Mai Hime & Otome

[shezaei_neko]

Hi there everyone!! :)
I just want to know your opinions of the yuri (or possible) pairing in these anime. :naughty:
I just began to watch it some days ago and I really liked it.
My favorite pair is Natsuki x Shizuru.....

I know there are some post of these series in other threads in this forum, but I really thought that it needed it's own thread.
What do you think about it?
Do you like the anime?
The relations?

Feel free to post anything about it here.

[earsofdoom]

Shizura and natsuki are the main one's in the show, Natsuki is a pretty interesting character she's not as feminine as the other character's and is quite rough at time's. and Shizura is like Chikane from KnM if she did go completely phychotic (kinda scary at time's). as for the serie's it's pretty good.... cept for the mecha "child" thing's (why must they insist with the mecha?)

[shezaei_neko]

Mecha + Cute Girls = Boys Attention?

[Animematt55]

Mecha + Cute Girls = Boys Attention?
You forgot to add in lesbians...
cause Lesbians make the world go round.

[shezaei_neko]

^_^
Anyway, in the series there were many couples. But the one that was more developed was Natsuki x Shizuru.....

[ZoharContact]

If you ignore the fact that Shizuru played the part of the ever-so-common psychotic lesbian (honestly, there are far too many), they make a wonderful pair. And if Shizuru didn't have that character flaw, I would love her to death! If only they didn't present their relationship at the very end of the series... Still, it's very dramatic.

And the ending episode was so jaw-droppingly... no, there is no adjective to describe it. Let's just say that suspension of disbelief became impossible. I admit, though, that it would have been truly depressing, otherwise.

As for other pairings, there was Haruka and... Diana's... Hime... Miyu and Alyssa, Mai's classmates (considering how they were in Mai Otome, it looks ever-so-slightly plausible), Mikoto and Mai (another very dramatic relationship), and for some reason I cannot fathom, Japanese fans love to pair Shizuru and Nao.

...Did I miss any? Excluding Mai Otome for now...

[Animematt55]

Aoi and Chie. Hehe, yeah if you watch the My Hime extras...you can tell they are a couple. I love Harada Chie ^^

[ArcaJ]

Let's see...HiME and Otome.

I'll admit that I'm biased as to the yuri in these shows. I've written several stories (a fangirl just can't help it!).

In Mai-HiME:

Shizuru/Natsuki: Fan favorite pairing. You'll probably find more fanart (and official art) of these two than any other couple.

Mai/Mikoto (My personal favortie) While I belive they'll end up together there are those who say Mai is just plain straight and Mikoto is too young to know what she's doing. I disagree since Mikoto chose: to defy her brother, the Obsidian Lord (whom she was conditioned from birth to love) to be with Mai.

Haruka/Yukino: While not an officail couple, it's pretty obvious yukino is in love with Haruka (heaven knows why). Haruka is of course oblivious to all this. However I hope yukino finds the courage to confess. (I love girls with glasses and I want good things for her.)

Aoi/Chie: Very much subtext between these two. If they aren't a couple I'd be very surprised. Plus I don't see Chie joining the "I Love Sausage Brigade" any time soon.

Midori/Youko: Very good freinds form college. I wouldn't call them a couple but given Midori's personality, "Drunken Booty Call" is not out of the question.

MIYU/Alyssa: One's a killer android, the other's a loli WMD platform. Match made in heaven.

And now on to Mai-Otome:

Shizuru/Natsuki: Due to popular fan demand (I believe) they're pretty much married in this one. Live in the same house and everything. And Shizuru plays the piano. And if you've got your yuri Thesaurus handy, girl playing piano=GAY. Either that or the flute ^_^

Aoi/Chie: A couple. Definitely. I won't spoil what happens though. Chie=WIN especially when your cosplay looks like this (http://img313.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chie11ml5.jpg)

Nina/Erstin: I won't spoil this one either. (But yeah Erstin fancies Nina)

Tomoe/Shizuru: Tomoe fancies Shizuru. (in a homicidal way)

Arika/Mashiro: (Win's Arca's favorite couple award) These two are just too adoreable together. Much like Mai and Mikoto, their relationship is up to the viewer. (THIS viewer is rooting for them ^_^)

Mai/Mikoto: Can't argue with fate.

