My~ZHiME (My~Otome) Thread IX ~The Legend of the Fire String Ruby~ [Archive]

Suwako Moriya

01-15-2006, 08:26 PM

*May as well repost this from the other thread.*

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Because I don't think Arika's either, despite having the pendant.

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly the more I think about it the more the evidence for her being the princess in that scene makes no sense. The very scene that's supposed to prove she is the princess also has evidence for her being Rena's daughter. In a sense the evidence for the two choices kind of cancels each other out.

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Tomoe might be one of them however...

[/ QUOTE ]

If Tomoe turns out to be the princess then we're all doomed. Wait would being the Princess or being the daughter of Rena being worse? I guess it depends on how powerful Rena was and if this is an anime where the daughter/son ends up just as good or better than the mother/father.

Dagger

01-15-2006, 08:33 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Mimi Masuko said:
If Tomoe turns out to be the princess then we're all doomed.

[/ QUOTE ]
I still really like the idea of Tomoe being the princess. If she is, our three main girls would have to take a stand against her, and that would hopefully force Mashiro to realize her potential as a leader. Maybe having Arika believe in her could prompt Mashiro to assert (and then prove) that despite circumstances of birth, she's more worthy to act as the princess than Tomoe.

Hm... or what if Nina ended up siding with Tomoe?

By the way, Fence, nice thread title. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Suwako Moriya

01-15-2006, 08:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Hm... or what if Nina ended up siding with Tomoe?

[/ QUOTE ]

Even better if Nina is Rena's daughter while Tomoe as the Princess. At the same time make sure Arika finds out she was never the daughter of any Otome. Thus Arika will have to deal with realizing her own life is a lie while at the same time trying to motivate Mashiro.

Ah yes Arika vs Nina s the final battle of the series while, Tomoe and Mashiro watch on. Of course Nina must get access to one of the more powerful gems to make for a more epic battle. Obviously in this case I'd be rooting for Arika and Mashiro.

Still something kind of funny. If you re-arrange the letters in Tomoe, you get Otome. Probably just a coincidence. However it's interesting in the same as Fumi Himeno of My~HiME.

cregbr

01-16-2006, 12:43 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Mimi Masuko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Because I don't think Arika's either, despite having the pendant.

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly the more I think about it the more the evidence for her being the princess in that scene makes no sense. The very scene that's supposed to prove she is the princess also has evidence for her being Rena's daughter. In a sense the evidence for the two choices kind of cancels each other out.
just as good or better than the mother/father.

[/ QUOTE ]

The odd thing is that the Sapphires allowed her to use them. This could be explained be her being Rena daughter. It is probably unlikely the number of Otomes that are also children of former Otomes as well. This may allow her access to the nano-tech matrix. However, if this were the case, it wouldn't have recognized her as Arika Yumemiya but has whatever name Rena (and SO, whoever he was) gave her.

However, I am now grasping at weird therories and guessing that she is somehow a contruct of the nano-machines. Whether clone or whole creation, she is tightly coupled to the nano-machines themselves, which is why she was able to take them on without side-affect and able to use the Sapphires. I suspect all her memories of her grandma et al are completely constructed and implanted to give her a past that she doesn't actually have. Furthermore, I think Miyu is working for whatever entity created her and has acted as monitor of the experiment. (I also think Miyu was how the pendant got from the real princess to Arika). Oddly, if this speculation was true, this would put Arika in a similar position as Alissa in Hime.

K.

Suwako Moriya

01-16-2006, 05:26 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Kamina said:
Oddly, if this speculation was true, this would put Arika in a similar position as Alissa in Hime.

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh Arika the "Alyssa Searrs" of My-Otome. That automatically would make her more awesome. If Arika is cloned from anyone it's probably either Rena's daughter or Rena herself. Either way one thing has been made clear to me. Something must have gone wrong all those years ago.

Fencedude

01-16-2006, 07:47 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Kamina said:
[ QUOTE ]
Mimi Masuko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Because I don't think Arika's either, despite having the pendant.

[/ QUOTE ]

Honestly the more I think about it the more the evidence for her being the princess in that scene makes no sense. The very scene that's supposed to prove she is the princess also has evidence for her being Rena's daughter. In a sense the evidence for the two choices kind of cancels each other out.
just as good or better than the mother/father.

[/ QUOTE ]

The odd thing is that the Sapphires allowed her to use them. This could be explained be her being Rena daughter. It is probably unlikely the number of Otomes that are also children of former Otomes as well. This may allow her access to the nano-tech matrix. However, if this were the case, it wouldn't have recognized her as Arika Yumemiya but has whatever name Rena (and SO, whoever he was) gave her.

However, I am now grasping at weird therories and guessing that she is somehow a contruct of the nano-machines. Whether clone or whole creation, she is tightly coupled to the nano-machines themselves, which is why she was able to take them on without side-affect and able to use the Sapphires. I suspect all her memories of her grandma et al are completely constructed and implanted to give her a past that she doesn't actually have. Furthermore, I think Miyu is working for whatever entity created her and has acted as monitor of the experiment. (I also think Miyu was how the pendant got from the real princess to Arika). Oddly, if this speculation was true, this would put Arika in a similar position as Alissa in Hime.

K.

[/ QUOTE ]

Arika's an ES-Member.

Lego

01-16-2006, 12:07 PM

To change the subject back to the first Hime series for a moment...

Are most of the students in the school insanely rich? During the beach episode, Haruka welcomes them to her "summer home" or her families's "villa". Which has waiters/waitresses and etc. Yukino looks like she also comes from a nice background. Not to mention people like Shizuru, Reito, Natsuki(doesn't she have a trust fund?) and so on.

Suwako Moriya

01-16-2006, 01:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
Are most of the students in the school insanely rich?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's hard to say if mos of the students in HiME are rich. Several them are probably rich or at least well off. It's also probable that unless you have the right connections and/or funds that Fuka Academy is not exactly an easy school to get into. Obviously the powers that be would make sure certain students got accepted even if they were not well off.

Lego

01-16-2006, 01:51 PM

Yeh, I understand that people like Mai and Tak got in due to Mai being a Hime. But it seemed that you had a large portion of the student body that was "well off".

Rogueman_8

01-16-2006, 03:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
Yeh, I understand that people like Mai and Tak got in due to Mai being a Hime. But it seemed that you had a large portion of the student body that was "well off". 

[/ QUOTE ]

well, the school is more like a prestigious kind of private school along the beautiful coast, so i always assumed those who were wealthy or had exceptional skills (aside from the obvious, which Mai thought otherwise) went there.

Rogueman_8

01-16-2006, 03:43 PM

as usual here's the preview of ep.16, oh yesh.

link (http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=ep16.jpg)

something

01-16-2006, 06:15 PM

Hmmm, ep 14 thoughts as I go through it!

Apparently they have a "hooker makeup" class because WOW they look rediculous.

Heh, what would Haruka do without Yukino? Well, start wars apparently /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

And ok, I got wrapped up in the episode and didnt type anything after that, so I just finished now and it was all, of course, very interesting indeed. The plot thickens~~

So, I assumed from the very beginning that Arika was the real princess. I was a little confused when lots of other posters started thinking she wasn't, but then again the HiME/Otome people just love throwing curve balls so little surprise that people would assume the "obvious" wouldn't happen.

And sure, it still might have a twist later on. But I wouldn't be surprised at all if Arika really was the Queen. It just seemed how the whole series was going from the start...

Anyway, I hope Arika can now bounce back (after Sergey assumedly saves her from the punks, who I really feel like Arika should have been able to take herself >_>) and be the happy, energetic and irreverent Arika she's always been, although I don't begrudge her the angst as it builds character and whatnot.

Well, anything else I'll say in response to the other posts people have made, although a lot of them are in the locked thread, so I have to dig that up first (boo).

something

01-16-2006, 06:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
As for Arika, I still say its FAR too early to definitively call her as being the queen, there's just too many unanswered questions. And why exactly was her hair glowing in MIYU-vision? Also, if Arika's the queen...who's Rena's daughter? Nina...or maybe Tomoe?

[/ QUOTE ]

Right now I assume Arika is the queen and Nina is Rena's daughter. Again, the show loves to throw curves, I know, but I just dont feel like this will be one, even though 14 years is certainly enough time for something to happen.

As for Tomoe... she's just annoying. I don't want her to be queen, or anything else. She just needs to get smacked around a bit and forgotten.

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
Still, that doesn't explain why Tomoe targeted her from the start, even before Arika made that contract.

[/ QUOTE ]
I do agree that there must be a reason why Tomoe is targeting Arika, and it certainly is possible that she's wrapped up in the whole queen bit, but I hope not. I just don't find her an enjoyable or even interesting character at this point. If the show forces her into a major role like that then I'll accept it, but I'm sure there are a dozen other scenarios they could think up that would circumvent that. Eh, whatever~ We'll see what happens.

something

01-16-2006, 06:33 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Mimi Masuko said:
Still something kind of funny. If you re-arrange the letters in Tomoe, you get Otome. Probably just a coincidence. However it's interesting in the same as Fumi Himeno of My~HiME.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, but only if you rearrange them in English romanization. In Japanese, if you just simplify it to hiragana, it's ã?¨ã‚‚ã?ˆ [Tomoe] and ã?Šã?¨ã‚? [otome] which aren't close or anything.

stfram

01-16-2006, 06:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Anyway, I hope Arika can now bounce back (after Sergey assumedly saves her from the punks, who I really feel like Arika should have been able to take herself >_>)

[/ QUOTE ]

I was also disappointed that Arika wasn't able to score some hits, but we only saw the very beginning of that encounter.

Remember, she's still in shock about what is happening, as she really is not used to sudden violence. She is just too nice, but that is also what makes her so charming.

I suspect that when these scum try to snatch her pendant, that will motivate her to fight back in a serious fashion.

Suwako Moriya

01-16-2006, 06:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Yes, but only if you rearrange them in English romanization.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hence a very good reason for me to say it's probably just a coincidence. Ah, but it's not good to ruin fun stuff with facts.

Rhodes

01-16-2006, 07:39 PM

ummm where does people get the tomoe is queen bit?

before arika arrived she was/is #2 for her class, behind Nina.

However Nina disregards her as if she is nothing. Nina however has an active interest in Arika... that in itself is reason enough for Tomoe I think to get rid of her.

Also her plot to get rid of Arika the 1st time was foiled and Nina showed interest in finding out who did it and warned Miya... I am sure Miya told this to Tomoe furthering her interest in getting rid of Arika.

Based on the show I would wonder the same thing... why would Nina who seems to never get tangled up in other peoples afairs show such interest in a girl with no background. Also Tomoe did she Nina in action during the duel and saw what she did. She could very well see Arika as a threat to her position and given that Nina has an interest in her, Arika cant be overlooked.

Course I still dont see why people think Nina is Rena's daughter... why cant it be Mashiro? Based on the current story... the babies were switched right? So if thats true and Arika is really the queen then shouldnt Mashiro be the missing daugher?

Also Nina 1st met Sergy at a hospital right? wasnt that their 1st meeting? or did Sergy find Nina on the streets? Was this a Windbloom hospital/street or back in his home country?

ayareiko

01-16-2006, 09:06 PM

My guesses for Episode 15.

Sergay save Arika before anything happens (right after the first flash goes off), and just before the opening credits roll.

The emo levels for this ep will go right off the scale for most of the episode. Thankfully, though, this ep will resolve the "Arika's first love" sub-plot.

Arika will not return to Garderobe quite yet. In episode 16, the school is buzzing about rumors as to what happened to Arika. Just as class is to begin, Arika stumbles in, falls, and ends up landing on her butt. She is immediately glomped by Ers. Arika is back to her usual self in 16.

Fencedude

01-16-2006, 10:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rhodes said:
ummm where does people get the tomoe is queen bit?

[/ QUOTE ]

Tomoe is a Windbloom native, is a highly skilled Otome and just generally is acting suspicious. I think its more likely that she's Rena's daughter than the Queen though.

[ QUOTE ]

Course I still dont see why people think Nina is Rena's daughter... why cant it be Mashiro? Based on the current story... the babies were switched right? So if thats true and Arika is really the queen then shouldnt Mashiro be the missing daugher?

Also Nina 1st met Sergy at a hospital right? wasnt that their 1st meeting? or did Sergy find Nina on the streets? Was this a Windbloom hospital/street or back in his home country?

[/ QUOTE ]

Most likely Mashiro is a nobody, though there is some possibility that she's Rena's daughter.

The pure IRONY of Nina being Rena's daughter makes that a highly attractive choice thouhg.

We don't know if Sergay found Nina in Windbloom or Artai.

mellowrg2

01-17-2006, 12:36 AM

Unlike Mashiro, Nina saw Rena in her brief flashback... and Rena was CRYING.

Did she cry when she drifted away the princess? No..

