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ローゼンメイデン 
October 23, 2005 | 
37 Comments
This episode strongly reminds me of seedtime on a farm. Not too much really happens, because this is not the time to harvest. Instead, you place seeds to make sure they have the necessary time to develop. A multitude of plotlines are set up - some of them expected followups to earlier setups, but some of them quite surprising. Therefore, I'll dedicate this review to the various questions popping up.
Fairly reviewing a setup episode is difficult because there's no flashy climax to be admired. The duel at the end probably comes closest to that, but the pace was slower and quite a bit more earnest this time. I decided to give this episode a (o) only. Decent, but below good. Why? Because there were a couple of disconnects which bothered me, and objectively the animation quality took a bit of a hit this time. Besides, we need some room for higher grades for later, I'm sure. Therefore:
Episode Rating: o
So we learn that Nina is Nagi's most likely Otome prospect - not surprising due to her family bonds with Sergey, but interesting in one aspect. So far I've been working under the assumption that the Otomes are some kind of homogenous group rendering services to other people. Somehow I now get the impression that once the Otomes commit to their royals, we should expect them to act in the interest of their ruler - and NOT in the interest of Garderobe. This may not be relevant now, but it sure as hell will become important later.
It's pathetic how easily Mashiro was fooled by Nagi. In fact, it was so blatantly obvious that everybody except Mashiro herself realized what was happening. If Mashiro is supposed to be the brains which keeps Windbloom safe, better check for immigration laws elsewhere.
Cloaked guy (I'll call him Rado from now on, based on the seiyuu list) shows up in the city, just in time for the coronation! And briefly talks to cloaked girl. Who is it? Midori or Mai? Still taking bets...
Sakomizu and Aoi are both slightly exasperated by Mashiro's decision to accept Nagi's duel idea. We can deduce that Nagi and Mashiro go quite a long way and that he continuously manages to manipulate her.
Arika gets a one-shot injection of nanomachines to enable her to wear a robe for the upcoming duel. Let's not discuss the technical stuff, it's too far out ^_^;; ... and it's also not very important. Relevant should be that Arika doesn't show the seemingly normal defense reaction of the human body against the nanomachines. This could be due to natural aptitude (maybe she IS an Otome's child after all?), the fact that she's wearing a Pillar gem around her neck - or be pure coincidence. I doubt the latter though. In any case, Arika is completely giddy and can't await to wear the flashy clothes in action.
One more detail which will definitely become relevant is the fact that only Garderobe holds the secrets to the Otome tech. This may in fact be relevant in regards to the "treaty", which obviously limits the use of Otomes in combat. It seems that the treaty is designed to give all nations access to Otomes without allowing the "controller" of Garderobe to exploit it for his/her gains alone.
Natsuki is annoyed about the whole duel deal and laments that they now have to prepare some backup plan. A certain pattern is emerging: Natsuki is the worrier, Shizuru is the one to serve tea, calm her down and offer hints which lead Natsuki to her decisions.
The other Otome trainees are in uproar over the duel, and everybody seems to expect an easy victory for Nina. She, however, is clearly torn by worries and self-doubt. What's keeping her upright is her determination not to shame her father or Nagi with a poor performance. But Nina has already realized that Arika is the likely successor to the Sapphire Pillar pendant and not at all just a hapless rookie.
Enter Sergey. He notices that Nina is definitely not her usual self and tries to cheer her up. She remembers skipping through Sergey's photo album, including pictures of him and Rena Sayers, the prior Sapphire Pillar. Collecting all tidbits from eps 1-3, it seems obvious that Sergey is smitten by Rena, and even chibi Nina shows clear signs of jealousy. This adds to her general rivalry with Arika, who Nina considers the successor of Rena (and thus, in a way a rival for her affections to her father - even though Arika would laugh about that). With newfound resolve, Nina promises to go all-out against Arika and rushes off. My call: Rena is still alive, and we'll see a Rena-Sergey romance subplot.
Nature girl Arika sings a song which Sergey immediately recognizes as the tune Rena sang in the past. Clever as he is, he'll later accuse Arika of singing it poorly, so she should rather avoid singing it in public - however his reason certainly is a different one: He wants to make sure that nobody makes the connection between Arika and Rena over the song.
