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ローゼンメイデン 
November 14, 2005 | 
37 Comments
Okay, I'll confess it. I went into this episode in a very sour mood, not just expecting but intending to hate it. I had just seen 3-4 screenshots from the episode and was totally annoyed by the fact that this was obviously going to be a senseless fanservicey fluffpiece for lolipedofins. Where's the plot, dammit? Where's the drama? GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER, SUNRISE! GRRRRR!
Well, and then I watched it.
Mai Otome 6 turns out to be the best comedy episode of the entire Mai franchise so far, and ranks among the best comedy episodes ever in my book. It had me howling even before the OP, and when the last frame of the preview had aired, I was happy in EVERY aspect. The show was utterly hilarious, we even had some minor plot progression, some nice character development woven in, and the preview proved that in the next episode the serious plot will kick in. What more could you possibly wish for?
Episode Rating: ++
Since I've got exactly one hour before I need to be off again, I'll resist any temptation to do a summary. You need to watch this episode yourself in any case, and it's not difficult to understand at all. So I'll rather restrict myself to sidecomments.
So Nina's weakness is being ticklish? She's indeed the true successor to Natsuki - mixing the hard and rash exterior with a girlish core - a tsundere character through and through. Strange though that her yelp has a decidedly sexual note, the scriptwriters obviously wanted to do all those perverted otakus some good. Only the others, mind you. Not the fine readers of this blog. Of course.
Erstin has been the only _true_ friend of Nina's from episode two. And what a GOOD friend she'll turn out to be, I'm sure...
Finally, the scenechange from Nina kicking off Arika from the bed to schooling her in the Otome combat training already managed to get me to laugh out loud. Soooo well done!
In general, the SD comedy parts in this ep were absolutely hilarious. Look at them go at each other and be nailed by Yukariko - with her trademark bow! It will be interesting if Natsuki will eventually retain her peashooters ;)
Nao is assigned to become oneesama to Arika and Nina? That sits perfectly fine with me, because she's one of the most complex and INTERESTING anime characters I know. Even if Yayoi's forbidden fantasies remain fantasies (of course they will ^_^)
The locker room scene showed that Arika's easygoing nature enables her to make new friends fairly quickly. But to spill the beans about Nina's weakness was REALLY mean. And of course Irina had to try it... I wonder how often Nina will beat up Arika just because she's been foiled by her again. But dangit, it's sooooo funny!
Shiho is fishing for information to have revenge against those he hates most. Let's sum them up: Nao, Nina and Arika, our terrible trio. Sounds familiar? She will be the comical sidekick of the show for the time to come, I'm sure - and I don't mind that at all. Because she's even crazier than back in MH, but much more funny at the same time.
Interesting tidbit: Miya is still very scared of Nina. Since this is emphasized yet again, I wonder if this will become relevant later in the story.
And then Shiho's maki-maki scene. Watching it for the first time definitely cost me 4 braincells, I heard them pop while my eyes were bulging out. Making entries on a personal sh*tlist as spirals is wack enough, but actually twirling this maki-maki spiral device with the suspiciously formed microphone extension... what the hell were they smoking? And even worse, it actually DID something!
Sakura Nogawa (Shiho's seiyuu) needs to be commended for this episode. Her crazy screams during this summoning scene just like in several other scenes later in this episode were simply outstanding.
I think it's plainly visible that Arika will end up to become Mashiro's fiercest defender and eventually her otome. The two of them are fighting way too well already. Also, if anyone still has any doubts that Sunrise is totally making fun of itself, check Mikoto's outfit. Or Mashiro's "famous mizugi handed down for many generations".
One comment on the fanservice can't be avoided. In _my_ opinion, it doesn't matter for the quality of this episode (or so I fancy myself to say). Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that the cell coloring people did their utmost to underline the well-proportioned curves of the heroines with extra glare points. With some success. This episode made me feel like a lecherous dirty old man ^_^;
Erstin's reaction was priceless. "You shouldn't do this, Nina... we're both girls. But since it's you..."
