Mai-Otome 0~S.ifr~ OVA, Episode 1- A Name That's Hard to Spell

Don’t piss off the maid.

Everyone’s favorite big budget action show that’s big on explosions and lesbian tendencies is back in action with this OVA. I’m pretty much game for any action show Sunrise makes, and this series is no exception. After the jump is a screencap collection and reviews by Crusader and myself of the first episode released on DVD this week.

Edit: Hohoho, this post is THAT’s 1,000th entry! Yay us~

Story Premise:
This multi-episode OVA is a prequel to the original Mai Otome series, and stars Rena Sayers (Arika’s mother) and her friends and comrades. Rena is a Meister Otome already, possessing the Lofty Crimson Jade robe/gem. After the rescue of the title character, Sifr Fran, by Bruce, Rena and other Otomes, we are introduced to the rest of the cast, some of whom will look familiar from the first series, or at the least bear striking similarities to other characters. Once again Schwarz starts off as the bad guys, giving the opportunity for some great looking action in this first episode.

Impressions:

Very good start to the new installment of Mai Otome. To start off, the production values were top notch as we have come to expect from Sunrise. This installment retains the color palette of the previous series, characters with familiar personality traits match up color-wise to their counterparts from the original. The animation quality was high, as one would expect for an OVA as well as from Sunrise, it was consistent throughout the episode whether the scene was action, exposition, or service shots. Fight scenes were fast paced and fluid while being devoid of excess stills or tricks to save money.

There was little development of the characters aside from Rena and Sifr, but the supporting characters filled their parts well. Sifr bears some comparisons to Arika, with a streak of naiveté as well as compassion as evidenced by her attempt to save the cat who’s name was Nina (really obvious hint as to plot development there). Rena was much more interesting, and not because she has massive flotation devices for a chest, which was obviously not passed on to her daughter. We are shown hints of Rena’s struggle with her status as an overwhelmingly powerful Otome and her distaste for violence in general. This trait is sure to provide fuel for future personal conflicts and plot development. Oh yeah, and the whole Elliot lusting after Rena thing gets my approval, as well as Sifr’s apparent interest in the lesbian tendencies for Otome. Although apparently she gets over that in the future…

As for Rena’s fighting ability, she pretty much destroys everyone, and I was a bit surprised. I do recall from the original series that she was a powerful Otome, but I didn’t think she just blew away everyone, she was even above the level of one of the Five Columns (when Elliot tried to attack Miyu she was tossed around easily, while Rena had the advantage over Miyu). Her abilities were pretty wide ranging, from the precurser to Bolt from the Blue to displacing and cloning herself to deadly wires/lasers of some sort. I did chuckle quite a bit at the over 9000 power level problem she has as well as the engrish. Traditionally the engrish in Mai Otome has been without too much problems, it didn’t suffer the laughable attempts throughout much of the StrikerS installment of Nanoha, so I was a bit surprised at “Power Over Loding.” Not really distracting though, just good for a chuckle, the show isn’t meant to be taken seriously anyways. One assumes Rena is going to adventure on and eventually obtain the Blue Sky Sapphire as her current gem was shattered by said over 9000 power levels.

The plot and central conflict of the OVA is apparently Schwarz’s attempt to capture and use Sifr for some nefarious reason or another. There was nothing supremely amazing or horrible about it, we were only given small hints as to their goals. It seems to follow the standard formula for the Mai Hime and Mai Otome villain plot setup, which I have no problem with. I mean, who really watches this show for a deep plot anyways? Nah, we watch it for animation quality, action, and subtle, and sometimes less subtle, yuri. Overall a definite recommendation from me if you have seen the previous series, as it will make little sense to anyone who has not seen the original Mai Otome TV series.

Well that was a mighty fine episode if I say so myself the hostage rescue was smooth, quick, and reasonably efficient since Bruce should have gagged and blindfolded Sifer but at least he left her tied up. This one reminded me of why I loved this series in the first place, yuri. For me my interest in the franchise peaked when Shizuru went above and beyond for her beloved Natsuki. Mai Otome was a sort of stumbled towards the end after Ers-chan died, but with this awesome OVA episode I think it might be a return to form. That being said MOAR Elliot and Rena! Rena did say anything…

The Loding engrish was a bit funny though I would much rather had either over 9000 or Power Overwhelming, but engrish is engrish. I like King Bruce of Windbloom, unlike Sergay Wang who total banged his daughter, he hasn’t and hopefully won’t go all niece-con on me. At least the guy has had some real commando training, though I would give him mucho points for breaking out a Fairbairn-Sykes and running a Schwarzi with it. Still he did the right thing by going to the roof instead of risking the civilians on the train like a real ally of justice. Also Kampfgruppen Windbloom demonstrated excellent economy of force and acted surgically as an elite strike team should. Truly Meister Otome are far better than Gundam Meisters, at least the former panders often enough to their fan base and yes yuri makes that much of a difference.

I also love how they kind of broke the fourth wall with Sifr going on about Otome who are into “that.” Granted how Sifr is very much like Arika Ritter von Yumemiya I really can’t see how Sifr is related to Nina. Still genki is better than emo so not much to lament here. As Bruce is a gun toting maniac I hope the revolver he carries is a Smith and Wesson 500, given how Mr. Smith carries a golden gun (C96 Mauser Broomhandle). I bet mein Kommando Kaiser Bruce could out shoot Smith any day given his choice of .50 cal round for pistol, long range and penetration 4TW! Besides tossing Sifr like that must have taken a significant amount of strength.

I look forward to more of this and “that.”