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ローゼンメイデン 
February 14, 2006 | 
30 Comments
I decided to create a new section called Spoiler Crumbs. In this section, I'm going to try to translate whatever Japanese spoiler I can find on the net or in Anime magazines, then probably write a comment about these spoilers. Unless otherwise stated, my sources usually come from Newtype Japan and Animage. If anyone finds spoiler you want to translate, email me and I'll try to do it. I'll mainly focus on the series that I cover or will cover in the future. Having said that, I don't mind if you want to submit spoiler for other series. I'll just create a 'miscellaneous series' entry to deal with it. For now, I'll start with Mai Otome spoiler. I'll follow it up with other series soon. If you don't want to be spoiled of future plots, this is the place to stop. Everyone else can click on the extended link.
Episode 19: The Destiny of a 17 years old (^^;)
Mashiro, who is seperated from the group of refugees, almost ends up dead in the desert before eventually saved by Aswad's Cyborg. Mashiro is then taken to their village and is reunited with Arika, who has also been helped by the group. At the same time in Garderobe, Soldiers are seen marching into the school to guard over the area.
Episode 20: Don't call me "Ni-na"
Arika and Mashiro have been eaten alive and find themselves inside the body of a huge creature called Jabbal. As the digestive enzyme from Jabbal's body starts to digest the two, Mashiro decides to unleash the seal of the Otome's power that lies within Arika so they can escape from this predicament.
Episode 21: The Awakening of the White Princess
Under Midori's supervising direction, the village of Aswad begins to show signs of revival. This inspires Mashiro to become a good leader just like Midori. Meanwhile, Nagi manages to figure out 'the key' that will start the Harmonium from old historical data. In order to use the Harmonium's power, Nagi is willing to use any method.
Episode 22: The Song of Destruction (Horobi no Uta)
Ominous clouds envelop the world's state as argument between countries develops into Otome battles. Frustrated by the situation, Natsuki asks the assistance of President Yukino from the Airies Republic in gathering the Parliament to control the situation. The summary in Animage, on the other hand, is more concerned about Sergei's arrival at Aswad's village. Apparently he has come to inform the group that they need to handover Arika and Mashiro. Because she wants to stop further collision, Arika agrees to come to the specified place despite knowing that it is a trap.
Impression:
Well, I supposed after episode 18's last scene, it's inevitable that Arika and Mashiro will be reunited again soon. However, I certainly didn't expect it to be that soon. Episode 19 seems to be pure action involving a creature that sounds like Jabba the Hut. I do wonder what Mashiro will have to do to unleash the seal to Arika's power? From episode 21 spoiler, it appears that Mashiro is going to receive another character development episode. It seems she aspires to become a leader like Midori but at the same time is torned over her desire for retaliation. I'm not really sure if she actually wants a revenge for the fact that Aswad partially responsible for the current mess or if she finds out that Aswad was the one that attacked Windbloom Castle 10 years ago. In that case, does that mean she really is the Queen's true daughter? Last but not least, it seems Sergei has officially become Nagi's messenger. I doubt that he really wants to hurt Arika though. Well, let me know what you think about this development. I supposed we'll find out about episode 19 very soon.
what about Mai? Will she even have an impact on the show...why call it Mai Z Hime or Mai Otome without Mai?
If Mai is supposed to appear in one of these episodes, then I think it'll be one of the most highly guarded secrets within Sunrise at the moment. If she doesn't appear in these episodes, then I suspect she'll probably end up becoming one of those Mai ex Machina, the one who's going to fix everything towards the end. She may even spank Nagi this time around for being a naughty little man.
Just like Mai-HiME, this is also following the path of increasing the curiosity of viewers with each episode. So much storylines to be resolved and so little left. I fear this is also going to be a rushed job. Rushed endings always leave a bitter after-taste for me.
What I realized after reading the abstracts is that, they're building and toughening up Mashiro's shell, making her to handle tough situations like a queen should. (OT: HiME Mashiro looked mature, it looked like she went through a lot. Hmm, speculations, speculations...)