Rena had emotional attachment to the person she is seeing in this flashback.

Funkatron

01-17-2006, 01:51 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Mellow RG_ said:
Unlike Mashiro, Nina saw Rena in her brief flashback... and Rena was CRYING.

Did she cry when she drifted away the princess? No..

Rena had emotional attachment to the person she is seeing in this flashback.

[/ QUOTE ]

Whcih could be either one. Rena could have been so lose to the priness that she onsidered her her own daughter...

uh...did anyone keep up with that? ause I didn't :p

Ingraman

01-17-2006, 01:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Funkatron said:
[ QUOTE ]
Mellow RG_ said:
Unlike Mashiro, Nina saw Rena in her brief flashback... and Rena was CRYING.

Did she cry when she drifted away the princess? No..

Rena had emotional attachment to the person she is seeing in this flashback.

[/ QUOTE ]

Whcih could be either one. Rena could have been so lose to the priness that she onsidered her her own daughter...

uh...did anyone keep up with that? ause I didn't :p

[/ QUOTE ]

Having intermittent problems with your 'c' key? ^_^;

Funkatron

01-17-2006, 05:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Ingraman said:
[ QUOTE ]
Funkatron said:
[ QUOTE ]
Mellow RG_ said:
Unlike Mashiro, Nina saw Rena in her brief flashback... and Rena was CRYING.

Did she cry when she drifted away the princess? No..

Rena had emotional attachment to the person she is seeing in this flashback.

[/ QUOTE ]

Whcih could be either one. Rena could have been so lose to the priness that she onsidered her her own daughter...

uh...did anyone keep up with that? ause I didn't :p

[/ QUOTE ]

Having intermittent problems with your 'c' key? ^_^;

[/ QUOTE ]

actually, yes. Darn thing gets stuck every so often.

Suwako Moriya

01-17-2006, 06:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Funkatron said:
actually, yes. Darn thing gets stuck every so often.

[/ QUOTE ]

Speaking of typing. Sometimes when talking about a series with "Hime" in the title besides "My-HiME", I end up typing it out as HiME. Then I quickly fix my error before I post it. I wonder if that's a bad sign.

Oh yes in any case on another note. I am now completely convinced of one thing based on Tomoe's hatred for Arika. I believe that Tomoe has known Arika for a lot longer than the show first indicates. Possibly from several years ago. Then again maybe Tomoe is just an extremely jealous person who quickly decides to hate people at random. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

ayareiko

01-17-2006, 06:29 PM

My food bill just jumped 800%. (http://membres.lycos.fr/ayareiko/images/maihime/mikoto.jpg) /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

Suwako Moriya

01-17-2006, 06:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
My food bill just jumped 800%. (http://membres.lycos.fr/ayareiko/images/maihime/mikoto.jpg) /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh maybe it's just me, but Mikoto looks a bit angry in that image. Maybe it's a sign of her true nature as she plots the downfall of the entire planet. You can never trust cats...

cregbr

01-18-2006, 01:58 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Mimi Masuko said:
Oh yes in any case on another note. I am now completely convinced of one thing based on Tomoe's hatred for Arika. I believe that Tomoe has known Arika for a lot longer than the show first indicates. Possibly from several years ago. Then again maybe Tomoe is just an extremely jealous person who quickly decides to hate people at random. /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't think it would be entirely at random.

In episode 2 when Nina was being held pending investigation and the rumors were flying, a couple of the Coral's indicated that Tomoe might move up if Nina was expelled, but she demured saying that she would earn number one in her own time (or words to that effect). Given what we know of Tomoe now, those words were to maintain the facade of cameraderie while wanting to have that position.

Now, enter Arika. She is (1) very talented, as was discovered at the end of the duel when she saved the people by holding up the falling ship, (2) friends or acquaintences with high-ranking figures such as Shizuru, Natsuki and Mashiro, people with whom Tomoe would like to be closer but they seem not to be interested, and (3) is a nobody in terms of family and country. As soon as Arika was admitted, Tomoe could see that her hold on Coral #2 (and #1 when Nina moves up) was in severe jeopardy and she sure as hell wasn't going to give up all she had worked for.

We can also see that the depth of the hatred has been building. Initially, it was just attempting to get Arika in trouble and expelled or frightened away. But as time has passed, her anger and jealousy have grown and the scale of her attempts have changed too.

K.

something

01-18-2006, 09:09 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Kamina said:
Now, enter Arika. She is (1) very talented, as was discovered at the end of the duel when she saved the people by holding up the falling ship, (2) friends or acquaintences with high-ranking figures such as Shizuru, Natsuki and Mashiro, people with whom Tomoe would like to be closer but they seem not to be interested, and (3) is a nobody in terms of family and country. As soon as Arika was admitted, Tomoe could see that her hold on Coral #2 (and #1 when Nina moves up) was in severe jeopardy and she sure as hell wasn't going to give up all she had worked for.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like to believe that you have it totally correct here, unless Tomoe was against Arika at some point before Arika showed her skills at all, but I don't believe that was the case. For Tomoe to be involved in the whole princess/queen issue would just feel terribly forced and stupid for me, unless they managed to weave that into the story with a degree of stunning narrative brilliance beyond anything HiME remotely achieved.

Or maybe I just hate Tomoe too much to want to see her play a larger role. I don't know. Either way I hope she isn't as involved as some people here speculate. I think Kamina's reasoning is more than adequate to describe Tomoe's behavior thus far, barring the potential caveat I mentioned initially, which would require me to rewatch the first few episodes which I'm not going to do right now =P

cregbr

01-18-2006, 05:19 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
<snip>
For Tomoe to be involved in the whole princess/queen issue would just feel terribly forced and stupid for me, unless they managed to weave that into the story with a degree of stunning narrative brilliance beyond anything HiME remotely achieved.

[/ QUOTE ]

While I don't think she had knowledge or was involved in the political situation prior to Arika's arrival, I am sure that she is going to be a tool of interference for one of the factions, most likely Nagi/Schwartz, as awareness of who Arika is (whoever that is /images/graemlins/happy.gif) starts moving through the grape vines.

K.

ayareiko

01-18-2006, 08:27 PM

True and True

She'll likely become the Silloette Otome, assuming after she's expelled from Garderobe but somehow still retain the nanomachines that gives an otome her skills. (And if that's the case, the hammer would have to come down soon. And honestly, I can't imagine anything that would top her latest stunt. Her usefullness in her current form, I think, is coming to a close.)

Still, I wonder what her motives are, at least initially. It's unlikely she'd ever percieve Arika a threat to her position, given how obviously poor Arika is in classes. My guess: It's all Shizuru. Tomoe could've been nearby with Shiz gave Arika the "kiss" in episode 2. But she saw it from Arika's left, preventing her from seeing what Shiz really did.

Dagger

01-18-2006, 09:03 PM

Arika's starting to do fairly well in classes now, isn't she?

stfram

01-18-2006, 11:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Arika's starting to do fairly well in classes now, isn't she?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nothing has been mentioned to that effect in the show, at least nothing that I can recall. Arika is loud and clumsy. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Fluffy

01-18-2006, 11:07 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Arika's starting to do fairly well in classes now, isn't she?

[/ QUOTE ]No...actually not at all.

Ingraman

01-19-2006, 12:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
She'll likely become the Silloette Otome, [...]

[/ QUOTE ]

Oops... Read that as "the Skillet Otome" a moment ago (although I'd read it correctly earlier). ^_^;

Fencedude

01-19-2006, 08:05 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Ingraman said:
[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
She'll likely become the Silloette Otome, [...]

[/ QUOTE ]

Oops... Read that as "the Skillet Otome" a moment ago (although I'd read it correctly earlier). ^_^;

[/ QUOTE ]

Proper term is "Shadow Otome"

lone_wolf

01-19-2006, 12:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Flood said:
[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Arika's starting to do fairly well in classes now, isn't she?

[/ QUOTE ]No...actually not at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

She's actualy doing pretty decent considering she jumped to #29.

--Lone Wolf

something

01-19-2006, 01:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lone Wolf said:
She's actualy doing pretty decent considering she jumped to #29.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thought she jumped to 12 or so? Or was that only in the survival test?

DiGiKerot

01-19-2006, 02:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
[ QUOTE ]
Lone Wolf said:
She's actualy doing pretty decent considering she jumped to #29.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thought she jumped to 12 or so? Or was that only in the survival test?

[/ QUOTE ]

She was #1 of all time on the Survival test, but she only jumped to #29. To be honest, its a testament to her atheletic skills that she jumped that many places - she 0wnz in PE, but sucks at most the other subjects.

something

01-19-2006, 02:29 PM

[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
She was #1 of all time on the Survival test, but she only jumped to #29. To be honest, its a testament to her atheletic skills that she jumped that many places - she 0wnz in PE, but sucks at most the other subjects.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah right, was something like that. So how many corals are there again? For some reason I was thinking 30, but can't be because then 29 wouldn't be much of a jump. Was it 50 instead?

Rogueman_8

01-19-2006, 02:32 PM

DiGiKerot

01-19-2006, 02:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
She was #1 of all time on the Survival test, but she only jumped to #29. To be honest, its a testament to her atheletic skills that she jumped that many places - she 0wnz in PE, but sucks at most the other subjects.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah right, was something like that. So how many corals are there again? For some reason I was thinking 30, but can't be because then 29 wouldn't be much of a jump. Was it 50 instead?

[/ QUOTE ]

There is supposed to be 50, but with Arika being added in there are 51, which is the official reason her uniform has different colourings, and some of the other students thought she must have connections somewhere (having been admitted when quite a few others were probably turned away).

I'll also remind you that there are only 25 Pearl students, meaning they'll kick 26 of the students out at the end of the year or at least they would if Windbloom wasn't getting invaded during the end-of-year celebrations...

DiGiKerot

01-19-2006, 04:11 PM

No new OP for those wondering - I reckon it'll be be until episode 17 or 18 once the attack on Windbloom kicks off.

As predicted by just about everyone, Sergay turns up just in time to save Arika, though it turns out that Nao and her group of thugs are in the area as well - Nao uses her new found power to summon the Trias on Miyas ass and she is ejected from Garderobe! Huzzah! Tomoe, however, is still on the prowl...

Sergay doesn't make a move on Arika, and Arika spends the rest of the episode broken as a result. A visit to Mashiro cheers her up somewhat, however, just in time for the tournament to decide who gets fight during the end of term festivities (no prizes for guessing who will be /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif)

Oh, and the appearance of this familiar HiME landmark (http://img452.imageshack.us/my.php?image=otome150wl.jpg) amused me.

Its a so-so episode overall - its not filler, and its definately necessary in terms of the shows development, but at the same time it doesn't really get us particularly far or tell us anything particularly new. The next episode preview is suspiciously straight-forward, however....

-edit- oh, I didn't catch this (http://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chieaoi7fy.jpg) before - when Nao asks Chie what she was doing outside school grounds, she tells her she was on a date /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

-edit 2- Also ALSO forgot to mention that the episode ends of the "Mai" track from the OST, so don't expect that one to be saved up for a certain character...

Lego

01-19-2006, 04:31 PM

Chie out on a date huh? I'd like to see her and Aoi get paired up. It was hinted at through Hime, and is hinted at here. Thats not Aoi next to her is it?

I'm liking Nao and Shiho a lot more in this series then I did in Hime. Nao bordered on annoying and Shiho wasn't my cup of tea(sorry Mimi). But in Otome they have a nice dynamic going.

Dagger

01-19-2006, 04:32 PM

Hm... it might be Aoi, actually. At least the hairstyle looks like Aoi's.

DiGiKerot

01-19-2006, 04:33 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Hm... it might be Aoi, actually. At least the hairstyle looks like Aoi's.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats totally Aoi, methinks.

Lego

01-19-2006, 04:38 PM

Hmm..

If it's Aoi, I like how they're giving "subtle" hints about her and Chie's relationship.

DiGiKerot

01-19-2006, 04:48 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
Hmm..

If it's Aoi, I like how they're giving "subtle" hints about her and Chie's relationship.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, very "subtle" /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

Here is something else to chew on - Nagis letter to Sergay (http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=letter6sy.jpg). Its in English too, but its a little hard to make out unfortunately.

From what I can read

"To Sergay,

At last, we get an opportunity to put the plan into action.

So, I want you to find the ?1, the true princess ?2 as possible.

We need her for ?3.

In order to find her, you can do anything.

Well, you may use you ?4 to seduce her".

?2 doesn't really matter much, but can anyone make out ?1, ?3 and ?4. I guess ?3 might just be "plan" again or something similar.

Lego

01-19-2006, 04:51 PM

Well "subtle" in the fact that they haven't been shown kissing/fooling around. Well there was that omake...

But it seems to be something that goes on away from the camera.