His talk with Arika reveals her amazing simplicity and naivete, but also purity of thought. She has _decided_ to become an Otome, so this is what she'll do. Sergey's question if she'd be willing to pay the price to crush Nina's dream to fulfil her own, her wrinkled forehead proved that the thought never occurred to her. Nevertheless, following the teachings of her baa-chan, she embraces her dream with all her might!
This episode gives us an important clue on her baa-chan: She wasn't just some random woman fishing an unknown baby out of the pond - that much is clear. If baa-chan was singing Rena's song, she must have had a connection to her. But how did she manage to pick up Arika in the capsule? Especially since it seems to have been an emergency escape? I guess we'll find out later.
All those honorable visitors. The first-introduced emperor (picked up by Akane) is giving me especially creepy vibes, I'm almost willing to bet that he will turn up to be a major badguy. We see a big lineups of famous Otomes here... and I still think that they have their allegiances sorted out, NOT with Garderobe.
We also get to see a familiar face: Kazu-kun, Akane's boyfriend is still as handsome and sweet as before. I wonder if he will be torn to shreds early on aswell. I hope not, but... anyway, with him on board, and seeing Akane's girly reaction, the probability of her turning out to be the vicious-looking flying purple Otome seems slim.
Nagi's appearance before Natsuki, Shizuru and Arika was instructive aswell. He's relaxed and controlled, and I think he's taken a genuine liking to Arika. Nina is following on his heels, and while she plays the icy professional, we know that alot of it is bravado, she's much more insecure on the inside.
So the coronation is underway. Anyone else realized that the plaza had flags of modern Earth nations all around? I wonder if this was just laziness or had some meaning which will be explained later.
Sergey is in his office, mulling over Arika and her past. He starts to strongly remind me of Joker from Read or Die ;) ... his habits and way of presenting himself is all too similar, along with his looks. He mutters "I should prepare something else, just in case" and begins to write a letter. I wonder what?
No reason to waste much time on the coronation. Big issue for the Otomes aswell, and we have Erstine's and Irina's friendship underlined when they bribe their way into Youko's laboratory to get a better look on her big TV screen.
Also noteworthy is the little scene where Nagi mulls over the fact that Mashiro may not even be the real princess. Sergey cautions him not to speak about it so freely where he could be heard, but he insists that everyone seems to pretend to have forgotten the incident from 14 years ago (which we have seen at the beginning of episode 1). Therefore, doubt about the validity of Mashiro seem to be widespread, however not uttered loudly.
Shizuru prepares Arika's robe with a hearty close hug which causes Natsuki to blush and turn her face aside in an irritated frown. The spectacle seems to affect her - SUNRISE clearly enjoys teasing the fans about it with the question if this is jealousy or not. After copping enough feels, Shizuru whispers a gentle "Materialize!" to summon Arika's robe which she toys around with like a schoolkid. Natsuki's awakening of Nina's robe via kiss on her earpiece had much less drama attached - namely none.
The three top pearls - Akane, Chie and Shiho - discuss the combatants' chances in the upcoming battle. Shiho is her usual growling self wishing for a double KO, but Chie and Akane aren't ready to count out Arika's chances yet, regardless of the fact that she's a total rookie. Typically for her, Nao watches the preparations alone.
Soon thereafter the fight begins, and it becomes clear early on that Arika barely knows how to handle the equipment (It was funny to see her wave her staff around without any effect). Nevertheless, she hangs in there and gives it her best shot.
In the meantime, Shizuru has noticed an intruder and went to check. She surprises and confronts Rado, the black-armored guy who cornered Rena after she sent off Arika. Several VERY interesting things happen here:
First of all, Shizuru surmises that he is part of "these poor people who fear the black letter". Via the frame from the OP which shows a black letter with a pointy gem we know that these people are the "Schwarz" badguys who overran the castle 14 years ago with their slaves. Rado however, reacts almost insulted and calls them "fools". This came as a total surprise to me since I expected him to be either the leader or at least a prominent member of their group. I doubt that he is lying, so he rather is member of another faction, as a messenger from the "Black Valley".