I guess it's the fate of the Natsuki clones to attract the unwanted attention of the wrong gender. This time, Erstin is no Shizuru however. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic will be playing out in the end.
Arika's enthusiasm to immediately rush to the rescue (simply requiring that she be rescued aswell) is very defining for her character. I guess if it's Nina's fate to be embarrassed to the max, it's Arika's fate to slam into a surface causing a huge cloud of debris or water, again and again.
Interesting flashback from Nina. Just who is this woman? Is this Rena or someone else? I've checked several RAWs, but the face can't really be made out in any of them.
Again, Nina suffers from embarrassing herself (and in her eyes, her father too). While her blush about Erstin's CPR was cute, her angry pouting reaction afterwards was harsh - it made me feel really bad for Erstin. In any case, the developing relationship between those two will be one of the parts I'll be looking forward to most in the future.
So Nao and Sergey know each other, and she doesn't particularly like him. After the last episodes in which Sergey was built up as an impeccable "father" to Nina and recently Arika, this is giving us a serious caution sign. Nao may be cynical with a tendency to selfishness, but she's neither a liar nor stupid. Especially with the implied allegation that he's primarily interested in creating one or two Otomes for Artai, this is gonna be something we should keep in mind.
Not for the first time, Shiho is bouncing off Miss Maria in defeat. Her withering glance is something Shiho can't cope with, and it was amusing to watch her shrivel.
I think it's also clear that Miss Maria doesn't like Shiho. At least, she's particularly intimidating towards her. Since this isn't her default disposition, we can deduce that this obasan is indeed quite sharp with a good intuition. Well, she's also clearly seen alot in her life, so we shouldn't be surprised.
Random side note: It will be interesting to see how Miss Maria will fight in the later anime. I'd give her the highest probability of the show to die - not of old age, but fighting, defending her girls. The theme of Otome will most likely be "growing up" - girls tossed into something BAD [tm], trying to survive. Any takers for the bet?
So an anonymous Otome reads about the fish, comes to the right conclusions and exchanges the sugar and salt signs in the food storage room? Note that it was NOT Shiho, this was a coral robe's sleeve. Tomoe again?
Please let's not discuss the scientific merit of the jellyfish/salt/sugar plot. It would be leading NOWHERE. This episode flags "hey, enable James Bond mode, relax, lean back and enjoy the fanservice and fireworks" so massively that we should simply DO THAT.
Priceless tidbit: While Shizuru is chuckling over the hilarious "findings" and upcoming plan, Natsuki is cooling her headache. So in character. I love it! Also interesting: When she handed out the shovels for her plan, Nina came closer to actually SMILING than she did ever before. She should do it more often - it suits her!
About the fighting and action part: No need to comment on it. So enjoy the many screenshots and captions, and especially Nao's big show!
We remember from episode 1 that Nina took care of Arika aswell, so one could argue that this is only her good upbringing. Nevertheless, I think a slow change in attitude can already be witnessed out of the way she put the blanket over Arika in the final scene (which reminded me alot of Natsuki putting the blanket over Mai in MH episode 4). Fine with me! And now on to the serious plot in episode 7, as introduced by the preview!
Review
This was an amazing fast-paced and utterly hilarious episode. How can you expect a serious review if the creators are making fun of themselves SO MUCH? And who wants a serious review anyway? ^_^
As I wrote before, I went into this with negative expectations, but I simply had to laugh too hard and too often to keep my bad mood alive. One of the big strengths of Mai HiME was the ability to let the viewer bond with the girls in the comedy parts so that the drama and suffering were even bigger when the carnage began. I see the very same dynamic at work here. First, they get you to care for the girls, then they will rip their lives apart. And it will be any bit as effective as the first time, I'm sure.
The icing on the cake was the preview for the next episode. I'm looking forward to the serious plot to kick in, and the initial glimpses looked VERY promising. Good timing! Now come on, show me!