Rogueman_8

01-19-2006, 05:23 PM

yeah, i wasn't expecting a new op until ep.17 since there wasn't one last week. satachibana's site explains a preview for 16 & 17. 17 will be so awesome as i get my Natsuki in robe and my midori in battle prolly. and who knows maybe my mai will show up as well or tomoe goes into action. yesh i can't wait.

Suwako Moriya

01-19-2006, 05:48 PM

While yes the episode wasn't anything uber dramatic, it was definitely a needed episode. I do like how Sergei handled the jerks. I mean it was a nice change of pace to see someone pull out a gun instead of just show off martial arts skills. Plus Nao had a pretty good role in the episode. With her and her gang taking care of the creeps.

Ah with Miya expelled, I wonder if this means her role in the anime is over or that she'll return in a much darker form. If not for the fact a dozen things would contradict knowing my luck, I'd almost be tempted to say Miya is going to be the "Shadow Otome". However that prediction is probably jumping the gun.

Nice to see some Mashiro and Arika bonding. Either way the two must get closer and closer. For Arika and Mashiro are meant to be together. Well at least as long as Alyssa is only a bird. If Alyssa ever becomes Human than it should be a three way relationship!

pianocello

01-19-2006, 07:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Mimi Masuko said:

Nice to see some Mashiro and Arika bonding. Either way the two must get closer and closer. For Arika and Mashiro are meant to be together.

[/ QUOTE ]
Nice to see that someone else believes in Arika x Mashiro yuri. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

ayareiko

01-22-2006, 04:08 AM

That... was something. This felt more like set up for the next stage than anything. Not that's a bad thing.

I have a feeling the Arika-Sergay subplot isn't going away anytime soon. But I think Chie and Aoi got that situation under control (for now), so I think the genki Arika that we all love will be back next week.
Rie was definitely in full Suigintou mode in 15. Tomoe, without her proxy, may not last much longer. How long can she last without her human shield, who knows? When she does go down, it will be GLORIOUS!!!

Curiously, the next ep preview was a single scene and revealed almost nothing at all about the next week's ep. That cannot be a good thing (for Arika and crew).

Update to the chart coming shortly...

Shiroi Hane

01-22-2006, 07:09 AM

I read it as

"To Sergay,

At last, we get an opportunity to put the plan into action.

So, I want you to find the other, the true princess as soon as possible.

We need her for the plan.

In order to find her, you can do anything.

Well, you may use you techniques to seduce her".

Shiroi Hane

01-22-2006, 07:12 AM

About Miyu being MIYU from HiME... it is possible; Otome is set in the future, on an earth colony, but MIYU being an android means she has an indefinite lifespan.

DiGiKerot

01-22-2006, 08:06 AM

Suwako Moriya

01-22-2006, 08:17 AM

Well if there is going to be a direct connection to HiME, they need to establish soon. Say before episode 20, that way it will feel like part of the story and not just tacked on.

Fencedude

01-22-2006, 08:17 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:

Curiously, the next ep preview was a single scene and revealed almost nothing at all about the next week's ep. That cannot be a good thing (for Arika and crew).

[/ QUOTE ]

That preview bodes especially badly for Erstin.

Really, REALLY badly actually. I'm kinda scared for her...

Suwako Moriya

01-22-2006, 08:24 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
That preview bodes especially badly for Erstin.

[/ QUOTE ]

Two to one, she's going to be one of the Otome eliminated from the school. Come to think of it. Given her general attitude and character type she was probably doomed from the start.

Fencedude

01-22-2006, 08:24 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Kiku Sarasugawa said:
Well if there is going to be a direct connection to HiME, they need to establish soon. Say before episode 20, that way it will feel like part of the story and not just tacked on.

[/ QUOTE ]

Kiku?

Anyway, I dont' really agree with that statement at all.

Though I would appreciate finding out soon, if its handled correctly it doesn't really matter when.

DiGiKerot

01-22-2006, 08:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Kiku Sarasugawa said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
That preview bodes especially badly for Erstin.

[/ QUOTE ]

Two to one, she's going to be one of the Otome eliminated from the school. Come to think of it. Given her general attitude and character type she was probably doomed from the start.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats assuming the school is actually there that long...

Suwako Moriya

01-22-2006, 08:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Though I would appreciate finding out soon, if its handled correctly it doesn't really matter when.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah you're right about that. Plus come to think of it, they have been dropping hints anyway. Especially the hint in episode 14. Miyu saying Child will either end up as a simple reference or a very blatant hint. It definitely depend on how they progress the story. Still just as long as they handle it correctly, a connection between HiME and Otome will be something to look forward to. Plus a lot can happen in the 11 episodes remaining.

As for Kiku Sarasugawa. To keep it short. She comes from Happy 7 the TV Manga. She's one of the seven girls that makes up "Happy 7" it self. She's also currently my favorite character of the said seven (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/HolyAjora/Happy7.jpg) . For the record, she's the one on the ground with the musical instrument. Also yes I need more practice combining images.

ayareiko

01-22-2006, 02:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Kiku Sarasugawa said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Though I would appreciate finding out soon, if its handled correctly it doesn't really matter when.

[/ QUOTE ]

Miyu saying Child will either end up as a simple reference or a very blatant hint. It definitely depend on how they progress the story.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think Miyu is referring to Aswald's own summons, which possibly suggests Miyu may be connected to Aswald. If you notice back in 10, when Haruka refers to Gakutenou as a Slave, Midori scoffs at the notion, saying "How naive." Midori obviously regards Gakutenou as something else.

If Miyu is a part of Aswald, it gives the "Arika as a pawn/creation of Aswald" angle a bit more credence.

something

01-22-2006, 04:40 PM

Well, Sergey did indeed get the punks off of Arika, though he did it with a gun XD No messing around there. And then Nao was there to kick some ass with her pink striped man brigade /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif Haha, awesome.

And... ALYSSA! She returns! For real! Wonder if she's the same as the bird, eh?

Hmm, Sergey being asked to seduce Arika by Nagi... And then actually falling for her in the end. This will be interesting, although I still hope they don't "end up together" as the age difference is just too much and it would be the end of Nina.

This episode seemed to confirm more than Arika is indeed the queen, although of course they're always free to throw in twists later. Either way, it's great to see both Arika and Mashiro back on their feet.

I also look forward to the student battles (did we ever agree on a translation? I know "Mai-Battles" annoyed a lot of people but what is it supposed to be?) they started showing at the end of the episode, assuming they develop that on-screen rather that just tell us the results later.

You also have to wonder what dirt Tomoe has on Miya that even when the shit hit the fan, she wouldn't say anything. Still, Miya is gone, and now Tomoe has to do the dirty work herself... and if things keep happening to Arika, they'll know someone else is behind it.

Next ep preview didnt really contain any information this time, other than that it might revolve around Erstin, which would be welcome.

Fencedude

01-22-2006, 04:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:

And... ALYSSA! She returns! For real! Wonder if she's the same as the bird, eh?

[/ QUOTE ]

For the umpteenmillionth time, THE STREET GIRL IS NOT ALYSSA

[ QUOTE ]

Next ep preview didnt really contain any information this time, other than that it might revolve around Erstin, which would be welcome.

[/ QUOTE ]

That preview boded very badly for Erstin you know...

something

01-22-2006, 04:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
For the umpteenmillionth time, THE STREET GIRL IS NOT ALYSSA

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure as heck looked like her, and if by "umpteenmillionth" time you mean "first time in this thread" then sure, but we count rather differently. I haven't noticed her before, nor have I personally read any post in any Otome thread that mentioned her before mine (though I've certainly missed posts along the way), so if she appeared before then fine.

I even just went and read all the posts you people made about episode 15 and noticed nothing, let alone "umpteenmillion" mentions. I can only assume she appeared in an earlier episode and was mentioned there? If so, do you remember which threads (if they're still active)?

[ QUOTE ]
That preview boded very badly for Erstin you know...

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know because when have the previews done anything but intentionally mislead before? Is it just like that preview "boded very badly" for Akane? =P I'll wait until I see the episode before I say I "know" anything.

something

01-22-2006, 04:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Shiroi Hane said:
About Miyu being MIYU from HiME... it is possible; Otome is set in the future, on an earth colony, but MIYU being an android means she has an indefinite lifespan.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, when Sergey explained all the things about the star and how they were far in the future, descended from people on earth, being a quasi-"sequal" to HiME is suddenly possible, and in a nicely unobtrusive way.

Very direct and explicit links will still take a hell of a lot of storytelling brilliance to pull off though. I still am of the mind that I hope they don't try, but if they do, and pull it off, then all the better. At this point I think it's more likely they'd just drop hints for fans without being explicit but... honestly, I don't care WHAT they do as long as it WORKS. I'll leave it in their hands for now.

Fencedude

01-22-2006, 05:04 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
For the umpteenmillionth time, THE STREET GIRL IS NOT ALYSSA

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure as heck looked like her, and if by "umpteenmillionth" time you mean "first time in this thread" then sure, but we count rather differently. I haven't noticed her before, nor have I personally read any post in any Otome thread that mentioned her before mine (though I've certainly missed posts along the way), so if she appeared before then fine.

I even just went and read all the posts you people made about episode 15 and noticed nothing, let alone "umpteenmillion" mentions. I can only assume she appeared in an earlier episode and was mentioned there? If so, do you remember which threads (if they're still active)?

[/ QUOTE ]

...you are aware that this isn't her first appearance right? You may remember when SHE STOLE NINA'S WATCH?

ANd I wasn't just referring to here, I was collectively referring to everywhere I post about Otome.

Anyway, the girl doesn't look like Alyssa, past having blonde hair and blue eyes. BOth of which are the wrong shade.

something

01-22-2006, 05:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
...you are aware that this isn't her first appearance right? You may remember when SHE STOLE NINA'S WATCH?

[/ QUOTE ]

Would I ever have asked if I did remember? So no, obviously not. Took me awhile to find the episode that happened in, but I just did, so now I remember.

[ QUOTE ]
ANd I wasn't just referring to here, I was collectively referring to everywhere I post about Otome.

[/ QUOTE ]

And yet, I don't post at those places.

[ QUOTE ]
Anyway, the girl doesn't look like Alyssa, past having blonde hair and blue eyes. BOth of which are the wrong shade.

[/ QUOTE ]

She (hell in the watch episode it looked like a he to me, heh) didn't look like her at all when I went back to that episode, but in the few second glance we got at her in this episode, it did (and given that it was dark, the shade was meaningless). I just didn't rewind back to scrutinize it, nor did I expect a seemingly one-off character like that to return -- and apparently be the grandchild of someone who worked at the castle when all hell broke loose and knows Sergey.

Fencedude

01-22-2006, 05:28 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:

[ QUOTE ]
ANd I wasn't just referring to here, I was collectively referring to everywhere I post about Otome.

[/ QUOTE ]

And yet, I don't post at those places.

[/ QUOTE ]

So what? I'm sick of hearing people say that.

Just like I'm sick of people proudly announcing that Nina was in Mai's class in HiME, or that Arika was in the last episode of HiME.

something

01-22-2006, 05:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
So what? I'm sick of hearing people say that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Fence? Sick of something? NO WAY /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif alert the internet!

Suwako Moriya

01-22-2006, 05:38 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Fence? Sick of something? NO WAY /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif alert the internet!

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah all of us get sick of stuff. I mean come on, you yourself got sick of a discussion related to My HiME that's still brought up at other places. Ie the ending discussion. I myself have even got sick of it. Not that I want to bring up the discussion. I'm just giving an easy example. Now imagine it happening every place you visit for full effect. For the record my discussion on it will from now on boil down to saying Mashiro won, now live with it and worship her. I said worship!

In fact speaking of getting sick of stuff. It's Star Ocean the Second Story. It is not called Star Ocean 2. Also why do people call it Star Ocean 3? Star Ocean till the end of time is the proper name and it's the fourth game in the series. Show some respect people. What? I can gripe too.

something

01-22-2006, 05:43 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Kiku Sarasugawa said:
Ah all of us get sick of stuff. I mean come on, you yourself got sick of a discussion related to My HiME that's still brought up at other places. Ie the ending discussion. I myself have even got sick of it. Not that I want to bring up the discussion. I'm just giving an easy example.

[/ QUOTE ]

Haha, no doubt, but some of us have far less tolerance than others, apparently. Then again, that's nothing new.

something

01-22-2006, 05:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
I think Miyu is referring to Aswald's own summons, which possibly suggests Miyu may be connected to Aswald.
[snip]
If Miyu is a part of Aswald, it gives the "Arika as a pawn/creation of Aswald" angle a bit more credence.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, there have been times that Aswald has tried to kill Arika though. I don't get a vibe from Miyu that her interactions with Arika are not genuine or anything. If Miyu were part of Aswald, she could have killed Arika at any time.

