Summary:
The king of Annan apologizes to Natsuki for Erstin. Natsuki then relays her fears of Nagi starting up the Harmonium and subsequently causing a huge war. After hearing her pleas, the king of Anna agrees to help. Meanwhile, somewhere in the desert, a Mikoto confronts Miyu. In the Aswad camp, Mashiro notices an approaching vehicle in the distance. Sergay emerges from it and asks the Aswad to hand over Arika and Mashiro. The two girls decide to go, despite knowing that it’s all probably a trap. In Windbloom, Nagi has been brought the good news that Aoi, who holds the last part of the song, has woken up.
While Mashiro is watching from nearby, Arika confronts Sergay. She wants to know why he was her benefactor, why he was helping her, and why he almost kissed her. Sergay admits that his actions were because he was attracted to her. Arika pities Nina because she knows that Nina has the same feelings for Sergay as she does. Sergay also knows of those feelings, however Nina is still his daughter. He points his gun at Arika and wants her to surrender, but of course she won’t. She avoids and blocks his bullets, and Sergay uses the chance to jump away. Before she can pursue him, four new figures enter the scene: Tomoe and the Valkyrie. Tomoe shows off how elated she is by her new Robe, but her hate for Arika quickly takes over. While Arika is caught fighting all four opponents at once, Chie finds Mashiro hiding nearby.
Now that he has all of the parts, Nagi leads Nina to the Harmonium. Her robe activates when she steps up onto the platform. Nina recognizes the song, even though the lyrics are new to her. Back in the fight, Arika is managing to hold her ground against her opponents. Sergay tries to stop her by holding Mashiro hostage, but Mashiro tells Arika not to worry. If they had wanted to kill them, they would have already done so. And because they share the same life, if one of them gives up, it’s all over. At that time, Natsuki and Nao are nearing Cardair, but are surprised to see the place in flames. The Aswad force is decimating the city and its inhabitants. Midori uses Gakutenou’s horn to impale Fia Gros, thereby also killing Argos XIV. Back in the desert, Tomoe reveals the extent of her treachery with everything she had Miya do against Arika. Using explosive chains, the other three Valkyrie then down Arika. Remembering how she interfered, Tomoe takes the opportunity to bad-mouth Erstin, saying that it served her right that she died. Arika gets angry after hearing that, but Tomoe decides that it’s time to use the Valhalla no Mai (Dance of Valhalla) attack; it creates a swirling energy blast aimed at Arika.
Fortunately for Arika, a shadowy figure jumps in, grabs Mashiro and Mikoto, and blocks Tomoe’s attack. That person is none other than Miyu. She accuses her opponents of playing with Rena Sayer’s remains to create what she refers to as the “cursed Valkyrie GEM.” That statement, of course, catches Sergay by surprise. Referring to her top priority orders, Miyu readies her sword (Sword and Vortex modes) and cuts Tomoe’s Halberd in half with one swing. But before she can kill Tomoe, Sergay fires his gun at her. Miyu switches her target, rushes up to Sergay, and stabs right through him. Fortunately, Miyu seems to have avoided the vital spots. Back in Windbloom, Nina’s mind is on Sergay, so the Harmonium takes her there. She emerges from a tornado in front of the group, happy to see her father. But she then notices the wound and blames Arika. Her anger combines with her new power to create quite a force to be reckoned with. In response, Miyu uses Alyssa to make ARTEMIS, her golden sword. The two massive powers collide in a huge explosion.
When Arika wakes up, a dark figure is sitting on top of her. Another person (carrying a wok and ladle) walks up to her bed.

