I think Mashiro recognizes the blue jewel in the first episode - check her reaction as the jewel pops out of Arika's blouse in the airplane. If she does, and understands the implication of its possession by Arika, she may be trying to intentionally drive Arika away before she can become a rival for control of Wind Bloom

I think Nina also recognizes the jewel, and infers that Arika might be the person whom her father has been seeking for the past 14 years. Further, I'm guessing that, during his failed investigations, some years ago Sergey encountered Nina and somehow came to adopt her. (The OP animation hints at this IMHO.) If I'm right, Nina could also be seeing Arika as a threat to her position and her fathers affection, as she (Nina) might always have seen herself as a consolation price for Sergey's failure to find the lost princess.

Which makes Arika a threat to the happiness and security of both girls.

...wow...the plot sure is picking up faster than last time...

PS: Even without the "Oneeeeeeeeeee-chan"...Shiho's psychotic mentality is comes off from last season....YEESH

Oh, shiho was expected. Chie was awesome. Soo kakkoii.....I'd always wanted to see her manly side, after listening to the drama CD ^^, since she didn't get much screentime in Mai Hime. Yukariko's chalk skills.... 1337.

you know what, dbm? i think you're onto something about Sergei and Arika and Nina.... My latest hypothesis, conjectured in part by yours, is that Arika is Sergei's real daughter... I am thinking that at that time of the burning castle, Sergei and Mai (perhaps) had Arika.... Sergei most likely thought that he was not able to save Mai or the baby and adopted Nina... anyways... that's what i'm getting a sense of where this story is going...

On a side note, the anime is no where even close to the same story line as the manga O_o

Did you spot the Fumi in this episode? (Hint - Look at Natsukis desk...). I wonder if there is going to be something like that in every episode...

As I think was mentioned in the comments of the Ep 1 post, the official ZHiME website states on Ninas page that she was adopted by Sergay. People keep saying 'probably' as if its rampant speculation. Further, I don't think Sergay is actually old enough to sensibly be Nina or Arikas biological father - wasn't that supposed to be the young Arika with Rena during the flashback this episode, or the young Sergay hanging out the window in #1 when the castle was attacked? I'd guess Sergay had a bit of a thing for Rena, and after she disappeared without a trace spent his time searching for her. Either that, or the woman who was with Rena was Arikas mother and Arika is royalty or something...

Urgh, not enough to go on right now ^^;

This episode ROCKED so hard.

I especially liked the introductions of Chie, Shiho and Nao.

I feel sorry for Akane, she's such a nice, normal girl, but she has to deal with The Lesbian (Chie), The Voodoo Freak (Shiho) and The Deviant (Nao).

Speaking of Nao, did you SEE WHAT SHE WAS READING!?

http://www.fencedude.com/Images6/OMG.jpg

Thats not something good girls (or hell, good PEOPLE use for light reading...)

*looks at the Nao pic*

...yep...she'll get the "claw" again...

DiGiKerot, you asked As I think was mentioned in the comments of the Ep 1 post, the official ZHiME website states on Ninas page that she was adopted by Sergay. People keep saying 'probably' as if its rampant speculation. No, I had overlooked this, thanks.

As for Sergey being Arika's father, I agree that the ages are wrong (unless he pulled an Allen Shezar...) But soon after Nina saw the blue gem, she started to show glimpses of insecurity. I'm guessing she fears being displaced in Sergey's affections by the object of his longtime search.

Fencedude, I saw the book title as well. Yikes! But something about Juliet Nao's laid-back demeanor suggests a sort of intellectual rebelliousness rather than, um, anything else. In that brief cameo she struck me as the type to be offended more by pretense than by earnestness; I bet she eventually becomes an ally or friend of our bumpkin Arika.

A lot of theories as usual. From my point, I don't see Sergey as Arika's father. Based on the flashback, he's too young to be one, unless....well.

Also, Nina might have some connection to Arika and the royalty of Windbloom. I do say I have another theory that Sergey's scar is related Nina somehow ( ya know, the guilty consience thing, maybe he killed Nina's parents or something).

Also, in this episode, there's a fleeting comment by Shizuru that the hime's status is not known, during the tea sequence (I spotted Fumi here). I'd wager that was connected to Mashiro. Maybe she's a replacement of some sorts.

Also, Nagi calls Mashiro, his 'loved one'. Who says they're betrothed to each other?

I don't understand why people can't seem to comprehend that the OFFICIAL SITE says that Sergay ADOPTED Nina.

There is no speculation, its written right there!

I think that Arika is the Princess of, and probably the legitimate Heir to the Throne of the Kingdom where the initial battle took place. It wasn't Wind Bloom since there hadn't been a battle there in 50 years. It is likely that she, not Nagi, should be ruler and that crystal probably signifies her as the legitimate ruler. The crystal, not Arika, is what Sergey was searching for. The Otome were searching for Arika.

Actually, the opening scene of the first episode DID take place in Windbloom.

http://www.fencedude.com/Images6/School.jpg

See the building in the background on the left?