One more thing bugging me is that Mai-Otome has been advertising Mai since ep1, by teasing us with the intros, shrouding her in mystery, mentioning her as "her", etc,etc. but, where is she? You may say there're other characters like that but, they're not as heavily mentioned as Mai. Seriously, what is point of giving glimpses of a character, that's going to appear only for an episode with little background and her mentioned legend? Even for Mashiro it took 18 eps for her to mature a tiny bit.
Garten, if you check out the spoiler thread in the animesuki forum, they usually link the spoilers from each month's Newtype, Animedia and Animage, as well as the weekly spoilers from Shounen Champion.
Over the series...Arika is remining me more and more of Umeko from Dekaranger. The Super Sentai tone Mika Kikuchi developed in that series sure came in handy in this series...LMAO
PS: She just appeared in Kamen Rider Kabuto this past week...lol
...also...forget Mai...I want to see the "Sword Wielding Maniac" in action...I just can't help thinking about when the organ is played again...she'll pop out of nowhere with "Miroku" in hand...kicking Schwartz and Otome @$$...yeesh.
I agree with Garten as I suspect Mai's return will likely be as the final crushing blow to Nagi's machinations. I hope she's the one to kick him in the teeth, and let's put Smith in there for good measure.
The whole swallowed by a monster thing sounds ridiculous to me and I wouldn't be supriesd it it ends up being a recap. The name Jabbal is already conjuring up images of Sarlacc and Boba Fett's escape after crying like a baby.
Assuming Sergei does little or nothing until Ep 22 he has three maybe four chances left to grow some cojones so he can have enough chutzpah to find his long lost Rena.
Who knows, Mai will appear in eps 23, saving Arika from danger, or Sergei from the grasp of Nagi.
The whole swallowed by a monster thing sounds ridiculous to me and I wouldn't be supriesd it it ends up being a recap.
How'd you come to THAT conclusion? Anyway, it won't be a recap, they know better than to do that.
Episode22+ and Mai isn't there yet? I guess she's late for the series.
@Fencedude
Okay, the whole Jabbal + stuck in some monster's gut struck a nerve not felt since Fett's whiny scream, and I meant no offense if any was implied. However, based on the brief spoiler how long can one bearably stretch a "trapped" scenario? As I see it the most likely scenarios are as follows:
a) It takes them the entire ep to make their escape, given Arika's and Mashiro's history of good planning this is very likely. However this invites the problem of what to do while they think, either talk about something (recap possibilty) or have grand time getting aquainted with Jabbal's biology.
b) Breakout is made either early or not detailed until later in the ep. So what to do with all that extra time? Ressurrect a few Characters, or kill some more? Perhaps Nagi will reveal his master plan or Sunrise pulls of the greatest coup to date and have Mai thunder down and do something (Unlikely, but we can all dream can't we?).
c) Going off the Ni-na pun the whole Jabbal thing is a cover for giving Nina some more screentime to show how much she loves Sergei and/or how much she now hates Arika (regret optional) and Ers-chan death was/wasn't her fault.
Given the amount of power an Otome has how long can they stay stuck until absurdity steps in? If absurdity does take hold then I better be rolling on the floor within seconds.
This is of course assuming that Shizuru forgets the first rule of being a POW or fails to escape captivity in ep 19 to be reunited with her beloved Natsuki. Though I'll admit it is entirely possible for her to do absolutley nothing and just make a cameo. I doubt Nagi is going to release her since he'd be stupid to do so given that Shizuru is still a threat without her robe.
Granted you have probably been at this longer than me, remember just because they ought to know better doesn't mean they won't do it. If His and Her Circumstances taught me anything is that unwanted recaps can show up when you least expect it. Also it is true that there are fans of the ending theme, yet Sunrise has not the mind to change this though there are those who say they ought to.
Still I'd be more than happy to be wrong.
-Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.
