[Mai Otome] Episode 19 Discussion/Poll

[Amaiko]

Asward were basically tricked by Smith in the raid 15 years ago. Asward are big on warrior code and it was their mission to take out Rena, or something like that. Which they did and don't feel bad about it - everyone risks their life in battle kinda thing. So they view Rena as someone who died bravely in battle. But they didn't like what Smith did afterwards.

That doesn't explain why Aswald felt the need to hang around her coffin though. If their only connection to Rena was being hired to take her out, why were they still there when Smith arrived to steal her? Since it looks like Rena was laid out in the castle--and since Aswald was openly there, indicating that the castle was more or less in the hands of Schwarz--who prepared her body? Aswald? If they did, why would they feel the need to rustle up a coffin and Sapphire drapery for a woman they supposedly had no connection to other than being hired to kill her? They could have simply buried her outside with something to mark the spot if they didn't think it right to leave her body exposed. Then there's Rad's line: "I wasn't able to protect her body." Why should he care about protecting Rena's body?

Plus, Rad's line from the flashback in episode one--"So this is all the Sapphire can do after she's lost the power of an Otome," definitely does not sound like the words of a man whose only interest in Rena was being hired to kill her. I still think there's something more going on than what was openly revealed in this episode. Rad's tone and the words he uses when talking about Rena and the Sapphire, Midori's immediate, significant glance at Rad when Mashiro demands to know why they're helping Arika, why they helped Arika in the first place--all point to something more going on behind the scenes about Rena than Midori and the cyborgs admitted.

There's also the question of why the entirety of Aswald was hired to take out a depowered Otome. Rena might be stronger and faster than a normal person, even without her powers, but killing her shouldn't have taken all of Aswald; heck it shouldn't have taken Aswald at all. Schwarz could have just shot her. Why hire Aswald just to kill Rena?

On a completely unrelated note, I find it incredibly funny that everyone searching for the missing princess takes it for granted that the Sapphire stayed with the princess. A lot can happen in fifteen years, and a baby can't exactly keep someone from taking a necklace away from her. Why is everyone in the show so certain the Sapphire and the Princess were never seperated?

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Amaiko

That doesn't explain why Aswald felt the need to hang around her coffin though. If their only connection to Rena was being hired to take her out, why were they still there when Smith arrived to steal her? Since it looks like Rena was laid out in the castle--and since Aswald was openly there, indicating that the castle was more or less in the hands of Schwarz--who prepared her body? Aswald? If they did, why would they feel the need to rustle up a coffin and Sapphire drapery for a woman they supposedly had no connection to other than being hired to kill her? They could have simply buried her outside with something to mark the spot if they didn't think it right to leave her body exposed. Then there's Rad's line: "I wasn't able to protect her body." Why should he care about protecting Rena's body?

Plus, Rad's line from the flashback in episode one--"So this is all the Sapphire can do after she's lost the power of an Otome," definitely does not sound like the words of a man whose only interest in Rena was being hired to kill her. I still think there's something more going on than what was openly revealed in this episode. Rad's tone and the words he uses when talking about Rena and the Sapphire, Midori's immediate, significant glance at Rad when Mashiro demands to know why they're helping Arika, why they helped Arika in the first place--all point to something more going on behind the scenes about Rena than Midori and the cyborgs admitted.

There's also the question of why the entirety of Aswald was hired to take out a depowered Otome. Rena might be stronger and faster than a normal person, even without her powers, but killing her shouldn't have taken all of Aswald; heck it shouldn't have taken Aswald at all. Schwarz could have just shot her. Why hire Aswald just to kill Rena?

On a completely unrelated note, I find it incredibly funny that everyone searching for the missing princess takes it for granted that the Sapphire stayed with the princess. A lot can happen in fifteen years, and a baby can't exactly keep someone from taking a necklace away from her. Why is everyone in the show so certain the Sapphire and the Princess were never seperated?