Unless, of course, the two(?) times Aswald tried to kill Arika were only diversionary attempts or something, and they knew she wouldn't die. I'd have to rewatch the scenes in question but I didn't get that feeling from them when I saw them.

It's not unthinkable that Miyu is connected to them (nothing is unthinkable in this show really), but I don't see it happening at this point, barring more revelations anyways.

ayareiko

01-22-2006, 06:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
I think Miyu is referring to Aswald's own summons, which possibly suggests Miyu may be connected to Aswald.
[snip]
If Miyu is a part of Aswald, it gives the "Arika as a pawn/creation of Aswald" angle a bit more credence.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, there have been times that Aswald has tried to kill Arika though. I don't get a vibe from Miyu that her interactions with Arika are not genuine or anything. If Miyu were part of Aswald, she could have killed Arika at any time.

Unless, of course, the two(?) times Aswald tried to kill Arika were only diversionary attempts or something, and they knew she wouldn't die. I'd have to rewatch the scenes in question but I didn't get that feeling from them when I saw them.

It's not unthinkable that Miyu is connected to them (nothing is unthinkable in this show really), but I don't see it happening at this point, barring more revelations anyways.

[/ QUOTE ]
It is possible that Midori's group has no idea about Arika.

Still, it's highly unlikely Miyu is a true neutral. She's affiliated with someone, but who?

Fencedude

01-22-2006, 06:18 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:

It is possible that Midori's group has no idea about Arika.

Still, it's highly unlikely Miyu is a true neutral. She's affiliated with someone, but who?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that Aswald doesn't have the first clue about Arika.

And I do think that Miyu is her own faction.

Suwako Moriya

01-22-2006, 06:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
And I do think that Miyu is her own faction.

[/ QUOTE ]

If Miyu is affiliated with anyone in the series then it's probably going to be Arika's Grandmother. Not that it matters since I have no idea who Granny is.

something

01-22-2006, 08:21 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
It is possible that Midori's group has no idea about Arika.

[/ QUOTE ]

But then if Miyu is aligned with them, that means she's holding out on a lot of information because Miyu knows all about who Arika is (just generally, not necessarily her being Queen or anything though I'm sure Miyu knows all about that too).

So if she's part of Midori's group, one would assume Midori's group knows all about Arika, unless I'm missing something. And then you're back to what I was saying before, which is "why would Miyu be concerned with keeping Arika alive if she were part of a group that has tried to kill Arika in the past?"

So I too think Miyu is definitely independent, or at least definitely not allied with Midori.

Lego

01-22-2006, 10:04 PM

True. In Hime and now Otome, I'm more of a fan of how the characters interact with each other and their personalities rather then the main story arc itself. Sure Hime had a wicked second half and Otome might be set up the same way, but I like the characters. In Hime it was Haruka( /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif) and her antics. Now in Otome while it still is Haruka, I'm also loving the back and forth between people like Chie/Aoi and Nao/Shiho.

01-23-2006, 01:43 AM

Speaking of...... we haven't seen swirlies in a few eps now. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

I'm in a crisis here, help me out guys. With Hime I stopped watching at the halfway point because I have a tradition of saving the very best shows of each season to watch for the first time on DVD. That's actually the biggest reason why I'm not a big contributor to threads like these, something I regret.

I've been trying to do this with Otome too (along with Shana but I'm too addicted to stop watching that period), but I can't stop myself from watching.

I'm exactly halfway through the show now. Keep watching, or wait?

Vallen Valiant

01-23-2006, 02:27 AM

Breaking news! Ep 17! Spoilers concerning a new GEM! Meister outfit included!

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4728/otome171fc.th.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/my.php?image=otome171fc.jpg)
(note, below is my first reaction in another board.)
OH $#%@!!!!!!

This is NOT good! "The Pitch Black Diamond"!!! And there is also a pendant identical to Arika's to go with it! And a Master Ring!

And Nina is going to be the user of the Pitch Black Diamond GEM?

ARRHHHHH!!!!!!!

They are going the "Konoha Sasuke Route"!

Nina is going Darth Vader in ep 17!!!!

(p.s. The Uber-Maid first Otome's resting place is about to be explained... But who cares! Nina's going to the Dark Side!) 
And now for the second spoiler...
 Meister Outfit (http://img33.imageshack.us/my.php?image=up835416wb.jpg)
I have to say, I like that look.

The green Chinese-style dress over her Jet-Black Meister Robe is surprisingly fetching. I don't think she is the "shadow Otome", though... Unless Nina can merge her dual swords into one large blade, the Shadow Otome is someone else. (Watch closely, she is holding another sword on her left hand.)

mellowrg2

01-23-2006, 02:32 AM

I believe Shadow Otome is a different person.

She has a distinctive twin tails, tattered wings and a semi long hair.

something

01-23-2006, 04:58 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
I'm exactly halfway through the show now. Keep watching, or wait?

[/ QUOTE ]

Just keep watching. If you do what I do, and not watch the DVDs until you have every disc, then it'll al feel nice and new again by the time disc 6 (or 7 whatever) is in your hands.

I've often found that I like things better the second time around even if I've seen it all already. There's something about marathoning that watching each week or so just can't match.

Suwako Moriya

01-23-2006, 07:19 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
I'm exactly halfway through the show now. Keep watching, or wait?

[/ QUOTE ]

You've already watched it half way. So just keep watching as long as you enjoy the series. Besides most likely Bandai won't even start releasing Otome until after the last volume of My-HiME comes out here. That's even if Bandai already has My-Otome. So by the time it comes out, you may want a refresher course in the series. Thus you can finish the series in Japanese on this run. Then when/if it is licensed, you can rewatch the whole series for a refresher course in English. Assuming of course you like the series enough to watch it again and the English dub is good enough based on your own personal tastes.

Fencedude

01-23-2006, 08:19 AM

How very interesting...

Suwako Moriya

01-23-2006, 08:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Vallen Chaos Valiant said:
And Nina is going to be the user of the Pitch Black Diamond GEM?

[/ QUOTE ]

Something like this was only a matter of time. After all Nina has had "I want to *****-slap Arika" written all over her face ever since the two met. So in order for them to make it look like Nina even has a slight chance of defeating Arika, Nina will need something to match Arika's upgrade device for the lack of a better term.

01-23-2006, 11:47 AM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
I'm exactly halfway through the show now. Keep watching, or wait?

[/ QUOTE ]

Just keep watching. If you do what I do, and not watch the DVDs until you have every disc, then it'll al feel nice and new again by the time disc 6 (or 7 whatever) is in your hands.

I've often found that I like things better the second time around even if I've seen it all already. There's something about marathoning that watching each week or so just can't match.

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh, that's what I'll do then. I actually don't wait for every dsic before watching though. I watch the show dubbed as I'm collecting, then marathon it subbed when I have every DVD.

bakafoo

01-23-2006, 01:29 PM

Somehow I was expecting that of Nina's, especially after reading that particular "blog entry" by the animation director (IIRC) from GSD.

Rhodes

01-23-2006, 01:44 PM

still i can guess why nina would go bad,she found out arika has the hots for her daddy =o or is it she found out sergy has the hots for arika... 

so i guess the trio is set to be arika/nina/mashiro... wonder how tomoe will fall the the wayside.

Rogueman_8

01-23-2006, 03:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rhodes said:
still i can guess why nina would go bad,she found out arika has the hots for her daddy =o or is it she found out sergy has the hots for arika... 

so i guess the trio is set to be arika/nina/mashiro... wonder how tomoe will fall the the wayside.

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, not too surprising cuz that's the same reason for me.

anyways, i can't wait for ep.17 now, w/ so much stuff appearing and seeing that preview at satachi's site along w/ the upcoming battles and my nats in robe. i'm so gonna soil my pants /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif.

edit: oh yes, here's 'mai' (http://img392.imageshack.us/my.php?image=figs4gh.jpg)

lone_wolf

01-23-2006, 04:54 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Kiku Sarasugawa said:
[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
I'm exactly halfway through the show now. Keep watching, or wait?

[/ QUOTE ]

You've already watched it half way. So just keep watching as long as you enjoy the series. Besides most likely Bandai won't even start releasing Otome until after the last volume of My-HiME comes out here. That's even if Bandai already has My-Otome. So by the time it comes out, you may want a refresher course in the series. Thus you can finish the series in Japanese on this run. Then when/if it is licensed, you can rewatch the whole series for a refresher course in English. Assuming of course you like the series enough to watch it again and the English dub is good enough based on your own personal tastes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just an FYI, Bandai (according to Producer, Taku Otsuka) does *not* have Mai Otome....yet.

--Lone Wolf

ayareiko

01-23-2006, 06:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Vallen Chaos Valiant said:
[snip]

[/ QUOTE ]

This also does not bode well for Ers. Ers will either become Nina's first victims, or is one of the triggers that sends her to the darkside. Or both.

Tomoe will either go one of two ways; Killed early, or survives only by forming an unlikely (in Tomoe's mind) alliance with Arika.

Rhodes

01-23-2006, 06:26 PM

Ers knows too much has to die =P She knows who Nina likes and who Arika liks... somehow I see her spilling the beans to Nina

Fencedude

01-23-2006, 06:52 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Vallen Chaos Valiant said:
[snip]

[/ QUOTE ]

This also does not bode well for Ers. Ers will either become Nina's first victims, or is one of the triggers that sends her to the darkside. Or both.

Tomoe will either go one of two ways; Killed early, or survives only by forming an unlikely (in Tomoe's mind) alliance with Arika.

[/ QUOTE ]

Since when did anyone say that Nina was turning EVIL? Thats a somewhat unwaranted assumption...

Rhodes

01-23-2006, 07:04 PM

based on the events of the 1st series with mikoto i can see how nina would go dark. great contrast with arika that way.

also you can see they are putting the foundation to it with both girls having their eye on sergy. also funny how he would have a thing for rena... cant bag the mom go for the daughter!

still want to see how mai fits into all of this.

Suwako Moriya

01-23-2006, 07:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Since when did anyone say that Nina was turning EVIL? Thats a somewhat unwaranted assumption...

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe people are basing it off two sources. First that Nina has a father complex. Second Nina seems to have a strong dislike of Arika. Or at the very least at first she did anyway. I'm not sure if it's still there.

So my guess is some assume that Nina will take it to an extreme and turn evil because of it. However in order for that to happen. Nina would have to believe she lost Sergei to Arika. She would also have to be the type that would throw a fit and turn evil if she doesn't get her way. I'm not sure if Nina is that type of person.

However regardless of whether or not she turns evil an upgrade is still good for her. First if she turns evil, she needs to be able to match Arika's stronger form. Second if she never turns evil then an upgrade form would be nice to see and allow her to stand out.

bakafoo

01-23-2006, 09:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Kiku Sarasugawa said:
So my guess is some assume that Nina will take it to an extreme and turn evil because of it. However in order for that to happen. Nina would have to believe she lost Sergei to Arika. She would also have to be the type that would throw a fit and turn evil if she doesn't get her way. I'm not sure if Nina is that type of person.

[/ QUOTE ]


There's a very strong possibility of the second one to be happening, at a much sooner pace than expected. Chances are, it will be a case of misunderstood scenario between Arika and Nina because of Sergey. Remember, Sergey was 'ordered' to seduce the princess (if necessary). Although he's not really going to following, it will most likely be Arika who'll be doing the moves from now on. Which in turn, at some point, A & S will be present, exchanging dialogue of "it's not right!" yada yada..finally ending with two embracing. Come the pawn Nina (instigated by Nagi which is also a strong possibility), and sees the whole thing..



What do we get? Nina pulling off a berserk Tokiha Mai (episode 19 or was it 20).

01-23-2006, 09:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Vallen Chaos Valiant said:
[snip]

[/ QUOTE ]

This also does not bode well for Ers. Ers will either become Nina's first victims, or is one of the triggers that sends her to the darkside. Or both.

Tomoe will either go one of two ways; Killed early, or survives only by forming an unlikely (in Tomoe's mind) alliance with Arika.

[/ QUOTE ]

Since when did anyone say that Nina was turning EVIL? Thats a somewhat unwaranted assumption...

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't say it's a totally unfair assumption. Considering how hardcore her daddy complex is she could be driven to do just about anything I'd think.

bobma

01-23-2006, 10:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Vallen Chaos Valiant said:
[snip]

[/ QUOTE ]

This also does not bode well for Ers. Ers will either become Nina's first victims, or is one of the triggers that sends her to the darkside. Or both.

Tomoe will either go one of two ways; Killed early, or survives only by forming an unlikely (in Tomoe's mind) alliance with Arika.

[/ QUOTE ]

Since when did anyone say that Nina was turning EVIL? Thats a somewhat unwaranted assumption...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd wager that you don't get a gem called "The Pitch Black Diamond" and then go save fluffy kittens out of trees. It may be a cliche storytelling device, but the gem's name alone is indication enough to speculate that Nina wont be playing for the good guys in the near future.

