Mariaholic thread

[TheGreenMan]

ANN Entry: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10200
Official Site: http://www.mariaholic.com/
Times and Dates (I think): http://cal.syoboi.jp/tid/1532

The first episode is being streamed here: http://www.animate.tv/special/mariaholic.php

Note
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Thanks.

[TheGreenMan]

Heh. Typical SHAFT style.

Oh dear God can Yu Kobayashi shriek. I think my speakers were shattered. Heh.

Damn, these all girls' schools are pretty liberal. "Crossing boy? Sure, we'll let you in."

[Fudce]

Well that sure was interesting. I'm still scratching my head over two hours after watching it, but I'm gonna go back for a second episode when I get chance.

[mk2000]

Entertaining first episode. Don't know if it will fall apart later but I'll keep with it. If anything I know my wife will find this interesting.

[dreamweaver3d]

The school didn't just let him in for no reason. There's a good explanation as to why he's a cross dresser in volume 2 of the manga. If you don't mind spoilers...

From what i remember,

The kid's grandparent is the owner/founder of the girl's school and its affliated boy's school. The intention is to groom him and his twin sister into the role of a successor. He cross dresses and hangs around the girls's school while his twin sister cross dresses and hangs around the boys school.

So there we go. A perfectly sound reason why he's there. In terms of anime universe logic of course.

[Fencedude]

The school didn't just let him in for no reason. There's a good explanation as to why he's a cross dresser in volume 2 of the manga. If you don't mind spoilers...


For future reference, and in general, when someone raises a question like that in an ongoing discussion thread, it by and large is not an invitation for you or others to answer it using knowledge existant outside the currently running anime. Spoiler tagged or not.

If someone explicitly asks for an explanation, thats different, but please do not take rhetorical musings as open invitations.

[Suwako Moriya]

Ah, poor Kanako. She thought she had found an Angel in Maria, but instead she found a devil. I'm not sure if I should consider this a twisted version of Otoboku or a twisted version of Marimite.:sweat: Or maybe a twisted version of something else?

It wasn't as bad as I was expecting and Kanako has potential to be awesome. Also got to love the girl with the cat ears. Matsurika makes for a rather interesting maid. My main worry is with the character of Maria.

Maria could easily get old and tired rather fast. I'm also not sure if I want to watch 12+ episodes of Maria essentially being an ass. So as of right now, I'm unsure as to how much more I'll bother watching. I might be better off letting others test the series first.

[Fudce]

I'm not sure if I should consider this a twisted version of Otoboku or a twisted version of Marimite.:sweat: Or maybe a twisted version of something else?

It's what you get if you put Otoboku and Marimite in a blender, throw in some Sunshine Sketch and add a pinch of He Is My Master.

[Suwako Moriya]

It's what you get if you put Otoboku and Marimite in a blender, throw in some Sunshine Sketch and add a pinch of He Is My Master.

Ah I see then in some ways that formula makes sense. At least based on what I know about the series in question anyway. Well Otoboku was decent all things considered and I definitely need to get the eventual collection. Marimite is awesome. Sunshine Sketch is love. As for He is My Master.... err it eventually convinced me to watch something else.:sweat:

[Fudce]

It's what you get if you put Otoboku and Marimite in a blender, throw in some Sunshine Sketch and add a pinch of He Is My Master.

Ah I see then in some ways that formula makes sense. At least based on what I know about the series in question anyway. Well Otoboku was decent all things considered and I definitely need to get the eventual collection. Marimite is awesome. Sunshine Sketch is love. As for He is My Master.... err it eventually convinced me to watch something else.:sweat:

I've seen one episode of He is My Master, didn't like it much. Did give me an interesting way to define some characters though.

[Suwako Moriya]

I've seen one episode of He is My Master, didn't like it much. Did give me an interesting way to define some characters though.

I watched a few episodes before ultimately dropping it. In other words this is more evidence that you're smarter than I am.:sweat:

[Busaiku]

I liked how this was handled, a great adaptation of the first chapter.

Well, I expected Kanako to be very annoying, and she was!
Though I like how her inner thoughts were represented with the chibis.