Aswald was not hired to kill rena. She was already retire at that point. They were hired to attack Windbloom castle and killed the king and queen. Rena fought them even through she was retire becasue of her loyalty and probably guilt knowing that if she still had her powers this wouldn't be happening. But Aswald wasn't specifically sent after her.

[MattAlchemy]

It gives a good hint that Mai will side with Arika, seeing that Mai is attacking Swarchz in the opening.

So, the hitch hiking comes back to view now? I love Nao now!

[Tempest35]

Originally Posted by Seska

Perhaps, Mai is there all the time, but whe dont saw her...

Perhaps shes on camouflage like Mikoto (the Cat)
But, in that case. What would she looks like?

Happy guessing *g

Mfg,
Seska

Here's my theory (that I would like someone to illustrate ) :

'Sergay': *closes the door and sighs* Damn this is hard...*reaches for his head and starts to peel his face back revealing...MAI*

Mai: ... I really shouldn't have hunted Sergay down 3 years ago and killed him...now I'm stuck being him for the rest of my life...! ;_; *winces at the bandages around her chest* ... damn, and Akira makes it look soooo~ easy too...

Nina: *from behind the door* Otou~sama! Dinner's ready!

Mai: *in 'Sergay' voice* Great, I'll be right out. ... *normal voice, whispering* and what's with this guy's daughter liking him...me...argh, whatever! This sucks!

[Tempest35]

Originally Posted by Amaiko

That doesn't explain why Aswald felt the need to hang around her coffin though. If their only connection to Rena was being hired to take her out, why were they still there when Smith arrived to steal her? Since it looks like Rena was laid out in the castle--and since Aswald was openly there, indicating that the castle was more or less in the hands of Schwarz--who prepared her body? Aswald? If they did, why would they feel the need to rustle up a coffin and Sapphire drapery for a woman they supposedly had no connection to other than being hired to kill her? They could have simply buried her outside with something to mark the spot if they didn't think it right to leave her body exposed. Then there's Rad's line: "I wasn't able to protect her body." Why should he care about protecting Rena's body?

Plus, Rad's line from the flashback in episode one--"So this is all the Sapphire can do after she's lost the power of an Otome," definitely does not sound like the words of a man whose only interest in Rena was being hired to kill her. I still think there's something more going on than what was openly revealed in this episode. Rad's tone and the words he uses when talking about Rena and the Sapphire, Midori's immediate, significant glance at Rad when Mashiro demands to know why they're helping Arika, why they helped Arika in the first place--all point to something more going on behind the scenes about Rena than Midori and the cyborgs admitted.

oh c'mon, you haven't seen 'Last Samurai' or anything? It's called honoring a worthy opponent. Someone who didn't stand a chance against a combat cyborg held their own against him/them. She died trying to protect the future Princess of Windbloom, someone she really had no more 'legal' obligation to any more. Rena must have been a skilled warrior and/or a great person for Aswald to want to bury her themselves and they watched over her body like an honor guard. It got stolen over their watch and for a self-imposed 'honor guard' that is a slap in the face. It seems that Aswald take honor pretty seriously, especialy Rad.

[Eclipze]

Originally Posted by lone_wolf

Some of us are actually busy working not to mention that some of us do have lives outside of Animesuki.

--LW

I'll spoiler tag this reply.

Spoiler:

Im not sure if you took my post too seriously or found it insulting, but heres how I feel about yours:

Yes, Im pretty sure "some of you" have a life outside AnimeSuki and are "working hard".

But are you telling me that for the past 18+ weeks or so (counting Mai-Otome episodes alone), you have _not_ been working hard? and you have _not_ been living a life outside AnimeSuki?

Having a *life outside AnimeSuki" and "working hard" _should_ be what you're doing all the time, no? Especially if having a life and working hard is part of your *everyday lifestyle*.

Plus, I dont see a logic for a "sudden revalation to ignore AnimeSuki (not that it matters, but its something I was questioning) and to work hard and to get a life outside AnimeSuki". Really, I didnt see a real attemp to give an answer to my question without indirectly calling me ignorant. I _do_ know that some people have lifes and work hard, so telling me that is very pointless.