Shizuru reacts almost insulted for his use of words. We don't know what triggers her hostility (most likely the "Black Valley"), but she immediately tags him as enemy and summons her robe to fight him. As a sidenote, some mad props to her Seiyuu, Naomi Shindoh. Her ability to vary her voice from soft-teasing to whiplash-menacing is amazing. Compare her "I'll rip you a new one" Materialize! to the soft-flirty Materialize! she used for Arika. Great!
Also, watch Shizuru's GEM - it's showing S.V (Shizuru Viola) to F.H (Fumi Himeno?) as her master. Interesting basis for speculation. We also learn that her English is better than Nina's Engrish ;) (Materiarize! from ep1)
I consider it slightly surprising that first the idea of fighting Otomes is considered a serious breach of treaty, and now Shizuru is kicking some butt yet again. Are things different in defense of a local castle? Maybe not THAT big an issue, but it was a bit strange to me.
Finally, it should be noted that Rado scanned the area and had a map indicating a secret passage beneath the throne indicated on his HUD. What is he really after? I wonder when we'll learn.
The fight between Arika and Nina is well-animated, but I had two issues with it. First, how comes that someone who's wearing this robe for the first time is able to use it like that? Please no "natural aptitude" or "she's got the Pillar gem" explanations, this thing is looking really complex.
Also, the fact that Arika so readily agrees to _fight_ somehow rubs me wrong. We're not talking about a video game here, this is serious AND bloody, as we will learn in the end. Maybe it's some form of machoism, but the idea of girls beating each other bloody doesn't sit well with me yet. And I doubt that it ever will. Hmmm.
Nina isn't pulling any punches and eventually prepares her finishing move, a true-style DBZ Kamehameha. She has realized by now that Arika _is_ the valid successor to the Souten no Seigyoku and that she isn't about to win with gloves on. The smartest ones in the audience (Natsuki, Sergey and - Nao!) realize it first, the others watch in shock as Arika smashes into the wall in a huge cloud of dust and debris.
Everyone is shocked about the violent attack and the resulting damage, but our favorite anthead managed to somehow block Nina's slam and rescued herself from going splat at the coliseum wall with a smart use of her robe straps. Still determined not to give up, she steps into the arena, ready to resume her fight. Tomoe is awed by her abilities - I would assume that she will approach Arika to befriend her, seeing that she is a capable opponent to her top rival.
Nina sees Arika bleed from a head wound, making her look exactly like Sergey, who was reaching out to her in a flashback. I'm sure we'll learn about this scene some more in the future.
Meanwhile, the Shizuru-Rado fight is heating up, and a careless massive attack from Rado breaches the castle wall, damaging the giant construction frame attached, which is consequently beginning to falter. Sergey immediately orders Nina off to protect Nagi, but Arika stumbles towards the frame in an attempt to save the spectators there from being crushed.
After this episode I need to reevaluate Rado. It seems that he's not the medium boss of the badguys, but rather a leader of another faction which may not necessarily be "evil". My radar tells me that he might turn out to be a neutral or maybe even late ally in the end.
As for the rest - let's wait and see.
I liked this episode well enough. The pacing is still too frantic, but it's nice that everything moves on quickly. And, they still manage to develop the insanely large group of characters! I never got how Mai-HiME did that, but I'm glad it's being done in this show.
it was awesome seeing Haruka and Yukino back. I wasn't sure if Yukino would be in this series, but I'm glad she is. Hopefully, she can remain as a background character that she deserves to be! :)
I don't know, but I still find Mashiro really adorable and highly amusing. Her facial expressions are priceless. And, she still reminds me of Mei Ling!
I'm so glad that Arika stood her ground, but it did seem awfully weird that she would do such things without hesitations. I'm not sure how I feel about her impulsiveness. In one hand, she's kind of like Haruka: brave, determined, but kind of clueless...however, in another way, she seems more calculating than Haruka ever could be. When she was talking to Sergey about how she would do anything to achieve her dreams, that definately struck me as a bit unsettling. She's basically stated that she would crush her competition to complete her goals if needed, in the nicest way possible.
