Maria-sama ga Miteru [Unfortunately SPOILERS Lurk Here]

[BME]

At first I didn't think I´d like it, but it got better around 10 minutes, I´ll give this anime a few episodes to develop. But... it´s and all girls school! Where are the guys? The Ecchi! the sexy misunderstandings!?

anyways, what really got my attention here was their noses, they seemed differnt from all other anime I´ve seen.

[Lambda]

Originally Posted by guest

Huh? I thought this anime is so much like Utena?

Subtleties of the English language at work. Yes, it's very much like Utena, since what Utena does (in one way at least) is to model itself on this particular subgenre, and then start screwing around with it, like changing psychological duels into physical ones and so forth. In this case, "the sort of thing Utena's not" is actually more about their similarities than their differences, because it's a modification of the phrase "the sort of thing Utena is", which is the real point being made, but is inaccurate, because of how Utena treats the genre. So that phrase gets modified, to indicate understanding of this sort of thing being the "base model" for Utena, not its true complete nature.

[u&t]

Originally Posted by BME

anyways, what really got my attention here was their noses, they seemed differnt from all other anime I´ve seen.

Not different only BIGGER! Watch Miteru and something 80's style like Miyuki one after the other. The difference in nose styles freaks me out .

[Key Board]

Originally Posted by tmm`

Eeeek! What ever happend to spoiler tags?

That information is listed on the official site for the anime. It's intended to be common knowledge as far as I'm concerned.

Spoiler:

Oh, and that boy above Yumi is her younger brother. Again, this is also listed on that site.

[Kurara]

I really don't know what I think so far. ^^;;; The graphics are very cute.. But it was so weird. At first, I thought it would be an anime about religion.. So I almost backed off. But then I realized there was a lot of.. "Yuri tension" o.o;; .. Since there's a lot of yaoi anime, I think it's interesting to see a yuri anime for once.

Yeah, it does seem similar to Utena at first glance... But to be honest.. ^^;; Even if it's a typical shoujo anime... After all the dating game anime and shonen anime that I've watched last session.. This should be a nice break. ^^;;

[Keitaro]

Seen ep1 and liked it, waiting for the ep2. At first I was confused with all the french words, watch it a second time and finally understood how the system thing worked I think lol. I do hope we get to see some girl-girl relationships

[Key Board]

The White Rose order seems dangerous.

Its Rosa seems to be the sneakiest among the other roses, and her souer seems awfully smart.

[manpurse]

Aw, quit whining. I, for one, am estactic to see a distinct lack of fanservice. Besides, the all-girl school setting is always fun--I love shoujo (and shounen) ai! <3

Like someone mentioned earlier, this reeks of Oniisama E... (Brother, Dear Brother). Unlike them, however, I enjoyed that series despite its age and melodramatic tone. I'm interested in seeing how similar the two series are.

The French throws me, though--I'm in Spanish II, so I have NO knowledge of the language. Gyah.

[Tsubomi Koneko]

Hmm I think I might check this out just cause I'm out of things to try.

[Lanthis]

Was I the only one who thought this show was horrible? I had to strain to watch it, and it wasn't because part of the show was en français. I just thought the entire premise was horrible.

It doesn't have anything going for it, and by anything I mean no:

mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, love, comedy, action

[guest]

Originally Posted by Lanthis

Was I the only one who thought this show was horrible? I had to strain to watch it, and it wasn't because part of the show was en français. I just thought the entire premise was horrible.

It doesn't have anything going for it, and by anything I mean no:

mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, love, comedy, action

Oh, I guess this show is the kind of very "subtle" type. If you are looking for the "obvious" things and get to the point right the way, then it is not for you.

I am glad that I sat throgh the first ep. I am now really looking forward the release of the 2nd ep. I am interested in, I don't know, everything? I wonder who is going to win the bet, what relatiohship between all those student council members is and Yumi, of course, what Yumi is going to do in this whole situation, etc.

[marin]

Originally Posted by Lanthis

Was I the only one who thought this show was horrible? I had to strain to watch it, and it wasn't because part of the show was en français. I just thought the entire premise was horrible.

It doesn't have anything going for it, and by anything I mean no:

mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, love, comedy, action

It has low-key Yuri going for it.

[babbito2k]

Originally Posted by Lanthis

Was I the only one who thought this show was horrible?

Are you trying to convince other people it's horrible? It's fine if you don't like it but why not just say so?

Originally Posted by Lanthis

I had to strain to watch it, and it wasn't because part of the show was en français. I just thought the entire premise was horrible.