Preview:

So the last few episodes, although full of plot development, have been relatively slow. I was expecting this one to pack a good bit of action, but it still hit me like a truck. The use of music is superb, and because the second soundtrack came out this week, I was able to identify all of the background tracks that I like. Anyway, without further ado…
She’s alive! – Most people predicted correctly that Aoi is indeed still alive. What I didn’t expect was her to be able to provide Nagi with the final part of the song that he needed (thereby making Sergay and the Valkyrie mission rather pointless?). Her face looks rather lifeless, so I kind of wonder if she’s been emotionally scarred since the incident.
Valkyrie Garb – The Valkyrie Robes are so fitting for Tomoe and her lackeys in that evil sort of way. The transforming aspect is a bit unnecessary, but it did make them impossible to hit by Arika. That begs to question why they didn’t just stay in their flying form the entire time against her.
Oh, that’s gotta hurt – When Fia Gros got impaled by Gakutenou, why does it look like she also lost her arms and legs? Maybe those are just what decay into sparkles first when she died.
Multiple Mikoto – It wasn’t until a Mikoto landed on top of Nao and Natsuki’s car that I realized that there were multiple cats. One is the Mikoto with Mashiro (cross shaped marking), one is the Mikoto that confronts Miyu at the beginning of this episode (lambda shaped marking) and the last is the one that landed on Nao and Natsuki’s car (crescent shaped marking). I like the idea that the multiple Mikoto are leading their targets somewhere, or are part of a larger power at work. Actually, that larger power may just be Mai and Mikoto (the human) since the preview shows two cat Mikotos in the onsen scene.
SEARRS For The GOLDEN MILLENNIUM! – Ok, I was definitely cheering when Miyu started using all of her weapons and skills. I think you need to have watched Mai-HiME to get the same reaction and to fully appreciate all of the original series references (Alyssa the millennium queen, ARTEMIS, etc). All of the Miyu and SEARRS stuff really does make it seem like Otome is some future version of HiME, but I think the references are just a nod to the fans of the first series.
It’s just a flesh wound – The revelation that Rena Sayer’s remains are being used to make the GEMs probably would have had a lot more impact on Sergay if he hadn’t gotten impaled soon after hearing that. If and when he does remember it again, he’ll probably be pretty pissed off at Nagi. At this point, it’s more a question of when and how he’ll betray/get his revenge on Nagi.
Top Priority – I wonder who Miyu was referring to when she was talking about the top priority orders she had. It’s possible that she’s referring to Mai or Rena or even Arika’s grandmother. This is one of those questions that’ll be answered if they decide to tell us more about Miyu and why she’s protecting Arika.
I have the power! – Is it wise to give Nina all of that power? It seems like it’s possible that this would all blow up in Nagi’s face if Nina decided to betray him and do things on her own
Drumroll, please… – Mai!!!! You can bet I’ll be shouting that again next episode. I can think of two explanations of why Mai and Mikoto (the person) are taking care of Arika and Mashiro. The first is that Mai saved them from the explosion, and the second is that Miyu is connected to Mai and brought the girls to Mai after the fight. It’ll probably get explained next episode. The one thing I am afraid of is that they’re going to lose too much momentum by putting an onsen-ish episode in so late. The preview could be deceptive though, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s only showing us a small part of next episode.

Only four more episodes of Otome are left!

61 Comments

  1. OMG AOI LIVED!!! *leaps the chair and dances happily*

    So…Sergey is dead rite? I HOPE HE IS!!!
    Nina in berseker mode is kinda….scary
    Just fell bad for Nina…. >,

    wanderer
  2. Though i would love to know what happen to Shizuru…..
    Also when will the other two pillar will come out!!

    I’m hoping for all of the pillars to fight together!!!

    Go!! Otome Senpai!!! GO!!!

    waking
  3. MAI ! MAI ! MAI is coming back next week ! yay ! * dancing and singing *
    YAY ! OMG i’m so happy. looks like a good episode !
    DIE sergay DIE !
    Die nina DIe !
    DIe !

    kurotsuki
  4. Next ep is the 1hr special/last episode right? Can’t wait to see how they end this series. Though I am a little worried since a lot has happened, and I don’t think 1 hour is an adequate amount of time to resolve everything. Hope they don’t go with the easy ending like in Hime. Though, as cheesey as it was in Hime, it did make me happy. ….. So confilicted.

    mangamaxx
  5. Looks like I was right about Mikoto being able to make little shadow images of herself (or Cats) looks like shes trying to direct everyone or something. And yah there were 3 diffrent cats.

