. Even though she has a slightly rotten and spoiled character, she isn't stupid, and she could smell that something was rotten fairly quickly. But getting the info straight from the horse's mouth by mere eavesdropping was quite funny. Chapeau, Ojou!
We get to see a new side of Nina. Or, to be exact, she has been kind and helpful before (think about putting the drink thief who utterly humiliated her in front of her father AND others on a bench, protecting her face from the sun with her own handkerchief from ep1), but her shocked reaction and her identifying herself with the gloomy eyes of a street kid indicates that it's not simply good, trained manners. Rather that it comes from within.
Once more, Arika catches up to the running Nina with an amusing ease. Nina is the high-level hardcore fighter type with brains, but Arika is the irrepressible nimble force of nature supplanting her again and again. Very well-animated reverse drop catch, by the way!
On a sidenote: Was I the only one who wondered why Nina didn't simply take the pocket watch from the rascals fingers, but plead and bargained instead?
Arika may be a scatterbrain most of the time, but she isn't so stupid that she wouldn't notice how deeply the loss of the watch affects Nina. It's one of her most charming traits that she can develop so much energy and enthusiasm to help people in need for whatever reason. Earlier in the series, I found this slightly irritating, since it seemed a bit shallow-forced. But by now I've really warmed up to this girl. Her wish to help and protect has proven to be so genuine that I'm finally able to buy it without swallowing cynical comments. Well done!
Oh, and you tell me. If you'd hear this kind of story from this kind of guy making this kind of face... would you believe him?? I don't think I would ^_^;
Nina's frustrations bubble over and burst into the open. Why did you come here? Everything went so well. Why do you have to appear and ruin everything? If it wasn't for you, otousama would only look at me. So why? Why??? Crushed by the weight of the loss, she lashes out with her suppressed animosities, with Arika as the target.
I believe that this is the first time that Arika finally understood why Nina was like that recently, and she's drawing the right conclusions. See her correct herself from Sergey to Wang Cho-sa, while posing the critical question to Nina. Do you "like" him?
Does she? I'm amazed (and impressed) that Nina didn't go into full denial mode. On the other hand, her name is Nina, not Suzuka. With a teary-eyed counter-question she indirectly concedes that she does. What happened to you in the hut? What did you do? Arika is taken aback and find herself in a pinch, because she's still embarrassed about it. And even though arguably nothing happens, imagine how Nina would react to her admitting to having snuggled close to Sergey's naked chest while sleeping in her birthsuit.
However, Arika finds the perfect approach. Simply ignoring Nina's visible doubts, she lunges forward and reaffirms her dedication to simply find the missing locket, because it's SO important. Nina is surprised and obviously impressed when Sergey steps in to ruin the party. As usual, Arika thoughtlessly babbles out something which Nina would never had, but at least we're treated to more cute drawings. Until Sergey breaks the news and relieves Nina of her demons tormenting her: The birthday was the first day he met Nina in the hospital (and not a reminder of Rena). With the tension falling off Nina, tears flow once again, and I bet that Sergey is wondering why the heck his daughter is so difficult ^_^
One of the few scenes which clearly point into the future was when Arika smiled happily when she saw Sergey hugging his daughter - and we got to hear a clear strong "dokidoki" heartbeat.
Dear Sunrise screenwriters. Please do NOT tell me that you intend to turn this show into another lolipedofin jailbait platform. Please do NOT try to build a romantic interest between Arika and Sergey. PLEASE don't, and rather keep any romantic stuff at the proper age levels. Somehow imagining the opposite isn't raising pleasant associations within me.
Not much to be said about the Mashiro/Mikoto subplot, except that it prepares for the next episode, where she is confronted with Tokiha Takumi, the... nah. I'll let Garten describe that in his next entry ;)
Review
Otome episodes are so terribly short. Again and again I find myself sighing at the ED song, wishing for just one more episode without having to wait for a week. Now during christmas session, we'll even have to wait for TWO weeks, because episode 13 won't air before next year. This will be quite a wait!
Good show, good episode, good grade. More of that, please!
I loved the "Mission to finding the golden necklace" part. It was so funny, what really made me laugh was that I thought"Haha Nina got a small present and Arika got a huge one!" And it turned out that Nina's present is better.
This episode was so funny, laughed so much in the parts with Mashiro in it. Can't believe have to wait so long for the next ep @.@ *sniff* the next one looks interestin.
