Despite being another relatively slow episode, I was happy that Arika and Mashiro have gotten over their “What am I going to do with my life?” angst bump. Hopefully we’re finally set up for some action and concluding arc plot development from the next episode onwards. I also liked the scenes when Midori makes an agreement with Mashiro in the latter’s capacity as Queen of Windbloom and then Arika addresses Mashiro as “Master” for the first time since Ep 7. This tied in nicely with my view that the essence of sovereignty is not force or power (although they are important in defending and maintaining that essence) but recognition - generated internally through consent and belief/imagination as well as external from peer states/rulers. Continue reading ‘Mai Otome 21′
Plenty of laughs as Sora-sensei forces Hazumu to undergo the kimodameshi so as to further her love relationships (for research purposes). It was quite lovely to see how Hazumu instinctively / habitually clings to Tomari for security.
Tomari-Yasuna rivalry was relatively subdued this episode though the way Yasuna’s dog is always hostile to Tomari reminds me a bit of There’s Something About Mary. But it was nice to see Yasuna tell Ayuki that she’s found a kindred soul in Tomari, someone who understands what it is like to love Hazumu. Later on the rooftop, Tomari tells Yasuna to call her by her given name and to also drop the honorific, signifying that she sees Yasuna as someone who is close to her.
The title’s focus is on Ayuki and her fascination with the metamorphosis of caterpillar into butterflies. She sees Hazumu’s metaphorical transformation and spreading of wings as something beautiful to watch. Something about that faraway bittersweet look, alloyed of contentness yet sadness, struck a chord with me. She’s content to be a spectator and not step onto the stage - thus: “見ã¦ã„ã‚‹ã ã‘㌅” (Only Watching…) Her previous caution to Hazumu before his confession to Yasuna, her generally cool attitude, the revelation to her rejected suitor that she has someone she likes all points to a previous experience of heartbreak. I wonder who that person is/was? (Yes, that’s not a rhetoric question - if you know, please leave a comment but use the <spoiler></spoiler> tags. (28 screencaps follow) Continue reading ‘Kashimashi 8′
The Christmas episode! There’s lots of snow and it’s time for snowmen and Santa adventures. Continue reading ‘Ichigo Mashimaro 12′