MariMite 1

Retro-blogging another yuri series, Maria-sama ga Miteru (The Virgin Mary is Watching), after previous retro-blogathons of Kannazuki and Yamibou. Might take a while to complete it though. This episode begins in the middle and we're filled in along the way. Chronologically, Yumi gets her scarf re-done by her idol, Sachiko. Tsutako snaps a picture and will give it to Yumi on the condition she helps get permission from Sachiko to display it at the school photo exhibition. They are met by Shimako at the Rose Mansion, headquarters of the Lilian Girls' School Student Council - the Mountain Lilies Council (Yamayurikai). Sachiko literally runs into Yumi and immediately wants to declare her as her soeur.

This is a dream come true for Yumi except that it seems Sachiko is only doing so to get out of having to perform in the school festival alongside the student council president of the neighbouring and equally posh boys' school, Hanedara Academy. So she does the unthinkable and refuses to swallow her pride, not accepting Sachiko's rosary. But she still wants to help her idol. Rosa Gigantea (Sei) proposes a bet: Sachiko can drop the role if she can get Yumi to become her soeur at which point Yumi will take over the role. Leaving school, Sachiko tells Yumi that she will definitely make Yumi her bitch soeur.

Screencaps are Sei-centric. Konno Oyuki sensei (author of the original MariMite novels) has reportedly been quoted as saying that Sei being one's favourite character is like saying the sky is blue.

Upon re-watching this series, I've found that my reading of Erica's opinions at Okazu have allowed me to better appreciate this series. E.g. I've only just noticed how Sachiko touches Yumi quite a lot, and that it is incredibly tender and sweet - the two of them do have a certain physical chemistry that the animation manages to convey - now that I'm looking out for it. Socchan has collected together a list of all of Erica's Okazu posts on the MariMite novels, manga and drama CDs. Which is very useful and convenient since the Blogger search engine is not very helpful. Bless Erica for writing them and Socchan for compiling the links!

What I liked most during my initial viewing and which I still love is the playfulness of Sei and the humourous reactions from Yumi. It's almost like Sei has found a favourite new pet or toy and Yumi just doesn't know how to cope with Sei's attentions (though it does evolve into a very strong rapport later).

Mamiko Noto has voiced quite a few interesting roles in recent anime (e.g. Ana Coppola in Ichigo Mashimaro, Ai Enma in Jikoku Shoujo, Angol Moa in Keroro Gunso, Hecate in Shakugan no Shana). I enjoyed her most adventerous effort, playing an aggressive female lead, Hazuki in Yamibou and I think she has fun voicing Moa. While I hope to see her play more Hazuki-type roles, for me, Noto-san's definitive role is definitely as Toudo Shimako. She conveys Shimako's effortless grace and elegance but also the uneasy, deep undercurrents as well as the stresses and outbursts that make Shimako such an interesting character.

Sei is *such* a cad but everyone still loves her because she just oozes charm. Great shifting from aloof to in-your-face, from serious honours student to dirty old man, from cheerfully absent-minded to darkly menancing and so on. She was also the one who got the Sachiko vs. Yumi bet.

This series isn't for everyone since nothing really happens throughout the series but I think it was hugely influential - the mother of all gokigenyo parodies almost. I love the understated pastel tones, the interesting characters, the superb voice acting. And I'm sur e others, like pika and lily (thanks for the encouragement!), would also love to get into the series if there was more exposure.

Scanlations of the manga, by lililicious, can be found here and torrents for this season, by Anime Source and lililicious, are also still available (strength of the seeding is another issue though). I've also blogged on the second season, Haru (Spring).

Related posts:

1. MariMite 2
2. MariMite: Vacation of the Lambs
3. MariMite 3