In the trailer it looks like Arika has to pretend to be Mashiro or something, and she looks totally bummed about it, hehe.
Tokiha Takumi? Isn't that Okuzaki Akira? And they made her a boy?!?
And who is that girl next to him?
Don't worry, its all explained next time.
Oh, and Nina gets her revenge on Arika in the next episode too.
I didn't realize how similar Akira and Tomoe looked.
Is Aoi acting as Mashiro's substitute otome until she officially gets one? Or is she just her helpful (and responsible!) maid?
I didn't like it when arika "dokidoki" after seeing sergey hugs nina.
i agreed with you Mentar, no! no! no daddy long leg ... hell noooooo~!!!
and about prince akira, i think he/she is the same girl-disguise-as-boy role
i hope there's "something" between Akira and Takumi in this serie
It's not romantic interest between Arika and Sergey, but it's triangle love between Arika and Sergey and Nina.
The first time watching the Sergey/Nina hug and hearing Arika's heartbeat I was thinking it was an ominous thing. Like maybe an Otome warning/reaction to the "danger" Mashiro is in at that moment since she may be waking up thinking she's in danger. But that's possibly not right seeing as how things were in the preview.
My own gut instinct is to think that for some reason her hidden pendant is sending her a signal for some reason, as she puts her hand over where it would be under her clothing instead of over her heart.
Had Mentar not commented about the 'dokidoki' I would've kept thinking otherwise.
I thought that it meant something was awakening within Arikan. A hidden power.
It never even crossed my mind that it was just her heart skipping a beat for Sergey.
Please let it be new hidden powers awaiting to reawaken =\
How did Arika get so much hair in the preview? Volumizer? Wig?
And Yaaaaaaaaaaaay~ Takumi!!! Go kick Nagi's butt!
I can't wait to see the next episode.
The 'dokidoki' is not Arikas heartbeat. It's Renas heartbeat that Arika feels through her mothers pendant.
So has anything happened since episode 4? Has the show gotten serious or darker yet since this is the point where Mai-Hime took its darker route? If not, then I think it is time to not even bother downloading the fansubs anymore (I was downloading them just in case it got better even though I stopped watching it at ep 4).
Watch ep 7 and 10! They rule! lol... My favourites eps so far ^^
Because I like the action a lot, haha xD it's so cool =]
Is Aoi acting as Mashiro's substitute otome until she officially gets one? Or is she just her helpful (and responsible!) maid?
Aoi is currently running Windbloom.
I'm completely serious.
Although I'm probably the only one, I like the relationship between Arika and Sergey :D
Onto the next ep!!!
Fencedude, I couldn't agree more. Poor thing! Remember how laid-back and fun she was in Mai-HiME? If Arika does become Mashiro's otome, Aoi will still need to be there, because she'll probably have to intervene. The two would bicker and argue way too often.
Um... I don't think that was a dokidoki heartbeat. It's a cliffhanger heartbeat because Arika can sense Mashiro is somehow in danger. Oh and notice how Arika, Mashiro, and Nina have the same birthday? I think they are the three needed to activate the organ, if you look at episode 7, two of the three gems on the organ glowed when Mashiro and Arika approached, so I bet Nina is the last one.
Mai HiME Started as the light comedy, and graduated to drama with the whole Searrs issue. It wasn't until in the late teens when Nagi announced the Highlander/Immortal contest between the HiME that the show went dark. I expect roughly the same timetable for Otome.
On a side note: Imagine you're standing there, and Nagi tells you to be the last surviving HiME. I forsee two outcomes: (1) You fight Mai and Kagakutsuchi, or (2) you fight whatever *beat* Mai and Big K. Either way, once a phoenix the size of a small motel is involved, it's not fun anymore.
"On the other hand, her name is Nina, not Suzuka." Quoted for truth! Bwahahaha!
I didn't pick up on the 'dokidoki', but I wholeheartedly agree: Please, please, don't go there, Otome writers! Let Sergei's statement about "try again in ten years" stand as the final word on the matter! (Mind you, I don't want to see Arika+Sergei just as much as I don't want to see Nina+Sergei. *shudder* Just, no.)