In my experience, these short summaries usually don't reveal the entire storyline. The magazines only reveal a little bit to tease the audience. As you can see, what is described in Animage sometimes is not mentioned in Newtype Japan and vice versa.
In most cases, usually there are other sub-plots not mentioned within these spoilers. For example, it's likely that even though Arika and Mashiro are the main focus of an episode, other characters like Tomoe could get her share of the storyline as well. It's just that the summary doesn't reveal her storyline.
In other words, there is always a likelihood that Mai will appear in one of these episodes or some characters may die in them. The best storyline within an episode usually remains a secret until the episode itself airs on TV. These spoilers are fun to read but they definitely do not reveal the entire picture.
Okay I'm back agan and reread it this time.
I noticed that you said Aswad picked her up from the desert, so they are coming closer to team up? I can't wait to see that!
And some people say Mai is part of Schwarz right? Why is Mai smiling a bit while killing her own team: Schwarz...
So, Mai could be evil or not but oh well.
Eh? No one ever said Mai was part of Schwartz.
However, based on the brief spoiler how long can one bearably stretch a "trapped" scenario?
Because of course Otome has NEVER jumped between three or four sets of characters in a single episode, that'd be unheard of!
Oh. Well, I was wondering what Jabbal looks like. Is this Jabbal?
Jabbal
I wish they would hurry and reveal who the two other pillars are.
@Fencedude
I humbly and gratefully stand corrected, scenario b is likely. I apologize for jumping to conclusions, Sunrise is not Gainax. I guess focused eps might come once blood begins to flow.
@Garten
Good point, though I doubt Mai will be making an apperance soon. I'd be suprised if she can lay low long enough to escape attention. As for Tomoe I hope she gets her just deserts for her previous actions.
I seriously doubt Mai is part of Schwartz though I wonder how Aswad will explain their involvement around Rena's death. More over when was their schism with Schwartz and what was it over? It'd be great if we can see before the war goes into full swing.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost
I knew that Arika was with Aswald. But I am a bit dissappointed at the spoilers. It seems like the plot progresses slowly and there won't be any action for awhile.
AHH what about shizuru and natsuki love?
:D
Eh'. ShizNat is so 2005 now. It's all about Chie and Aoi now!
@deadpill
Unfortunately, one of them is a splattered corpse now.
@Aya Reiko
...but this is the "Mai" series...they'll probably pull a "resurrection" blvd again...LMAO
Either that or Chie some how senses that Aoi is in trouble and rescues her at the last second...
>
^___^
Aoi I can see... Chie just doesn't do it for me...she far too masculine... ShizNat is at least a pair of hawtness I can get into... literally..heh.
@Voodoomage
...well...some say the same thing about Natsuki being too masculine...LMAO
Well, Mai has to bloody show up sometime. She is in the opening, after all. My guess is she will show up in the last couple of eps, and be all "DESTWOY THE SLAVES" ...yeah.
@Mattazillah
...oh she will...probably the last 00:26 seconds of Episode 26...
^___^
Do people die during those episodes? If we're not sure, let's play a guess game of who dies next.
hi, im a huge fan i just wanna ask for those who are huge fans of the series as well who is that black/purple otome with wings and a huge sword in the first opening?????? its already the second half of the series and dammit i need some answers lol.
Cool, so Mai is not part of Aswad or Schwarz and battled herself? That's better for me.
Do people die during those episodes? If we're not sure, let's play a guess game of who dies next.
If you've read episode 19 entry, there are speculation that Chie is the next one. Personally I think death scene is more powerful when you care about the character and I don't really care about Chie. But if either Sergey, Youko, or Irina get killed, I think I'll be quite sad about it.
who is that black/purple otome with wings and a huge sword in the first opening?
No one knows at the moment. It could be Nina or Tomoe.
i think we will finally see Miyu in action in Ep23. Ep22 place Arika in a trap and in Ep23, Miyu will show up and slice and dice apart a dozen slaves.
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