There is already information on the web in English about this show. You might have saved time and effort by checking there before downloading the episode.

Originally Posted by Lanthis

It doesn't have anything going for it, and by anything I mean no: mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, love, comedy, action

No mystery??? huh. I certainly have a lot of questions after seeing just one episode. I am sure you are mistaken about there being no love in this series as well. Maybe if you keep watching you will find some new things to watch for in a show.


I am really glad to see so much interest in this series. Although some people are kind of cross about the comparisons to Utena I must say that this series looks like it will inspire the kind of loyalty that Utena enjoyed. I hope to see some great fansites.

I enjoyed the relationships among the senior girls and the potential relationships with the new girls. There were details as to the inner nature of the characters which interested me. I look for great scenes more than anything in a show, and I loved the middle bit regarding Sachiko and Yumi.

I like the formality of the setting and the way it contrasts with the strong emotions of the characters. The visual style pays tribute to older anime stylings (like the title page and the painted look). The music was perfect.

[guest]

Originally Posted by marin

It has low-key Yuri going for it.

Ummm.... can you explain what "low-key Yuri" is?

[kj1980]

I'm actually shocked that to (some) of you people see this as "yuri." I would imagine this would be similar to a sister-sister relationship in what you guys call "sororities" (but then again, I can be wrong, so if I am, I apologize).

[tsurumaru]

Originally Posted by guest

Ummm.... can you explain what "low-key Yuri" is?

Sure:

Yaoi - Love between men
Yuri - Love between women

Therefore "Low Key Yuri" roughly equals "suggested relationships of an intimate level between women"

[Key Board]

Originally Posted by kj1980

I'm actually shocked that to (some) of you people see this as "yuri." I would imagine this would be similar to a sister-sister relationship in what you guys call "sororities" (but then again, I can be wrong, so if I am, I apologize).

It's intended to have a subtext, and it's noticible.

I recommend you to visit some Japanese Mari-mite fansites. You'll notice that the majority of the fandom acknowledge the subtext.

[kj1980]

Originally Posted by Key Board

It's intended to have a subtext, and it's noticible.

I recommend you to visit some Japanese Mari-mite fansites. You'll notice that the majority of the fandom acknowledge the subtext.

Okay, I should've mentioned first that I personally don't understand "yuri" or "bara." Is same sex-relationships that "wrong" that it has to be generalized into "yuri" or "bara" category (I wouldn't say "wrong" but its sorta hard to explain...)? I guess this is the kind of personal thought that I dare to say in public in Japan as to risk social banishment. But, since this is a non-Japanese board, I am relieved at least I can freely express my thoughts.

So technically, when I watch anime that majority sees as being "yuri" or "bara" (i.e.: Shoujo Kakumei Utena, etc.) I tend to think otherwise. Perhaps I see same-sex romance as no difference from a romantic relationship btwn opposite sexes. Probably that is why I don't sense a "feel" that "mein gott! this is yuri!" or "oy vey! this is bara!" To me, its all a beautiful budding relationship.

But you do make a good point. I actually started reading the novel as this story seems interesting. However maybe it's my personal indifference to "seeing" what "constitutes yuri and/or bara" that I fail to recognize these subtexts. To me, its all a beautiful relationship that I wish to cheer them on.

I guess my paraphrasal here wasn't all too direct.

[Key Board]

Labeling has always and will always exist.

Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, sometimes it's just for utilitarian purposes.

Sometimes it's just casual, sometimes people make a big deal out of it, and sometimes people perceive other people as making a big deal out it.

But to answer your question: the "yuri labelling" probably comes from the considerable amount of Lily related imaginary.

Regardless, I hope this anime reaches at least 24 episodes, which seems likely judging from the sheer number of novels.

[babbito2k]

Originally Posted by kj1980

Perhaps I see same-sex romance as no difference from a romantic relationship btwn opposite sexes. Probably that is why I don't sense a "feel" that "mein gott! this is yuri!" or "oy vey! this is bara!" To me, its all a beautiful budding relationship.

I will watch this show to enjoy the relationships. That's what I always want to see in anime. I share your point of view. But I think people learn it from life experience.

People who have same-sex relationships are aware that very few shows portray life the way they see it or live it. So it is very important to them to be able to point to a show like this.

This is true of some of the people who are fansubbing this series. And for these people it is OK that other people watch it for their own reasons. But they want the labels all the same.

Another thing about the labelling is that non-Japanese people who are interested in Japanese language and/or culture want to show that they know the Japanese names for things.