Matsurika and the dorm head were great though.
I don't remember the God conversation in the manga though, but that's probably me just forgetting.

And Maria was handeled excellently!
Yuu Kobayashi really fits the role pretty much perfectly.
The transition from the cutesy to the darker tones just go so nicely.
I also love the various scenes which focus on his evil smile and stuff.
I can't wait to see and hear more of him, he just looks so great in the anime.

Everyone looks almost exactly like their manga counterparts, but I think Maria just looks even better with full color (especially in that opening scene with the candle).

The kiss scene was easily my favorite moment of the episode.
While the music in general wasn't really anything special, that scene had a great track.

I also liked the groping scene, which I know wasn't present in the manga (well not as "explicitly" anyways).

Anyways, I really loved the first episode, and eagerly await more.
My most anticipated anime of the season delivers!

[HitokiriShadow]

I have a few annoyances (mainly the need to justify Kanako's lesbianism; she hates boys because they traumatized her so she likes girls instead) but overall it was decently entertaining. I love Kanako freaking out and her chibi-though ramblings, and how all the main three characters more or less hate each other.

I'm not sure if I want to stick with this one for the long run, but I'm at least coming back for one more episode.

[TornadoTatsumaki]

I liked how this was handled, a great adaptation of the first chapter.

Well, I expected Kanako to be very annoying, and she was!
Though I like how her inner thoughts were represented with the chibis.

Matsurika and the dorm head were great though.
I don't remember the God conversation in the manga though, but that's probably me just forgetting.

And Maria was handeled excellently!
Yuu Kobayashi really fits the role pretty much perfectly.
The transition from the cutesy to the darker tones just go so nicely.
I also love the various scenes which focus on his evil smile and stuff.
I can't wait to see and hear more of him, he just looks so great in the anime.

Everyone looks almost exactly like their manga counterparts, but I think Maria just looks even better with full color (especially in that opening scene with the candle).

The kiss scene was easily my favorite moment of the episode.
While the music in general wasn't really anything special, that scene had a great track.

I also liked the groping scene, which I know wasn't present in the manga (well not as "explicitly" anyways).

Anyways, I really loved the first episode, and eagerly await more.
My most anticipated anime of the season delivers!

Well,Well,Well a homophobic crossdressing anime that you can't tell is yuri or not. This is a new one.:bigsmile:

Mariya he/she is soooo mean to Kanako who's clearly a dyke, and she doesn't seem to heartbroken over it.

So does anyone think that poor Kanako will ever find true yuri love with Ryuuken?

[HitokiriShadow]

So does anyone think that poor Kanako will ever find true yuri love with Ryuuken?

No. They made it very clear that she's (supposedly) a lesbian only because she hates and was traumatized by boys. Eventually she'll get over that, at least partially, realize that she actually likes guys (or at least ones that dress like girls) and fall in love with Mr. Crossdresser.

[Fencedude]

While I definitely have issues with the overarching premise, the execution was terrific.

Kanako, Mariya and Matsurika are all hilarious, and the SHAFT style works perfectly with the series.

[ibby]

I found this episode to be interesting, though I don't know if this series will be boring quickly. I did find some scenes very funny in this first episode though. I'll come back for a couple more episodes.

[Shiroi Hane]

Well, my thought process from the first couple of minutes was

- I think I just saw the name shaft in the credits
- OK, the camera just turned upside-down. It's shaft.

The shinbo-isms just overloaded my brain after that, I doubt I will be continuing with this one.

[Ashyukun]

I've seen one episode of He is My Master, didn't like it much. Did give me an interesting way to define some characters though.
It's the one Gainax series that I've not been able to bring myself to finish- and have no desire to try and do so.

As far as this show- Yeah, definitely Shaft... but that just makes it all the better for me. I enjoyed the premise and the execution ("Wait... does she really have Puchiko as her Dorm Head????"), and laughed quite a bit. So far, my #2 of the new season (*note: I've only watched three shows so far...).

[Herron]

I wasn't planning on checking this out but I saw the first episode up and had the time so I checked it out.