One thing that really stood out here (well, aside from the fanservice and self-mocking humor) was that Nao seems to have retained her razor wires as well as her claws and Yukariko is still an archer. Does this mean Akane keeps her tonfas and Chie will fight with a cellphone? Can't wait for the next episode. Come to think, it was about the same time in Mai Hime that the plot started to arrive in detail.
Whilst I agree it is rather unclear, I do think that was Rena in Ninas flashback. I'm not, however, remotely convinced that was Nina with Rena in the pre-credit sequence of episode 1. I know it was only a young child, but the hair colour seems far too off for one thing.
Some really bizzare things impressed me in this episode for some reason - when Yukariko nailed Nina and Arika the main thought running through my head was "ooo, that smoke cloud was well animated" ^^;
Terrific episode, though, and I kind of hope we don't get too much time devoted to plot development next episode - I was to see Mashiro wind Arika up as much as possible...
Nice writeup as always, one small error: "I guess if it's Nina's fate to be embarrassed to the max, it's Nina's fate to slam into a surface causing a huge cloud of debris or water, again and again."
I guess you mean Arika there ;)
Btw, my experience was very similar, I also expected a boring fanservice episode after seeing swimsuits in the preview, but came away very amused and am now looking forward to the next ep. If only the latest Solty Rei was similarly entertaining (also an obligatory swimsuit ep).
Re: "ooo, that smoke cloud was well animated"
Me too.
I won't comment on the science of merging jellyfish. But I am wondering about the wars and the fact that Otome are used as super weapons.
Generally war is a clash of resources. So if 1 Otome can trash a 100,000 tanks before going down, but each tank costs $1, while an Otome costs say $200,000, if both sides have similiar starting resources, then the Otome user will lose.
This is worth noting as the opposition seems to use extremely cheap but highly effective units, most notable slaves. Slaves seem to require minimal investment (costing one person AND one crystal each) and a slave can take down many conventional units (tanks and artillery) if the opening sequence in ep 1 is to be believed. And it would not be hard to imagine slaves of sufficient number taking down an Otome.
Even more powerful are the black valley Cyborgs. They (or at least Rado) seem strong enough to go head on against an Otome. So if cost for cost, cyborgs are cheaper, then in a war between cyborgs and Otome, the cyborgs win.
What this basically boils down to, is that the the poor nation Artai may have made better use of their cash by buying high powered cyborgs, rather than Otome.
The investment is more stable, in that putting certain amount of cash into the project gaurantees you a functional cyborg, while for Otome, if your girls are slackers who are not interested in graduating (like Nao), then your money is wasted.
On the other hand, if you do not have enough cash for the cyborg, then getting Otome may be the only way out. Much like buying a lottery ticket. And if you pick the right girl, you win big.
The fanservice fluff was in full force this time, but I let it slide because Nao's battle debut was so damn cool.
Shiho has really been continuing from where she left off in Mai Hime, but she's less annoying this time because 1) she loses all the time, and 2) somehow being a vengeful wench is less annoying than being a weird onii-chan whiner. Her, um, personal voodoo massager made me cry, however T__T.
My new fearless prediction: Nina's refusal to give in to the yuri will lead to Erstin going nuts and beating up some random old ladies. There is a precedent for this kind of behavior!!!
Interesting thoughts on the Sergei/Nao thing. It might just be a case of Nao's trademark male-bashing mentality, of course, but it's something to at least keep an eye on.
I'm not even going to try to screencap this thing for my posting... I'd have to either go all the way, or leave out almost everything...
This episode looks really amazing. It seems to be funny throughout the whole episode, even during the danger scenes
Next week's preview looks intriguing to me:
It looks like Mashiro had a crush on Nagi
It seems Mashiro thought that Nagi was cool when she was young. So I wonder why she puts a cold front for him a few episodes ago? Just a girl trying to be cool in front of the boy she likes?
Is Mashiro an Otome or a Master?
Is that even her? But it sure looks like her and the ring looks like the one she showed in the first episode. I assume the intention of the villain of the week is to destroy the link between an Otome and her Master. And that's why the gems will be destroyed in the next episodes.