Poor Erstin. She really is the redshirt of this crew, isn't she? *sigh*
Somehow, I didn't mind the dokidoki at all, even though I interpreted it just like Mentar did. I don't have a problem with Arika developing some affection towards Sergey, as long as they don't push it TOO far. But the other interpretations are interesting as well, especially the Rena connection; and they're not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Anyway, this was a GREAT episode. Dr Kain, you should start watching Mai Otome; by now I'm completely sure that it won't disappoint. :-)
BTW, noob question: who is Suzuka?
Wow...it's Takumi and Akira's lovechild...sheesh
Given that Mashiro basically is uninterested in ruling, Aoi and the fat teacher guy are basically running Windbloom. Note that they set her up on an arranged marriage...without even telling her.
Mashiro's about as suited to run Windbloom as I am to eat the Sun.
The arranged marriage is probably set up by the late King and Queen.
I agree with John Biles. Arikas heartbeat isnt reacting to the Nina/Sergey embrace. Its her pendant signaling her of something going on in the Aswald (or Black Valley) hideout. They showed a dessert hideout emmediately after the "heartbeat." After which, they show the prince introducing himself. It all happens quickly so you may confuse the dessert scene with the prince intro enviornment unless youre paying good attn (or hit pause between the 2 distinct scenes).
Too bad Arika is oblivious and doesnt know what to do about it. If its so important that the pendant has to signal her, then it has to be dangerous/bad.
On a side note: Imagine you're standing there, and Nagi tells you to be the last surviving HiME. I forsee two outcomes: (1) You fight Mai and Kagakutsuchi, or (2) you fight whatever *beat* Mai and Big K. Either way, once a phoenix the size of a small motel is involved, it's not fun anymore.
Would you like to fight the 5 story tall, fire and laser breathing phoenix that can go into outerspace, or the 150+ foot long Snaketopus controlled by a homicidal maniac?
Quite the choice.
Really? I thought the "desert hideout" was merely the desert ship station, where the ships that cross the desert dock. And why introduce this "pendant clairvoyance" so late in the game. No, I'm pretty sure the heartbeat has to do with her feelings for Sergey.
And why do Mashiro and Takumi have a marriage meeting? Isn't Nagi Mashiro's fiancee?
Nagi WANTS to marry Mashiro, I'm guessing that she is being courted by a number of nobles around her age, one being Nagi, the other being Takumi.
And yes, the Desert Hideout is just the sandship station.
Where are you people getting a marriage meeting with Takumi? That's Akira (as the "Prince") that gets off the ship not Takumi. Or did I miss something? It would be interesting if Akira is subbing for the runaway Prince Takumi while Akira is subbing for Mashiro.
Fancedude: I guess at least fighting Mai and Big K would have a bit of fairness to the fight, provided I didn't just defeat Akira and cause Mai to watch her brother melt (gomen, Mikoto!) I imagine the whole deal is just way more unpredicatble then the Highlander/Imortal game due to the HiME game being populated entirely by emotional teenage girls.
I'll bet anything that the name "Takumi" refers to the prince, and that the prince is in fact the guy we know looks like Mai's little bother, and that Akira is standing in his place with his name because they have the same problem of a prince running away from an arranged marriage.
And really, can you blame Takumi? "We're going to set you up with Mashiro from Windbloom! Won't that be fun?!" With his heart condition just telling him that would send him into a heart attack.
Where are you people getting a marriage meeting with Takumi? That's Akira (as the "Prince") that gets off the ship not Takumi. Or did I miss something? It would be interesting if Akira is subbing for the runaway Prince Takumi while Akira is subbing for Mashiro.
The problem with this episode is that it and episode 12 are basically one long story, so its hard to just discuss one and not the other.
And at any rate "Akira" is introduced as "Takumi" when he gets off the ship.
*wonders if some people actually pay attention to the show*
<< *wonders if some people actually pay attention to the show* >>
Please tell me the time marker where the "Takumi" name is said in his introduction. While I don't speak/understand Japanese I still can't hear his name being said and I would think the translator would have put that in, it's rather important don't you think. I'm talking ep. 11 here now, if it's in 12 then please don't say I'm not paying attention.
So my comment is correct both royals have run away from their meeting only to meet on the street.
God dammit, sorry. It happened at the beginning of 12, not the end of 11.
I got the scenes confused.
No problem, at least now I know I'm not losing it. LOL.
I guess Mentar saw 12 before writing his review too because he IDs Akira as Takumi too.