I really enjoyed it! I thought it was fun in it's over the topness. Not sure if I'll continue to follow it.. under the means that I watched the first ep, but if it was licensed I'd probably buy it.

[Asrialys]

The OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8ba2gjKdI&fmt=18) is quite fun to watch.

[angelx03]

The OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8ba2gjKdI&fmt=18) is quite fun to watch.

And it is that video (along with the premise) that managed to piss off most of the yuri fandom especially in the Shoujoai.com forum. Though it could piss off some women due to its "misogynist" message. :depressed:

And there's the maid guitar......

[Fudce]

That OP is quite.... interesting. Not quite sure what to say other than it's definitly SHAFT.

[Whoomp]

The first episode gave me a Kuroshituji-vibe. Not only does Maria have a weird relation with her servant (who harbors a devil inside) she herself is really unique personality that is threatening in that cute kind of way. Just like Ciel and Sebastian. So far it's the best of this season, I have only seen 3 so far and the other two being harem that this would be better was pretty much given :P

[TornadoTatsumaki]

The OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8ba2gjKdI&fmt=18) is quite fun to watch.

And it is that video (along with the premise) that managed to piss off most of the yuri fandom especially in the Shoujoai.com forum. Though it could piss off some women due to its "misogynist" message. :depressed:

And there's the maid guitar......

No, it will more than likely piss off gays and lesbians. 'Cause it's homophopic.

[Suwako Moriya]

That OP is quite.... interesting. Not quite sure what to say other than it's definitly SHAFT.

That's one way to describe it. That being said if the intent of the opening was to portray Maria as a complete and utter ass it seems to do its job. Make of that statement what you will.:sweat:

[Ty]

Well that was..... weird. Not everyday you watch a show where a girl reaches under another girl's skirt and grab a handful of shaft (ha!). I knew we were in for an epic trap as the focus of the plot, but I honestly didn't know what to expect and still don't for that matter. The subs I checked out were quite, uhh colorful shall we say but I thought it suited the show well. Particularly the foul mouthed maid. She's going to be a riot. So far this feels like a mix of styles from several other Shaft efforts. I got a bit more of a Pani Poni vibe from it than anything else, mostly in the facial expressions. There's definitely some Zetsubou feel there too. Provided it doesn't become too bizzarre or start to lose it's way on the comedy front I'm looking forward to more.

[Busaiku]

I like the OP!
The song's not that great, but Maria was awesome in it, and that's all that really matters.

I loved the paint antics.
Matsurika guitar was also great.

Though I've gotta say, the red around Maria and Matsurika's noses was pretty awkward.

[HitokiriShadow]

The OP is, uh..... well, something only Shaft could cook up. That was bizarre.

Overall, it was decent, but I'm not really sure how I feel about the series at this point. I like some of the side characters, particularly the maid and the dorm manager, but I don't really like either of the main characters.

Even with that and my issues with the premise and the series' need to justify Kanako's interest in girls, it was a decent watch. I'm just not sure if decent enough to continue, particularly when I have so many annoyances with very basic aspects of the series.

[Suwako Moriya]

I like some of the side characters, particularly the maid and the dorm manager, but I don't really like either of the main characters.

In some ways both Maria and Kanako are becoming a bit repetitive. Is just me or does Kanako nosebleed more than the lead of one of those more generic harems? The type that has nothing special going for it. I guess it depends on which show you compare it to.

I'm just not sure if decent enough to continue, particularly when I have so many annoyances with very basic aspects of the series.

After finishing the second episode that's the problem I'm having. Assuming by basic aspects, we mean the very concept and premise. With so many series on my plate , it might not be such a bad idea to simply drop certain series or at least put them on hold. Maybe I'd be better off letting others finish this series first and see if I can be convinced it's worth watching anymore...

[TheGreenMan]

The OP (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti8ba2gjKdI&fmt=18) is quite fun to watch.

Yeah. This has beaten Beast Player Erin for my favorite OP of this season. Love the little orgasm sounds.

My favs:

1. Maria Holic
2. Beast Player Erin
3. Rideback

[Suwako Moriya]

Kanako gets a bag that's a bit hungry. Don't ask. Mariya let's Kanako borrow her Rosary. Why? Because he wants to see Kanako all worried about breaking and/or losing it. The guy is quite evil in more ways than one. I wonder if I should just consider him awesomely evil.

