Original.Tough.Adaptable.Keen.Unique

My-Hime [舞-HiME] and
My-Otome [舞-乙HiME]
My-Hime is one of my favorite animes that I watched. It helped me get a sense of mecha-manga or anime. This story, taking place in the future, is a lot about robots and magical, technological and medicinal advances. The story is rather entertaining and you can relate to the characters. One of the coolest animes ever. Mai Otome is the "sequel", but it's set in an alternate universe with the ame characters. It's awesome! I got the DVDs and Artbox for My-HiME and am going to get the Newtype June issue late this week. For the new My-Otome dub.


My-HiME Overview [SEMI-SPOILER For EPISODE 1]
The Fuuka Academy is a unified school (having students from primary school and high school). In the Fuuka Academy, a rumor that a mysterious monster appeared has spread, and that the only match for the monsters were girls called “HiME.” They have the abilities of HiME (Highly-advanced Materializing Equipment).

Mai Tokiha is an average high school girl and devoted older sister who earns a scholarship to the prestigious Fuuka Academy. During the ride on the ferry to the academy, the crew spots and rescues a young girl who is afloat face down in the water, gripping a large black sword. They rescue her, and attempt to resucitate her, yet Mai happens to be the only one present licensed with CPR training and is forced to assist. She is successful but soon afterwards, Mai notices that the girl has an odd birthmark, one identical to her own.The recovering girl is sent to rest, and everyone disperses. Everything returns to normal on the ferry, until a young female who is searching for the girl found in the water comes aboard the ferry during the night. A battle ensues between the girl from the water and the searching female, destroying the ferry in its wake. Everyone evacuates safely without Mai, and the first sight of HiME alongside Mai's dormant powers manifest, as she goes down with the sinking vessel.

~My thoughts~
Though it may seem like the normal girl gets powers/too much fanservice type of anime. It's quite the contrary. As a girl, I was a bit skeptical about this because it [wikipedia] said that this series was Shounen. I don't normally like Shounen mangas or anime, but this one is excellent. There are a lot of characters in this series, so you're bound to find one that suits your liking or that you can relate to. I know I did. Mai is one of those characters that you can see is a well rounded lead heroine. She isn't wavering in her thought and is responsible. She's the "big sister" type. If you want a big sister, you want one like her. She's caring and smart [to an extent] and always thinks of others before herself. What makes this series great is that they have a character, who, at first, seems like everything is good for her and everything is fine, but then they find her flaws and make them and the decisions that come from those flaws and insecurities. This goes for Mai Tokiha and every other maiden that is in this battle.

My-Otome Overview
The MAiDs (Otome; maidens) aren't quite your usual run-of-the-mill maids. They support royalty and politicians, and act as advisors to them as well. It's a profession all the girls want to do when they grow up. Girls who want to become MAiDs are gathered from each country and attend the Otome training school, Garderobe, for two years and undergo intensive training, after which they become Otome. The chosen among them who have the abilities might dream of becoming "Meister Otome". My-Otome's story takes place on the planet Earl in the distant future. "Old technology" has survived in the form of nanomachines that allow female virgins to take the role of Meister Otomes - bodyguards and warriors that serve the royalty of various kingdoms. Arika Yumemiya has come to Windbloom Kingdom in search of her mother, whom Arika knows was an Otome. On her arrival she meets the top Coral Otome student, Nina Wáng, and Windbloom's heir to the throne, Mashiro Blan de Windbloom. The series follows Arika's progress as a student at Garderobe Academy and the machinations of those desiring the destructive power of the old technology for themselves. The chosen among them who have the abilities might dream of becoming "Meister MAiDs".

~My Thoughts~
My-Otome, was in fact, in my opinion, the better of the two series. Anything else I tell you would be a spoiler, so WATCH IT!!! But I will say that most of the characters in HiME are in Otome but are just in alternate roles with different names/circumstances. It's really something to watch. Especially if you like the sci-fi/mecha mixed with super-powered girls type of animes. [That's what I like by the way.] I've honestly never watched more original anime. Buy the DVDs, too. They're really good! The dub, that is. Definitely worth your buck.

[for those of you who have seen it] THIS IS IN MY OPINION!! [highlight to see]
The ending was dissatisfactory in My-HiME *coughTatecough* so Otome was dubbed the better one.

Definately worth looking into. If you like Love Hina or Mahou Sensei Negima then you might be interested in My-HiME, as well as Mai Otome. They may look like some typical shounen junk, but I think you'll find yourself a lot more interested in this than first appearances.