Haruka/Yukino: If Yukino wasn't in love with Haruka in HiME...heck I fell for Haruka in this one. She must be seen to be believed.

[earsofdoom]

Midori/Youko: Very good freinds form college. I wouldn't call them a couple but given Midori's personality, "Drunken Booty Call" is not out of the question.


LOL.... we've all heard the storie's of wakeing up with someone the next morning and thinking "I've gotta quit drinking" i wonder what kinda of reaction Midori would have if she woke up o this.



Shizuru/Natsuki: Due to popular fan demand (I believe) they're pretty much married in this one. Live in the same house and everything. And Shizuru plays the piano. And if you've got your yuri Thesaurus handy, girl playing piano=GAY.


Now that you mention it there are a few yuri character's that play the piano... it might reflect how allot of the character's are very artistic, chikane was very artistic with her piano and painting among other thing's... as well as her girlfriend himeko whom is very into manga and photography



Either that or the flute ^_^


...someone's been reading some naughty manga's :P

[Jinto117]

I felt Mai Hime was way to lesbianish (is that even a word?). Natsuki should of hooked up with that Kendo dude or me. Everything was just so fake relationship wise. And don't even get me started with that psycho a** little girl, onii-chan this, onii-chan that. Nothing against lesbians but the relationships in that show were just ridiculous fan services for horny Japanese boys.

[ZoharContact]

Natsuki should of hooked up with that Kendo dude or me.Did I hear something?

...

...No, I must have imagined it.Nothing against lesbians but the relationships in that show were just ridiculous fan services for horny Japanese boys.If you ask me, they were about as contrived as the heterosexual ones. If you read the manga, you will see much fanservice (I didn't make it past the first chapter.). I can't deny Mai-Hime's roots, but I think the anime is much better. Aside from complaints I've already projected exhaustively, I really like Shizuru and Natsuki.

In short, just because Mai-Hime was targeted towards Japanese males doesn't mean I can't enjoy a dramatic (contrived though it may be) yuri pairing.

[earsofdoom]

Mai hime had a manga?.... outta curiousity how phsycho was shizura in that?

[shezaei_neko]

I don't think as pshyco in the anime. From what I read in wikipedia, Shizuru isn't a Hime in the manga and isn't an important character either.
Also the story is quite different in the manga of Mai-Hime and Mai-OtoHime.
Anyway..... ^_^

I agree with ArcaJ about Mikoto and the other stuff.
Also I wanted to see more development of Natsuki and Shizuru in Mai-OtoHime since they're more close now.....
Btw, I just thought in something.....Tomoe sure acts and if I'm not mistaken says the same phrase that Shizuru said in Mai-Hime when she went pshyco about Natsuki. I really liked that kind of stuff...

[ArcaJ]

Did I hear something?

...

...No, I must have imagined it.If you ask me, they were about as contrived as the heterosexual ones. If you read the manga, you will see much fanservice (I didn't make it past the first chapter.). I can't deny Mai-Hime's roots, but I think the anime is much better. Aside from complaints I've already projected exhaustively, I really like Shizuru and Natsuki.

In short, just because Mai-Hime was targeted towards Japanese males doesn't mean I can't enjoy a dramatic (contrived though it may be) yuri pairing.

I believe the manga was written as a cross promotion with the anime. (much like the Evangelion manga) But for the LOVE OF ALL THAT IS YURI don't read it.

It's really that bad. It's like they take all the great characterization from the anime and toss it in the garbage. Want an example?

Mai and Natsuki and rivals for Yuuichi's affections :x

And as for Jinto117: You're On Notice.

Everyone else get's cookies ^_^

::HUGS::

Arca Jeth

[Jinto117]

And as for Jinto117: You're On Notice.

And what exactly is that supposed to mean?

[shezaei_neko]

What a horrible spoiler....
Natsuki-sama fighting over Tate? gross.... :x
I didn't like Tate, to me he was an idiot that began to fell in love with Mai after seeing her breast too much....

[Jinto117]

Not Tate the other kendo dude. The one who was trying to get Tate to come back to the kendo team. And yes, Tate was very lame. My favorite characters really were the girl in the wheelchair and the kid with white hair. I would like them to make an actual sequal to explain a little more rather then something awful like Mai-Otome.