Fencedude

01-23-2006, 10:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:

I wouldn't say it's a totally unfair assumption. Considering how hardcore her daddy complex is she could be driven to do just about anything I'd think.

[/ QUOTE ]

No, I think we are talking about two different things.

Will Arika and Nina come into conflict? Yes.

Will Nagi use Nina to further his goals? Yes.

Will Nina be "EVIL"? No.

ayareiko

01-23-2006, 10:21 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Xcalibur said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Vallen Chaos Valiant said:
[snip]

[/ QUOTE ]

This also does not bode well for Ers. Ers will either become Nina's first victims, or is one of the triggers that sends her to the darkside. Or both.

Tomoe will either go one of two ways; Killed early, or survives only by forming an unlikely (in Tomoe's mind) alliance with Arika.

[/ QUOTE ]

Since when did anyone say that Nina was turning EVIL? Thats a somewhat unwaranted assumption...

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't say it's a totally unfair assumption. Considering how hardcore her daddy complex is she could be driven to do just about anything I'd think.

[/ QUOTE ]
Don't forget her response to Maria in the Otome "Graveyard".

01-23-2006, 11:57 PM

It would make for some amusing plot twists. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

DiGiKerot

01-25-2006, 04:41 PM

The My-ZHiME (http://www.my-zhime.net/) official website been updated. Mainly the usual kind of thing - updated character pages (not clocked all the differences, but new characters like the Romulus and Remus otome are there), details and pictures of the Volume 2 omake (The Weeks Armitage - looks like a news show hosted by or about Haruka /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif), Crystal Energy release details (no cover image yet), another pair of CMs Wonderfest exclusive figures (like the previously released Haruka and Shiz HiME figures - this time its the Arika/Mai two-set others have seen elsewhere, based on the fandisk cover), and the episode page now goes up to Episode 18 (I think this is the first time we've seen any details for this episode as well...).

-edit- Regarding those figures, they are going to be selling a version with Mai and Arika in Meister robes as well, though the Mai figure has been blanked out in the released images. Thats the image I'd seen before - I think this is the first time I've seen it in those costumes. It looks like both versions are Wonderfest-only, though.

-edit 2- Oh, the character page reveals that the homeless girl who keeps appearing is called Mimi - this actually appeared in the ending credits to the last episode, but I hadn't noticed it.

ayareiko

01-25-2006, 07:06 PM

Also noticed these updates:

Akane in her Florins Meister uniform.
Maria in her Meister uniform. Interesting thing to note, there is no number on the outfit. Perhaps she isn't a Pillar.
Yamada now has an entry under the Artai section.
King Argos XIV, Fia Gros (w/ robe(!) ), and Kazuya Krau-xeku (yes, that is his name) are under the Cardea area.
King Charles VIII also has a section under the Florins area.

Lego

01-25-2006, 07:16 PM

Heh, that screenshots for Haruka's news show look great. I'm always up for more Haruka /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif.

DiGiKerot

01-26-2006, 11:15 AM

Yes, thats a new OP alert! Nao and Natsuki in Meister robes! Mai! Meister Nina! EXCITEMENT!

something

01-26-2006, 11:24 AM

For real this time? I remember people saying there would be a new op at 14 /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif Well, that's cool, I oughta see the ep in few days. [I didn't quote like I usually do because hitting "reply with quote" would show the spoiler-tagged text in the Post Reply window =P]

DiGiKerot

01-26-2006, 11:37 AM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
For real this time?

[/ QUOTE ]

I assume so - I've not seen the episode yet, but 2chan has a bunch of posts mentioning it does, and pictures from it. Looks near.

DiGiKerot

01-26-2006, 02:19 PM

[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
For real this time?

[/ QUOTE ]

I assume so - I've not seen the episode yet, but 2chan has a bunch of posts mentioning it does, and pictures from it. Looks near.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've seen the OP now, its pretty cool and certainly has a fair bit of interest. As other people have mentioned elsewhere, there are a LOT of classic Sunrise shots used in the OP - theres an awful log of stuff what reminds me a lot of Gundam Wing and Gundam SEED/SEED Destiny at least.

Got to start of by saying I'm really not keen on Ninas Meister Robe (her Element appears to be a pair of Sai, coincidently). Naos is kind of so-so. Arika looks pretty good in a Meister uniform though.

Tomoe looks rather hot. Evil, yes, but hot with it.

This is going to probably put to rest any suggestion of Rena reappearing. It does look like Asward are going to ally themselves with Windbloom though (Rad holding Mikoto made me laugh).


-edit-Just realised - no Erstin or Irina! I'm quite happy for them to kill of Erstin, but Irina better live on!

Rogueman_8

01-26-2006, 03:35 PM

yeah, that OP DA SHEEAT. very awesome, and i can see the similarities and comparison to the other Sunrise shows. Someone should do a side by side pic compilation of this OP w/ the others just for fun /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif. My Natsuki, Mai, Midori and Tomoe were just awesome and soooo hawwwt (The new meisters were looking yum as well) /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif. . I'm really liking Crystal Energy too. Ep.17 is soooo gonna kick ass w/ the upcoming battles. I'm soiling myself /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif.

Lego

01-26-2006, 03:53 PM

Yeh the new op is interesting. To bad they took Haruka out of the op, but oh well.

Rogueman_8

01-26-2006, 03:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lego said:
Yeh the new op is interesting. To bad they took Haruka out of the op, but oh well.

[/ QUOTE ]

what are you talking about? she's IN the OP, just not as cool as OP1.

Lego

01-26-2006, 04:02 PM

Ah, was going off the screenshots that I saw over at Random's blog. If she is in the op, everything is good /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif. Nao's new outfit in the op gives off a spiderman vibe.

Rogueman_8

01-26-2006, 04:05 PM

haruka (http://img393.imageshack.us/my.php?image=haruka2bq.jpg)

DiGiKerot

01-26-2006, 04:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rogueman_8 said:
haruka (http://img393.imageshack.us/my.php?image=haruka2bq.jpg)

[/ QUOTE ]

Speaking of that shot, is that Fia Gross you can see just to the right of Arikas neck? You don't really get a clear shot of her...

Rhodes

01-26-2006, 05:07 PM

oh give it up already =)


nina goes to the dark side... if nagi is considered dark then yeah she goes evil.

she may have her reasons but it looks like she will be nagi's otome and help/support him in his goals...she personally may be a pure as the driven snow, but if she helps him or works for him then she is on the side of evil :o

well evil if you consider what he is done is bad... he could have the most noblest of goals in mind. if he wants to destory the otome system... i dont think its that bad of an idea. otome system sort of reminds me of the pillar system from rayearth, and i sure as heck dont like that system.

course i do see that at the end, nina, arika and mashiro will come together and be all buddy buddy again like how it was in the last show.

question is how soon till it all blows up? that hanky is gonna play a part in it. and still wondering how tomoe will fit into all this... she and nina gonna pair up. looks like they will be on nagi's side.

Dagger

01-26-2006, 08:20 PM

Chie as Haruka's subordinate, huh? I hope they show some scenes of that in later episodes. /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

And the new OP is just awesome.

Funkatron

01-26-2006, 08:44 PM

Very MSGSeedish...nekid Erstin flying towards nekid Arika would have completed the illusion

Fencedude

01-26-2006, 08:53 PM

Thoughts on the episode and the new opening:

Mai's GIANT FLAME RING is neat

Nina's Meister Robe is awesome

Nao is Spiderman

Natsuki's robe is exactly what I always imagined.

Blonde Masked Meister (henceforth known as "Vega") may infact be Erstin

This was more like a Gundam opening than a HiME opening

This is the first good Minami Kuribayashi song in the entire HiME franchise

Garderobe/Aswald alliance == WIN

Tomoe is smoking hot, and probably the "Shadow Otome" from the first opening.

Now, as for the episode

Aswald gave Nagi the proverbia middle finger

Fumi screwed over Nao's plans by making her a pillar

Florince chose Shiho of all people as their new Meister

Tomoe's REALLY evil

That was some strong ass acid

I wonder what Coral got that black letter, I know Tomoe's the obvious choice, but...

Poor Mashiro, her castle renovation got hijacked

John Smith is an asshole

Everything has now changed.

Dagger

01-26-2006, 08:57 PM

I don't think Tomoe got the black letter. If you look at the shadow on the ground, it doesn't resemble her hairstyle at all. But who does that leave us with...?

Fencedude

01-26-2006, 09:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
I don't think Tomoe got the black letter. If you look at the shadow on the ground, it doesn't resemble her hairstyle at all. But who does that leave us with...?

[/ QUOTE ]

After Tomoe, the next most likely choice is...unfortunately...Erstin.

I don't WANT it to be her, but damn if I can think of a choice that would shake things up more.

Dagger

01-26-2006, 09:12 PM

Irina, maybe? Erstein would certainly be more dramatic, though.

masterpez

01-26-2006, 09:13 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
But who does that leave us with...?

[/ QUOTE ]

Would be funny if it was Yayoi. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif Anyways, Vega Otome is hot. I love the black outfit and trench coat. I kind of hope that is Erstin. Would be nice for her to lose some of her good-girl image. Also, what can you say about Nao....excuse me, The Spectacular Nao, or would Amazing be more appropriate? And, does anyone know what the white text that appears under the title says?

Funkatron

01-26-2006, 09:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
pez said:
[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
But who does that leave us with...?

[/ QUOTE ]

Would be funny if it was Yayoi. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif Anyways, Vega Otome is hot. I love the black outfit and trench coat. I kind of hope that is Erstin. Would be nice for her to lose some of her good-girl image. Also, what can you say about Nao....excuse me, The Spectacular Nao, or would Amazing be more appropriate? And, does anyone know what the white text that appears under the title says?

[/ QUOTE ]

Friendly Neighborhood Nao-chan?

Fencedude

01-26-2006, 09:20 PM

Suwako Moriya

01-26-2006, 10:21 PM

First of all I feel sorry for Nao. Sure the Spiderman outfit is cool, but now I'm thinking of her as 90s Spiderman. Which means she'll have trouble lifting paper, whine constantly and try to be angsty. It's quite interesting to see a bunch of new Meisters in general. Speaking of Otome, I wonder if we'll ever see Fumi in the series. Yeah it would be nice if Erstin is the "Vega Otome"

As for the new opening. It's pretty nice and it's good to be able to finally see Mai herself. I actually missed her. Now if only they could fix the problem of the Ending Animation as it's still sleep inducing if you ask me. Thank goodness for fast forward.

moyism

01-26-2006, 11:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Irina, maybe? Erstein would certainly be more dramatic, though.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm thinking Irina myself based on the otome's shadow. She sorta has Irina's hairstyle from the little bit we can see.

ayareiko

01-27-2006, 12:04 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Blonde Masked Meister (henceforth known as "Vega") may infact be Erstin

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, but no.

Click here. (http://membres.lycos.fr/ayareiko/images/maihime/11342714589715ds.jpg)

The masked otome is the third from the right. Plus her breasts are too small to be Ers.

Suwako Moriya

01-27-2006, 12:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
The masked otome is the third from the right. Plus her breasts are too small to be Ers.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure which of your points is stronger evidence. Your image comparison or the fact you said her breasts are too small. Ah well maybe Erstin will get a role beside what I fear is the "I'm doomed" role.

Rogueman_8

01-27-2006, 08:32 AM

yeah, i noticed that upon first viewing (forgot which campaign she's from /images/graemlins/tongue.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif), but no surprise that hisayuki would borrow his other designs. Though they're not really the same, since GPX chick's hair isn't 'yellow' blonde and her hair is much more spikier than this look-a-like who shares the same eye colour (though it's kinda hard to tell really, but it seems more baby blueish to me) and same mask as the blonde chick in gear senshi dendoh.

Fencedude

01-27-2006, 08:51 AM

[ QUOTE ]
moyism said:
[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Irina, maybe? Erstein would certainly be more dramatic, though.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm thinking Irina myself based on the otome's shadow. She sorta has Irina's hairstyle from the little bit we can see.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's how I see things now:

Tomoe - Obvious choice

Erstin - ZOMG WTF!? choice

Irina - Important enough for the betrayal to hurt, but not overwhelmingly important enough that her loss would leave an unfilled void.

So yeah, Irina.

With Yayoi and Lillie as other possible, but unlikely possibilities.

I highly doubt its someone we don't know.

lone_wolf

01-27-2006, 02:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
moyism said:
[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Irina, maybe? Erstein would certainly be more dramatic, though.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm thinking Irina myself based on the otome's shadow. She sorta has Irina's hairstyle from the little bit we can see.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's how I see things now:

Tomoe - Obvious choice

Erstin - ZOMG WTF!? choice

Irina - Important enough for the betrayal to hurt, but not overwhelmingly important enough that her loss would leave an unfilled void.

