So recently I was scanning through new different anime series and I came across this new series called “Mai-Otome 0~S.ifr~” (who the heck comes up with these title names?). Anyhow, since I enjoyed the previous series like Mai-HiME and Mai-Otome I thought I would enjoy this just as much. What is unique about these series is that along with with having new characters, they use some of the same characters throughout, but they may have different roles and storyline! For instance the main character, Mai Tokiha in Mai-HiME was a student at the Fuka Academy with the special ability to summon a “child” or an avatar. However, in Mai-Otome, Mai Tokiha had become a fighter known as an “Otome Meister” whereby she is imbued powers to fight enemies and to protect her master. In this new OVA series, it centres around a girl named Sifr Fran and how there is a mysterious plot to kidnap her. The series is a prequel to the Otome series and what is interesting is that it tells us more about the life of Rena Yumemiya, the mother of Arika Yumemiya (main character in the Mai-Otome series). Without further ado, here is the new series:

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After watching it, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing some of the familiar characters as well as all the action packed fighting. It’s also interesting to see that Rena actually had a different jewel (Lofty Crimson Jade) as an Otome, but it does make sense that she later obtains the Blue Sky Sapphire (which is later inherited by Arika) once the Lofty Crimson Jade broke. What is weird is that Rena is supposely only 16 years old?! My impression is that she seemed more mature than Sifr, yet they are supposedly close in age. Anyhow, I definitely liked watching this episode and I can’t wait to see the next one…hopefully it’ll come sometime soon!

-Stephen