[ArcaJ]

Not Tate the other kendo dude. The one who was trying to get Tate to come back to the kendo team. And yes, Tate was very lame. My favorite characters really were the girl in the wheelchair and the kid with white hair. I would like them to make an actual sequal to explain a little more rather then something awful like Mai-Otome.

You mean Takeda? Excuse me a moment. *laughs you to scorn* OK, I'm back. Not only does Natsuki NOT like Takeda at all, she wasn't even interested in him.

Taked's sole purpose to the plot was to freak out when weird things happen. Natsuki was in love with Shizuru. Case closed. Shizuru was the reason why Natsuki's powers came back and the reason for their double elimination at the end of the episode. They were both each other's Most Important Person.

BTW: i was upset with you earlier because your response to the relationships in the series implied that any woman who shows a romantic inteest in another woman is solely for the benefic of a male audience. This line of thinking upsets me.

If I am wrong or misunderstood you, my deepest apologies. However thei IS the Yuri/Yaoi board and believe it or not there ARE going to be discussions of anime with Lesbian couples. Making general statements like that will not endear you to me.

Arca Jeth

[Jinto117]

^ Judging by your avatar and it's title I'm assuming your not attracted to the opposite sex. But whatever.

I disagree that Natsuki was in love with Shizuru. You don't have to be romantically in love with someone to have them be your "most important person". If anything Natsuki seemed to be closer to that teacher guy at her school who gave her information all the time (the guy taking care of the flowers).

BTW: i was upset with you earlier because your response to the relationships in the series implied that any woman who shows a romantic inteest in another woman is solely for the benefic of a male audience. This line of thinking upsets me.

If you have a show created by MEN featuring girls in highschool with c-cup or d-cup breast sizes then yes, it was created for males as fan service.

[ArcaJ]

There's an OPPOSITE SEX?! *starts investigation.

But aside from that I may have been a bit harsh with you (it's not a good time for me right now). So I apologize for being short with you. The fact remains that I see more potential with this series than you.

I saw it first on fansubs and started purchasing DVDs. While you do not share my love of this series nor my belief in its romantic potential, you are entitled to your opinion. Let's just leave it at that.

Yuri is all about love so I will always err on the side of love.

You may have a cookie now.

::HUGS::

Arca Jeth

[shezaei_neko]

Natsuki's most important person was Shizuru. Period.
Even if she didn't feel the same kind of "love" for Shizuru, she loved her a lot.
And she's very greetful to her, and she said it in the series.

And Natsuki talked with that Afro Teacher 'cause he had an important connection to the 1st District, that's why she talked with him a lot.
So it doesn't mean that she wanted an affair with him or something......

[Jinto117]

There's an OPPOSITE SEX?! *starts investigation.

But aside from that I may have been a bit harsh with you (it's not a good time for me right now). So I apologize for being short with you. The fact remains that I see more potential with this series than you.

I saw it first on fansubs and started purchasing DVDs. While you do not share my love of this series nor my belief in its romantic potential, you are entitled to your opinion. Let's just leave it at that.

Yuri is all about love so I will always err on the side of love.

You may have a cookie now.

::HUGS::


Arca Jeth


Yeah I agree. Yuri is all about the love. But is May-hime classified as shojou-ai to begin with? I'm not sure. Say, have you ever happened to see Gravitation? I haven't yet but would you recommend it? The only yaoi title I have seen is Mirage of Blaze. But listen, just because I'm bishonen that doesn't mean I'm gay.

[Animematt55]

Yeah I agree. Yuri is all about the love. But is May-hime classified as shojou-ai to begin with? I'm not sure. Say, have you ever happened to see Gravitation? I haven't yet but would you recommend it? The only yaoi title I have seen is Mirage of Blaze. But listen, just because I'm bishonen that doesn't mean I'm gay.
what? How off topic can you get?
MAI (not may)Hime is shoujo-ai....where gravitation comes into this...i have no idea.
And no i would not recommend Gravitation. It has a horrible storyline, and horrible characters. The only good thing is the music.