Anyway, it's getting interesting! Hopefully, we'll get some surprising, unpredictable, and crazy moments later in the series.
Hmmm....well, recall that Rado attacked the castle (and Rena Sayers) along with the Slaves 14 years ago. ) That suggests much more of a connection.
My guess is the Slave "Masters" are people who Rado's organization blackmails into sacrificing themselves. Send the "Black Letter" to them, tell them they're damnned or whatever already, but the Dark God (whoever) will be more upset if they don't submit to the Dark Crystal.
Rado, on the other hand, is PART of the organization. His disdain for the others is the same as the disdain of a demon would be to someone who sold their soul to hell. (He has the same VA as Reito, but I'll laugh if he takes off his helmet and reveals Takumi or something.)
The OTHER Schwarz Knight, btw, has the same hair as both Midori and Mai. Hmmm.......
Mhhhh... we don't KNOW any of this yet, Andyzero. MAYBE, maybe not. What we just learned was that he insists on NOT being part of the Schwarz fools, and for the time being I'm inclined to believe him.
Some other minor observations which make me doubt that he's supposed to be a plain villain: He's showing respect to Shizuru - which is rare for a badguy. Also, I'm 99% sure that we will eventually meet Rena Sayers alive, so he will have let her live.
We can place a bet. I say that he's gonna be a neutral, and eventually an ally. He's not part of THE enemies.
interesting theories.. now lets see how good Sunrise's penchant for turning theories around goes :)
As much as they are trying to play up the "Mashiro might not be the princess" thing, I do think she will, infact, turn out to be the princess in the end. I mean, whats the alternative - Mashiro is really Renas daughter? Mmmm, that might be worthwhile just for the look on Sergays face when he finds out...
I was under the impression that the nano-machine treatment Arika underwent was permanant, and it was the fact that she didn't have access to a GEM which would prevent her from summoning a robe herself (which is why Shiz had to summon one for her). Anyone have any idea if it was mentioned either way?
I'm still of the opinion right now that Rad is probably a badguy. Sure, he gives Shiz some respect, but to me thats just a case of him being a well written badguy rather than a two-dimensional egomaniac - just because he is a badguy doesn't mean he has to be egotistical. For one thing, he killed Rena (until we know better - I don't trust Sunrise with off-screen deaths), which isn't exactly an act which endears him to me.
Who is talking about Mashiro? It seems that most people know that she is not "the" princess, but rather a step-in. It's nearly certain based on what we saw that Arika is the true princess, so whereever Mashiro came from, she isn't :)
She got a one-shot nano treatment, I'm fairly sure of that.
You seriously believe it likely that Rena is dead?? I'll give you 5:1 on that. And 2:1 that Rado will turn out to be a Nao-type at best. He is not gonna be part of THE enemy group.
Most of the Mashiro dialogue is pretty vague though - more a case of "might not be the princess" rather than definately isn't. The only thing I'd personally consider certain is that one of Arika or Mashiro is the princess, and one of them is Renas daughter. Personally, I think Arika being the princess is far to straight forward, but they'll probably make us think she is right up until the end.
I don't really think its that likely that Rena is dead - I've seen too much Gundam to be able to trust Sunrise when it comes to killing characters offscreen (or rather, pretend to kill characters off screen). Then again, I wouldn't give her a better chance than 50/50 right now - it depends how long the show runs. If its 13 episodes, I reckon she is definately a goner, ifs its longer than the odds of her reappearing increase significantly.
There is no reason why we can't have more than one group of enemies. In HiME we had both Searrs and First District - theres nothing to say that either Rads group or Swartz (assuming they are entirely seperate) won't be defeated part way through. Of course, that would leave the way open for a Miyu-esque redemption, but I'd think thats more likely to be one of his cronies rather than Rado.
All rampant speculation, of course, but thats what makes the show fun.
Hmmm... where do you get the idea from that it's certain that one of them is Rena's daughter? So far I don't get any indication that Rena had a child at all - in ep2, the second young woman seems to be the mother. Also, it doesn't really seem to mix with the position of an Otome...