I was expecting answers like:

Originally Posted by lone_wolf

Although you'll find most of us at shoujoai.com these days.

And:

Originally Posted by ando

Maybe other people are more interested in Torino Olympic.

Those, because I was wondering if the overall popularity of AnimeSuki was dropping, or that some external event (newer and bigger anime website/forum, or some real-life sports event) influence the "viewership".

Im not trying to be ignorant, so Please, dont take me for an idiot, and I would appreciate it.

On-topic:

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

Aswald was not hired to kill rena. She was already retire at that point. They were hired to attack Windbloom castle and killed the king and queen. Rena fought them even through she was retire becasue of her loyalty and probably guilt knowing that if she still had her powers this wouldn't be happening. But Aswald wasn't specifically sent after her.

Wasn't Aswad a part of Schwarz (black valley or whatever the joint-name was) during the attack? If so, Aswad technically cant be *hired*.

It is, however, possible for them to be *assigned* to eliminate any possible threat (deflowered Meister or whatnot). Or perhaps they were looking for the princess; and meeting Rena, subcequently(sp?) taking her out, was just a coincidence.

[wombatlord]

Originally Posted by Tempest35

(Theory of Sergei as Mai in disguise snipped)

I had a brief insane moment during 17 when I suddenly thought Erstin was going to turn out to be Mai in disguise. Which didn't happen, but would have been cool

[Kieli]

Originally Posted by Eclipze

I'll spoiler tag this reply.

Spoiler:

Im not sure if you took my post too seriously or found it insulting, but heres how I feel about yours:

Yes, Im pretty sure "some of you" have a life outside AnimeSuki and are "working hard".

But are you telling me that for the past 18+ weeks or so (counting Mai-Otome episodes alone), you have _not_ been working hard? and you have _not_ been living a life outside AnimeSuki?

Having a *life outside AnimeSuki" and "working hard" _should_ be what you're doing all the time, no? Especially if having a life and working hard is part of your *everyday lifestyle*.

Plus, I dont see a logic for a "sudden revalation to ignore AnimeSuki (not that it matters, but its something I was questioning) and to work hard and to get a life outside AnimeSuki". Really, I didnt see a real attemp to give an answer to my question without indirectly calling me ignorant. I _do_ know that some people have lifes and work hard, so telling me that is very pointless.

Brief OFF TOPIC

Spoiler:

Answers just like these are the reasons for the "sudden revelation" to take a breather from AS. I've been taking a minor break myself because real life work is more important and nothing really all that earth shattering has been said here as of late. I think you're reading WAY too much into her reply.

We will now return to our regularly scheduled wild speculations and imaginative conspiracy theories

[Tokkan]

I just rewatched the raw, and I'm surprised at Gal. In her first speaking appearance, she spoke using Japanese idioms. Here in 19, she seems to have a tendancy to blurt out English words and even speak parts of her own sentences in English. She's really all over the place with the way she speaks.

[lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Eclipze

I'll spoiler tag this reply.

Spoiler:

Im not sure if you took my post too seriously or found it insulting, but heres how I feel about yours:

Yes, Im pretty sure "some of you" have a life outside AnimeSuki and are "working hard".

But are you telling me that for the past 18+ weeks or so (counting Mai-Otome episodes alone), you have _not_ been working hard? and you have _not_ been living a life outside AnimeSuki?

Having a *life outside AnimeSuki" and "working hard" _should_ be what you're doing all the time, no? Especially if having a life and working hard is part of your *everyday lifestyle*.

Plus, I dont see a logic for a "sudden revalation to ignore AnimeSuki (not that it matters, but its something I was questioning) and to work hard and to get a life outside AnimeSuki". Really, I didnt see a real attemp to give an answer to my question without indirectly calling me ignorant. I _do_ know that some people have lifes and work hard, so telling me that is very pointless.

