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Rating: 9.3/10

Impressions:

Being a big fan of Mai Hime and Mai Otome, and a bigger fan of the Mai Otome manga, I, like many others I presume, have been eagerly anticipating the second episode in the Zwei OAV series. Overall, this second episode is actually a bit of a disappointment. Although not lacking in action and quality, it suffers from slow plot progression, especially as it is a four episode OAV. It seems like the final battle will probably begin next episode and end in the last episode. I was really hoping for more plot twists and extra development, with little subplots involving the various characters, but of course, what was I thinking? This isn’t a full fledged TV sequel…just a four episode OAV.

However, I am very excited nonetheless as this is more Mai Otome. Being one of my favourite shows of 2006, I can’t help it. The quality is also higher than the series as expected, and the action scenes this episode are pretty impressive. Also, the reappearances of several characters are also pleasing. One of my favourites, Nao, seems to have a role in the story (meaning, larger than many of the other characters’ roles). I also hope Arika gets her powers back soon, as she IS the spine of the show in my opinion, and I find her bubbly nature quite enjoyable to watch (although some might be annoyed by it).

The problem with this episode is quite apparently the lack of any story progression. A lot of time is spent on a rather useless bus jacking, which only manages to incorporate some well animated fighting and the revelation of another unknown Otome from last episode, Shinso-sama. If you recall, it seems the enemy can take on the shape of the Otome it touches, and perhaps gains their powers as well. Even though I enjoyed this episode for the action and even just for seeing more of the characters, if I think of this OAV as a whole, it becomes obvious that with four episodes, there is no time to waste on non-plot-progressive events.

Some confusion has arisen in regards to the transition between the last episode and this. Just to clarify, the last episode ends with Mashiro disappearing in a typhoon of sorts, along with the rest of the Black Valley. I guess it could be seen as a cliffhanger, though this episode doesn’t take it as such. I’m assuming it takes place a little after the events of last episode, as Arika is searching for Mashiro. Personally though, I would have preferred this episode to have continued from last episode directly, and show the aftermath, as well as what Garderobe and other important characters are planning on doing.

I guess the main thing everyone wants is to see their favourite characters in action again. Well, that’s certainly what I would like. This definitely includes Nao for me, though I really don’t have many others. I also hope the final showdown isn’t just a group battle, where no one gets extra attention. Arika definitely needs to kick some ass as well, as she doesn’t exactly do this in the previous episode. Same goes to Mai and Natsuki. In fact, I would like everyone to do some fighting, but as I pointed out earlier, this brings it to the problem of everyone participating in a group battle…Oh and by the way, I like the ED song this episode a lot better than the last.

Preview:

Next episode - #3
The start of the final battle?

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