Anime Review: Mai Otome

Review Mai OtomeWritten by WarpshadowRating good

Let’s face it Mai(My) Hime is a cash cow for Sunrise. So it follows that there would be a sequel. Some of the ideas that made the first series great are bent a bit too far and thus don’t work as well.

Arika Yumemiya came to the country of Windbloom to find out more about her late mother. What she finds is that the country is host to a school, Garderobe, that teaches young girls to be super powered warriors called Otome. After seeing an Otome in action she decides that she wants to become one herself. She eventually gets excepted to Garderobe but the circumstances of her entry anger two people, Nina the top Otome of her class and Mashiro, the Queen of Windbloom.

Mai Otome is a alternate universe spin off of My (Mai) Hime. Previous viewing of the other series is almost a requirement as the show expects not only character knowledge but also attachment as it parades out characters from the old series to keep the viewer’s interest in early episodes. This show has far too many story elements for it’s own good and leaves many of them painfully underdeveloped. This is not to say the show is without merit, the main characters are realized albeit clumsily. Overall it is a mediocre combination drama and adventure show that appeals to those weak towards fan service.