In the beginning, I truly enjoyed Mai-Otome. Compared to its predecessor, I felt the show got off to an excellent start, eschewing a half-season’s worth of filler for red meat story and honest to goodness character development. But now? Eh…
I’m worried the writers may be trying too hard to top Mai-HiME. They’ve clearly stuck to the same, “All is not what it seems,” script, but it feels as if an extra layer of obsfucation has been added. There were moments in which Mai-HiME was difficult to follow, but never did I find myself as confused about alliances, motivations, and the “purpose” of story events as I am with regard to Mai-Otome. And, with so many characters and factions to keep up with in the first place, I worry I’m fighting a losing battle.
The inherent problem with Mai-Otome, I think, is that it’s not particularly well-focused. That is, the primary focus of each episode - Arika, her classmates, and life within Garderobe - have little connection to the greater plot unfolding in the background. Occasionally, we’re treated to a snippet of revelation - a cryptic comment from Nagi here, a battle with some baddies there - but, for the most part, the show is squarely focused on things far more trivial. Next thing you know, Mashiro’s castle is a giant weapon of mass destruction, and a swarm of mechanical hornets are attacking. Huh?
Granted, Mai-HiME pulled some similar stunts, but it took care to provide enough information that, once the shit hit the fan, the viewer wasn’t left scratching his head in complete confusion. As unfortunate a chapter in the story the “Alyssa blows up the world,” arc was, it provided a nice transition from light to dark, fluffy to serious, trivial to significant. Mai-Otome, on the other hand, has failed to make that transition. We’ve even been denied our “Akane Moment” - excepting, of course, Akane running off with Kazuya to lay waste to some nanomachines (and a lovely moment I’m sure it was). No, sixteen episodes in, and we’ve gone straight from final exams to the brink of war.
It’s possible I’m being too hard on the show, I’ll admit. The wonderful start might have inflated my expectations. Still, Mai-Otome is rapidly headed into trainwreck territory - and not the sort of trainwreck that’s a joy to watch.
Oh, and Tomoe? Schedule some time with your therapist, honey.