    Looks like this takes place FAR into the future of Mai-HiME after seeing Miyu’s weapons. She WOULD survive that long after all, she is a cyborg >:D

    Oh andI just loved how she royally owned Tomoe and Sergey.

    Anza
  6. Ara ara, you guys are so funny, not difficult to see who likes which characters^^
    Well, after looking at this pictures.. WTF???!!?!
    I need the normal summary please^^ Plenty things happen in this episode.
    Well, Mai is coming, but really late. Whatever, better than not at all.
    Ahhh, now I know what happens in episode 22; study study..

    *Chi*
  7. “When Miyu pulled her sword out, I was cheering at the “SEARRS For The GOLDEN MILLENNIUM” (and ARTEMIS and all of the weapon types).”

    so I wasn’t the only one who did that! XD

    Nigredo
  8. I seriously not fond of deus ex machina.

    Now we’re witnessing another pattern.

    Sergey! He became the plot device for the Nina-Harmonium.

    Episode 17:
    Got scratched by Erstin’s slave, and the handkerchief, that Arika made for oji-sama, flew out from his jacket giving away his identity. This in turn shocked Nina and to her anger and jealousy bursting out, the Ultimate Black Diamond becomes activated. Meister Nina blames and vents her wrath on Arika, attempting to kill her.

    This episode:
    Sergey gets impaled by Miyu’s sword in the gut. Meister Nina gets transported by the Harmonium materializing her wish to see Sergey. She finds out a mortally injured Sergey and sees Meister Arika on stage. Meister Nina explodes ballistic activating the Harmonium power on her, ready to kill Arika again.

    Guido
  9. I think she was a Pillar, too, and so Nao took her place after enough time had passed to declare her truly missing. Although…could Mikoto be the master?

    Sergey down…now only Smith and Tomoe on my “must die list.” Go Miyu!

  10. *dance dance dance* MAIIII!! WATASHI NO MAIIIIII XD DAIIIIIISUKIIII!!!

    Only goes to show that FINALLY Sunrise is putting its act back together. These last 4 eps oughtta be a huge kick! Man, I never knew how much I missed Mikoto and Mai! Especially with psychotic Ni-na in a rage… Zomg, Miyu rocks. Actually, she has always rocked in my books. Miyu always makes the best changes to the story!

    (This isn’t much of a spoiler, but for those of you who haven’t seen Mai HiME (which you should and be ashamed of yourself for not watching before)… this would be a spoiler… XD
    Show Spoiler ▼

    Yue
  11. I wonder what the death count will be by the end of Mai Otome XD
    the return of Mai and Mikoto(human) is something to rejoice about indeed, i wonder when we’ll see Mai in action though, and Mikoto(human)’s relation to her is still kind of fuzzy…

    Kaito
  12. Yay! New assortment of weaponry for Miyu.

    I didn’t really like how Arika was owned, though. Sure, it was against four opponents, but I guess that’s to make for more characters to enter the stage. 😀

    F.A.I.T.H
  13. Damn! Looks like Mikoto and Luna are relatives.. I knew this was all about a crossover with Sailor Moon.. (^_^) this is way too yurilicious ..
    Who´s Mai master? I mean she´s not a pillar anymore (Nao is now) and even if she could have not materialise her robe (which she has definitely on) so she´s got to have her master beside her.. mikoto?

    philk
  14. Might be. Don’t tell me Mai is Arikas grandmother, she is just too young^^ (Even for a Anime story).
    But the question about Mai’s master is interesting. Maybe it’s Mikoto, maybe Miyu oder maybe, who knows? We’ll see^^