Thats Garde Robe. Very distinctive structure.

But I'm betting that Arika is the real princess. But I don't think Mashiro will take that very well.

Oooo, good catch there Fence - I hadn't noticed Garde Robe in that shot.

At this point, it does sound quite possible that Arika is the real princess. What I suspect is that its likely they are going to string us along by setting it up so its possible either one could be the true princess and leave us guessing for the best part of the series...

of course.. what sunrise showed us with my hime is that none of our predictions are meaningful since they managed to keep us wrong the majority of the time all the way to the end :)

anyone noticed? the jewel is missing from arika's neck from the scene she busted into the galetupe deliberations

Ya, I noticed that too, it was gone, though I figured they screwed up or something...but perhaps someone took it? Or it fell off during the chase...

Woot! ShizXNat is back! There better be more shizxnat moments though... >.> Haha they're great...

umm why is sergei against arika joining the school?

We don't know specifically.

I'm guessing its mainly because HE wants the jewel, and if she joins the school than she'll be under Natsuki's influence.

They don't seem to like each other all that much.

Well... the episode didn't really grab me but that's because MO has a lot to live up to when it comes to following in MH's footsteps. However, I'll still follow the series loyally.

I really enjoyed Nao this time round, she had the possibility of almost being my favorite MH character last time round till she got all bitchy. Nao would maybe take the stage to replace Natsuki of old. Chie was hawt lesbian. Lots of

What Chie wants, Shizuru gots. Someone said that this show is Shizuru's dream-world. Actually it's the other way around; the Hime world is her dream paradise -- a place where the outside world didn't matter, no responsibility she couldn't shuffle off onto someone else with the most difficult discision revolving around whether she should entertain her large harem BEFORE or AFTER she's had her way with Natsuki.

The maid thing isn't doing anything for me. It's a little TOO otaku-ish. In general the show feels more like Gundam meets Sakura Taisen.

This episode was kind of weak. Well, it hit a few targets -- Shizuru macking, Shiho spiraling, Nao being delinquent, Chie being a player, and so on. I liked Tomoe (she will be an antagonist later on). None of the other new characters besides her and Nina did anything for me. The show spent too much time on Mashiro who also isn't doing anything for me. Natsuki's screen time is being wasted.

Overall, this show can't just can't get by on character recognition alone. We'll see if it can pick up delivery.

I just watched this episode yesterday. and ultimately, I felt it was quite pointless as nothing truly happened. I thought Mai-Hime was just down right excellent from its first episode, however, I have barely enjoyed anything out of the first two episodes to this series. I'm still going to give it more time, but so far, I have been vastly disappointed as this just feels to happy-go-lucky for my taste.

I do love how they named the cat Mikoto though, since that is what I kept thinking of every time Mikoto appeared on screen in Mai-Hime.

Dr Kain: You can't have watched Mai HiME very closely, because otherwise you'd have seen that its start was PURELY action comedy, with the first slightly "serious" episode being number 5.

Relax and give it some time. You can't really expect the serious Mai HiME drama arcs so early.

Agreed. I also followed Mai-Hime from the start during it's run, and the first few episodes weren't serious at all. I'd only watched it for the lack of other stuff and Mai.

And still, Mentar, gokurosama. A lot of good observations there. Well, let's just enjoy the comedy and fun now, while we can, unless Sunrise pulls a surprise on us (^_^).

P.S. I want more Chie!!!

I know it's only the second chapter so far, but I must ask, why must the main character be SO insufferable!?! Please, someone tell me Mai is going to appear and smack Arika into next week before she gets any worse?

Anyway, if this is a shadow of things to come, I'm going to come away quite disappointed. Mai-Hime, in spite of its flaws, was a solid series. This, on the other hand, is starting to reek of several things I dislike about many an anime.

Do I complain much? Of course! It's what I do best.

However, I'm going to stick with this in hopes that Arika gets smacked around like a Mary-Sue should be.

Again, I ask, where the heck is Mai?

Wow the same people from Animesuki posting the same basic opinions from the other board :)

Anyway this waiting is killing me, I really wish they would just show the whole thing non stop for 13 hours and be done with it heheh

I know the first one wasn't completely serious at first (except the first episode), but it had a mystery of wondering what was going on and what was going to happen around it, which is why the first batch of episodes were great. However, this just hasn't done the same for me as it feels like a dumbed down version that 4Kids wrote rather than the people who brought us the first series. I'm just thankful they made this show an alternate universe rather than put it in the same continuity.

Like I said though, I'm going to give it about 5 more episodes to impress me (7 eps is how long I gave Trinity Blood, Kamen Rider Hibiki (sort of), and Tsubasa before I quit watching them).

Eh? Arika's a Mary Sue?

I think we're getting some Destiny-itis here...

Anyone kno how old Sergei and Natsuki are?