On the other hand... if Sunrise was really nasty, then Arika MIGHT not have been the princess which was rescued, but maybe REALLY "only" her daughter - which could then be the real reason why she lost her Otome powers. This would also mesh with the Baa-chan statement that her mother was an Otome.
Still... *ponder*
I'm fairly confident about the rest though. Rena lives and Rado will not be part of the "real" menace in the show. Bet on that? ;)
Noooo, I'm not a betting man. Certainly, I wouldn't put any money on Rena being alive or dead. Rado, on the other hand, I suspect will only be the mid-boss - there is something behind both his and probably Swartz actions, even if they do act seperately.
Hmmm, I guess its not certain that one of them is Renas daughter, now that I think about it. I guess all of Arikas dialogue, or the fact that Rena seemed to have lost her powers/given up being an Otome, had gotten to me. I know the shot in episode 2 you are talking about, but when it comes down to it its simply Rena with a baby - it doesn't have to be Arika or Mashiro or even another character in the series. Unlikely, yes (and I do agree its probably the lady with Rena is the mother), but its still possible.
I have to wonder what Renas necklace (Souten no Seiyu, wasn't it?) actually is, and if Rena had quit being an Otome (which, by all appearances, she probably had) why she had it? And for that matter, why she would leave it with a child which wasn't her own...
I'd have thought the more obvious reason for Rena losing her powers was simply that her master was killed. Given her proximity to them, it's pretty clear that she was serving one of the royal family, and we see them both dead on-screen during that opening scene.
The girl with Rado looks like Midori to me. Mai's hair is a different colour and the larger front bangs are more consistent with Midori's design than Mai's.
Next thing you know...the Slaves will take forms of the Childs from MH...with names like Hurri (Harry), Duran, Miroku, and Kagutsuchi (...oh yes...Kagutsuchi...)
Actually, given that Arika is singing something Rena was singing, it makes sense that Rena survived and picked Arika up later. I wouldn't be surprised if Rena was Arika's "Baa-chan".
One thing I don't understand is how people believe that Haruka is a Pillar? What is it that makes her a Pillar? I hope she isn't, I never really liked Haruka that much at all.
The opening. Haruka helping out Shizuru like that, fighting Rado with a special weapon. Besides, she's wearing a special clothing that's reserved for Otome.
I get the impression that Akane's role is supposed to be big in this version (she's listed as the 6th character in the official site). So isn't it kind of weird that so far she just walks around smiling and not doing much? I know it sounds unlikely since she looks so sweet and all but I think there's still a possiblity that she may become one of the enemies.
I think that episode 3 indicated that all Meister Otomes have their own flashy clothes. But there are only 5 pillars. Two of them are locked (Natsuki and Shizuru), one of them is vacated (Rena), so only two more remain unknown. And I doubt that they'd waste one of the precious slots on Haruka in episode 4.
Speculation on Haruka being a Pillar comes mostly from her earring. We know that all Pillars have distinct earrings (this episode gives us a good look at one). Shizuru and Natsuki are confirmed, Arika's got a unique blue piercing in the OP, given her role in the 1st show it's inconceivable that Mai _isn't_ a Pillar (plus she's got a unique orange earring) and then there's Haruka. She's got a yellow earring that looks pretty distinct in the OP. The only other full Otome we've seen with an earring is Yukariko and I don't think anyone wants to suggest that she's a Pillar. I think the diamond-shaped purple earring is the standard Meister gear like the red earring is the standard for Coral and Pearl level Otome. Besides, I _like_ the idea of Haruka being a Pillar. She was a fun character the first time around and was actually more effective in attacking Shizuru than two Hime. Plus, it's kind of neat to take an essentially powerless character and make her into a badass with a mace. Now if only they gave her that really big cannon she uses in the manga...
I agree with Mentar. I don't think Haruka is a Pillar. However, she definately is a Meister Otome. I wonder if she and Yukino both work for the same person? Or...maybe they're Shizuru and Natsuki's Meister Otomes?
DiGiKerot got me thinking with his earlier comment on the princess. Here's a wild speculation which is looking better and better the more often I look at it:
Theory: SUNRISE has been pulling a fast one on us in episode 1. The attackers may have been searching for the princess, but Rena saved her _own_ child - the princess was someone else somewhere else. The implication is obvious: Arika would NOT be the princess.