[ZoharContact]

Yeah I agree. Yuri is all about the love. But is May-hime classified as shojou-ai to begin with? I'm not sure. Say, have you ever happened to see Gravitation? I haven't yet but would you recommend it? The only yaoi title I have seen is Mirage of Blaze. But listen, just because I'm bishonen that doesn't mean I'm gay.This isn't really the place to seek a very objective opinion regarding yaoi works, but I will say that I'm very interested in Loveless. (I'll read it... someday.)

As for Shizuru and Natsuki, it's true that she said - herself - that she wasn't interested in Shizuru in that way. But, if I think about their relationship in Mai-Otome, and add a little bit of imagination, it's not hard to figure that Natsuki will come around eventually. Now that the cat's out of the bag, Shizuru doesn't look like she's ready to give up anytime soon (considering the ending of the series).

But... the kendou guy? No! He's just comic relief. Natsuki never even gave the slightest hint of interest in him. Besides, he was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, too many times.

And, concluding that thought, a picture. Note the link. There is much more where that came from. ^_^

http://blog17.fc2.com/m/maitake2/file/m16.jpg (http://maitake2.blog17.fc2.com/category1-4.html)

[shezaei_neko]

WOAH!! Thanks for that link! Looks great!!
I can't have enough of Natsuki and Shizuru :heart:

[shezaei_neko]

Hey! I just found the Doropanda Tours Doujinshi's. I must say that the art is wonderful! I fell in love with them! Are incredible!!!
Perhaps I'll get them....
Have you read them?

[ZoharContact]

..Muddy panda? What works have they done doujinshis for? (Other than Mai-(Oto)Hime, I guess?)

[shezaei_neko]

Not sure.....but their art is quite good. :heart:

[shezaei_neko]

I have a question for those who have played the Mai Hime video game: Unmei no Keitojou (if I'm not mistaken)....
In Mikoto's story, she kills Kiyohime? And Natsuki dies? or is that in Shizuru's story?

[Xx0t0rixX]

I think the only couple I liked was ShizNat Natsuki reminded me of myself, and Shizuru was quite the upheld seductive Miss~ xD

[Xx0t0rixX]

I think the only couple I liked was ShizNat Natsuki reminded me of myself, and Shizuru was quite the upheld seductive Miss~ xD

[shezaei_neko]

...and Shizuru was quite the upheld seductive Miss~ xD

I agree. :cheers:

[VidelCoolGirl]

And if you've got your yuri Thesaurus handy, girl playing piano=GAY. Either that or the flute ^_^



or you know, VIOLIN.

[earsofdoom]

or you know, VIOLIN.

The violin? can't say i remember any violin playing yuri characters.... was there one in a manga i missed?

[VidelCoolGirl]

The violin? can't say i remember any violin playing yuri characters.... was there one in a manga i missed?
But...Michiru lays Violin...Everyone loves Michi...I do.

[shezaei_neko]

That's right! Michiru plays the violin, and Haruka played the piano right?
So the 3 instruments for Yuri are: Piano, Flute and Violin?

[VidelCoolGirl]

That's right! Michiru plays the violin, and Haruka played the piano right?
So the 3 instruments for Yuri are: Piano, Flute and Violin?

Yes Indeed.

[ZoharContact]

That's right! Michiru plays the violin, and Haruka played the piano right?
So the 3 instruments for Yuri are: Piano, Flute and Violin? Actually, I thought the entry in the symbolic lexicon said, "If they play any instrument..."

...Or perhaps it was "if they have anything at all to do with music"? Wasn't Priss from Bubblegum Crisis 2032 a lead singer for a band?

Ah, and there's Rosa Canina, Yaya and Hikari as well. ...Suddenly I have the urge to see a yuri guitarist.

[earsofdoom]

...Suddenly I have the urge to see a yuri guitarist.

Theres a member of Zlay in Strawberry Shake who plays the guitar ^_^ . but this has gottan me thinking and allot of yuri characters are talanted with instruments..... maybe we should round them all up and make a band? :P i wonder if marimites famous "Piano playing scene" influanced this trend. also Archery seems to be somewhat of a trend. (I wonder if this one was started by the great chikane-sama?)

[shezaei_neko]

Oh!! I remember seeing a pic of Natsuki playing the guitar!! It's a extremely well done fan-art (the artist is Lone Wolf, very talented. I admire her job). I'll post her site later so you can see Natsuki playing the guitar...she looks really hawt!