Is this person Mai or Rena or the Queen or some random person?
To be honest, I think she looks neither like any of those people. Well, she looks a bit like the Queen but it's hard to tell with that shot. She looks a lot like Arika though but I doubt it's actually a painting of Arika herself.
Kagutsuchi or some random Slave?
The creature looks mechanical to me, which was how Kagutsuchi used to look like in Mai Hime.
Well, since everyone is speculating about the person that Nina sees in a flashback, I'll speculate that Nina may be the princess, and this was during the time when she was rescued on that dark and terrible night. Far out? XD heck, yeah...
Yukariko's Robe reminds me of her nun outfit. It's just more...form fitting and differently colored.
Here's how I view the current political situation in Mai Otome.
50 years ago, there were a LOT of wars, behind it all were whispers of a shadowy group called the Black Valley.
The Otome system came around, and given to various countries. Those that had Otomes CRUSHED any countries that did not have them. In fact, the Otomes were so dang powerful, that a treaty was made instantly. They were to be trained and given to every country, and hopefully Mutually Assured Destruction would mean there wouldn't be any more wars. For this reason, NO Otome is to use their powers without proper authorization, because everyone is afraid of what they can do. The Black Valley vanishes in the chaos.
Modern day, most people have directly forgotten what Otomes can do, and people are trying to ignore the likelihood of the Black Valley still existing. (Like the attack on the Castle 14 years ago.) Trainee Otomes don't realize the power they have, and many don't take it seriously.
The adults realize that sooner or later, two countries with Otomes are going to go to war with each other. ...and that will be very, very bad.
This is why, btw, Artai is amassing Otomes.
Nao strikes me as one of the few Otome students who realizes the likelihood that they're going to be fighting each other.
That's why she thinks the ettiquette and comraderie attempts are a farce.
Chie? Cellphone? LOL!
no, she will use rose, which already stated in manga.
Nao also hinted at the fact from the time she was intro'ed in MH that they would fight each other anyway - even without the 'Carnival' existing. Makes sense that she also has the 'foreshadowing' effect here also.
Two countries going to war with the Otome school right in the middle of it and the Black Valley people hovering around? Sounds like a very bad situation indeed.
Yay...finally Nao combats a monster...finally the "Bondage Queen" decided to get off her butt and whoop some monster @$$.
No, Harado Chie with her Rose Bride Aoi and the power to revolutionize the world with Yuri, she fights with the sword of Keitai!
Nothing shall stop her!
The preview makes it look like the blue jewel is gonna activate and perhaps make Mashiro Arika's master in the next episode.
If Mashiro is going to become Arika's master (assuming contracts cannot be broken easily), then Mashiro can remain an important character in the story even if Nina ends up being the princess. IMO this, plus Nina's Rena flashback, makes it a legitimate possibility for Nina to be the real princess.
Interesting to note that from what we see of Nao's Robe, it would look as though ALL Pearl Otome Robes have a purple glow. Maybe this'll take some suspicion off Akane for being the Shadow Otome with the gigantic sword in the OP...
Just a thought...I wonder who the person before Nina in Shiho's book is? The one with a full page of spirals...
Oh, wait. I know, I think.
Odds are, it's Nao.
Yep, kinda obvious that Nao is the only person capable of earning that many merit points in Shiho's book.
Excellent review by the way, Mentar-san! Definitely worth the wait. ^___^
Meh, humble pie time - from reading between the lines of what I've been hearing for the next couple of episodes, I'm coming around the Mentars way of thinking in regards to Rad(o) not being an actual villian.
Awaits the arrival of Miyu...I hope...
I just like to point out something after watching Mai Hime all over again. At the very end of episode 26, doesn't Akira appear there? Right after Mai, Mikoto, and Natsuki left. A girl shows up and looked at the screen. Then I realize that girl bears resemblance to Akira! Does that mean that the writers planned this all along since Mai Hime?