In any case, with this episode Kanako has grown on me quite a bit. Watch her play detective using extremely silly reasoning. Watch be happy that Kiri suddenly declared they're dating and figuring "We can get to know each other". Watch her think about the idea of gym clothes plus cat ears.

Back before I tried this series I was hesitant due to the concept. However I think based on the first three episodes, I might be able to enjoy this series. So long as I accept it for what it is and not get too angry over it not being something else.

[Ashyukun]

Somehow missed commenting on Ep. 2, but... Man if that OP were any more SHAFT it would probably hurt to watch.

I was already hooked from the first ep, but the second and third solidified my following this. I love Kanako's arguments with the narrator and her detective mode. Contrary to some people, all three of the mains (Kanako, Mariya, and Matsurika) are a lot of fun to watch- though hopefully there'll be a bit more development with them before too long. And Puchiko, sorry, the Dorm Head never fails to amuse.

This is definitely a show that you've pretty much got to like or at minimum be able to tolerate SHAFT's idiosyncracies to be able to watch it, but if you're rather fond of their style than this is a lot of fun to watch.

[Suwako Moriya]

I love Kanako's arguments with the narrator and her detective mode.

I wonder if we'll get more detective mode later. For certain that narrator will continue to pop up at random just because he can.

[Suwako Moriya]

It would seem that Kiri's talk about dating is just part of her plan to help Kanako due to someone's request. Ryuuken's efforts to help Kanako aren't exactly having the best effect. Dramatic Cliffhanger stuff about some some final marine product with various questions. Does such a scary product even exist? How long is this nonsense going to go on? Kanako definitely seems to have a habit of getting caught up in the atmosphere. Or maybe I'm reading things wrong.

[Suwako Moriya]

Well, so much for the most dangerous threat that the school ever faced. Talk about a none event in a good way. Also Kanako, becomes the class rep. Kanako wants to become friends with Kiri. We get some sort of penalty game. Mariya has a special hidden room? Yeah this show is getting stranger with each episode.

[Fudce]

Stranger, but in an enjoyable way. :)

[Ashyukun]

Well, so much for the most dangerous threat that the school ever faced.
I got quite a laugh out of that short sequence simply for the fact that I actually recognized and understood exactly what it was they were dealing with thanks to Moyashimon. Who says anime can't be educational? :P

I love that they've kept the bag around... I hope it continues on as a recurring 'character'. The shot of the classroom with the bag sitting next to her desk, tentacles waving, was great. And they have the best dorm head ever... she's a complete deadpan riot.

I do really hope though that they get on with explaining things with Mariya's situation soon... I'm definitely enjoying the insanity that the show is currently but having some core plot progression would be nice...

[Suwako Moriya]

All right, it's examination time and Kanako is happy to help out with it. Only problem is her ability to lose blood easily has her bedridden. Thus she misses out on most of the good stuff.

However the real fun is this. Mariya actually has a twin sister named Shizu. In other words, we the viewer now have a way out of the trap. Wait that didn't come out right. Regardless, I'm sure you get what I'm saying. I hope so.

Anyway... Just as Mariya pretends to be a girl, Shizu is supposed to pretend to be a boy. It's a competition set by their grandma to decide who gets to command both schools. The relationship between the two is curious.

It's also quite clear that Shizu doesn't like boys. Although the funny part is this. Some of the stuff she gave as examples for being angry are things that were done to Kanako herself by girls. I suppose there's a lesson they're trying to teach us here.

Granted it's theorized that perhaps a major source of her (Shizu) dislike for boys is Mariya himself. Actually that wouldn't surprise me. Although Mariya does have a point. If she ever wants to be the chairman of both schools she has to get over that issue.

Speaking of issues. Honoka's underwear is missing. The ultimate conclusion by many is that Kanako must have stolen it. Meaning that she could be expelled from the school. At which point, Mariya gives the casual suggestion of Kanako dressing as a boy and attending the other school.