BTW, it seems that all yuri characters are quite talented in arts/culture or sports.....

[VidelCoolGirl]

Theres a member of Zlay in Strawberry Shake who plays the guitar ^_^ .

Shes awesome. She's so up on women. And it's funnier since they're based on Glay...

[DazzleKitty]

I've been watching Mai Hime and I am really liking it. I've watched up the sixth volume so far.

I've heard this anime had lots of yuri innuendos, but I never knew there was some actual shoujo-ai in it. It came as a big shocker for me....I totally wasn't expecting it! Natsuki and Shizuru make a nice couple....but do they have a happy ending? I don't mind being spoiled if someone would do so for me.

My favorite character is Mikoto, which is very odd considering that I almost always am annoyed by the more childish characters. I think she's adorable and so is her devotion to Mai. I think they would make a cute couple, even though it looks like Mai will end up with Tate. I honestly don't like Tate at all, because I think he's insanely annoying and generic. Shiho is equally annoying. I actually hope Tate and Shiho end up together, because they are both so annoying that they are practically made for each other.
Ah, and that Reito thing was kinda surprising, but I probably should have been able to guess it since the perfect person always ends up being secretly bad. But I must ask, does he survive, or is he killed off? I'm fearing the latter.

As I said, I don't mind spoilers! So if someone could answer my questions, please spoil me to death. ;)

[mdauben]

Well, you asked for spoilers! :lol:

Natsuki and Shizuru make a nice couple....but do they have a happy ending?
During the last scene of the final episode, Shizuru gives a shocked Natsuki a big hug during a karaoke party with all the HIME.
My favorite character is Mikoto, which is very odd considering that I almost always am annoyed by the more childish characters. I think she's adorable and so is her devotion to Mai.
She is awfully cute, and I always loved that picture of her hugging Mai in her sleep during the closing credits. :D

But I must ask, does he
At the end of the final episode Reito has his arm in a sling, but appears otherwise unharmed.
I think they would make a cute couple, even though it looks like Mai will end up with Tate.
At the end of the series, while it looks like Tate has the inside track, Mikoto is still burying her face in "her" Mai's cleavage and Reito is asking Mai on a date.

[DazzleKitty]

Oh, thank you for all the lovely spoilers mdauben! :D Well, I am quite happy to know that everything ended satisfactory for me. I love spoilers, because that way I can anticipate when something good/bad will happen. :lol:

I was going to disregard it, but I may have to give Mai Otome a try, even though it got a lot of negative reviews.

[mdauben]

I was going to disregard it, but I may have to give Mai Otome a try, even though it got a lot of negative reviews.
I admit, I don't quite understand the bad opinions some people have for Mai Otome, unless they just don't like it becuase it's not a sequal to Mai HiME?

I liked both series, and think that Mai Otome is worth watching (in fact, as you might have noticed from my signature block, I actually prefer Mai Otome just a little more than Mai HiME, personally). It's also got a lot more overt yuri than Mai HiME (for example Natsuke and Shizuru are a definite couple in Otome) if that's important to you. Nothing graphic of course, just a lot more obvious. :naughty:

[DazzleKitty]

Thanks for the info, mdauben! Well, I think I'll give Mai Otome a try then. I hear it takes place in an alternate universe, which sounds rather intriguing. I don't think Mai Hime really needs a true sequal anyways....I think it would be too long then. I like shorter anime. :P

[gameoffreak8]

I enjoyed watched My-HiME and My-Otome so far. I personally think My-HiME is better than My-Otome, but I liked both series anyway.

[shezaei_neko]

DazzleKitty, if you're longing for Shizuru and Natsuki, then you really should watch Mai-Otome, their relation is completely different from Mai-Hime.
Specially in episode 7 (or was it 9??) Anyways, look for the episode when they go to Aries for the special test. You'll like that one...

[DazzleKitty]

I'll keep that in mind when I start to watch it, shezaei. :naughty: I'd like to see what their relationship is like when they are an actual couple.
Thanks for the info! :)

[shezaei_neko]

You're welcome ;)
If you need more info, just ask! ^_^