So yeah, Irina.

With Yayoi and Lillie as other possible, but unlikely possibilities.

I highly doubt its someone we don't know.

[/ QUOTE ]

Since people with Slaves die quickly I would probably rule out Tomoe. She now officially marked as an antagonist according to the OP so it seems she'll be in MO for quite some time. I would assume it would be someone they would "off" really quickly. Someone that has little importance to the show...which could be a number of people. Like others have mentioned, Lilie, Yayoi....*maybe* Irina (although I hope not) and...not too sure about Erstin, though. Or as it has been mentioned on another board, just some random coral.

If they do get rid of Erstin it's not like we won't hear her voice again...unless we fast-forward the OP. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

--Lone Wolf

bakafoo

01-27-2006, 06:29 PM

We could have Tomoe pulling an exception to the rule with regards to Slaves. Meaning, somewhere down the line, she gets the ability or an item that allows her to "disconnect" her relationship with the slave (a la DRAGOON system) and make it stand alone. She could also make use of the other candidates as part of it, ultimately, using Erstin in the process. Then, as Erstin's life is extinguished as a slave, Tomoe pulls a Shinn-Stellar emo' scene...kinda like GSD. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

What? They managed to pull the poses of several MS-es already in the first episode, and now they have the GSD-esque opening. Might as well go all out and turn one of the characters into an emo-wreck pussy as well. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Fencedude

01-27-2006, 06:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
BakaBoobie said:
We could have Tomoe pulling an exception to the rule with regards to Slaves. Meaning, somewhere down the line, she gets the ability or an item that allows her to "disconnect" her relationship with the slave (a la DRAGOON system) and make it stand alone. She could also make use of the other candidates as part of it, ultimately, using Erstin in the process. Then, as Erstin's life is extinguished as a slave, Tomoe pulls a Shinn-Stellar emo' scene...kinda like GSD. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

What? They managed to pull the poses of several MS-es already in the first episode, and now they have the GSD-esque opening. Might as well go all out and turn one of the characters into an emo-wreck pussy as well. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

The black letter doesn't necessarily mean you are going to have to control a slave.

Nagi got one that was just a summons to meet with John Smith.

Anyway, I think you are severely overthinking the issue.

bakafoo

01-27-2006, 06:49 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Anyway, I think you are severely overthinking the issue.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm bored, and seldom get to do speculations. Amuse me. /images/graemlins/wink.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

cregbr

01-27-2006, 08:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Thoughts on the episode and the new opening:

Mai's GIANT FLAME RING is neat

Nina's Meister Robe is awesome

Nao is Spiderman

Natsuki's robe is exactly what I always imagined.

Blonde Masked Meister (henceforth known as "Vega") may infact be Erstin

This was more like a Gundam opening than a HiME opening

This is the first good Minami Kuribayashi song in the entire HiME franchise

Garderobe/Aswald alliance == WIN

Tomoe is smoking hot, and probably the "Shadow Otome" from the first opening.

[/ QUOTE ]

Alas, I have to go with Aya on this one, Vega's bust is too small to be Erstin.

No Miyu. I find this to be an interesting omission. It seems highly unlikely that we've seen the last of her. (Yeah, yeah... keen sense of the obvious).

It looks like Windbloom is going to experience a coupe. The kind of refugee frame with Mashiro, Mimi, Rad and Gal sure looks like it. It would also make Nagi's quest for the real princess clear: he needs her to legitimize his assumption of the throne in Windbloom, either through marriage or at least her abdicating to him.

[ QUOTE ]
Everything has now changed.

[/ QUOTE ]

And if this plays like My Hime, it's going to change again in the last few episodes /images/graemlins/happy.gif

K.

bobma

01-27-2006, 09:07 PM

[ QUOTE ]
BakaBoobie said:
What? They managed to pull the poses of several MS-es already in the first episode, and now they have the GSD-esque opening. Might as well go all out and turn one of the characters into an emo-wreck pussy as well. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

They already missed their chance with Akane. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

BTW I'm curious how Mai's reappearance will be handled by the staff. I hope Mai wont suffer from the "Kira Yamato" syndrome. That's one of the reasons why I'm actually pleased that she didn't turn up early in the series. Of course the production team could just be cruel and not let her show up at all, apart from an appearance in one of the omakes where she asks "Hey! Why was I left out?". /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Some additional random thoughts on ep 16: I think I'm one of the few who weren't all that impressed with the song. It's not bad, but I think I heard songs with the "T.M.Revolution/Two-Mix" sound one time too many and need some vacation from those. The op animation was pretty nice, though it did come across as quite MSGSeedy at times. I totally didn't see the Nao promotion coming. Even though she seemed less than thrilled about it, it's cool to see good stuff happen to her. Somehow this makes me more glad that the (temporary) happy ending for Akane. I'm curious how the other two pillars will be introduced into the story and how they plan to flesh them out so far into the story. One thing that left me puzzled was how Youko and Natsuki talked about Fumi ("Shinso-sama wa ogenki datta ka?"), as if she were still around. Maybe we'll get to see her again? Something else I enjoyed quite a bit about this episode was how nice Nina is, now that she opened up to Erstin and Arika. Quite a change from the icy demeanor from earlier episodes. Too bad this'll go away in a few episodes. As for the Schwartz coral, the only thing I'm more or less sure about is, that it isn't Tomoe, since she's too obvious a choice. It would be easier to guess if we knew what the black letter recipients get out of the deal. If it's just the benefit of commanding a slave, then the likeliest candidate would be Irina, with her love for odd gadgets. But is this penchant enough to commit treason? Overall, great episode, with lots of things that were set up in past episodes getting into motion. Next thursday can't come soon enough.

Fencedude

01-27-2006, 09:12 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:

Some additional random thoughts on ep 16: I think I'm one of the few who weren't all that impressed with the song. It's not bad, but I think I heard songs with the "T.M.Revolution/Two-Mix" sound one time too many and need some vacation from those.

[/ QUOTE ]

Eh? Minami Kuribayashi is nothing like TM Revolution or Two-Mix, I really don't see how you are getting that vibe from CRYSTAL ENERGY at all.

As for Fumi, that big...thing the Pearls were assembeled infront of seems to be Fumi...or something like that.

Its definitely...weird.

ayareiko

01-27-2006, 09:47 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Thoughts on the episode and the new opening:

Everything has now changed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Garderobe was our last, best hope for peace.

It failed.

But in the year of the Schwartz War, it became something greater: our last, best hope â€“ for victory.

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

bakafoo

01-27-2006, 09:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:

Some additional random thoughts on ep 16: I think I'm one of the few who weren't all that impressed with the song. It's not bad, but I think I heard songs with the "T.M.Revolution/Two-Mix" sound one time too many and need some vacation from those.

[/ QUOTE ]

Eh? Minami Kuribayashi is nothing like TM Revolution or Two-Mix, I really don't see how you are getting that vibe from CRYSTAL ENERGY at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Listen to some of the first few notes of the song, then watch GSEED or GSD. You'll most likely hear some similarities.

Fencedude

01-27-2006, 09:58 PM

[ QUOTE ]
BakaBoobie said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:

Some additional random thoughts on ep 16: I think I'm one of the few who weren't all that impressed with the song. It's not bad, but I think I heard songs with the "T.M.Revolution/Two-Mix" sound one time too many and need some vacation from those.

[/ QUOTE ]

Eh? Minami Kuribayashi is nothing like TM Revolution or Two-Mix, I really don't see how you are getting that vibe from CRYSTAL ENERGY at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Listen to some of the first few notes of the song, then watch GSEED or GSD. You'll most likely hear some similarities.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ehh...thats being horribly unspecific.

There are like...10 artists who did vocal songs for Seed/Destiny. Are you thinking of a specific song?

Fencedude

01-27-2006, 09:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Thoughts on the episode and the new opening:

Everything has now changed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Garderobe was our last, best hope for peace.

It failed.

But in the year of the Schwartz War, it became something greater: our last, best hope â€“ for victory.

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hah!

Shiroi Hane

01-28-2006, 01:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rhodes said:question is how soon till it all blows up? that hanky is gonna play a part in it.

[/ QUOTE ]
I got the feeling, seeing Nina smiling in the grass, that it was the last time we'd see her smile for a while. I can image Sergay accidentally pulling the hanky out of his pocket in the presence of Nina.

Was anyone else amused by the fake Engrish 'sanks' BTW? :D

(oh and those contracts Mashiro was stamping... I couldn't figure out if those were Engrish, Legalese or a bit of both)

cregbr

01-28-2006, 05:36 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Shiroi Hane said:
I got the feeling, seeing Nina smiling in the grass, that it was the last time we'd see her smile for a while. I can image Sergay accidentally pulling the hanky out of his pocket in the presence of Nina.

[/ QUOTE ]
 Not to mention when Arika sees the hanky as well. Given her already conflicted feelings around Sergey, imagine the emotional bomb it will be when she discovers Oji-san = Sergey.

K.

cregbr

01-28-2006, 05:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Thoughts on the episode and the new opening:

Everything has now changed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Garderobe was our last, best hope for peace.

It failed.

But in the year of the Schwartz War, it became something greater: our last, best hope â€“ for victory.

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hah!

[/ QUOTE ]

No, no. That would have to be reserved for season three. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

gogeta999

01-29-2006, 05:58 AM

Man I just saw the second opening and for some reason it reminded me of S-Cry-ed. Arika being Kazuma and Nina being Ryuho.

bobma

01-29-2006, 10:25 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Gogeta said:
Man I just saw the second opening and for some reason it reminded me of S-Cry-ed. Arika being Kazuma and Nina being Ryuho.

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh, I wish Arika and Nina were as homoerotically attracted to each other as Kazumaaaaaaaaa and Ryuuuuuuhooooooooo were in Scryed. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

something

01-29-2006, 11:09 PM

Hah! Arika beating Tomoe = AWESOME! Favorite character smacking around my least favorite... perfect. I'm just sad they didn't show this tournament in any detail at all =(

As for Nina being set to become Nagi's Otome eventually, was that brought up before? I feel like it was, but I can't remember when. Either way, that's certainly a setup for angst /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

As for the OP... Tomoe looking evil! Aligned with the baddies? MAI!!! YAAAAAY! I mean, no surprise but we get to SEE her! And Nina in her meister robe (I assume)... And Nina fighting Arika! Ohhhhhhhh~ (or well, thats how they make it look, and it's entirely plausible) I cannot wait to see how everything plays out.

Hmm, Chie knows about Tomoe... too bad she's not smacking her around to drive the point home =P

Whahaha Nao is a pillar! That's awesome! XD Joining "The Old Ladies' Military Club" XD Ahaha she'll be the best pillar ever! ...If she survives Miss Maria's scolding =P

And awww, poor Erstin, but yay for saving Arika (and Erstin's injury not being serious). Erstin needs to beat Tomoe's brains out. With her breasts >_> But yeah, didn't end so badly for her after all, in this ep. Wonder why she won't rat Tomoe out though...

Anyway, how did the top of Mashiro's castle turn into a weapon with nobody noticing? And aww man, I wanted to see Arika and Nina fight Chie and Shiho /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

BUT! That's ok because the shit has finally hit the fan with this episode, just as it did with HiME. I cannot wait to see where it goes from here. Simply awesome.

stfram

01-29-2006, 11:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Erstin needs to beat Tomoe's brains out. With her breasts >_> But yeah, didn't end so badly for her after all, in this ep. Wonder why she won't rat Tomoe out though...

Anyway, how did the top of Mashiro's castle turn into a weapon with nobody noticing? And aww man, I wanted to see Arika and Nina fight Chie and Shiho /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Regarding Erstin, she just isn't confident enough to do it. Irina would be screaming out Tomoe's name, but Erstin? She's entirely too meek. And very possibly scared of Tomoe. Either that, or Erstin is a firm believer in "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

And now, events have kind of eclipsed that whole drama, to the point where it would almost be like: "You mean Tomoe did that? What a little strumpet! However, considering that were being overrun, we'll worry about that later, sweetie."

About the castle: they used the holograms to fool her into thinking that her design was being done correctly? Either that, or it was just Mashiro being clueless as usual. I suspect the latter.

ayareiko

01-30-2006, 12:32 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Lone Wolf said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
moyism said:
[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
Irina, maybe? Erstein would certainly be more dramatic, though.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm thinking Irina myself based on the otome's shadow. She sorta has Irina's hairstyle from the little bit we can see.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's how I see things now:

Tomoe - Obvious choice

Erstin - ZOMG WTF!? choice

Irina - Important enough for the betrayal to hurt, but not overwhelmingly important enough that her loss would leave an unfilled void.

So yeah, Irina.

