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Impressions:

I still haven’t quite gotten used to the conventions of shoujo-ai genre. Okay, I’ll just be calling that yuri from now on since it sounds better. So far from what I’ve seen, there will be the mature onee-figure who all the younger girls squeal for. That’s basically the real thing. Having the whole school lust for one single person of the same sex as if they’ve known no other way of living. The main character could be one of those blinded girls. She could be an outsider, or someone who doesn’t fall prey to this older sister syndrome. She might be take the role of this glorified woman. And, she might even be a he. I wonder, how many yuri shows are there that follow the guidelines of a sensible, realistic romance, only replacing the guy with a girl, and not making the entire cast female? Or maybe a yuri that follows harem standards, where the female lead has a small group of girls who are vying for her? I’ve yet to even know about shows of any other genre to have shoujo-ai incorporated as the main theme. The all girls school seems to be a recurring theme too, to completely close off the male world from the entire series. That’s the problem with OtoBoku. I wonder, can you call it a shoujo-ai/yuri show? And I wonder if Mizuho will ever appear in guy-mode. And how many people will find out his secret?

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Popularity: 7% [?]

Impressions:

If I accept this show as a yuri, I’ll be able to enjoy it like I did Strawberry Panic (I’m gonna call all shoujo-ai shows yuri since it sounds better, so don’t try to correct me). The show is not 100% female though, as we still get the slightest of male behaviour from Mizuho, though he doesn’t do anything with near enough conviction. For example, when he was in the changing rooms, he hardly blushed at all while he does so all the time elsewhere. I also found that seen a bit off since I’m sure neither Mariya nor Shion would let Mizuho into the girls changing rooms without so much as a second thought, not to mention they were half naked themselves (they DID know about Mizuho’s gender secret at the time). Although Mizuho may do some guy things still, he is pretty much a complete girl now. When Shion confronted him and discovered his secret, he acted so cowardly I felt ashamed. Not even a girl would run and hide around someone else’s back, at that age especially. Oh well, anime is anime I guess.

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Popularity: 19% [?]

Episodes: 12
Genres: Comedy, Love-Romance
Studio: Feel
OP: “Love Power” by Aice5
ED: “Beautiful Day” by Yui Sakakibara
Official Site: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/otome/index.html

Impressions:

The first episode was only average if you ask me. The story and setting just emanates with potential, but overall the experience was ruined by none other than the main character. The lead is practically 100% female: he sounds nothing like a guy, he does not act like a guy, he does not look like a guy in the least bit and it looks as if his mind is about to become that of a girl’s any time now as well. This anime might as well be a shoujo-ai for all I care. This is no better than Strawberry Panic, save for the ultra-deformed chibi scenes which saved the show from total destruction. The character design sucks pretty bad as well. Not only are the eyes far to long, everyone looks exactly the same save for the hair. And why can’t they just be normal Asians with normal black or brown hair?

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Popularity: 5% [?]