I sent you a PM, young one. I think you better read it before you shoot your mouth off. Things are not always consistantly stable in life *and* in work....please be considerate.

--LW

[Varis]

Originally Posted by SoldierOfDarkness

Probably because the way Midori's gem was created. As said already, it was made by analyzing GEMs so it was made from scratch and probably has some features that aren't present in the standard ones. Assuming that's the case.

Holy crap though, immortality.

I don't know about immortality... in fact, I don't understand why people don't use things like electro magnetic pulses to get rid of all those little energizer bunnies in a otome.

Or coat their bullets with man stuff...


I feel otomes "immortality" comes with a 1 year limited warranty if you ask me.

[Tremalkinger]

Originally Posted by Rob the Fox

I just rewatched the raw, and I'm surprised at Gal. In her first speaking appearance, she spoke using Japanese idioms. Here in 19, she seems to have a tendancy to blurt out English words and even speak parts of her own sentences in English. She's really all over the place with the way she speaks.

That sounds a lot like my Japanese Professor. Even when she's giving us directions in english, she sprinkles in Japanese particles and grammer syntax with the english words. You would think its confusing, but its actually quite easy to understand for some reason


And... off topic... why is everyone so snippy over the last two weeks in these threads? Mai Otome has gotten so much more interesting and enjoyable over the last few episodes, yet the quality of the posts has decreased dramatically. Less snipping and unhappy grumbling ... more fun theories and giggle-inducing banter.

[PastPrime]

Evidently Rena was special. If Smith could have used the body of any former Otome there would have been no reason for him to destroy the alliance with Aswald by taking Rena's body. And we know that Arika is special since Miyu saw her hair as golden. That makes it very likely that Arika is really Rena's daughter and not the missing Princess. And, if Rena and the others responsible for the Princess's safety thought that someone in the castle was behind the attack, it would be logical for her to use her daughter as a decoy, pretending she was the Princess, while someone she trusted took the real Princess to safety.

[Kieli]

Originally Posted by Rob the Fox

I just rewatched the raw, and I'm surprised at Gal. In her first speaking appearance, she spoke using Japanese idioms. Here in 19, she seems to have a tendancy to blurt out English words and even speak parts of her own sentences in English. She's really all over the place with the way she speaks.

I noticed that too, actually. I thought I was hearing things. Gal seems like the nerdy type, sort of a techno-geek that picks up all sorts of things, especially from the previous era.

[Guido]

Now what everyone wants to find about the full contents of the letter that Chie was writing for Yukino.

To President Chrysant

Now Archduke Nagi governs Garderobe unjustly.
And he recruits applicants of artificial 乙-HiME, called`Valkyrie' on the campus.
I'm going to volunteer `Valkyrie' and let you know if I find a

Basically, Chie will take the role of an undercover spy to filter information to Ealis and the Pillars about Nagi's schemes.

[Tempest35]

My brave Chie-chan...*sniffs* ... she's gonna die, I just know it...

[Maceart]

Lots of plot development this episode...

Mai-Otome 19 out from Doremi-fansubs.

Don't try using WMP10 for this either... some optimizations of Xvid is unstable in WMP10.

BSplayer, however works if you use the CCCP build <--which is what I use.

[Starks]

Secondly... Because BSPlayer is now crap-ware. Otome 19 will not play on it.

Edit: If you insist on using BSPlayer... Here's the workaround given by CCCP. http://tinyurl.com/acfrv

[Catgirls]

Originally Posted by Maceart

Lots of plot development this episode...

Mai-Otome 19 out from Doremi-fansubs.

YES! Thanks again for your hard work.

/goes to download

[Tremalkinger]

Originally Posted by Maceart

Lots of plot development this episode...

Mai-Otome 19 out from Doremi-fansubs.

Don't try using WMP10 for this either... some optimizations of Xvid is unstable in WMP10.

BSplayer, however works if you use the CCCP build <--which is what I use.

How does it work in VLC?

*will find out when the download finishes anyhow*