ChosenExiled- Yeah, it was Sunrise's intentional way of letting us know secretly that we should expect a sequel. But has anybody ever notice of Nina's appearance in Mai-HiME's opening scene where a group of students are posing infront of a blackboard?
Amazingly funny this episode was. I just can't have enough of the Arika and Nina getting Yukariko's fork end arrows. I'm glad the Coral's Training Otome's Battle Robes are sufficient enough to protect its wearer from even a fully fledged Otomoe attack. One thing to note however, how did they activate all those robes for training?
Shiho's character is much interesting here because like someone had said, she doesn't try to hide being a (comedic) sub-villian (at least to us viewers) which was what turns us off in Mai-HiME.
It's great to see that Nao sees some monster kicking action in this episode, using her 'Julia web strings' to slice and dice, something about those strings being red just screams 'laser threads of death'.
Such a nice kissing scene it was. Ermmm... At last some yuri spice...
Hmmm... I find it more interesting that Shiho calls Nao "juilet" when everyone else just calls her Nao, this leads me to believe that somehwere there is a stronger reason that she dislikes Nao... Interesting that that she's called by the name of her old partner in Mai HiME ^_^
ChosenExiled- Yeah, it was Sunrise's intentional way of letting us know secretly that we should expect a sequel. But has anybody ever notice of Nina's appearance in Mai-HiME's opening scene where a group of students are posing infront of a blackboard?
Back in HiME, there was a girl in Mai's class by the name of "Chun Mei", she could be seen in any number of shots throughout the series, but I don't think she had any lines.
They took her character design, changed the hair and eye colors, and renamed her Nina Wong.
ta da!
My $0.02
1. Lettuce pray that Mentars hunch concerning the fate of Miss Maria is a form of age discrimination rather than good instinct and that she will die of old age (someday, not now) because without her authority this crazy bunch of half-fledged Otomes will all go nuts on Natsuki.
2. This episode should be rated 'X' instead of '++'.
By changing Julia into Juliet of course. I guess adding her Child's name into her's is to explain why she has those laser strings she uses as a weapon.
Fencedude hit right on on Nina's original character design as well.
I think Shiho calling Nao Juliet is just out of respect to another fellow Pearl Otome even though Nao annoys her to no end. I guess with happenings like that between those two is how Nao get the most makimaki from Shiho. Wonder when and how it started though is a mystery I like to know.
Shiho calls Nao Juliet because Nao HATES the name. Thats pretty obvious in episode 2.
Everyone else, including the teachers, calls her Nao. She's obviously made it clear she wants to be known by her middle name, not her first name.
For the screen cap with the caption " better don't cop feels from otomes" isnt that otome VERY similiar looking to Shizuru? I mean the weapon, the hair its all the same...
However that was one of the funniest episodes I've ever seen, it actually made me laugh out loud, and I don't laugh out loud. Not even for Azumanga...
I feel bad for Erstin (spelling?) though, what a harsh reaction, though personally I can soo see Nina and Arika hitting it off...
Where's my ShizNat moments/fluff?! erm I mean...yes what a great episode...
No need to explain why Nao's weapons are the razor wires. Her Element could do the same thing in MH. I agree that her name has to be a reference to her Child but I don't think there's a reason for it (or at least, I haven't found one yet).
i was just wondering, how is sunrise making fun of themselves exactly?
I think that Nina may be the princess. Can Princesses have Otome powers too though?
Look at the shape and color of the tentacles (particularly the tips), then compare them to Cthluhu- I mean Shiho's hair from the first season.
hmmm as long as we're putting speculation here, I say that Mashiro is the real princess. Although the baby that Rena was carrying was Arika. Rena probably used her own daughter as a decoy or something while she / someone else hid the real princess
Is it the fate of the Mai series to have at least one episode dedicated to the pool-and-bathing suits--locker room-and-lingere--fight-and-almost-tentacle-porn pattern?
Somehow, though, there is nothing quite like seeing Natsuki have a pissy fit because her massive lingere collection was Orphen-napped.
Although seeing Nao fight is fanservice in and of itself.
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