life line by line

Almost two full hours worth of Mai-HiME extras can be found on the Mai-HiME Fan Disc which every MH fan probably has by now. 250 173 caps later and god knows working the limit of my pitiful knowledge of Japanese, I can now present a short (and probably wrong) overview of what the DVD has to offer!

The video segment of the DVD is mostly narrated by the lovely Mai Nakahara as if we were in class while venturing through the history of Mai-HiME. From initial production designs to the promo video to the net radio program to concert events to voice recording, there’s something to please everyone; especially the two very lengthy and hilarious cast interviews towards the end. Of course, littered throughout the sections are short AMVs using some of the character songs and all 26 episode previews of the TV series. Finally, there is a wealth of written information of character bios, settings, etc for easy browsing if one still can’t get enough of Mai-HiME. If 95 minutes worth of Mai-HiME related video isn’t enough, there’s even a small 1 minute promo where Arika of Mai-Otome ask Mai of Mai-HiME for heroine in-training advice!

Mai narrates about the various production sketches that I think can be found in either one of the mooks or FP DVDs. Really nothing important or of point of interest other than obvious comments about the school uniforms being different yet the people were still the same. Mai also talks about the promo video and how it was a tad different than what we have now. Personally I got a small laugh when she’s imitating Natsuki’s and Mikoto’s “battle calls” while looking over the battle side of the promo video.

I’ve already talked about this promo video before since it has been included on one of the FP Mai-HiME DVDs. Only point of interest is Mai remarking how she first met Saeko Chiba during the recording for the narration.

The Net Radio programs and various event concerts held before Mai-HiME actually aired to help hype and promote the series. Nothing too much about the Net Radio program other than hearing a small segment from the first airing and various photos of the three girls (Mai Nakahara, Saeko Chiba, and Ai Shimizu) doing the recording of future episodes.

The next two parts are I can only assume event concerts promoting Mai-HiME. The first one shown happened July 25th 2004 with the girls in kimonos/yukatas doing a sort of live of the net radio program. Two special guests for the event included one of the staff (director or producer?) and one of the seiyuus, Ryoko Shintani (voices Aoi Senou). Ryoko seems pretty funny as most of the conversation between her and the other girls are light and funny. The first event segment ends with Mai, Saeko, and Ai preforming “Parade” live for everyone there! Forgot to mention that throughout this Mai narrates every once in awhile about what’s going on and their experience during the event; I think this is the first major one for the series.

The second event segment shown was an month later in August if I remember correctly for TV Anime (too lazy to look this up). A little shorter than the other event shown previous, the girls are talking with the MC about the series and whatnot. Mai narrates at one point about it being Saeko’s birthday or something but anyway, this event ends the same as the other with the girls performing “Parade” live.

I’ve also talked about this as it’s a very very condensed version of the seiyuus cast reading. Mai narrates about everyone being together and lists off all the characters that come alive thanks to everyone there.

The “meat” of DVD, first round of group cast interviews. Mai Nakahara, Saeko Chiba, Ai Shimizu, and Toshihiko Seki take up the hot seats as they break bread and discuss the world of Mai-HiME. Basically broken down into self-introductions, feelings about the character they voiced, favorite other character, feeling about voice recording (I think), favorite episode, and parting message to the fans. Let me tell you up front that the majority of the conversations are completely lost upon me but I’ll try to highlight some of the more funnier (and understandable) moments.

One funny moment has to be when they discuss the characters they play, in particular Mai’s character Mai. A lot of joking around about Mai’s (the character) breasts. Also when Saeko talked about Natsuki, Mai did the Natsuki Hitchhiker Pose ™ which had everyone cracking!

Another good moment has to be when the group talked about favorite episode and Mai talked about her character working for the sake of Takumi. Somehow they still got to joke about it was really for the money and not the touching sisterly bond. On the same topic when Toshihiko went, I got kind of lost but the punchline of his story ended with him getting his wife the wrong gift or something I think (DVD Recorder or something involving the episode he was talking about). It was just great how all three girls had serious touching episodes while Toshihiko busted out something hilarious at the end!

There’s also some various joking around, a lot of which Toshihiko started. I was really surprised how hilarious the guy can be as the only male and “old man” in the group interview. I remember they were talking about mini-skirts or something and Toshihiko got a great line in… not really sure what he said but it had the girls laughing!

Round two of the cast interviews! Junko Iwao, Yuko Miyamura, Yukana, and Akio Suyama step up to the plate rounding out the last part of the DVD. They were asked the same questions as the first group but for the life of me I can’t remember anything really worth-while when they talked.

If anything, it was more interesting for me to see what the four looked like! Yukana stood out in the pack with the way she was dressed (all white) and the fact her voice is apparently naturally high. Seems like the camera liked her and Junko the most as they got more screentime than the other two, I think. Yuko was a treat to see since I’ve never seen recent photos of her nor heard how she sounds normally. You can definitely hear that Alyssa/Asuka (from Evangelion) tone of voice from her but it’s toned down a level or two. I’m sorry but all I can say about Junko is damn, that’s a low neck line shirt!

Sorry but I got nothing on these four! Everyone will just have to wait until someone hopefully translate this section if anyone is really curious as to what they were all talking about.

Next to last part of the video section of the DVD. Literally all 26 episode previews are played again. Kind of interesting to see and hear how the narration changes slightly as the series got more and more serious. Albeit, that’s like the last episode or two but still…

Last part of the DVD with Mai wishing everyone off with a “class” photo.

The only reason I really wanted the DVD (semi-joking) was for the trailer. It’s pretty short and sweet with Arika asking Mai at the family restaurant (name escapes me) for advice. Mai, after going through the hell of Mai-HiME, doesn’t sound too forth-coming with words of wisdom. Arika keeps trying with her gunho-ness and thinks her series will be moe enoguh, leading Mai to comment she used to think the same until all the Orphans business came about! Arika reassures Mai that a woman’s greatest charm, moe, will help her fine and we get a quick mahou shoujo like transformation leading to a sentai like entrance… only for Mai to hit Arika over the head for destroying the restaurant with Miyu cleaning up the mess.

Overall the Mai-HiME Fan Disc is a excellent buy for all MH fans alike. Unfortunately a very good understanding of Japanese is needed for one to truly enjoy the disc. However saying that, it’s still a blast to just watch and see how Mai-HiME came about and how the cast interacts even if the language is lost upon you. My only wish to have made the disc even better was if they had gotten the entire cast to come back and discuss the series instead of only 8 of them. ‘Cause you know hilarity happens a lot more in greater numbers

How many of you found the two links for the short videos I ripped from the DVD? One is Fujino Shizuru (Shindou Naomi)’s “Katakoi Enka” (2:14 @ 70MB) and the other is the above trailer (1:21 @ 40MB). Hint: Top and Bottom. Please also do not distribute the links to others!