Translation: Arika in not Kira Yamato

This show is a competition among a bunch of crazy-ass bitches. Not since "Melrose Place," have I seen so many coniving, psychotic, and mentally unstable women running around trying to ruin each other's lives (this statement applies to "Mai-Hime" mostly).

I also love that Akane is featured as a prominent character in "Mai-Otome." She's just so refreshingly normal! I'm also excited for Haruka to return to her glory. These two might be my favorite characters.

And, hopefully, Shizuru, Nao, Shiho, & even Mai will go borderline insane once more, so they show these new Otome girls that YOU DO NOT MESS WITH THEM. THEY WILL WRECK YOU. This applies especially to Shizuru.

Arika is adorable, Mashiro reminds me of Mei Ling (from "Card Captor Sakura"), so I find her absolutely adorable, but I can't say that I find Nina very interesting. She's just kind of blah to me right now.

One more thing, is Sergey=Tate? I ask this because they have different seiyuus. And, most of the returning characters have maintained their original voices.

Nina hasn't been given anything to work with, really, so it's hard to judge her as a character. Her screen time in this episode mostly involves being talked about while she sits and sulks. Since she's taking the part of the Natsuki analogue, we expect a bit of "ice queen" right at first, don't we?

Mashiro = Mei Ling... interesting comparison, and probably more flattering than Mashiro deserves at this point. We'll see, though. The writers are, of course, rubbing our noses in the "see how different she is?" so all we can do is hope that gets toned down a bit in the next half-dozen episodes.

Anyway... great character review, Mentar. I think you've nailed the lot of 'em (as it were!) quite accurately. I look forward to seeing how these assorted fruits, nuts and flakes interact...

As of now, Mashiro definately doesn't have any of the complexities or depths of Mei Ling's character, but if she sees Arika as a threat that might replace her, she'll have the same insecurity that Mei Ling had with Sakura. And, if the two develop a friendship like Mei Ling and Sakura, it should add ANOTHER dimension to Mashiro's character.

I don't really understand why there seems to be a sizeable contingent of people who hate Arika. Certainly, she's not instantly likeable, but I personally am warming to her pretty fast. You've really got to keep in mind that this series, while containing many elements of its predecessor, is in a different series with different ideas to work with. If they just had another Mai-like character it would be repetitive and boring.

Personally I'm really enjoying how this is panning out. I think one of the best things about it is that we're actually able to debate and speculate with it, because its predecessor proved that they're not always going to take the obvious, 'soft' options all the time.

They've been dropping hints quite a bit over these two episodes, and by now it's pretty obvious that Arika is the real princess. I'd speculate that what's probably happened is that Arika pretty much disappeared, so there was some kind of huge hunt for her. Eventually they found someone who they thought was the right one, but some doubt remained because she didn't have that pendant. Of course, this was covered up and only a few people know that Mashiro's claim's legitimacy isn't exactly watertight. I'd suggest that Sergay's been looking for that pendant so that they can completely legitimise Mashiro's claim (or find the real princess). I wonder who Arika's 'granny' was, and whether there was some kind of pre-arranged 'hide the princess from the enemy until she's old enough to ascend the throne' kind of contingency plan set up. If there was, then clearly no one knew about it except for people who I assume took the secret with them when they died. It seems implausible to me that 'granny' could have been some random good samaritan who grabbed Arika out of the river and decided to raise her without ever presenting her to the authorities or anything.

Am I the only one getting the impression that they're going to pull something with these five 'pillars' each being associated with an element? Assuming (based off the OP) Mai, Natsuki, Shizuru and Haruka, I'd suggest that Arika herself will fill the emtpy fifth position. Mai is associated with fire, and Natsuki with water (remember that Duran went around shooting ice in the previous series). The name of Arika's gem ('Blue Jewel of Heaven' is the only translation I've seen) and the fact that it seemed to be able to power an aircraft would lead me towards thinking she may be associated with Air. Haruka's weapon screams 'Earth' to me, and Shizuru would be Spirit/Aether by process of deduction (and that element is often associated with purple I believe). Of course, this is all probably completely irrelevant speculation.

Was I the only one to find it odd that it seemed like everyone was lining up to rake Nina over the coals for trying to protect the princess, legitimate or not? The eyepatched council member (the Kendo club leader from the previous series) even went as far as to imply that protecting the royalty isn't what the Otome's powers are for, which seems kind of odd. Maybe I misinterpreted something, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if it turned out that these powers are intended for something a bit more nefarious.

Nagi's costume screams Napoleonic Midget to me. He was a really grey character last time, you couldn't say he was necessarily completely evil, but he certainly wasn't a nice guy either. I personally can't see them doing it over again though, because that's exactly what we'd be expecting them to do. I think he'll be sitting on the fence, playing both sides against the other for advantage, but they could possibly pull a surprise on us and reveal that he was actually working things into our heroine's favour.

I also concur with everyone's evaluation of Tomoe - right from the first moment I saw her design, something about her has made me wary. Rie Tanaka does an excellent scheming, slightly insane villain, and I wouldn't be surprised if they've cast her to do exactly that.