Supporting this theory would be the following details:
1) Baa-chan said that Arika's mother was an Otome. I still assume that an Otome isn't a queen (see ep2), so this would fit with Baa-chan's statement. Otherwise it wouldn't.
2) From ep3 we know that Arika had no problems with the nanomachine injection, contrary to expectations. If she was the biological child of Rena, this would be easily explicable.
3) We don't know how the GEM and jewel mechanics work in detail. But as Rena's biological child, it would probably make it easier to explain Arika's affinity to the Souten no Seigyoku. We know from ep3 that Nina considers her the valid "successor" to the jewel. I assume that this means something.
4) Bearing a child might be a good explanation why Rena ceased being an Otome (Rado in ep1). Somehow I still suspect that being an Otome and being a mother is mutually exclusive. We'll see about that. This also raises an interesting question: If so, who is the father? Rado? ;)
It seems that SUNRISE is making the identity of the TRUE princess a relevant plot issue. But if this is the case, why are they whacking the implication that Arika is the princess into our face so bluntly? The more I think about it the more I doubt it - hence the theory I submit here.
The Unknown woman with Rado/Reito/whatever is almost definitely Midori.
Mai has similar bangs, but only Midori has the two long bangs on either side, and the color is more consistent with Midori. Plus we KNOW Mai is an Otome, or at the least 99% certain, and this person is clearly wearing the armor of Rado's group.
Another thought, the title of episode four "Burning Transfer Student" bears great resemblance to episode 6 of HiME "Burning Seventeen Year Old", which was of course Midori's introduction. Additionally Rado's attack may be primarily a diversion to get "Midori" into position for something.
I believe Haruka is a pillar, but it is of course not confirmed. We've only seen one Meister in action, and never one who wasn't a pillar. So we have very little to base assumptions off of.
Oh, and that emperor's Otome, Fia Gross, has a title of her own. "Black Onyx".
On the Mai vs Midori debate... I know that the instant I put any thought into this I'll be proven wrong, but I'm pretty much convinced it's Midori and not Mai.
http://pinkubentobox.com/unknown-mai-compare.jpg
The unknown girl and Mai. Notice the way that Mai's hair parts on the left there into a fringe piece (not a bang) that hangs down, almost over one eye, and there is a gap before the rest of her fringe slopes away from that parting. The unknown character has a small piece of fringe right where Mai's part should be located.
http://pinkubentobox.com/unknown-midori-compare.jpg
Meanwhile, Midori's fringe is a lot more consistent with what we're looking at. A longer bang on either side, and then the fringe starts straight away and is parted. While I'll admit that it's still possible that it's Mai, it seems very early for them to be bringing her in, not to mention that based off the evidence we have here, Midori seems to be a much closer fit.
This is probably absolutely pointless overanalysis though.
I guess I just don't want Haruka to be a Pillar because I couldn't care less if she fell off a cliff, it totally depends on her demeanour in this series. In MH she was funny but annoying, and so was Yukino.
I also don't like Nina very much, her devotion to her father annoys me. She might grow on me, I hope so anyways.
As for Pillars, each Pillar seems to be named after a gem. Amethyst of Grace (Shizuru) and Sapphire of the Azure Sky (Rena/Arika?). Logically, if Mai IS a Pillar she'd be a Ruby due to her fire element and the red Otome suit. Then there would be Emerald and possibly Topaz. If there was Topaz then I guess it could land on Haruka, bleh. Anyways, to further my point, obviously if a Pillar dies, (example, Rena, although she might not be dead), then the power needs to pass onto someone else. But if we look at it this way, Natsuki is the one that dresses in Blue so that would make HER the Sapphire of Azure Sky, wouldn't it? Therefore... maybe Arika isn't a Pillar at all. Iunno, I'm just rambling, I just can't see there being two Pillars that are Sapphire.
Unless, there are 6 Pillars... like Alyssa with the 12 HiME? Omg, I'm going to shut up cause I'm totally rambling now. Sorry if nobody understands my point.
