hontou ni sou omou?

I like this OP a lot as the song is energetic and images a clear shift to the war phase of Mai Otome. The Gundam SEED parallels were a bit much though. Didn’t really find it that spoilerific but then again I’m the sort of fanboy who reads Omni’s entries on Random Curiosity even before I watch an episode. In any case, while there were some spoiling surprises, it also raised more questions than it answers.

The above pair of screencaps shows the sheer extent of the war waged on Windbloom and Garderobe with both under siege by massive numbers. We got a foretaste of it in the closing moments of Ep 16 but the buzzing hordes was much more than I expected. Their objective is probably seizure of the Harmonium and its controlling trinity of keys.

The three girls (who are probably the keys to the Harmonium with three separate parts of the song - Ers-chan also knows two parts now) facing away from each other. Hints at conflict between them. Arika-Nina is the most obvious. Nina probably discovers that Arika’s sponsor was Sergey. She’ll also feel betrayed by Arika when she finds out that Arika has feelings for him and she went to confess to him despite knowing Nina’s feelings for her Daddy. Urgh. Mashiro-Arika tension could also come into play if Mashiro thinks that Arika is the rightful Queen who also doubts Mashiro’s right and ability to rule. Mashiro-Nina probably will manifest with Nina fighting against Windbloom as Nagi’s Otome, tinged with how Nina was the first one to make a (temporary) contract with her.

John Smith is now Nagi’s right hand man though I think, like in Mai HiME, John Smith’s organization will also be royally screwed in the aftermath of Nagi’s machinations. Sergey looks increasingly like having his own ideas about policy and how to do things. The background image (and his harsh words to Arika in the previous episode) imply that Rena might in fact be dead.

What are those things behind Tomoe? I think she looks much hotter when she’s consistently being Evil. If an Evil Villain helps make the story more interesting, I’m all for it. E.g. I really enjoyed GS’s Murata Azrael’s smoothness and megolomania as well as the sinister calm and warped motherliness of Noir’s Althena. I’m guessing that Tomoe finally gets it that Shizuru is Not Interested and to get her attention and respect, resolves to destroy Natsuki maybe? Her costume looks like a mockery of the Garderobe uniform. Is she working for Schwarz or Artai? We also know from the start of Ep 16 that at least one Coral Otome received Scharwz’s Black Letter though the shadow shape of her hair rules out Tomoe.

The scene with Rad holding Mikoto and together with Mashiro and some of her subjects was the biggest surprise. I did not expect Aswald to ally with Windbloom (and by extension, Garderobe?) - this could be a balance of power move against Artai-Schwarz after smelling a rat during Midori and Rad’s audience with Nagi. Mashiro and the other Windbloomers also look like they are fleeing. Abandoning Windbloom? Heading to the Black Valley? Perhaps Yohko could have helped bridge the gap and Windbloom / Garderobe could have promised Aswald something in exchange for their support?

Pillars. When I first saw this, I thought that since there are three confirmed Pillars in the picture, the other two unnamed Otome in their gawd awful getups must also be fellow Pillar robe fashion victims. Then I remember that Mai with her Fire String Ruby was supposed to be a Pillar as well. However as she bears the tri-flame symbol of Zipang on her belt it might mean that she may return as Takumi’s Otome. I’ve speculated in the past that Yukariko could be a Pillar as she seems able to materialize without a Master (nailing Arika at the beach before the survival exam) and, without any proof, Miss Maria as well. But now I’m not so sure as accepting the Yukariko incident as proof would assume Sunrise to have complete plot-detail consistency. Will just have to wait and see.

So Mai has finally been unveiled in contrast to the first OP. Her tri-flame symbol has been transferred from over heart heart to her chest. Also shows off her (huge) element. I thought her attack was a headlong charge but it looks now like a kick instead. I’ve always known that high heels are dangerous but this takes the cake.

Real Queen or not, the above suggests that Arika is truly worthy as Rena’s successor as the Blue Sky Sapphire. Mai has also shown that it’s possible that Otome and royal blood are not mutually exclusive categories since she’d be a princess in Takumi’s Zipang.

All the Otome in the background with their fancy weapons and garb just reminded me a Pugilists’ Meet on Mt Hua (华山论剑) in a Jin Yong novel. Also during those meets, everyone proclaims their righteousness and orthodoxy (even if they are closet siscon meido lolipedo fiends, hur hur hur) but usually end up backstabbing (sometimes literally) each other until a really powerful martial artist arrives to lay the smackdown.

More pertinently, the forces arrayed behind Arika might give a hint of the war’s alliances. Looks like Windbloom (Arika), Garderobe (Yukariko with her bow) and Ealis (Haruka) at least against Artai and Schwarz.

While we’re waiting for Mentar’s next entry, do check out Chalcahuite’s Speculative History of Earl’s Politics, Technology and the Otome System Parts 1 and 2.