A pretty decent episode all things considered and the next episode has potential to be interesting. I wonder if we'll be seeing more of Shizu.

[Suwako Moriya]

In this episode, Yuzuru seems to be having issues with the fact that Sachi and Nanami seem to be hitting it off. Turns out the whole thing mainly involved preparing for Yuzuru's birthday.

A birthday where everyone got her presents, but Kanako. Which just makes things awkward for our lead girl. The episode had a slightly different feel to it, but it was pretty good over all.

Still what's most important here is the fact it gives me enough justification to imagine Yuzuru wanting to ravage Sachi and have her way with her. Wait, I'm speaking as if I felt I needed it.:P

[Suwako Moriya]

Here we have an episode revolving around preparing for a festival. A festival that Kanako is supposed to be helping with, but because she lacks information she seeks advice from Ayarin.

Eventually Kanako after spending sometime being well Kanako, does in fact have a conversation with Ayarin. I'm too lazy to describe everything that happened, but the episode was over all decent. Plus some of it had a different feel than usual.

In any case, Kanako must remember that Sachi belongs to Yuzuru. Also Kanako gets hit with a basketball while being herself. Mariya seems to have delusions of grandeur. As if that's any surprise.

[evilarrex]

I just caught up with this series.
God the Dorm head is one of the most amusing characters.
I do wish Kanako would stop screaming that much....

They need to have more Mariya in each episode. He has issues we need to explore.
Kanako is just a drama monster

[Nork22]

I just caught up with this series.
God the Dorm head is one of the most amusing characters.
I do wish Kanako would stop screaming that much....

They need to have more Mariya in each episode. He has issues we need to explore.
Kanako is just a drama monster

No we need more Shizu. :P

[evilarrex]

No we need more Shizu. :P

No. She is boring!

[Ashyukun]

Don't really feel like going back and covering the previous eps.

11 introduces a new character- a priest (i.e.: male, the first one besides Mariya...) who is arguably a match for Kanako in delusion and introspective dialog- and whose internal dialog comes spewing out in boxed characters in highly Shaft-ish style (think the Salamander in Paniponi Dash...). He's got... issues, which aren't helped at all by Mariya's messing with his head.

The Dorm Mistress once again proves she's one of the best characters in the series as well when she totally plays him for some new gear. :catgirl:

I suppose it shouldn't be much of a surprise that we don't appear to be anywhere near a conclusion- I've been figuring this show would just run out its cour and just stop without any real ending other than the likely implication that there could be more made. Can't say I'm really complaining that much- it's still quite amusing- but for a largely non-SOL-feeling show I'd prefer some plot movement...

[evilarrex]

While episode 11 was pretty funny, Mariya gets too little air time (and sadly in the raw of 12 which I watched - even less there) :(
The show is play for lafs from start to end and it would be nice to see some advancement to the plot....

[DKL]

Episode 11

I was actually very fond of the episode and it's been the most clever one so far; the script was really sharp since there was a strange poetry to how people would describe things (the use of metaphors was sharper than usual... I'm under the impression that it's even moreso in its native Japanese *I'm sort of under the impression that we weren't getting literal translations for that stuff*); even Mariya flattering himself was an exercise in surprisingly vivid script-writing; he sees himself as some kind of divine light cast onto the dark earth... it's so pompous that it's actually funny.

And a lot of the lines in general were great:

"Big breasts are like a white elephant."

And as if the constant barrage of linear notes wasn't enough (as in linear notes made by the episode itself), Mariya eventually points out how annoying they are (though, I found them very useful, actually, and would constantly pause the thing in order to read up... this might annoy some, but I'm used to pausing and rewinding movies if I ever miss something, actually... the fact that I do this usually means that there's texture and detail actually worth looking for); the rambling, while seemingly incoherent, is actually very detailed and strengthens the picture being painted of these wacky characters (even going to details we would rather not hear about, but they tell us anyway).

Lastly, as coincidence would have it, I'm fond of the fact that the priest finds himself in a position where he contemplates the idea of sinning in order to do greater good...