Assuming that Natsuki holds the highest position of them (which is what they've indicated so far, she's clearl got more clout than Shizuru at least) wouldn't it make more sense for her to get diamond than sapphire? Certainly it would be more in line with Duran's powers from the previous series.
Well in the manga for Mai Hime, if I remember right Duran had a diamond cartridge.. Don't think we ever saw that in the anime though.
One other plotline setup to note: when Erstine and Irina bribe Yohko to let them watch the ceremony on her TV, they give her what looks to be an antique vacuum-tube. (And remember that antique technology is, in this world, advanced technology.) Irina tells Yohko that she can use it in her "kawaii ko-chan" (cute child).
Whatever Yohko is building, I'm sure it will figure in the plot somehow.
Great commentary as always! Damn, there are always so many little clues sprinkled in these series, it makes my head hurt to think of them all. Thankfully, this time around we're all wise to their tricks, and know to look at everything with a magnifying glass!
Youko is probably building Miyu.
LOL, check out dendoh.com for official Mai-Hime and Mai Otome artworks. This site had Mai-Hime artwork 1.5 YEARS before the anime was released. Alas, their servers crashed and lost them. Why there are official Mai-Hime and Mai-Otome artworks in a website called dendoh.com is beyond me. Unless of course dendoh.com is Hisayuki Hirokazu's site. But still.... Mai-Hime on a Dendoh site? (yes, I know they both have his character designs, it still doesn't mean it's his site)
Umm, has anybody else noticed that Akira is missing as well?
Both Akira and Takumi are missing, which is suspicious.
Well, this episode was slightly better than the first two, but it did the exact same thing this past weekend's Naruto did, end just when it was finally getting somewhat interesting.
Yay it's Mai and Rado the bad guys. I don't think it would be Midori. Isn't Mai one of the five pillars? and who could be the fifth, in the opening it was just a shadow with a big sword.
Haruka _is_ a Pillar, thank you episode 4. She's the 'Suzu no Kougyoku'. I'm not sure how the first bit reads but the second is Topaz.
What if the cloaked women that stood next to Rado is a combination of Mai & Midori, like how Sergey kinda looks like Tate Yuuichi and Masashi Takeda. But most likely i'm wrong.
OR (another crazy suggestion) what if that cloaked person is really a guy. someone that looks like Takumi, maybe?
Again, i'm most likely wrong.
So out of everything i've heard from people i'm gonna guess its Midori.
Ugh... tired. (No, not of anime. That's unpossible.)
Did someone already mention that Arika calls her 'granny' "Baccha", as opposed to "Baa-chan" (like some unusual Japanese dialect)?
At least that's how it's spelled in the manga, and the writers/VA is being consistent...
Sorry, not much else to contribute to the discussion. I just thought that was kinda cute.
Another excellent review as usual mentar. I hav my bets on Mai xD simply cuz the cloaked person's fringe matches mai's
Well, it does look like Arika will become the Sapphire Pillar withn Ten eps. Also her weapon looks like a cross between MH Akira's and the dual-bladed sword that Adult Mashiro pulled on Reito near the end.
On another note as to the Pillars, Mai HAS to the Ruby Pillar, most likely the last one we'll meet (ep 13 I bet) since she'll arguably be the strongest amongst the Five (Shizuru can be 2nd for all Shi-fans out there ^^v). Also, Natsuki DOES have an Otome earing and it is a CLEAR color so at the least she's a high-level Meister Otome. I don't think they'd risk having the Principle of the school run double duty as a Pillar. Still I look for 'Silver Cartridge' to be uttered in the future. ^^
I kinda like that Natsuki and 'Sergey' have a lil history between them. At the very least, their respective jobs put them at odds but they do share a few secrets between them. I look for quite a few powerplays between them and overlapping one another to back each other up. They're good at getting on each other's nerves in any case ^^ v I find it interesting that Takumi works for Tate, err, Sergey in here as well. Kinda fits him in a way.
Mikoto's so darn cute in this one. Even if she doesn't talk, heh heh.
WOW i think mai is really her mom now there was a poster of Mai in the preview of ep 5
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