This ep. is great tho and i always thought the 'dokidoki' from Akira was the heartbeat/feelings toward Sergey..well to tell the truth i don't mind a romantic relationship development between Akira and Sergey. However, seeing/knowing the affection Nina giving toward Sergey is like totally not right even though Nina is da same age as Akira and non-blood related with Sergey. I just dislike it. Plain and simple. No offense though, but it's just how the fatherly feeling that the anime been giving me.
Despite Nina's feelings for Sergey, and the implications that Arika may be developing feelings for him, I don't think it's going to turn into a pedophelic relationship.
And I think Sergey/Mai is probably the most plausable pairing with Sergey.
And I think Sergey/Mai is probably the most plausable pairing with Sergey.
Buh? THere's no evidence they even KNOW each other.
Sergey/Rena 4Life
Why make so unlikely pairings like Sergey/Arika or Sergey/Mai? He clearly said who his dream is. Once Rena appears there will be definitly some form of romance between them. Since I believe that what Arika feels through her pendant is in fact Renas 'dokidoki' I don't think it will be completely one-sided unrequited love.
Poor Nina ...
I wonder if Akira is Takumi's Otome. Someone earlier in the season mentioned that Arika is basically Akira backwards. Was there supposed to be a significance to this or is it just a concidence? Well one thing's for sure. Sunrise did it just to confuse us romaji users when we typo Arika and Akira. Sorta like when people say "I'm eating Kitchen in the Chicken"
Haha, Sergey/Mai = Tate/Mai in MH... I wouldn't mind seeing that happen in MO as well (no Shiho to mess things up this time - yay), though the chances seem pretty slim at this point.
BTW, is there any actual evidence indicating that Rena will show up later on? All we've seen of her so far are a few photos in Sergey's album and a brief scene showing her charging Terminator Reito armed with a pair of butterknives. I personally wouldn't be surprised if she were dead.
I will be utterly shocked if Rena's dead.
Japanese isn't like English. Arika backwards in Japanese is ka-ri-a, and Akira backwards is ra-ki-a. There is nothing to connect the two through their names.
In episode 4 Arika said "My mother should be alive". I think the writer makes her say that for us, the audience. It's a hint that Rena is alive.
"Really? I thought the "desert hideout" was merely the desert ship station, where the ships that cross the desert dock."
I changed my mind Youre right DW, its a dessert ship used to cross the dessert. I still dont think the heartbeat has anything to do with any Arika/Sergey stuff though. I still think thats some sort of signal.
We are getting into the next episode if we talk about the arranged marriage and the prince. Anyhoo, the boy Mashiro meets, IS the prince and she likes him until she sees that misunderstood yaoi scene LOL.
Maybe Arikas "heartbeat" was a signal warning her that another Otome "offspring" was nearby or something. As the next episode will reveal (or hint at). I dont want to be a total spoiler. Although I bet everyones seen it, this is the ep11 review after all.
"And I think Sergey/Mai is probably the most plausable pairing with Sergey"
Then why isnt MAI's picture in his photo album instead of Rena's.
Rena may be dead unless she escaped those guys that surrounded her in ep1 after she tossed Arika into the river.
Sort of off topic but.....
After watching Mai-Hime again, I just noticed that Nina was actually in Mai's class in the series. Did anyone else notice this?
Sort of off topic but.....
After watching Mai-Hime again, I just noticed that Nina was actually in Mai's class in the series. Did anyone else notice this?
Actually her name was "Chun-Mei" and she has different eye and hair coloration.
And just for the record, if its stuff like that, YES WE HAVE NOTICED IT.
Out of curiousity, what does he mean by SD queen? More specifically, "SD".
SD is Super-Deformed, I believe, referring to certain marvellous facial expressions anime characters experience. Especially Mashiro.
Speaking of which, I was wondering if that usage of the term SD is entirely appropriate. I have always seen that term used to describe a style of drawing characters where the entire figure is "deformed" to the proportions of a little child, for comedic and/or cute effect, whereas what we see in MO are mostly hilarious facial expressions, with the body in normal proportions. Is it correct to call that SD? What is the accepted definition?
Is it just me, or does the little thief look like a young Alyssa Searrs?
Past having blonde hair and blue eyes (and the wrong shades of both)...no.
And keep in mind, that Thief IS about Alyssa's age. THe girl was only like...9. If that.
And I thought that blonde girl back in episode5 I think, where Arika meets her friends at lunch. There's this blonde girl calling out the classmates by the door, I thought she was suspicious but nevemind.
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