That was essentially the question asked at the end of Doubt, so I'm amused that I was talking about it earlier; awesome coincidence.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a342/dklreviews/snapshot20090324193752.jpg

(God was pretty brutal, by the way... the great irony being that she doesn't stick out the entire 96-minute movie given how terrible she thought it was)

But yeah...

Moar sharp, brutal humor... anyway, this far in, I think it's safe for me to say that this is probably the best thing I've seen of Akiyuki Shinbo, definitely; his randomness gets used productively and these are the strongest visual compositions I've seen from him; whereas in other works, they were merely interesting, there actually feels like there's a somewhat solid artistic quality to what he comes up with here (which in itself becomes part of the humor, in most cases).

I'm very satisfied with it.

[Suwako Moriya]

Don't really feel like going back and covering the previous eps.

That would explain the lack of a thread for nine and ten. Maybe I or perhaps someone else will make them later, but for now I'll just concentrate on commenting on this episode.

11 introduces a new character- a priest

Watching the guy's delusions in actions and such were just wow. That guy was definitely strange.

The Dorm Mistress once again proves she's one of the best characters in the series as well when she totally plays him for some new gear. :catgirl:

Well it's a given that she's one of the better characters. After all, she's God.:P

[Suwako Moriya]

The episode more or less focused on the idea of swimming classes. With Kanako ended up absent for one reason or another. The final class got canceled. Poor Kanako, she missed out on so much.

Thankfully for her, there a swimming meet was announced and she was able to attend. Of course Mariya and Matsurika decided to mess with her head. By implanting a suggestion to like loin clothes instead.

In the end, Kanako was determined to expose Mariya's fake breasts during the swim meet. The plan would have worked if not for the fact that once more Shizu was there in place of Mariya. However it means we got to see some Shizu service.

The series essentially has a none ending. Although to be fair, I'm not sure if they could have created any real form of resolution with this type of series. Actually one series kind of makes fun of that.

Near the end of episode, Shizu and Kanako are talking. Shizu notices the pendant by Kanako and brings attention to it. Normally this would be the moment a huge revelation is revealed. Instead it just ends.

So, yeah they're taking a stab at both the idea of leaving things hanging and starting up a plot thread at the last possible second. Either that or I'm reading too much into that scene.

In spite of the questionable premise the series wasn't that bad all thing considered. There were definitely some fun moments to be had. It's quite clear that both Mariya and Kanako are flawed in their own way.

[Ashyukun]

I think it's been blatantly obvious that they're flawed from the first episode... and Matsurika is all together too happy to point it out to both of them (she's probably my favorite character after God...).

Honestly, I was pretty much expecting the series to end almost exactly as it did- with a massive cliffhanger that looks like it could actually have something to do with the plot. They did the exact same thing several times earlier (the underwear thief, for example) only to have it resolved completely mundanely. Plus we know SHAFT likes to pull this kind of thing (re: the 'true' ending of the first SZS series). Plus.... I was just expecting them to be screwing with us right up until the end. My only real complain with the final episode was that we didn't get to see God in her swimsuit- I'm sure that would have been adorable. :P

Still, I hope it is a not-so-subtle hint that they'll be making more down the line. Honestly Kanako is annoying about half the time, and they didn't really use Mariya nearly as effectively as they could have, but it was still a lot of fun to watch and I'd readily watch another season of it.

[Suwako Moriya]

My only real complain with the final episode was that we didn't get to see God in her swimsuit- I'm sure that would have been adorable. :P

I guess it just goes to show we can't have everything. Or maybe it means we're not worthy. On a side note, I can't believe I forgot to mention the "Fresh Pretty Cure" reference. Which you think I would have. Given the fact I've been watching that.

[DKL]

So, yeah they're taking a stab at both the idea of leaving things hanging and starting up a plot thread at the last possible second. Either that or I'm reading too much into that scene.



I'm pretty sure that was the last joke (a cruel one, at that).

They immediately tell you to go follow the manga or something right after the dramatic exposition.

Anyway... yeah, this show was a blast (the last episode was essentially Kanako trying to make it to the swimming lessons... only to find her self strangely disappointed when she finally does get the opportunity to gawk at girls in swimsuits *the revenge sequence was great*).

Wouldn't mind more of the show either.