With Yayoi and Lillie as other possible, but unlikely possibilities.

I highly doubt its someone we don't know.

[/ QUOTE ]

Since people with Slaves die quickly I would probably rule out Tomoe. She now officially marked as an antagonist according to the OP so it seems she'll be in MO for quite some time. I would assume it would be someone they would "off" really quickly. Someone that has little importance to the show...which could be a number of people. Like others have mentioned, Lilie, Yayoi....*maybe* Irina (although I hope not) and...not too sure about Erstin, though. Or as it has been mentioned on another board, just some random coral.

If they do get rid of Erstin it's not like we won't hear her voice again...unless we fast-forward the OP. /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

--Lone Wolf

[/ QUOTE ]

Screenshot (http://membres.lycos.fr/ayareiko/images/maihime/uhoh1.jpg)

It'll be Irina. 1, She's the only one with that hairstyle. 2, With the scene likely shifting away from Garderobe, she's (literally) outlived her usefulness.

Also, in all likelyhood, she'll be killing off Ers too, though not intentionally. Her real target is Mashiro, but Ers will end up taking the blow instead.

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:

Some additional random thoughts on ep 16: I think I'm one of the few who weren't all that impressed with the song. It's not bad, but I think I heard songs with the "T.M.Revolution/Two-Mix" sound one time too many and need some vacation from those.

[/ QUOTE ]

Eh? Minami Kuribayashi is nothing like TM Revolution or Two-Mix, I really don't see how you are getting that vibe from CRYSTAL ENERGY at all.

As for Fumi, that big...thing the Pearls were assembeled infront of seems to be Fumi...or something like that.

Its definitely...weird.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually... It reminded me of the HiME-star.

Suwako Moriya

01-30-2006, 12:43 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
Actually... It reminded me of the HiME-star.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking more the "HiME" symbol when I saw it myself. If I'm thinking of the same scene. Darn it, I'm too lazy to double check either case right now.

golthin

01-30-2006, 12:58 AM

Wow! this show is awsome! I had watched only episode one and didn't find it that interesting, so I have not been following the show. I am currently marathoning through all the available episodes. I just watched episode 13 and I loved it!

Kazu-kun is my hero. I was totaly surprised, the makers of My otome had me completely fooled. I was sure that the Akane-chan and Kazu-kun love story was going to have a sad ending when Akane ended becoming an Otome. Akane just a typical woman wanted him to tell her loved her. Kazu-kun is the man!

I was jumping and clapping and even had a few tears. I am now completely adicted to this show.

something

01-30-2006, 02:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
stfram said:
Regarding Erstin, she just isn't confident enough to do it. Irina would be screaming out Tomoe's name, but Erstin? She's entirely too meek. And very possibly scared of Tomoe.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe, but she seems like she has another reason... She shouldn't need much confidence to let Arika know someone is trying to MURDER her, if she cares about Arika.

[ QUOTE ]
About the castle: they used the holograms to fool her into thinking that her design was being done correctly? Either that, or it was just Mashiro being clueless as usual. I suspect the latter.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't eve mean Mashiro... but rather the hundreds of construction workers and their managers and the castle administration at large /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif Sure, they probably had some spies in their ranks, and it looks like the weapon was installed the night before, but that's a heck of a construction job for one night =P

I know it's a plot hole I'm just supposed to take unquestioningly, and I just find it humorous more than a "problem", but it's still kinda silly.

something

01-30-2006, 02:09 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Aya Reiko said:
It'll be Irina. 1, She's the only one with that hairstyle. 2, With the scene likely shifting away from Garderobe, she's (literally) outlived her usefulness.
Also, in all likelyhood, she'll be killing off Ers too, though not intentionally. Her real target is Mashiro, but Ers will end up taking the blow instead.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll... wait and let the show tell me. There's just WAAAAAY too much unavoidable conclusion leaping and speculation in trying to "figure out" who it is AND what they'll do, and the show has proven most people wrong on most big things so far. So yeah, it'll be something interesting, but I won't guess at what yet.

golthin

01-30-2006, 04:09 AM

I have a question for you guys and gals.Did Arika moved on Sergey or does she still love him? I think she still loves him even though she promised to become a Meistar. Though I don't know if she will do what Akane did.

golthin

01-30-2006, 04:34 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
Dagger said:
I don't think Tomoe got the black letter. If you look at the shadow on the ground, it doesn't resemble her hairstyle at all. But who does that leave us with...?

[/ QUOTE ]

After Tomoe, the next most likely choice is...unfortunately...Erstin.

I don't WANT it to be her, but damn if I can think of a choice that would shake things up more.

[/ QUOTE ]
the hair style doesn't fit her either, and they show her legs and they are fine.

golthin

01-30-2006, 04:43 AM

bobma

01-30-2006, 06:50 AM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I have a question for you guys and gals.Did Arika moved on Sergey or does she still love him? I think she still loves him even though she promised to become a Meistar. Though I don't know if she will do what Akane did.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's still the secret benefactor anvil waiting to be dropped on her, and I think it'll hit her hard. My guess is that nothing definitive will happen within the series itself, since she'll probably do it the Rena way and have her cake and eat it too. She'll realize her dream and become an Otome, with some heavy hinting that later on in the future a certain someone will be waiting for her. That of course will leave Nina in the dust, but with only one alpha male available in the show, someone is bound to end up hurt.

Fencedude

01-30-2006, 07:57 AM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Hah! Arika beating Tomoe = AWESOME! Favorite character smacking around my least favorite... perfect. I'm just sad they didn't show this tournament in any detail at all =(

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, more Tomoe hate.

I really don't see why people loathe her so much.

I mean, yeah, she's a murderous, vindictive bitch, and most likely will kill Erstin in episode 17...

...but she makes things so much FUN! I mean, as a person she's horrible, worse than anyone from HiME except Shizuru in full rampage, but as a character she's GREAT!

And she has Rie Tanaka being evil, which is only the best thing ever.

As for Nao's pillarness...see my Avatar and Sig...

Rogueman_8

01-30-2006, 10:01 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Hah! Arika beating Tomoe = AWESOME! Favorite character smacking around my least favorite... perfect. I'm just sad they didn't show this tournament in any detail at all =(

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, more Tomoe hate.

I really don't see why people loathe her so much.

I mean, yeah, she's a murderous, vindictive bitch, and most likely will kill Erstin in episode 17...

...but she makes things so much FUN! I mean, as a person she's horrible, worse than anyone from HiME except Shizuru in full rampage, but as a character she's GREAT!

And she has Rie Tanaka being evil, which is only the best thing ever.

[/ QUOTE ]

yesh, all the reasons why i love her so, and the fact that she's Ã¼ber hawwt /images/graemlins/noseblef.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif.

golthin

01-30-2006, 11:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I have a question for you guys and gals.Did Arika moved on Sergey or does she still love him? I think she still loves him even though she promised to become a Meistar. Though I don't know if she will do what Akane did.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's still the secret benefactor anvil waiting to be dropped on her, and I think it'll hit her hard. My guess is that nothing definitive will happen within the series itself, since she'll probably do it the Rena way and have her cake and eat it too. She'll realize her dream and become an Otome, with some heavy hinting that later on in the future a certain someone will be waiting for her. That of course will leave Nina in the dust, but with only one alpha male available in the show, someone is bound to end up hurt.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, nina never had a chance because Sergey really looks at her like a daughter, he is always rationalizing against any feelings he have for Arika by saying she is the same age as Nina. Of course he and Nina are not really related so who knows.

DiGiKerot

01-30-2006, 11:10 AM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I have a question for you guys and gals.Did Arika moved on Sergey or does she still love him? I think she still loves him even though she promised to become a Meistar. Though I don't know if she will do what Akane did.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's still the secret benefactor anvil waiting to be dropped on her, and I think it'll hit her hard. My guess is that nothing definitive will happen within the series itself, since she'll probably do it the Rena way and have her cake and eat it too. She'll realize her dream and become an Otome, with some heavy hinting that later on in the future a certain someone will be waiting for her. That of course will leave Nina in the dust, but with only one alpha male available in the show, someone is bound to end up hurt.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, nina never had a chance because Sergey really looks at her like a daughter, he is always rationalizing against any feelings he have for Arika by saying she is the same age as Nina. Of course he and Nina are not really related so who knows. 

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, come on - Its obvious that Arika and Sergay are going to get married in the end its even hinted at in episode 1 /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Okay, so I'm joking, apart from the hinted at in episode 1 part.

golthin

01-30-2006, 11:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
Hah! Arika beating Tomoe = AWESOME! Favorite character smacking around my least favorite... perfect. I'm just sad they didn't show this tournament in any detail at all =(

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, more Tomoe hate.

I really don't see why people loathe her so much.

I mean, yeah, she's a murderous, vindictive bitch, and most likely will kill Erstin in episode 17...

...but she makes things so much FUN! I mean, as a person she's horrible, worse than anyone from HiME except Shizuru in full rampage, but as a character she's GREAT!

And she has Rie Tanaka being evil, which is only the best thing ever.

As for Nao's pillarness...see my Avatar and Sig...

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't feel like going back and watch all the episodes right now again, I guess I must have nopt been paying attention and missed that. What were Nao's plan that were spoiled up by her becoming a pillar, and if she doesn't want to be one why doesn't she refuse.

golthin

01-30-2006, 11:14 AM

[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I have a question for you guys and gals.Did Arika moved on Sergey or does she still love him? I think she still loves him even though she promised to become a Meistar. Though I don't know if she will do what Akane did.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's still the secret benefactor anvil waiting to be dropped on her, and I think it'll hit her hard. My guess is that nothing definitive will happen within the series itself, since she'll probably do it the Rena way and have her cake and eat it too. She'll realize her dream and become an Otome, with some heavy hinting that later on in the future a certain someone will be waiting for her. That of course will leave Nina in the dust, but with only one alpha male available in the show, someone is bound to end up hurt.

[/ QUOTE ]
Well, nina never had a chance because Sergey really looks at her like a daughter, he is always rationalizing against any feelings he have for Arika by saying she is the same age as Nina. Of course he and Nina are not really related so who knows. 

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, come on - Its obvious that Arika and Sergay are going to get married in the end its even hinted at in episode 1 /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Okay, so I'm joking, apart from the hinted at in episode 1 part.


[/ QUOTE ]
About what part in episode 1?

DiGiKerot

01-30-2006, 11:19 AM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
Oh, come on - Its obvious that Arika and Sergay are going to get married in the end its even hinted at in episode 1 /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Okay, so I'm joking, apart from the hinted at in episode 1 part.


[/ QUOTE ]
About what part in episode 1?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pre-credits, after the '14 years later' bit - Sergay is on the sandship when the Kuroch things fly past, and he makes a quip to the girl standing next to him that they are supposed to be lucky in things like finding a marriage partner straight away - cue Arika appearing on screen. Subtle, maybe, but HiME was full of forboding like that in the early episodes as well...

Funkatron

01-30-2006, 11:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
Oh, come on - Its obvious that Arika and Sergay are going to get married in the end its even hinted at in episode 1 /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Okay, so I'm joking, apart from the hinted at in episode 1 part.


[/ QUOTE ]
About what part in episode 1?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pre-credits, after the '14 years later' bit - Sergay is on the sandship when the Kuroch things fly past, and he makes a quip to the girl standing next to him that they are supposed to be lucky in things like finding a marriage partner straight away - cue Arika appearing on screen. Subtle, maybe, but HiME was full of forboding like that in the early episodes as well...

[/ QUOTE ]

I think he was just hitting on that girl. Sergey is a ladies man, you know :p

golthin

01-30-2006, 11:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
Oh, come on - Its obvious that Arika and Sergay are going to get married in the end its even hinted at in episode 1 /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Okay, so I'm joking, apart from the hinted at in episode 1 part.


[/ QUOTE ]
About what part in episode 1?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pre-credits, after the '14 years later' bit - Sergay is on the sandship when the Kuroch things fly past, and he makes a quip to the girl standing next to him that they are supposed to be lucky in things like finding a marriage partner straight away - cue Arika appearing on screen. Subtle, maybe, but HiME was full of forboding like that in the early episodes as well...

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah yeah! Nice catch there. I think Sergey is a real good guy, he just got the misfortune of having the bad guy as his boss and falling in love for his target.

DiGiKerot

01-30-2006, 11:32 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Funkatron said:
[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
Oh, come on - Its obvious that Arika and Sergay are going to get married in the end its even hinted at in episode 1 /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Okay, so I'm joking, apart from the hinted at in episode 1 part.


[/ QUOTE ]
About what part in episode 1?

[/ QUOTE ]

Pre-credits, after the '14 years later' bit - Sergay is on the sandship when the Kuroch things fly past, and he makes a quip to the girl standing next to him that they are supposed to be lucky in things like finding a marriage partner straight away - cue Arika appearing on screen. Subtle, maybe, but HiME was full of forboding like that in the early episodes as well...