    *Chi*
  15. WOW finally someone who also thinks Mai could be Arika no baccha XD
    first i dont think its power related (remember arika is an orphan)
    then you dont really have to be an old hag to be nicknamed like that (cant be worse than Arinko lol)
    then maybe Mai probably did not want to give her real name
    of course thats JUST speculation but that was an idea i had since the start or so…would explain how the hell arika got nano machine in her system ..as for mai master..i think she has pillar level../rant

    K.Neko
  16. Manga of course having no bearing on anime.. think rena actually is arika’s ba-chan in the manga, not 100% though since I can’t actually ready the stuff, that is just going on the manga drawings themselves.

    kiryuu
  17. Question:

    Why the hell Sunrise made it looked like MO is the far-flung future of MH? Would that mean that Miyu would recognize Natsuki and the others from their previous life?

    Black Valley Necromancer
  18. YAY MIYU!!!!!!!!!!
    I wanted to see more of Miyu from the beginning-wow just amazing…
    Midori-still my favorite character in HIME/otome- Gaktenou- SWEET!!!
    and Mai+Mikoto (love the new look) in the next ep-can’t wait!!

    Midori wa daisuki
  19. hmm. what was chie saying just before she got shocked?

    methinks that there’s the downside of this valkyrie crap besides the whole selling nagi yer soul thing; free will, what’s that?

    Z
  20. Oh man, just watched the episode. Seeing Miyu fight the valkries just put the phrase “Sometimes the best toys are the old ones” when watching Miyu(old) mop the floor with the Valkries(new).

    mangamaxx
  21. why do you all hate Sergey!? XD

    and I gotta shout this also… “MAI!! MAI!!! MAAAAAAAIII!!!!!!”

    and “MIKOTO!!! MIKOTOOOO!!!!!!”

    I just thought when I saw the ep that there are just too much Mikotos (cats) and if there’s just one he’s dmn walking fast XD
    but then I saw the marks on the forhead. I think Mikoto uses the cats to see and be in a lot of places and keep Arika’s-Mashiro’s saftey and to see if Miyu is keeping the plan.

    man I was shaking in the GOLDEN MILLENIUM part!! XD Miyu became one of the most coolest chars in Otome!

    oh… and… Aoi lives!! WooT! XD

    ….

    MAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!9

  22. GOOD LORD!! this show is awful.. it’s just like bad crack!!……but hey, crack is still crack.. i can,t speak for everybody else. but i hate sergey cause he’s a wishey washy suck ass that dont even know what he likes “how old is he anyway?” OHH arika i’m drawn to your smile.. WTF does that mean.. PEDOPHILE..
    …ohh well let all watch together and see how much more redonkulouse they can make this thing

    born to lose "sort of"
  23. (Reading the scoreboard:)

    Akane, Kazuya, Miya, Takumi & Akira: Safely Away.
    Erstin, Mimi, and Fia Gros: [Censored] DEAD.
    Arika, Mashiro, Midori, Miyu, Alyssa: Cheerleaders of the Aswald Group.
    Nagi, Nina, Sergay, Tomoe, “HiME Crook” Girls: EVIL.
    Haruka, Yukino, Natsuki-Crisis, Nao: Somewhere else.
    Chie, Shiho, Irina, Lilie, and Yayoi: Unknown.
    Aoi: Not dead yet.
    Shizuru: Still hot despite being hard-gay.
    Mai and the Real Mikoto: With Evil Glowing Red Eyes
    The Mikoto Nekotachi: MULTIPLYING!

  24. Am I the only one wondering about the 6 cats statues in mokoto´s house? Ok they are six, we´ve got 3 cats and a shadow (wich IS no more thanx to nina). there are still 2 left!! wonderin wonderin..

    philk
  25. Did anyone notice the background music (in the final scene) when Arika grasp upon seeing Mikoto(human) sitting on her?
    ~It’s one of the battle score for My HiME. Yay~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To be exact, i think it’s Duran Shoukan

    talking_llama

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