life line by line

I just downloaded the Mai-HiME Drama CD Vol 1 and while I haven’t listened to it yet (I’m so not going to understand what’s going on), I looked through the scans of the booklet and found some interesting tidbits.

One of the more interesting ones in my opinion was the stats of the majority of the characters. I know you can probably just look on the offical website but I never bothered, so it’s all new to me. Most of the characters are 15 since they’re all in the same year but what I didn’t know was Yukariko is only 20 years old. I swear, I had her at the same age as Midori (24) or slightly older in the mid-to-late 20s. Always learn something new every day!

By far though, the best find was the CD’s cover, which I have included below.

I think the picture speaks for itself

Update: Currently listening and based on what I can figure, the Drama CD is more like an “omake” (extra) of the series. Basically the funny “slice-of-life” side of Mai-HiME after certain episodes. Shizuru working for a lingerie store and her “magical hands” on Mai… or the girls getting hammered… LMAO!

Okay, now that I finished through the Drama CD I can give the quick lowdown before anyone decides to download or buy this CD. I say if you’re a decent Mai-HiME fan and have a good grasp of the Japanese language, definitely pick this CD up! If you’re a diehard fan that must have all things related to the series, then this buy is a no brainer. Otherwise, it might be wise to just wait it out until some kind soul(s) translate the tracks for you.

01. Prologue
Mai, Natsuki, and Mikoto wonder and complain on just what exactly Nagi does. Pretty much the three girls dissing Nagi up the whazoo. Unfortunately, Nagi has heard everything and has his own complaints!

02. The Beginning
Everyday life. “Slice-of-life” track where Mai describe to the listeners all the various characters and her impressions of them. Funny part of Mikoto almost giving away about HiMEs and CHILDs to Aoi and Chie with Mai having to cover up the slip!

03. Lingerie Rhapsody
Mai and Mikoto go with Natsuki to buy some lingerie. Highlight is the fact either Shizuru works there or knows the owner, and helps out the girls. Well, Shizuru wants to help out Natsuki but she wisely declines letting Mai take the fall. What follows is Shizuru thorough examination of Mai’s breasts to help get the perfect bras. I leave it at that

04. Until Then Linden
Midori and Akane at work (well, before Midori quits and Akane goes all corpse) with them serving Tate and Shiho. Just another “slice-of-life” episode with Akane being envious of Tate and Shiho’s “relationship.” Good part with Midori grilling Akane for her current relationship… or lackthereof. Midori gives some “helpful” advice as usual.

05. After The Festival
The night after Mai’s birthday party. The girls decide to have a sleepover. We learn of Aoi’s “Ultimate Technique” that shuts Nao up without problem. Also Nao gives a very nice present for Mai, while using it to plot some type of revenge against the girls… alcohol it is!

06. The Festival Later
Same night as the previous scene, and everyone is drunk off their arses! Apparently Natsuki and Nao are light drinkers while Mikoto can drink anyone under the table without problem. Mai, Aoi, and Chie are all “normal” drinkers. A lot happens It all ends up with everyone drunk and going after Mikoto since she looks “so delicious!” Next morning everyone is dead, with Mai waking up first with a major hangover. Mikoto is also up (more like didn’t sleep) and is all serious… I think that night might have scarred Mikoto for life.

07. Student Council Burning Up (Moeyu?)
Haruka and Yukino go after the Anime Club. Haruka pretty much bashes the club while Yukino defends it and explains the various things associated with anime. Eventually Yukariko comes in to try to help out the anime club (I think they asked for her help), with her saying some of the stuff is “kawaii.” Everything goes down the tube when the girls find the anime club’s cosplay costumes… forcing Yukino to be the first test subject to try them on! Meanwhile, Tate and Shizuru are discussing about the student council and stuff walking in on all three girls in cosplay! Haruka goes all Marie from Sister Princess, Yukariko plays Mizuho from Onegai Teacher, and Yukino goes charcter too (no clue which role Mamiko Noto did)! Shizuru gets a good laugh while Tate is pretty much speechless…

08. Illusionary Legend
Shiho and Tate are walking around the campus talking about this and that. Shiho has to go to the bathroom and somehow runs into Akane. This is after she as lost Kazu yet doesn’t exactly remember until Shiho questions Akane about it. Akane remembers and tries to tell Shiho everything about HiMEs but Shiho suddenly wakes up from her dream… in the bathroom still! Shiho wonders if it was all a dream as she catches up with Tate.

09. Sister Yukariko’s Confession Box
A new way for teacher conferences, starring Yukariko. Various characters confess things to Yukariko as we listen to her “advice” and reactions to the students’ problems. One of the funnier ones was Mai’s confession about what happened with Reito at the festival and her brother… Yukariko misunderstanding and think Mai was dating her brother, how wrong!

10. EX Bonus Case: “Case of the Enforcement Group Leader Beaten Up ~High School Girl Steam Tour, The Embarassing Trap Awaiting in the Secret Hot Spring, Sister and Female Teacher Seen~ First Part”
If only this drama track was animated! The girls (and Tate and Nagi) are at the hot springs that Fuuka Gakuen apparently has. A lot of various girl talk and joking around. Awesome scene when Midori and Yukariko come to join the girls and in typical Midori fashion, embarrasses Yukariko in front of everyone! Oh yea, Shiruzu’s “magical hands” come back for another round!

11. Epilogue
The various seiyuus introduce themselves and give a quick thanks and whatnot about Mai-HiME. Pretty cool hearing the various cast in their normal voices and how much they actually change their pitch and tone to do their characters. Almost all of them sound different from the characters they voice, with exception of a few like Tomokazu Seki and Mamiko Noto. Oh yea, loved Naomi Shindou’s comment in this part: “Shiruzu is a hentai” (all the cast laugh at this). Last last part of the track we’re back in the MH world with Mai, Natsuki, and Mikoto finding out what Nagi did to them (basically creating this CD?). They’re out for Nagi’s blood now!

I had my initial worries when I decided to check out this CD, but all my fears were for nothing. Mai-HiME Drama CD Vol 1 was an awesome and fun experience in the would of Mai-HiME. And if there was ever a time I wanted a drama CD to be animated, the time would be now since almost all the tracks are ecchi in nature! Good comedy fun bringing back fond memories of earlier happy days of Mai-HiME before everything went to the crapper (in a good way). I hope the staff does another one of these, which looks hopeful since this CD is only Vol 1 implying there should be more in the future. sweet!