[/ QUOTE ]

I think he was just hitting on that girl. Sergey is a ladies man, you know :p

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but that doesn't mean that what he said didn't have any truth to it - he has unintentionally cursed himself to a future full of Arika!

Rhodes

01-30-2006, 11:37 AM

be otome to some rich king and end up as his wife and live as queen.

otomes are only assigned to the head of a country and since its all royalty... if she didnt want to be a pillar she was planning on the being an otome to a king or queen. i would guess king since if she hooks up with one she can give up being an otome altogether.

bobma

01-30-2006, 11:42 AM

[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
[ QUOTE ]
Funkatron said:
I think he was just hitting on that girl. Sergey is a ladies man, you know :p

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but that doesn't mean that what he said didn't have any truth to it - he has unintentionally cursed himself to a future full of Arika!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think there are worse fates to be doomed to. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hehe, just thought about a fitting followup series. "Okusama wa Otome". They're married but can't consumate till her replacement takes over. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

DiGiKerot

01-30-2006, 11:43 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Rhodes said:
be otome to some rich king and end up as his wife and live as queen.

otomes are only assigned to the head of a country and since its all royalty... if she didnt want to be a pillar she was planning on the being an otome to a king or queen. i would guess king since if she hooks up with one she can give up being an otome altogether.

[/ QUOTE ]

Nao didn't really want to be an Otome period - its too much hassle. She was using the funding from Artai to get a good education and make contacts, but aside from that she couldn't care less. I mean, its pretty obvious that she was way better than Shiho (and possibly Chie and even Akane, for that matter), but she held herself back simply because it'd be too much work.

golthin

01-30-2006, 11:56 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:
[ QUOTE ]
DiGiKerot said:
[ QUOTE ]
Funkatron said:
I think he was just hitting on that girl. Sergey is a ladies man, you know :p

[/ QUOTE ]

True, but that doesn't mean that what he said didn't have any truth to it - he has unintentionally cursed himself to a future full of Arika!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think there are worse fates to be doomed to. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Hehe, just thought about a fitting followup series. "Okusama wa Otome". They're married but can't consumate till her replacement takes over. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
The concept of that is pretty funny.

bobma

01-30-2006, 12:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I don't feel like going back and watch all the episodes right now again, I guess I must have nopt been paying attention and missed that. What were Nao's plan that were spoiled up by her becoming a pillar, and if she doesn't want to be one why doesn't she refuse.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the offer to become a pillar is not something that you simply walk away from. My guess is, that Nao knows that it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and that she'd actually like to take the assignment. Don't forget that her freetime activity is actually roaming the streets at night and beating up the bad guys, so apart from the fun she gets out of it, there seems to be the will to make a difference as well. It now comes down to choosing between a comfortable life and getting laid on the one side or a prestigious, influential position in the "old ladies military club" on the other. I think having to make that choice leaves her rather cranky. I wonder if being a pillar is a lifetime job, or if you can quit in case something else comes up, as the Florence(?) meister otome who wanted to get married did?

golthin

01-30-2006, 12:37 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I don't feel like going back and watch all the episodes right now again, I guess I must have nopt been paying attention and missed that. What were Nao's plan that were spoiled up by her becoming a pillar, and if she doesn't want to be one why doesn't she refuse.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the offer to become a pillar is not something that you simply walk away from. My guess is, that Nao knows that it's a once in a lifetime opportunity and that she'd actually like to take the assignment. Don't forget that her freetime activity is actually roaming the streets at night and beating up the bad guys, so apart from the fun she gets out of it, there seems to be the will to make a difference as well. It now comes down to choosing between a comfortable life and getting laid on the one side or a prestigious, influential position in the "old ladies military club" on the other. I think having to make that choice leaves her rather cranky. I wonder if being a pillar is a lifetime job, or if you can quit in case something else comes up, as the Florence(?) meister otome who wanted to get married did?

[/ QUOTE ]
I think it is not, because someone must have quit for an opening to appear. who had the spot that Nao is filling before?

Rhodes

01-30-2006, 12:41 PM

or died... nano machines seem to heal injuries but i doubt it'll cure you if you picked up a disease. also the nanomachines cant prevent someone from dying... if your in your normal form before you materialize and wham a ton of bricks falls on ya... your dead.

something

01-30-2006, 01:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Wow, more Tomoe hate.
...but she makes things so much FUN! I mean, as a person she's horrible, worse than anyone from HiME except Shizuru in full rampage, but as a character she's GREAT!

[/ QUOTE ]

She's too bland so far. All we know her as is a one dimensional character who fakes being nice and loathes Arika for reasons unknown.

Obviously she's due for a bit more depth what with the hints in the new OP, but so far I just get annoyed every time she's on screen. She just seems so... irrelevant and petty compared to everything else. Again, this too will change quite soon I imagine but... blah. Yes, she's blah. I guess that sums it up best, at this point in time.

I also don't think she's that good looking (not bad in the new op tho), but that's a minority view and not what affected my choice anyway /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

Edit: for full disclosure, I should add that I generally dislike the "school bully" archetype anyway. They're always (well most of the time) the weakest characters in any show taking place in a school setting. Again, Tomoe is set up to become more than just that (just like the show transcends the school), but so far she really isn't.

something

01-30-2006, 01:15 PM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I think it is not, because someone must have quit for an opening to appear. who had the spot that Nao is filling before?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm... Wasn't Mai a pillar -- she only disappeared two years ago so it could have been her, but then again they wouldn't leave a spot vacant for two years... I'd have to rewatch to be sure, but maybe I'm just totally remembering wrong, which is possible. If not, it could just be a case of someone "retiring" like the former Otome to the man Akane was going to serve.

golthin

01-30-2006, 02:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
disarm said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
Wow, more Tomoe hate.
...but she makes things so much FUN! I mean, as a person she's horrible, worse than anyone from HiME except Shizuru in full rampage, but as a character she's GREAT!

[/ QUOTE ]

She's too bland so far. All we know her as is a one dimensional character who fakes being nice and loathes Arika for reasons unknown.

Obviously she's due for a bit more depth what with the hints in the new OP, but so far I just get annoyed every time she's on screen. She just seems so... irrelevant and petty compared to everything else. Again, this too will change quite soon I imagine but... blah. Yes, she's blah. I guess that sums it up best, at this point in time.

I also don't think she's that good looking (not bad in the new op tho), but that's a minority view and not what affected my choice anyway /images/graemlins/sweat000.gif

Edit: for full disclosure, I should add that I generally dislike the "school bully" archetype anyway. They're always (well most of the time) the weakest characters in any show taking place in a school setting. Again, Tomoe is set up to become more than just that (just like the show transcends the school), but so far she really isn't.

[/ QUOTE ]
She has her reasons to hate Arika. she is in love with Viola and sees Arika as her rival because Arika gets special treatment from Viola.

Suwako Moriya

01-30-2006, 02:16 PM

I personally find Tomoe to be interesting as a villain, but I'm also hoping they eventually expand her character soon. The fact she appears in the new opening with what looks to be her own army is a good sign. In other words if Tomoe's role becomes more major soon, she'll definitely be a nice villain. If not then, she'll be wasted potential. However they've got like 10 more episodes to work with. Plus as mentioned the new opening is a good sign.

Sly05

01-30-2006, 02:44 PM

I'm betting on Sergey eventually hooking up with Mai when she shows up. The pictures about her in the otome book from a couple episodes back gave a not too subtle hint that they might have had something going on in the past.

Rogueman_8

01-30-2006, 02:46 PM

OMG my Natsuki's hurt /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif. so yeah, satachibana has upped ep.18's preview which can be checked out here (http://img467.imageshack.us/my.php?image=whiteout2vr.jpg). anyways, time 4 me to really go watch otome now /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif.

Rhodes

01-30-2006, 03:28 PM

then what about rena? doesnt make any sense.

KungFuJesus

01-30-2006, 03:46 PM

I'm actually hoping for Rena to appear in something similar to the manga, which i've heard has her living with Aswald, although it seems like Rad and Rena were in love, that probably won't work. Although Rena being with Aswald would be interesting.

By the way Rogueman, do you have the full image of that shot your using in your avatar?

golthin

01-30-2006, 04:03 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rhodes said:
then what about rena? doesnt make any sense.

[/ QUOTE ]
It doesn't make sense to me either. Isn't the prince of zipeng supposed to be Mai's son? (they never tell us what is their relationship, he is either her son or Brother) Sergey had a crush on Rena, but because she was in love with someone else and she was much older than him he never got the chance to confess it. at least that I what I think from what I have watched.

golthin

01-30-2006, 04:06 PM

[ QUOTE ]
KungFuJesus said:
I'm actually hoping for Rena to appear in something similar to the manga, which i've heard has her living with Aswald, although it seems like Rad and Rena were in love, that probably won't work. Although Rena being with Aswald would be interesting.

By the way Rogueman, do you have the full image of that shot your using in your avatar?

[/ QUOTE ]
Is Rad another name for some other character?

golthin

01-30-2006, 04:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rogueman_8 said:
OMG my Natsuki's hurt /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif. so yeah, satachibana has upped ep.18's preview which can be checked out here (http://img467.imageshack.us/my.php?image=whiteout2vr.jpg). anyways, time 4 me to really go watch otome now /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif.

[/ QUOTE ]
Ah it is just a preview in some magazine or website.
I really don't care for the old lady anyway, besides she belongs Viola! /images/graemlins/devil.gif /images/graemlins/devil.gif /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Rhodes

01-30-2006, 04:23 PM

Rad or Rado... is the otome version of Reito from Hime.

bobma

01-30-2006, 04:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
Isn't the prince of zipeng supposed to be Mai's son? (they never tell us what is their relationship, he is either her son or Brother)

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh? Where did that "son" stuff come from? In episode 12 around 12:40 Takumi clearly states that he's looking for his older sister.

golthin

01-30-2006, 04:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rhodes said:
Rad or Rado... is the otome version of Reito from Hime.

[/ QUOTE ]
I found out who he is! Wow the Anime is so different from the Manga. No panty shots in the anime /images/graemlins/anger200.gif

golthin

01-30-2006, 05:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Bobma said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
Isn't the prince of zipeng supposed to be Mai's son? (they never tell us what is their relationship, he is either her son or Brother)

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh? Where did that "son" stuff come from? In episode 12 around 12:40 Takumi clearly states that he's looking for his older sister.

[/ QUOTE ] I missed that, I kind of got bored of the romantic angle between those two and skipped ahead ! So they are playing the same roles in Zhime as in Maihime. I need to go back and watch all the episodes again.

golthin

01-30-2006, 06:02 PM

Well, after I watched all the episodes available for my Otome, I decided to read the manga. I was surprised how different the two are. They are two completely different plots. I guess the TV production team had to make all those changes to make the show safe enough for TV. I have to say that I like the Manga more, as far as volume 1 go.

stfram

01-30-2006, 06:32 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Rhodes said:
then what about rena? doesnt make any sense.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rena was fully grown when Sergey was just a teen. He wasn't the person that Rena feel in love with, but it is pretty obvious that he had some feelings for her, based on his comments to Arika that "she threw away her powers to protect the princess for love."

stfram

01-30-2006, 06:35 PM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
[ QUOTE ]
Rhodes said:
then what about rena? doesnt make any sense.

[/ QUOTE ]
It doesn't make sense to me either. Isn't the prince of zipeng supposed to be Mai's son?

[/ QUOTE ]

He is Mai's brother.

Edit: Didn't see Bobma's response. /images/graemlins/shy10000.gif

stfram

01-30-2006, 06:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I have to say that I like the Manga more, as far as volume 1 go.

[/ QUOTE ]

BLASPHEMY!

Seriously.

Fencedude

01-30-2006, 06:54 PM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I have to say that I like the Manga more, as far as volume 1 go.

[/ QUOTE ]

Die.

golthin

01-30-2006, 07:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I have to say that I like the Manga more, as far as volume 1 go.

[/ QUOTE ]

Die.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yikes people! I didn't put the anime down! I like the anime a lot too, I miss the love angle between Sergey and Arika.
Did you read the "As far as Volume 1 go" part? that anime was what made me go searching for the manga. They are two completely different things, they should have come with a different title for the anime. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Fencedude

01-30-2006, 07:12 PM

[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
golthin said:
I have to say that I like the Manga more, as far as volume 1 go.

[/ QUOTE ]

Die.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yikes people! I didn't put the anime down! I like the anime a lot too, I miss the love angle between Sergey and Arika.
Did you read the "As far as Volume 1 go" part? that anime was what made me go searching for the manga. They are two completely different things, they should have come with a different title for the anime. /images/graemlins/devil.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Anime is the original work.

Please do not even pretend the manga is at all.